Investment Q&A

Q: My 31-year-old daughter would like to build a portfolio of income-paying investments within her RRSP, LIRA, and TFSA accounts, with the intention of reinvesting dividends through a DRIP over the years. Which six Canadian dividend-paying stocks would you recommend for this goal or would it be more effective to use dividend-focused ETFs instead? The primary objective is to build a portfolio that generates reliable income. Thank you.

Q: Hello 5i,

Could you recommend 2 to 3 ETF's for a long term hold in a RESP.

Thanks

Q: I am constructing a dividend growth portfolio with the intention of holding all positions for the longterm, holding the following equities in equal weight (likely only one of MRU or L - or should I include both?), with 80% of the portfolio consisting of these individual equities and 20% in the ETF VGG.

Would there be any in this list you would not include, and are there other Canadian equities you would consider for this list? Is this the appropriate number of positions for such a portfolio. Please deduct multiple credits as required, thank you.

Q: I currently hold these ETF's in a RESP. I have only XIC ,ZNQ and IWO at a 11% weight , would you be comfortable bringing them up to 15-20% each ?

Is there any other ETF you would add ?I am looking at XAW.

Thanks

Q: Hi,
Would you be able to recommend 10 solid dividend paying stocks and/or ETFs for a self directed LIRA.
Thanks

Q: I am coming into a $50,000 gift from aging parents, and would like to invest for my 10 month old son’s education. I want long term growth until he needs the money (probably 18 years or so). Would you recommend 100% ZSP or some other ETF? Also, should I buy in one shot as soon as I have the money ?

Q: Hello,
From what i gather, VUN has similar performance to SPY except that it is in cdn dollars. Since SPY has greater exposure to tech companies, i was wondering if it is best to diversify slightly by putting one third in VUN (total us market), XQLT (ishares msci usa quality ) and VGG (US dividend appreciation ) or do you think it is best to just have one VUN , or VGG or XQLT. I am looking for an etf that is not too heavily weighted on technology. Much appreciated.

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

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.

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.

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.

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 ?

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.

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!

Q: What do you recommend for an ETF or actively managed fund which holds high quality (blue chip) stocks, and pays out some dividends?

Q: Looking of some growth ETF suggestions for my non-registered account, hold for at least 5 years.

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 ?

Q: Is there any withholding tax on an ETF like VGG in a TFSA when you sell it?

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.

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.