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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 have about 20k US funds to invest. Since I have couple of balanced Canadian portfolios already in registered accounts, so for the us funds, I am looking for safe growth in stocks or etfs, Ideally to invest in the areas that Canadian market doesn't cover, such as IT, AI related. Could you suggest couple of names?
Thanks,
Lin
Read Answer Asked by Lin on December 26, 2017
Q: In order to build some exposure to the U.S. Market I am considering investing 30% in VUN, 30% in VGG and the rest in VGG. Would you consider any changes to the above selections and allocations?

Thanks to the team
Merry Christmas to all.
Read Answer Asked by Warren on December 20, 2017
Q: My 29 year old son has $40,000 in a tfsa all in cash. So far, he has little interest in investing. I'm thinking as a possible way to get him interested (and to at least get some kind of return) of suggesting to him that he put $35,000 into a Cdn equity etf and $5,000 into a growth stock. (I would really like for him to just put it into say 4 growth stocks but if the whole thing tanks it will be "dad's fault".) He also has his employer DC pension plan (2 or 3 years in) in which he's invested in life-cycle funds.

Could you recommend an etf and stock for his tfsa? Or would you suggest some other completely or slightly different route to go with his tfsa? Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by William on December 20, 2017
Q: WE HOLD THE ABOVE STOCKS IN OUR CHILDS RESP AND HAVE A FEW THOUSAND TO ADD, WE WONDER SHOULD WE ADD TO ONE OF THE ABOVE OR ADD AN ADDITIONAL STOCK. SHE HOLDS ABOUT 10% OF EACH
Read Answer Asked by Susan and Philip on December 04, 2017
Q: My TFSA is worth about 26000. I do not need the money and have a long time horizon - say twenty years. I intend to maximize the annual contribution limit. Currently I have roughly equal positions in ZLU, VMO, VVL, and VGG. Plus a smaller position in CBL, which has tanked, but pays a dividend.
What do you recommend for a TFSA makeover, if any, in this case?
Read Answer Asked by Alfred on October 24, 2017
Q: I would appreciate your thoughts on how one should diversify his investments geographically, (Canada, United States, and Internationally). What do you think would be the percentages I should allocate to each area? I realize allocation is a personal decision but I'm looking for some kind of general guideline. I consider myself to be an average investor and therefore willing to accept some risk.
Being a member of 5i, and following your guidance, I think I have the my Canadian investments under control but I would appreciate some help for the U.S. and international allocations.
I would also appreciate it if you would suggest your favourite ETF to invest in the United States and internationally.
Read Answer Asked by Les on October 19, 2017
Q: Good afternoon,

I am looking for exposure to the US market, in my RRSP. According to your previous answers on this type of inquiry, an ETF would be the easiest way to go, since it automatically brings both diversification and exposure.

My time horizon is minimum 10 years and don't mind a medium amount of volatility, as long as the returns are there in the end. My plan is to invest into the chosen ETF each year, so that my exposure to the US market is taken care of.

I have been looking more closely at VGG, VFV and VUN, mostly out of the reputation of Vanguard products. The dividend growth orientation of VGG sure is appealing, but I am not primarly looking for income. Aside from that they all seem pretty similar.

I would like to know your point of view on these ETFs I mentionned and if there are any others that you consider that would fit better in a long term plan.

Thank you very much!
Read Answer Asked by Pierre-Charles on October 13, 2017
Q: Hello 5i,

I would like to hear your suggestions on what the 2 best choices are for Dividend paying ETF's from the list above or any others I didn't mention. One for CAD and one for USA (on the TSX). I would want to keep these for 10-15 years or even into my retirement if returns continue to make it worth it.

Thank you kindly,

Paul
Read Answer Asked by Paul on August 23, 2017
Q: Good morning, If I sell ZWH, VGG and VIG in taxable accounts and replace with ZWA and VGH (both hedged and in Cdn dollars), will this trigger the disallowed tax loss? i.e. are they too similar to replace within 30 days? If so what would be a better solution? What would be your suggestion for US representation at this time?
Thanks for your never ending help.
Ted
Read Answer Asked by Ted on August 02, 2017
Q: I'm considering various ETFs (mostly from Vanguard) for global exposure and I just wanted to get your thoughts:

Asia/Pacific - VPL or VAH
Europe - VEH or ZWE
EM - VEE or VE
USA - VUN or VIG or VGG
Global - VT, VIGI, VYMI, VXC (would it make sense to buy all of these, or is there too much overlap?)

These would all be held for many years. I don't need the income from dividends, but a decent yield is always nice. Currently wondering about things like hedged vs unhedged, fund size, growth potential. Thanks for the advice.
Read Answer Asked by Brian on July 17, 2017
Q: I own VUN and VGG, plus several other US companies which make up my US portfolio. I'm looking for more growth - would you recommend IWO? Would you drop either of the Vanguard ETFs?
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Ryan on June 06, 2017
Q: Hi,
I'm young and have good income, good risk tolerance and no need to withdrawal any of my investment dollars anytime soon. I'm looking for long term growth mostly. Currently I hold the listed stocks, do you see any names that jump out as really bad/ should sell? Is anything really lacking and maybe should be added? Right now everything is held in a tfsa.

Thanks!
Dave
Read Answer Asked by david on May 05, 2017
Q: Hi5I
We are giving our 3 grandchildren $5000.00 each, so they can each open a TFSA account. Our intention is to give them the same amount for the following three years.
Considering the size of the deposit, and the fees for the accounts, your recommendation on where to open the accounts and what to buy inside the accounts would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks MJ
Read Answer Asked by M J on April 18, 2017
Q: Hi guys,

In response to Sam's question,how would you rank these for a long term investment. Right now I am holding VIG.

Thanks,

Jjm
Read Answer Asked by jim on April 06, 2017
Q: Hi
I am looking for your top pic for Secure High Dividend ETF's - One Canadian Equity and One USA. I am also looking for High Dividend Growth ETF's (Like CDZ) - One More Canadian and One USA
Read Answer Asked by Ron on April 03, 2017
Q: Hi 5i Team,
Could I have your opinion on my last remaining mutual fund, Sentry all cap income fund (NCE1032). I hold positions in most of the companies in both your model and income portfolios and was thinking of maybe selling this last mutual fund. With the proceeds I was thinking of adding VGG but would miss the larger distribution offered by Sentry all cap fund. I am retired and rely on my dividend stream to supplement my company pension. Your advice would be appreciated. If not VGG maybe you could recommend something else(I also have a large position in CDZ). Thanks. Mario.
Read Answer Asked by Mario on March 31, 2017
Q: I know US companies are not your focus however I wanted to get your thoughts on selling GE and allocating some US$- in my rrsp.
I am an income investor and currently hold ZPW-U and ZWH-U in equal weight re investing the dividends monthly. I also have a small position in JNJ and a larger position in GE (7%) of portfolio. I am concerned GE really isn't going anywhere and am considering switching to something with a better outlook any suggestions etf or stock to add here... or should I continue to hold?
I already hold VGG in another account...
Read Answer Asked by Kyle on March 27, 2017
Q: Hello,markets are looking real good,i'am thinking Trump will need some good news shortly to keep it going?It looks like the establishment is circling.
VGG as a dividend ETF has a fairly low dividend, does it only rely on capital appreciation or a special dividend at year end?
Could you recommend a ETF along the same lines that pay 4-5% dividend,or stay with VGG.
Thanks,great work Brad
Read Answer Asked by Brad on February 15, 2017
Q: I'm looking for dividend growth ETFs for diversification (e.g. VGG, VGH) .. can you suggest how to do that but without having companies like MONSANTO, MACDONALDS, PEPSI AND COKE in the mix? thanks
Read Answer Asked by Patrik on January 23, 2017
Q: I have not been as successful with my wifes TFSA as my own; currently have T 11%, AX.UN 6%, HR.UN 19% POW 29%, CDZ 18% and FN.PR.A 5%. Can you suggest a better mix? We are both in our early 70's and have RRIFs, trading accounts also with about 25 equities, plus about 150K in laddered GICs
Read Answer Asked by steve on January 04, 2017