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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: Total portfolio $632000: 2 RRIF’s, 2 TFSA’s , 1 non registered C$ account and 1 non registered U$ account.
In registered accounts 4.3% of total portfolio In VGG.
In non registered U$ account WMT with BV of
U$ 9294.55.
If sold at today’s MV would return 10.3% in a little less than 6 months.
What is your opinion on selling WMT and using funds plus additional cash of 6000U$ to buy
VIG.
This would make approx 7% in US.
I also own , what I consider quasi US, AQN in TFSA and ENB in several of the accounts.
Appreciate your input.
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Roy on April 16, 2019
Q: Hello, Just starting an RESP, roughly 18 years to grow, ok with medium risk, dividends would be nice. Starting off with $2500, adding that amount annually afterward. What would you recommend to start with, stocks or ETF's? thanks for the great service! Lavern
Read Answer Asked by Lavern on April 03, 2019
Q: I manage my wife's RRIF age 69 with the following ETF's: ZEF 5.3%; DXG 8.11; CDZ 6.68; XHY 6.42; ZZD 8.05 and the following stocks : BNS 7.61 ;BPY.un 9.74 ; BEP.un 9.3 COV 2.13; IPL 9.41;PKI 8.58; SIS 5.34 SPB 7.85 and .Cash 7%
I'm trying to transition her to more ETF's reduce some volatility and maintain some growth. What is your suggestion[s] for an additional ETF to complement these holdings?
Read Answer Asked by Henry on March 22, 2019
Q: I am very fortunate to be a member of 5I,Thanks
I wish you were actively advising on US stocks meanwhile however
for me to start please suggest some US stocks or etf for not very aggressive
stocks with high volatility but something like BNS,SLF,td in Canada Income is not my priority but steady growth is in my mind not stocks like canabis?
I appreciate your sugestion and has always benefited from them
Nizar
Read Answer Asked by Nizar on March 19, 2019
Q: Has a dividend investor I hold shares of the above in in my registered and non registered accounts.
I have cash over and above my fixed income position. This extra cash is earmarked for a new position in a dividend stock paying a 4 to 7% div with growth prospects and at fare value and tax efficient. Might be a tall order , appreciate your help.
Read Answer Asked by Roy on March 14, 2019
Q: With a 20 year time frame, my daughter has some money to invest in her portfolio which consists of:
Canada: PDC (25%) ZAG (30%), Money Market (10%).
US: XUS (20%), ZQQ (5%),
Europe: XEU (10%)
If the US and China reach a trade deal she might move 5% from Money Market to ZEM.
Given that the bull market is long in the tooth, would it make sense to move XUS to VGG? The composition of VGG appears more defensive and the reduction in technology stocks is compensated by her position in ZQQ. Growth has been similar, the dividends and BETA are about the same, and VGG's MER is lower (.08 vs. .11). Your advice would be appreciated.
Read Answer Asked by Ken on February 25, 2019
Q: I am wondering about the appropriateness of your Balanced ETF fund being held in either RRSP or TFSA from a tax perspective.
Read Answer Asked by Steven on February 14, 2019
Q: Hi 5i: Am considering SCHD .. Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (symbol not in your database) for a medium to long term hold in my non-registered account. It tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 index. Seems to have a good track record and 5 star rating from Morningstar with a low mer of 0.07%. What is your opinion of this ETF ? Would you prefer VUN or VGG ? Any other suggestions appreciated.
Thanks as always for your great advice !
Steve
Read Answer Asked by STEVEN on February 06, 2019
Q: Hi,
I want to increase my US and International equity exposure by using $US ETFs (VIG and VXUS respectively) but the Canadian dollar is pretty weak right now (improving slightly lately). Does it make sense to convert to $US for this investment (long-term horizon) when there could well be significant headwinds if the Canadian dollar continues to strengthen. Also, valuations are higher in the US than in Canada, but International looks to be relatively cheap. Thoughts on how to proceed?
Regards, Michael
Read Answer Asked by Michael on February 05, 2019
Q: I would liked to switch the focus of my investments from equities to ETF's. Could you give me some broad parameters for guidance.
Could you suggest 10 ETF's for starters. Mid to long term with medium risk.
Thanks for your help.
Read Answer Asked by Bruce on February 05, 2019
Q: Hi 5i team,
I would like to purchase a US equity ETF in C$ fund for my TFSA. For a conservative investor, would a dividend growth ETF be more suitable? What would be your top pick ETF for this purpose, hedged and unhedged? Is the dividend income subject to tax withholding? Or should I be looking at HXS, though the swap fee may cancel out the tax advantage? Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Willie on February 04, 2019
Q: Could you give me your top picks for US dividend ETF's?

Thanks,

Joe
Read Answer Asked by Joe on February 04, 2019
Q: Hi,
I am struggling with a decision and would appreciate your opinion please. I would like to increase my US and International equity exposure using ETFs in US dollars that I already own (VIG and VXUS).
The Canadian dollar is obviously very weak right now. Does it make sense to convert Canadian dollars to US and adding to US dollar ETFs right now, or should I be using equivalents that trade in Canadian dollars? If the latter, would you kindly suggest the two ETFs that I should consider?
I know you like foreign currency as another form of diversification and I agree. I realize there is a FX prediction inherent in this question: if the CDN dollar strengthens, that creates headwinds for US-denominated investments.
What do you suggest?
Thank you. Michael
Read Answer Asked by Michael on February 04, 2019
Q: Hi Peter, Ryan & Team
In addition to my current 5i Balanced portfolio I want to build an additional RRSP ETF portfolio.Time horizon 3-5 Years and my risk level is moderate.
I am thinking to invest in the following ETF. Appreciate you advise on the distribution, concentration and risk level.
XMD 30%
VUN 20%
XIU 10%
VEE 10%
VXUS 10%
IXC 10%
IWO 10%

Thanks,
Read Answer Asked by Yousef on January 29, 2019
Q: Regarding the above noted portfolio introduced in the November, 2018 etf/mutual fund update, I am uncomfortable with the overweight of the financial sector. Would you please suggest some possible alternatives to the 10% allocation to ZWB. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Richard on January 21, 2019
Q: I am currently down 82% on this stock. I am in a Growth Portfolio. I have diversified across all sectors and geographies. I am considering selling and then investing proceeds in one of the following: XWD, CEF, or VGG.

Do you see any future growth potential for ACQ? If not, which of the 3 options would you suggest I invest in for growth.

Thanks for your continued assistance.
Read Answer Asked by Mauro on January 18, 2019