skip to content
  1. Home
  2. >
  3. Investment Q&A
You can view 3 more answers this month. Sign up for a free trial for unlimited access.

Investment Q&A

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

Q: I have 4 questions:

1. I have not diversified my assets outside the TSX and would like to do so. Between a TFSA, an RRSP, and non-registered account, which is best to purchase US stocks (for tax purposes)?

2. If I wanted to buy an ETF on the TSX for US exposure, what would be a good one?

3. If I wanted to buy an ETF (also on the TSX) for exposure to emerging markets, what would be a good one?

4. Would you buy an emerging markets ETF in your TFSA, RRSP, or non-registered account?

Thank you for answering my questions. The information you provide is very valuable.

Best wishes,
Terri
Read Answer Asked by Terri on July 23, 2020
Q: Regarding VFV and SPY, yesterday there was a large disparity between these two around 1%. Today VFV is -0.31% and SPY is +0.30%. I know there is currency involved, but this seems like quite a difference on a higher volume ETF. Any thoughts?

Also, VUN seems to outperform VFV over the longer term. It is not much more in MER - would you choose VUN over VFV for a 10 year hold?
Read Answer Asked by Terry on June 04, 2020
Q: I'm looking to convert a RESP invested in mutual fund (chorus II agressive growth) to lower fees and menage it more actively. Kids are 5 and 2 years old.

I was thinking to diversify with 3 or 4 ETF for 70% of this portfolio. What are your thoughts about a combinaison of VFV, XIC, XIT, ZQQ and DXG for long term? Do you have better suggestions?

Althought, is investing in XIT and ZQQ and DXG a good idea on short term since tech valuation is already high at this moment compared to other sectors?

For the rest of portfolio (30%), i would go with stocks. What would be your top 4 on short term (next 6-12 months) and on long term?
Read Answer Asked by Francois on June 02, 2020
Q: I have full positions in the above except KXS and REAL. For available cash is there a stock that you like and would consider adding to this portfolio .
Read Answer Asked by Roy on May 29, 2020
Q: Hello Peter and co,
Thank you for your excellent advice. My grandson has opened a TFSA over the last few months, and now holds the following stocks (listed in order of value, largest first). He is in the enviable position of being up on every one of his positions, in part thanks to your wise advice (and some lucky timing)! With a bit of cash (~$2300) remaining to invest, he is looking for a recommendation, targeting growth and diversification.
He is considering these: LSPD, JPM, CAE, MDT, VET, PXT
But we would be more interested in hearing your advice, so please feel free to ignore the list above, and make a suggestion for 1 or 2 stocks to add.
Thanks,
Ed.

Current stocks:
XQQ
GSY
VFV
SHOP
CSU
REAL
KXS
BYD
BEP
Read Answer Asked by Ed on May 20, 2020
Q: Opening an RESP for new born. What stocks (Cdn. or U.S.) would you recommend, taking into account safety and dividends. Obviously looking at a long time frame and plan to contribute $2,500 per year. Thanks for your insight.
Dave
Read Answer Asked by David on May 05, 2020
Q: HI, I just recently made the switch from mutual funds to ETF’s and a DIY strategy and am looking to lock down 4 low cost ETF’s that I will invest in for the long term (30 + years) and leaning more toward the aggressive side for these. I am looking to take advantage of some dollar cost averaging to enter the ETF market for some broad market index ETF’s in my TFSA and was looking for you opinion of some that I am trying to choose between.
Canadian Market – I am trying to choose between XIC, VCN & ZCN. They all have significant overlap and same MER so I don’t see a whole lot of difference between the three, although I am leaning towards XIU, thoughts on which one you would choose for your portfolio?
US Market – I am trying to decide between VUN & VFV. The VFV has lower MER than VUN and has outperformed VUN as of late. Smaller and mid-cap companies historically had higher volatility than the large-cap companies found in the S&P 500, and so the trade-off is potentially higher growth, for potentially more volatility if you go with a total market index like what is found in VUN. The S&P 500 has outperformed the total market index as of late so I guess the question is will this continue, I am leaning towards VFV, thoughts on which one you would choose for your portfolio?
International Developed – I am trying to decide between XEF & VIU, both have similar MER, thoughts on which one you would choose for your portfolio?
Emerging Markets – I am trying to decide between XEC & VEE for a small percentage of my portfolio, thoughts on which one you would choose for your portfolio?
These are some ETFs’ I have come across from doing build wealth Canada course and reading other materials and listening to podcasts that seem to fit my long-term outlook. I am by no means experienced in this matter and just looking to hit the ground running so If you have better suggestions for certain markets that I may have missed feel free to outline them.

Thanks
Sean
Read Answer Asked by Sean on April 13, 2020
Q: I am beginning to swing trade ETFs. Which do feel more closely mirrors the SPY since one cannot buy the SPX? Feel free to mention others I may have excluded but should be considered.
Putting aside any tax implications or type of account (ie: registered vs non-registered)
Considering the state of the C$ and the price of oil, it would seem more logical to go unhedged , what are your thoughts?
Read Answer Asked by Larry on April 06, 2020
Q: I have the following securities in what I consider a balanced portfolio. The fixed income portion doesn’t show here because it consists of OAS. CCP. Plus two other pensions.
I’m thinking of sell part position in MMX ( small loss);and ARE to realize a capital loss while at the same time raising some cash for the next pullback. I like TFII . We need to keep the food chain moving. Trucking an important part . The other is cargo jet. Am I on the right track . Your opinion. Or would you look elsewhere given the current holdings.
Read Answer Asked by Roy on March 27, 2020
Q: Dear 5i
I'm always a little confused as to which companies are CDN hedged and which are not . Just because it's listed on the TSX doesn't` always mean that it is hedged I'm guessing . I'm also assuming that it looks like the CDN dollar is going to be weak compared to the US dollar for awhile .That being said which of the ETF`s listed above are CDN hedged and is it wise to have a balance of hedged and unhedged anyways ?
Typically you expect share prices to rise as earnings increase . With the state of the economy ie covid19 it is likely that earnings will be lower for the next couple quarters at least so there are few expectations for higher earnings from most companies .Given this , would you expect the market to rebound higher even before there are rising earnings simply on the anticipation that higher earnings will eventually happen once covid19 is proven to be under control , or do you think we would actually have to wait for increased earnings to occur before we would see any meaningful bounce in the markets ?
Please deduct points appropriately .
Thanks
Bill
Read Answer Asked by Bill on March 20, 2020
Q: Thank You for continuing to be the voice of reason for the amateur like me!!

What ETF's are best for 5-10 year hold for the following markets
US S&P, UK, Germany, China, Russia, Asia (general), South America (general), Africa (general). Looking to take advantage of weakness and average in.
Read Answer Asked by Lorne on March 19, 2020
Q: I am looking to follow the S&P 500. I am not sure what etf is best to use. I have seen you recommend VFV in Q&A but your model etf portfolios hold ZSP. Is there one you would choose over another? Is there another option I should consider? If you can advise if it is best to put in a register or unregistered account. I have room in both my TFSA and RRSP.

Thank you for the great service.
Read Answer Asked by Justin on March 16, 2020
Q: Hi 5i team,
Looking at the broad US market index (apart from NASDAQ), which will be your top two index ETFs that will most likely provide the strongest gain and the quickest bounce when the market turns around? And why? Prefer Canadian listed ETFs if available.
Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Willie on March 12, 2020
Q: Hi Peter and Ryan,
I am looking to take advantage from the current market dip and add the the above securities and ETF to my RRSP Portfolio. My time frame is 5 to 10 years. with adding the above I will be having all the 5i balanced portfolio stocks included. In addition I am adding some ETF and other stock that I think it can help my portfolio. Appreciate you advise of which stock look good at this time to buy (please rank). Is there any of the list I should avoid. Do you have other suggestions for good quality stocks and ETF (in the US and Canada) that have a good growth potential.
Thanks,
YR
Read Answer Asked by Yousef on March 11, 2020
Looking for more? Sign up for a FREE 14 day trial! No credit card required

We invite you to sign up for a 14 day free trial of 5i Research!
Experience all the benefits and tools we have to offer; stock research, model portfolios, Q&A with our experts, and so much more. Join a community of like-minded investors today!