Investment Q&A

Q: What might you suggest for the following situation?

There is $27,000 held in registered accounts with an expectation to augment those savings at a rate of about $1,100 per month to address two prime objectives. The first is to accumulate sufficient funds for a down payment on a condo within five years. The second is to adequately augment savings for retirement, hopefully, 16 years from now.

A financial advisor is suggesting investing in a low risk, balanced fund with a MER of 1.9%. The management fee seems high and the expected return from the investment not particularly exciting. We have a relatively low threshold for risk, especially for those funds earmarked for retirement, but are willing to try something other than a balanced fund to improve returns. Taking on additional risk is especially palatable for that portion of the savings earmarked for the condo purchase, likely about 50% of the overall savings.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Q: Hello, given the current US$ exchange rate and the loses still incurred on a handful of CDN stocks, I'd like to hear your thoughts on selling the decent dividend but significant double digit % loses to acquire more US$ and move it into GOOG & FB. Alternatively I have considered adding to VFV or starting a position in VGRO and leave it as CDN$. I am ~25% in USD of which I plan to use so I am not concerned with adding a few more points of USD. Thank you for your opinion.

Q: Could you give your thoughts on this mutual fund.I like to know what companies it has in the fund past the top 10
We’re to find that info ?
Is there a etf you like better in the same area
Thanks for the help

Q: "President Biden's plan is expected to call for a 39.6% top tax rate on long-term capital gains, up from the current 20%. The tax would apply to returns on assets held more than a year and to taxpayers with more than $1 million in income." If this proposal becomes reality, do you expect an impact on stock markets?

Q: Can you recommend your top one or two ETFs for S&P500 exposure. Do you recommend CAD-hedged or unhedged?

Q: I have recently transferred my RSP as cash to a LIRA account in another institution. This is a substantial number waiting for investing. In less than 2 years I will need to start transferring to RIF.
I have a few questions
1. What is a period of time you recommend to spread the purchasing of investments.
2. In the meantime, I would like to park cash buying a short-term ETF. Should I get one such an ETF or more to reduce the risk? Which ETF or RTFs would you recommend: ZCS, XSB, VSB, or other?
3. I am looking to have a 50/50 mixture of growth and income. Can you list several stocks, bonds, ETF etc. you would recommend to purchase at this time?

I appreciate your recommendation.
Casimir

Q: I want to invest a percentage in the S&P. Can you tell me the best way (vehicle) to do this and what percentage of a portfolio is reasonable (understanding it’s a opinion). 20 year investment horizon.

Is it better suited for a RRSP or TSFA (both?)

Thanks team.

Q: Hi my question is regarding resp’s and best way to contribute. Time frame is 15-20 years. I understand ETF’s offer diversification, however would you at all consider a few slow and steady (conservative) stocks instead. Your top 5 ETF’s and stocks for this scenario please and thank you!

Nick

Q: These 2 funds look quite attractive, comments, can you suggest anything else?

Q: Hi gentlemen,

is there a way to buy the snp 500 on the tsx? Also, what is your favorite index/etf for exposure to foreign stocks?

Thanks

Q: I have these four ETFs currently and I have new money to add. Should I top up one (or all) of these, or is there one you feel would be a good complement. The four ETFs probably indicate my risk profile, but generally I am pretty conservative (a couch potato). Thank you.

Q: Setting up RESP for grandkids 7 and 8. Probable 10-year hold. Thinking of probably 3 ETFs ? - accept moderate risk - Can. or US - Suggestions?? Thanks Jim

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