Investment Q&A

Q: Hello,

We have a 2.5-year-old named Victoria, aka 'Toe-Toe'. We are Canadian, and looking for some recommendations for balanced ETFs (or index funds) that we can purchase every two weeks for her RESP. They should have a low/no/reasonable MER, probably more exposure to the US, than Canada, and if possible a dividend so we can start a DRIP. Your suggestions are appreciated. Thanks,

Go, Jets, Go!

Q: I have a target allocation of 40-45% for total portfolio US exposure. Which ETFs would you suggest (either currency) to form the core of this allocation? Could you also please provide a handful of individual US picks to supplement. Aiming for long term growth with 20+ yr time horizon. Thanks!

Q: What is your view on a core portfolio of the following ETFs: IEMG (12%), IEFA (23%), ITOT/ VFV (40%). The US ETFs would be in RRSP to minimize fees and withholding taxes while VFV would be in a TFSA. Both accounts would be supplemented with individual stocks from the 5i balanced/growth portfolios and a select few US stocks (CRWD, U, SQ, PINS, PLTR, NVDA) for Canada/growth exposure. Do you prefer Vanguard’s comparative US ETFs over the ones mentioned or are you largely indifferent? Thanks!

Q: 2 questions: Take as many points as needed

I own VFV in all my accounts, RRSP, TFSA, Margin. It is my biggest overall holding. I know you like IWO, so I'm wondering if it would make sense to sell VFV and buy IWO, just in my TFSA account for more growth. Do you see IWO outperforming VFV? What would make it underperform?

Also, I own BFAM through your recommendation in Investor Suite. Do you see this stock doing really well if the world gets back to normal, and people need more child care services?

Thank you for all that you do.

Q: My RSP is comprised of VFV, VIU, CLF but I like the concept of the auto rebalancing of VGRO. However the longer duration bonds in VGRO are concerning. Would you make the switch. Conventional wisdom says bonds are going to be destroyed going forward, when monetary tightening eventually happens.
And by the way my 2020 5i account return was 16%. You guys Rock!!
Thanks

Q: In a rising interest rate environment, would VGG as a dividend growth ETF face more headwinds than VFV?

Thanks.

Q: Hi 5i,
Can you make a few suggestions on EFT’s that could be used in constructing a portfolio for an RDSP investment account covering Canada, US and International with a 20+ year time horizon?
In addition to your individual suggestions what are your thoughts on holding a world ETF like XAW from a tax efficiently perspective within an RDSP account for world exposure?
Thanks,

Q: I am looking to put my money into 2-5 stocks/Mutual funds.
Investment Horizon is 10 Yrs, i am a high risk taker, looking for High growth.
But, I am not very active in the stockmarket, I want to put my money in 2-5 holdings and then forget about it..... and then sell them after 10-15 years.

Please suggest 2-5 stocks/Mutualfunds etc...
I friend suggested BAM, BRK.B and Mauer Mutual funds.....Please advice

Q: What are your preferred ETFs that mirror the SP500. Thanks

Q: The geography of the following according to my Alpha-Balanced portfolio are US.
BEPC-3.55%: CRWD-3.42%: VFV-3.59%:VEEV-1.99%: VGG 3.95% for a total of approximately 17%. I would like to increase this to approximately 25%.
In addition to the above I own the following dual listed stocks.
LSPD-10.28%: SHOP-5%: T-3.61%
Moving cash from unregistered C$ to unregistered U$ account. Would you consider adding to any of the above or do you have an alternate suggestion,
In the portfolio I’m overweight tech & industrials.

Underweight materials and energy. Not a fan of oil or gold .

Roy
In addition I own the following that have dual listing.

Q: My US exposer is very low and I would like to buy an ETF to cover that sector I presently have VEE ZEQ FPXI which other ETF would fit in this
Thanks

Q: I have a DOY balanced portfolio (Alpha-Balanced for guidance) , with less than 10 year timeframe.
I’m underweight communication services, and energy. Not a fan at this stage of oil or precious metals. Overweight in industrials and technology.
My concern is with my overweight in technology. Reading a number of opinion articles that refer to the tech boom as another dot.com. The reply often is oh but this is different.
Here’s my two cents worth especially related to tech stocks I own. First of all investors/traders seem to be jumping in and out of technology based on the latest COVID-19 / vaccine news.
Re KXS; will still be in demand long after Covid-19. LSPD; somewhat sensitive to Covid-19 but have done a good job diversifying and adapting restaurant services etc. Will do well in recovery.
Maybe more acquisitions.
SHOP; like Amazon will carry on even though the valuation is high. Younger generation will still shop on line.
Now comes the tricky part. WELL and VEEV. I don’t quite have a handle on. Not sure if the demand for their service will still be there post COVID-19.
Your comments and/or thought would be greatly appreciated. I have a feeling that many of your clients would be interested in what you have to say.
I’m an experienced investor but don’t have access to the kinds of info I once did. I depend a great deal on your unbiased expert opinion.
Merry Christmas

Roy

Q: I need to increase my us exposure, any suggestions for etf in non-registered, 5-10 horizon?

Q: I am helping my niece set up with ETF. She is holding the below funds right now. Can you please advise their fees and which ETF would you suggest replacing them with? Is there a site where you can check the mutual fund fees and performance?

PH&N LifeTime 2045 Fund
RBC Canadian Equity Fund
RBC Balanced Fund
BLK Balanced Index
Capital Global Equity
BLK US Equity Index

Thanks for your help
Hector

Q: Can you give me pros and cons of these ETFS, TLF, TXF, VFV, ZQQ. I'm looking for a long term hold without too much volatility. Can you recommend one or two? Can you also comment on the bizarre divide from TXF and its covered calls.

Q: Hi, what do you recommend for a small portfolio (< 15k), start with etf only until have a nice nest or canadian stocks (because TSX etf it is not well diversified) + etf for us stocks? I would like to manage a stocks portfolio but maybe it is an error now due to my portfolio size. I think about VFV (35%) + XQQQ (or VGT) (15%) + VEE (10%) + 40% canadian stocks (no etf).

Q: After scanning 5I questions for the best fit for my daughters LIRA which she will not need for 20 years and will not be contributing to it, we settled on VFV,VEE,and VUN. That leaves room for a tech ETF for the remaining. Considering:
XIT.TO but the MER is high at 0.61% vs. TEC.TO which is a TD ETF
product with an MER 0.35%. Are there any others to consider or which
would you choose and why?

Q: Hello 5i, I am a new DIY dividend investor (switched from mutual funds from various industry advisors). My spouse and I have TFSAs and RRSPs which we have invested in companies traded on the TSX (banks, utilities, etc many of them reference in the portfolios). My question is how do I get USA and international exposure and still stay within the Canadian market; we are not ready for US$ accounts or other international exchanges. I assume the answer is ETFs but I am overwhelmed with the number of choices. Investment timeline is 20+ years and want to focus on dividend growth. Thank you.

Q: Good day!

I've noticed a trend with respect to your recommendations for RESP ETF holdings with a longer timeframe (10-15yrs). You seem to like VGRO +/- IWO. I'm looking for growth and can tolerate risk. Currency doesn't matter.

VGRO has a 19.9% weighing of bond ETF's and the rest are a combination of other vanguard ETF's. In looking at performance since its inception, it lags behind IWO which often lags behind the S&P 500 ETFs. From a non-expert viewpoint it would seem that a combination of large and mid cap US/CAN ETF's would achieve similar purpose and improve returns by eliminating the bond component.

1. What am I missing re VGRO? is it that the bond component satisfies the usual 80/20 combination as an all-in-one and is simply easy?

2. If you were to improve the 'all-in-one' VGRO using a combination of ETF's, which US/CAN growth/index ETF's would you assemble to eliminate the bond component? Perhaps a combination of XIC, VFV/ZSP/VOO, VTI, VUG, ZQQ or others you think work better?

3. Out of the S&P 500 ETF's, do you have a preference between ZSP or VFV? Is there an advantage to holding the US listed SPY, IVV or VOO vs the Canadian-listed? and if so, which do you prefer?

4. If you were to devote 25% of the RESP to high potential equities, which would you choose?

Thanks!

Q: Hi Peter, Rayan and team,

During last March sell off I bought VFV ETF in my RRSP account and I had a healthy profit. I am looking to sell half my position to buy Canadian and US beaten up stock that have a good potential to rebound. Can you please suggest some good quality names.
Thanks