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: Hi,

I set up an unregistered account for my wife several years ago with the following ETFS, with the thought that it would be relatively easy to maintain:

VGG
ZSP
ZCN
ZIU

In looking at it today, I'm wondering whether I have too much overlap. I can't remember what my logic was for these four ETFs! I should have written it down as my memory doesn't work so well anymore.

Does the above work ok? Or would you slim it back? And add VIU?

Thanks,
Robert
Read Answer Asked by Robert on July 24, 2025
Q: I asked a question last week but it must have got lost. This is a follow up question regarding my question about if you could only hold 3 ETF's what would they be. You answered ZSP, XIC and ZNQ. Can you please explain the rational for owning both ZSP and ZNQ. Is there not a lot of overlap between the two? And if I were to hold only these # ETF's can you also explain why you wouldn't include another international exposure ETF? I believe ZNQ is currency hedged which usually means higher fees. Is there another option to ZNQ that isn't hedged with a lower MER?
Thank you for your service.
Read Answer Asked by Cheryl on July 22, 2025
Q: If you were setting up a diversified unregistered account for yourself from scratch using US ETFs today, for a long-term hold:

How would you approach this?
What would ETFs would you pick?
What percentage would you put in each?

Please charge multiple questions as needed. Thanks very much.
Read Answer Asked by Chris on July 18, 2025
Q: I'm seeking to buy 3 or four ETFs that would give me stable dividend distributions in the 4% range with the possibility of capital appreciation yearly at about 10%. I also seek global diversification and I would like to pay for my investments in Canadian dollars. I am interested in return on capital not return of capital. Please advise if you have ETF's that you can suggest.
Read Answer Asked by Les on July 08, 2025
Q: I have been doing monthly periodic purchases of VGG since January 2025. I clearly picked wrong (as usual) and should have gone with VHG (hedged version). I continue with monthly periodic purchases (even though my investor fear says not too), but should I switch and start purchasing VGH instead ? Am I cancelling out any future returns by doing so ?
Read Answer Asked by Thomas on June 16, 2025
Q: Could you suggest for a RSP portfolio, starting from a cash balance of 150K, an array of 5 ETFs, covering Canadian and US/International sectors.
Would VGG selling in CAD qualify for the exemption of US taxes, or does it need to be a US traded ETF to qualify.
Take as many questions credit as needed.
Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by francois on June 05, 2025
Q: Good day! Could you please recommend a couple of income etfs with a bit of growth for an unregistered account? Etfs with no ROC please and a reasonable expectation of preservation of capital.
Thanks in advance!
Read Answer Asked by K on May 30, 2025
Q: Looking of some growth ETF suggestions for my non-registered account, hold for at least 5 years.
Read Answer Asked by Art on May 12, 2025
Q: After a "crack", and during a potentially persistent bear market, could you suggest some US and Canadian dividend ETFs ( whether standard, enhanced,or even cover call etfs if indicated ),that could maintain more stable revenues during uncertain economic periods ?
Read Answer Asked by Jean-Yves on April 23, 2025
Q: Hi. I recently transferred $20,000 into my RRSP Direct Investing account. I would like to invest the money into some quality ETFs, perhaps three or four. I know you are not clairvoyants, however based on geo-politics and recent tariff threats, which ETFs (either Canadian, American or other parts of the world) would you invest in at this particular time. It would be for a 2/3 year hold. Thanks for the advice in advance.
Read Answer Asked by Mike on March 25, 2025
Q: A friend is several years from retirement and is in this (quite good) finanical situation: a teacher who will get an Ontario Teachers' indexed DB pension, CPP and OAS. Owns a modest home in Toronto with no mortgage. No dependents. No debt. Can supplement income after retirement by continuing to teach at about a 20% course load. These income sources would more than cover her living expenses.
She also has an RSP that is currently managed by a financial advisor and holds mutual funds. Friend is asking if she should leave the advisor due to fees and his very conservative management. The RSP has underperformed the markets for an extended period. He sold her holdings at COVID bottom "to avoid further losses" and has said that "at her age" (about 60) she should stay away from equities and hold money market funds or bonds. Since my friend is not financially sophisticated, but is interested in learning, I am thinking a self-directed RSP holding several ETFs might be an alternative for her. Could you suggest three to five ETFs that would provide more growth potential in the 8 to 10 years before mandatory RIF conversion.
Read Answer Asked by David on March 19, 2025
Q: I need to raise some money and own these stocks in an investment account, VGG is about 50% of the account.
I would like to sell 1 or 2. In your opinion which 1 or 2 should I sell?
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on March 10, 2025
Q: Hello 5i Team,
Currently building out a small portfolio for my son, with a VERY long time horizon (30 years +). Looking to add U.S. exposure, but instead of picking individual names, I thought I would do this through an ETF or two. Was considering putting 50% of the US exposure into SPY, and the other half into VGG. An alternative to SPY would be ZSP, which I can buy in Cdn. dollars in Toronto. Your thoughts on this strategy and the allocations?
Thanks very much!
Read Answer Asked by Brian on February 24, 2025
Q: Following up on Harrison's RESP question from February 10th, I'm seeking advice on ETF recommendations for my grandson's RESP. He turns two in March 2025, giving him approximately 16 years until he'll need the funds.
I appreciate your ETF recommendations, particularly the split between Canadian and US markets (VGG, ZSP, ZCN, XCG, VDY). I'm also considering ZUQ (BMO MSCI USA High Quality Index), but I'm wondering if it's too similar to ZSP? Your thoughts?
I do not like CDZs holdings as much.
You also mentioned two balanced ETFs in your response (XBAL and VBAL). The fixed income allocation is approximately 40% for these balanced ETFs. In contrast, XGRO and VGRO have a fixed income allocation of around 20%, and XEQT or VEQT have no fixed income. What I like about these allocation ETFs is they have some international exposure.
Considering the long-term horizon, I'm leaning towards XEQT/VEQT, which have no fixed income. My main question is whether the 20% fixed income component of XGRO/VGRO or even the XBAL/VBAL (40% fixed income) is necessary for a two-year-old’s RESP? Or are XEQT/VEQT too aggressive, considering the other ETFs mentioned?
Finally, wouldn't it be more appropriate to introduce a 100% fixed income ETF closer to the withdrawal age or perhaps three years before we start accessing the funds?
Deduct as many points as you think necessary.
As always thanks for the great advice.
Élaine
Read Answer Asked by Elaine on February 20, 2025
Q: I have CAD to invest in Canadian-dollar denominated ETFs: (1) Canadian stocks - VGG. XIU XIC XDIV; (2) US ETFs in CAD FX - HXS ZUQ ZMID and ZBK and (3) - EU ETF - HXX. How to go about assessing one against the other. Is there a better ETF in each group you would prefer? Would appreciate guidance on which ones are keepers for long-term hold? How would you evaluate them?
Read Answer Asked by sam on February 14, 2025
Q: Can you name a handful of ETF options for long term holds in my son's RESP account. Growth, dividend, and balanced. Looking for exposure in Canada and USA. I don't want the headache of managing stocks for this portfolio. I'd rather have something that I can just buy and not look at it for 15 years until he needs it.
Read Answer Asked by Harrison on February 10, 2025
Q: Just re-asking a question from 2013 - "Hi..was wondering if there is a screener of non-eligible dividends for tax..bascially want to enusure purchasing correct ones outside of any sheltered portfolios...thanks"
Also, can you advise if VBAL, VGG, VIG have non-eligible dividends.
Lastly, pls advise if there's any way to check before stock purchase what the subcategories there will be of dividend income and interest income.
Thanks for your quick reply to my earlier questions.
Many thanks in advance.
Read Answer Asked by TOM on February 10, 2025
Q: I use VFV for my US stock exposure. Is one ETF enough or should I spread it out over 2 or more.
If more please provide some suggestions.
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on January 31, 2025