Investment Q&A

Q: In terms of geographical allocation, I'm very deficient on International exposure. What do you suggest that I hold in a RRSP account, in terms of ETF to plug this hole?

Q: I recently borrowed from my HELOC to top up our TFSAs. I'm thinking of potentially keeping it simple and going TEC + XAW (40/60 split). This would give me quite a bit of US exposure but thought of bumping up US exposure. Would it make sense to instead buy VUN + VIU + VEE in a 70/23/7 split instead of XAW which has a lower US allocation? Do you think US equities will continue to outperform world over 10+ year horizon?

Also thinking instead of the 40% allocation in TEC, should I take a small position in ARKK or other ARK funds? Maybe 30% TEC, 10% ARKK? I feel like many of the names in ARKK fund are priced to perfection. Thanks

Q: My two main holdings are QQQ and VIG in the US and ZQQ and VFV and ZQQ in Canada. I'm looking for two medium risk etfs that will balance these with CD, OIL, Financials, health, and industrials . I'd like reasonable growth expected in the next few years but with a manageable lower risk beta?
1) Can you suggest 2 CDN ETFS
2) Can you suggest 2 US ETFS
3) Can you suggest 2-3 emerging markets ETFS

PS can you also explain why TDOC seems to have a beta of .15??? Considering its growth, that seems impossible?

Q: I currently own only VA for international exposure and will be buying XEF. Would it better to sell VA and buy VEE or buy VEE as well and hold all 3 ETFs ?
Thanks

Q: Hello -
I have a concern about the grossing up of Canadian dividends (non registered account) affecting my OAS when I reach 71. By that time I will be forced to RRIF, I'll have my CPP, and I also have a company pension that I will be drawing from prior to that.

I know you are not tax experts, but wondered if you see anything wrong with my thinking here. I am leaning more towards lower paying dividend paying blue chips in that non-registered account. I already have ATD.B and CNR. Are there any other quality Canadian companies that you are comfortable with in this "lower dividend" category?

Alternatively I was thinking I could "swap" some investments. i.e. have more Canadian dividend payers in my RRSP and have my emerging market ETF's - ZID and VEE - in my non-registered account. Do you think this is worth considering?
At least those dividends would not be grossed up. Although the trade-off is that you lose the dividend credit.......sigh.

Q: Hello.
I’m interested in adding emerging market exposure. Please provide your top etf picks
(USD and CAD).
Thanks.
James.

Q: Words you hear often -"You can't beat the Index" . If one was to follow this theory - what would you invest in?

Q: Do you recommend a China specific ETF as part of an RRSP portfolio, and if so, which Canadian traded ones do you prefer?

Q: I am trying to increase my international / US stocks allocation with 1 of a few ETFs. I don't need income but some yield would be nice.
How do you feel about emerging markets for the next few years?
Can you please provide suggestions. Would you recommend a large position say around 15% to be meaningful in the portfolio. Long term buy and hold. Thank you for your help.

Q: Hi, 5i team
What are your opinions about emerging market and Europe? Are they attractive based on current value? Could you recommend some ETFs both in Canadian & US dollars?
Do you recommend to buy now to hold about 1 or 2 years?

Thanks a lot!

Q: Helping my son with his investments which are as follows: MAW 106 24%,MAW 106 20%. VUS 21%, VEF 18%, VEE 8%, ZJG 6% and XQQ 3%.Feeling there is a bit of an overlap with some of these investments eg XQQ and VUS also with MAW 150 and VEF to a degree. Any advice is welcome ,stay as is , reduce holdings or increase some..He prefers ETF's and Mutual Funds (Mawer) and is a bit risk adverse but does realize markets go up and down though and is young( mid 30's ) enough to handle declines. ! Thanks.Paul

Q: Hi, currently holding VGG, VEE, and XEF. Since the CAD$ has rallied against the USD, would you switch these cad etfs to US etfs now for the lower MER going forward? How big of a difference would this make in the the long term, say 20 years assuming all other variables stay the same? These are long term core holdings for me. All in RSP and only fees would be commission on the sale and of course one time FX conversion. What would be the best US etf to replace XEF and VEE? Thanks!

Q: With Democrats in complete control, could you suggest a few good China and emerging market ETF's? Thanks.

Q: I'm currently trying to diversify my RIF account for 2021. I've trimmed some over weight holdings to free up some cash. I have NA covered with stocks in Canada and a couple of ETF's for the US but, nothing for the rest of world.
How would you currently rate the above now, hopefully for the coming recovery post COVID. I note, South America is not represented. do I need to consider it separately?
I'm inclined to go with 2 positions @ about 6% ......your opinion please!
All the best to you and everyone at 5i for the new year!

Q: Hi, You already mentionned here that ZEM was more "tax efficient" than VEE, since "there is no US withholding tax" with ZEM. From what I can observe,VEE is only including emerging market stocks (and no ETFs or US stock), could you explain to me why VEE would be less "tax efficient" than ZEM ? Regards,JY

Q: Hi 5i! I have the above noted 5 ETFs in various dollar amounts in 5 different accounts. Average weight in each is less than 3%. The results have been varied with IYJ and VXUS beiong the strongest recently. I am thinking of consolidating 5 into 2 holdings, probably IYG and VXUS which would give me apporoximately 5% in each ETF. These 2 would complement each other since one is all US and the other non-US. Your thoughts please.

Q: Hi 5I,
Have been looking at XEC.CA to diversify my portfolio from mainly US and Canadian Stocks. What is your opinion of XEC for a long term hold? Do you have other suggestions?
Thanks,
Earl

Q: I would like your recommendation and reasoning for 2 ETF's

Firstly, a Global ex North America USD ETF with a Good Dividend

And Secondly, an Emerging Markets (preferably CAD) ETF with a Far East bias

Thanks, Hugh

Q: ETFs
Can you suggest your top 1-2-3 ETFs traded on the TSX for Canadian, USA and International markets that should perform well (after fees) over the next 1-2 years and have good trade volumes? Also, would this be a good time to purchase hedge or unhedged ETFs?

Q: Hi

On the issue of ZEM being more tax efficient than VEE. Does this apply in registered accounts?