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Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: The S&P 500 looks good in the current market and long term, with about 72% in the follow: big tech 26%, financials 14%, health care 13%, communication 10%, consumer defensive 6% and utilities 3%. 5i seems to prefer VFV, but its yield is listed at 1.12% on Yahoo and ZSP at 1.3%: is this because VFV has deducted the 15% withholding tax on US dividends? I assume the 15% would still be withheld in a registered account? Thanks!!
Read Answer Asked by Grant on April 11, 2022
Q: Hi 5i.
Thanks for your continuing great service.

I am trying to find a way to hold US stocks without being subject to US Estate Tax or the need for T1135 tracking.

Are CDRs on US stocks subject to US Estate Tax?

Are CDRs on US stocks subject to T1135 reporting?

Are there other vehicles, besides selected Canadian- company-managed ETFs, that enable ownership of US stocks without exposure to US Estate Tax or T1135 exposure?

Which Canadian companies managing US stock EFTs are not subject to these issues?

Are the Canadian branches of US companies that manage US stock EFTs deemed by CRA to be US or Canadian?

Any additional comments or suggestions that you may have on these topics would be greatly appreciated.

Please deduct as many question credits as appropriate.

Many thanks !
Read Answer Asked by David on March 31, 2022
Q: Please rank in order the following etfs in a non registered account.
Main criteria being growth, dividend and mer.

Xuu
Vfv
Vun
Read Answer Asked by Timothy on March 29, 2022
Q: Hello. In reviewing my portfolio, I realize that I lack exposure to US markets. I am therefore thinking of purchasing an VFV ETF. I am 66 years old and receive a reasonable pension. While I have an RRSP, I have not contributed to it for many years, choosing instead to build my TFSA. Given that my TFSA is now topped up, would it make sense to add VFV to my RRSP (better tax advantages??) or add it to an open investment account that I currently hold?
Read Answer Asked by Heather on March 21, 2022
Q: If you were to sell any of the above, list in order your top 5 or 6. Or would you keep the portfolio as is for next 3 years.
Roy
Read Answer Asked by Roy on March 04, 2022
Q: Hi 5i team. Love what you guys offer here as I am a recent trial member who pulled the trigger and signed up. I currently hold ATZ, BAM.A FLOW GSY PRN SLF TOI VFV and WSP in a TFSA. I am looking at rounding out my portfolio to include one of: IIP.un, DIR.un, CAR.un for long term hold with focus on growth and ok with some volatility. So out of those 3 what would you suggest is the best one to choose? Also, any other suggestions you would consider adding to my portfolio for increased diversification based on my overall strategy? Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Marco on March 02, 2022
Q: I am currently heavily invested in Canadian stocks but have insignificant exposure/diversification to the US market. At 64 yo I'm favouring simplicity and considering a significant investment via an Index fund ETF (10 year + timeframe). This will not be in a registered account. I'm considering Vanguard, BMO, or iShares. Which would you suggest? And could you please provide the appropriate ticker symbol. Thanks for your valued assistance.
Dave
Read Answer Asked by dave on February 10, 2022
Q: I have roughly 15% of my entire portfolio within a Taxable account. The rest is diversified within my RRSP, TFSA( Maxed) and LIF. With regards to the taxable account I would like to keep it as simple as possible taking into consideration the tax implications. I am thinking of going with an ETF or ETFs for this account. What would be the best etf's to go with and what % breakdown. The rest of my portfolio is basically 50% fixed income 50% equities,
Read Answer Asked by Kim on February 09, 2022
Q: I have enough exposure to the Canadian market but I need additional global equity exposure for the next 10 years.

Would you please recommend an ETF for each of the following categories:
US
International
Emerging markets

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Don on January 25, 2022
Q: I have made good profit by investing in these ETF's. Now as the S&P 500 begins to roll down, I see losing some of the gains made so far. Should I sell these ETF's and park the money in cash and wait for the S&P 500 to move up and then invest it back. Alternately , should I leave it invested in these two ETF's. This is part of my fixed income investment. Thanks for the excellent advice you guys have consistently provided.
Read Answer Asked by Vinod on January 11, 2022
Q: I'm looking for TFSA investment suggestion.
Possibly and all in one ETV to keep it simple but not necessarily.
Ideally more aggressive as I don't plan on touching it for a long time, possibly to even leave this as inheritance in my estate (I'm 60).
Any guidance you can provide is appreciated.
Thank you
Read Answer Asked by James on December 17, 2021
Q: Hi 5i Research Team -
I've done very well on SHOP & TSLA. Mr. Buffett said buy low and sell high. Would you recommend that as well and transfer those savings to ETF's to protect investments against a possible melt down? If so could you please recommend some ETF's or other transfers.
Thankyou!!! Frank
Read Answer Asked by DOUG on December 08, 2021
Q: Do you recommend a level of international exposure in a TFSA even though there is a withholding tax? Would the best strategy be to overweight international exposure in the RRSP and underweight in TFSA.
Read Answer Asked by Albert on December 08, 2021
Q: Hi. Our19 year old granddaughter has received a small 5k inheritance. We would like to start her on her way to portfolio construction. Please advise your best suggestions.
Have thought of VGT or some combination of stocks at present lows. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Peter on December 02, 2021
Q: Hi, I'm looking to save and invest $X every week into the market. I could either:

1) Buy etf's as there is really no commission on the purchases
2) Buy individual stocks as the funds accumulate. Commission is only ~$5, what would be the minimum $ amount to invest so that it's worth it?

If I were to choose option 1, what would be your two or three ETF choices for either dividend growth or pure capital gains growth. Same for option 2, what two or three individual dividend growth or growth stocks would you choose to allocate capital to every week or two?

Thanks!

Read Answer Asked by Keith on November 16, 2021
Q: Is there any difference in performance between between a US listed ETF and the equivalent Canadian TSX listed ETF? Is it best to keep it in Canadian currency?
For example: VOO// VFV/ VSP or QQQ// QQC.F/ QQC
Also what would you recommend for hedged vs non-hedged and also market weight vs equal weight?
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Ben on October 01, 2021