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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: I looked up a statistic from Morningstar called "Annual Portfolio Turnover". For VFV it is 3.47% and for VSP it is 26.1%. The passive index is the same but VSP is hedged to the Canadian dollar. Can you help explain what is included in this statistic? (AUM changes?, stock additions/deletions?, hedging? etc)
Could you please give me an example of situation where one might see 150% for an active ETF or aggressive mutual Fund? Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Ian on May 08, 2024
Q: VFV vs. VOO:
I understand VFV ETF contains VOO ETF, correct? What would you recommend, buy VFV in CDN $ account, or convert CDN$ cash in US$ cash using Norbit gambit and buy VOO in US account with US$? Any other recommendation for ETF to invest in US S&P500?
Read Answer Asked by Naren on May 07, 2024
Q: My kids opened RRSP's as soon as they were of age and contributed a small about (<$3,000). They make regular contributions.

Until the RRSP has enough funds to start thinking of diversification, what are the "top 3" possible stocks or ETFs you would consider if only having one investment, and if you could explain why its' a sound investment for each that'd be great.

Thanks very much,

Dave
Read Answer Asked by Dave on May 06, 2024
Q: I need to raise funds from my NR account, capital gains are the same. I need to raise funds immediately for an expense. Which would you sell between these 2 right now to raise cash? What I don’t sell is for 15+ year LTBH.
Read Answer Asked by John on May 01, 2024
Q: Hello, My wife has recently retired. She has opened a LIRA account with her pension proceeds. We are leaning towards these two ETFs for a long term hold 10 + years. Can we get your thoughts and any recommendations.
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Richard on April 26, 2024
Q: I have most of my US exposure 55,000 in VGG. Also own google and NVDA and google. in CDR. I am wondering if I should sell 1/2 of VGG and buy VFV for exposure to the SP 500 or is there another ETF I should consider Thanks Steve
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on April 23, 2024
Q: Morning
Which etf would you recommend for US exposure and why. Please rate them from 1-4
ZSP
VFV
VGG
XUS
Also thoughts on XEQT for all round exposure
Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Michael on April 09, 2024
Q: I currently have equal weights in ZAG and VFV (about 6% each) and a fair chunk of "cash" for stability. Rate drops seem to be stalled, so ZAG is going nowhere fast. OTOH VFV is flying high and might have temporarily peaked. I don't want to lose out on the eventual bond bounce, but I wonder if I should dump ZAG to get the potential VFV upside. I realize this might be crystal ball territory.
Read Answer Asked by Olaf on March 19, 2024
Q: Is there any ETF without covered call you would recommend that holds similar stocks as SMAX. Either in USA or CDN dollars. I prefer CDN dollars.

Thanks for the great service



Read Answer Asked by Hector on March 18, 2024
Q: Good morning,


I am not crystal clear on the most tax efficient account to hold each of the above listed ETFs and before moving any of them to another type of account, I would very much appreciate your guidance on the most tax efficient type of account to hold each of the above listed ETFs.

The above listed ETFs are all held in our family Registered (RRSP/TFSA/RESP) and Non-Registered accounts.

Thank you and I'll await your sage advice.
Read Answer Asked by Francesco on March 11, 2024
Q: Can you please suggest a few ETF's for a young investor who has recently opened a brokerage account.
My 30 y/o son will be transferring funds currently held at his bank. (TSFA , RESP, RRSP accounts) He is looking for long term investments options.

We as grand parents have started a RESP for each of the grandchildren. Looking after their first year RESP contributions. Currently invested in HXS and a small VFV position.
Can you please give some options for :
RRSP
RESP
TSFA
Thank you
Gord
Read Answer Asked by Gord on February 20, 2024
Q: In a recent question concerning VFV held in a RRSP, you replied VFV is subject to Level 1 holding tax because it owns units in a US ETF. With regards to ZSP in a RRSP there is no Level 1 tax because ZSP holds individual US stocks & no US ETFs. Is this correct. Thanks … Cal
Read Answer Asked by cal on February 16, 2024
Q: please confirm that Owning VFV in an RRSP there withholding tax is not applied? If it is do you have a suggestion on an S&P eft that would be exempt this hold back
Read Answer Asked by Kolbi on February 13, 2024
Q: You recently recommended US/CA equities at 65%/35%. With US ETFs and CDRs I am only at 20% US. I am considering significantly increasing my holdings of HXS, VFV, and HXQ to make up the shortfall of 45% US. Do you see any downside to this approach?
Read Answer Asked by Dennis on February 13, 2024
Q: I have a RESP for 3 grandchildren under the age of 11.
Would you please suggest 3 or 4 stocks to add or swap with any in the above group. Would prefer a bit more growth. Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Rose on February 12, 2024
Q: I have over 8000 shares of VFV in my NR, up about 50%. I am looking to hold for 20 years and not touch them. Unbeknownst to me when I bought them, I now realize there is a tax disadvantage compared to HXS. How much performance drag will occur from the tax disadvantage, and would it be worth the capital gains tax to sell and switch?

I could sell and incur huge capital gains on these shares, but I am not sure if it would be worth paying the capital gains to sell them and buy HXS.

My alternate plan going forward was to buy HXS with my dividends, instead of VFV.
Read Answer Asked by Joey on February 12, 2024
Q: I recently retired and looking to place some of my savings into the market with a 5 year horizon at which time I will re-evaluate. Will tolerate a moderate to light risk. Could you please recommend 3 or 4 stocks or etf’s for my TFSA and 5-6 stocks for growth. Appreciate all your efforts. Thank you. Brian
Read Answer Asked by Brian on February 07, 2024
Q: Hi All At 5i!
I would like to substitute XIC or XIN with VFV in hopes of more growth. Which would you suggest??
Cheers,
Tamara
Read Answer Asked by Tamara on February 05, 2024
Q: Good morning,

I am looking for the best ETF to hold in my TFSA account that follows the S&P 500 index along with the reasons for your particular preference?

I understand that since HXS does have any distributions, there is no withholding tax to be concerned with which is an advantage. On the other hand, due to the distinct tax efficient structure of HXS, the MER on the HXS is higher than VFV and other similar ETFs that track the same index.

Given that both ETFs track the same index is there a clear winner for a TFSA account?

Thank you and I'll await your sage advice.
Read Answer Asked by Francesco on February 01, 2024
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