Investment Q&A

Q: You’ve mentioned that you generally like to keep single ETF exposure to 15%. Since VGG and VGH invest in the same underlying ETF (VIG), should I keep exposure to 15% between them, or could they each still be 15%?

Thank you.

Q: This is a list of the ETF's in my portfolio, (I have omitted the fixed income ETF's that comprise of about 20%).

Do you see any issues with the selection? Any overlap? Perhaps there are better alternatives than the ones chosen.

Thanks for the great service.

Q: can you your top 2-3 dividend paying ETF's currently for a 3yr time horizon? Thanks!

Q: Thank you for the reply to my recent question. Unfortunately the question pertained to the 5i balanced etf portfolio not the balanced equity portfolio. May I please have to top five etf positions to add new money at this time.

Q: I am looking for a US etf with long term growth. This in order to balance out the over-weighted Canadian portfolio of blue chip dividend stocks. This investment is long term, no short term plans for this allocation and do not want dividends for tax efficiency. This question applies to both RRSP and non registered accounts. Could you provide me with 3 suggestions please.

Q: VGG has an expense of .28 but holds 100% VIG at an expense of .06. Why is there such a difference in expenses? What factors should an investor use to decide between the two.
Mike

Q: Could provide an opinion on these ETF - ZDY/ZGI - read a Morningstar report on each and their opinion is they are underperforming peers.
Can you provide examples of better performing ETFs to replace them.
Thanks

Q: I have seen both VGG and ZDY recommended for US Dividends. I currently own ZDY. What are the pros and cons of both of these ETFs for a portfolio. Should I own both? I am retired, 70 years old and am adding to my portfolio.

Q: I follow your balanced port folio but have 15% of my portfolio in vgg for US exposure as suggested a couple years ago. Should I have a larger position or another etf.?
T as always

Q: In a rising interest rate environment, would VGG as a dividend growth ETF face more headwinds than VFV?

Thanks.

Q: Hi Guys,

I would like to add one more eft to my balance (75%) and growth (25%) portfolio, what would be your top North American pick for a 3 to 5 year hold? I already hold Arkk 3%, Dxg 7%, Arkg 2% and Tan 3.5%. Or should I just add to one of the ones already inside my portfolio.

thanks
Jim

Q: I have transferred my RRIF account from a broker and I plan to self-mange that account. The cash balance as of today is $290,000. I'm 88 years old so I need strong cash flow and/or capital gains to meet the required annual distribution. Please provide a list of stocks and ETFs that 5i would recommend for that purpose. Thanks for your valued assistance.

Q: I have too much exposure to the CAD market and too less internationally.

Could you provide me with 2 etfs that have caught your attention the past 12-24 months. One which is A growth oriented etf with more risk as well as another which is a slow boring low MER etf with a 2-3% yield which less risk.

Thanks for the recommendations in advance.

Q: Hi Peter and team,

I'm overweight tech and underweight the US and international by a lot.

I hold XAW at roughly 20% in my RRSP.
Currently have 13k in cash and will have another 15k once PEO shares get tendered in a LIRA account.

Can you recommend an ETF or two that can address both my problems. One that has zero to very minimal tech exposure, no canadian exposure. Preferably trading on the TSX.

Thanks,

Rino

Q: I am not well diversified into the US market.

I would like to sell some Canadian Banks and put that capital into US equities.

I would like to consider an ETF or a mix of ETFs.

I would like to stick to my investment personality,
long term hold, would not need money for well over 10 years.
Large Cap, Blue Chip dividend paying and "dividend GROWING" equities.

1. Can you make a recommendation for a low cost / mer etf.
2. Do I need more than one ?
3. Should I buy this in Canadian or US funds ?
4. What are the pros and cons of the purchase in Canadian or US dollars

thanks

Ernie

Q: Hi, currently holding VGG, VEE, and XEF. Since the CAD$ has rallied against the USD, would you switch these cad etfs to US etfs now for the lower MER going forward? How big of a difference would this make in the the long term, say 20 years assuming all other variables stay the same? These are long term core holdings for me. All in RSP and only fees would be commission on the sale and of course one time FX conversion. What would be the best US etf to replace XEF and VEE? Thanks!

Q: I own XEI in a TFSA and am looking for better growth prospects with an ETF or MF. I prefer CDN denominated but with some US holdings is fine. Thanks Cal

Q: The geography of the following according to my Alpha-Balanced portfolio are US.
BEPC-3.55%: CRWD-3.42%: VFV-3.59%:VEEV-1.99%: VGG 3.95% for a total of approximately 17%. I would like to increase this to approximately 25%.
In addition to the above I own the following dual listed stocks.
LSPD-10.28%: SHOP-5%: T-3.61%
Moving cash from unregistered C$ to unregistered U$ account. Would you consider adding to any of the above or do you have an alternate suggestion,
In the portfolio I’m overweight tech & industrials.

Underweight materials and energy. Not a fan of oil or gold .

Roy
In addition I own the following that have dual listing.

Q: I have a DOY balanced portfolio (Alpha-Balanced for guidance) , with less than 10 year timeframe.
I’m underweight communication services, and energy. Not a fan at this stage of oil or precious metals. Overweight in industrials and technology.
My concern is with my overweight in technology. Reading a number of opinion articles that refer to the tech boom as another dot.com. The reply often is oh but this is different.
Here’s my two cents worth especially related to tech stocks I own. First of all investors/traders seem to be jumping in and out of technology based on the latest COVID-19 / vaccine news.
Re KXS; will still be in demand long after Covid-19. LSPD; somewhat sensitive to Covid-19 but have done a good job diversifying and adapting restaurant services etc. Will do well in recovery.
Maybe more acquisitions.
SHOP; like Amazon will carry on even though the valuation is high. Younger generation will still shop on line.
Now comes the tricky part. WELL and VEEV. I don’t quite have a handle on. Not sure if the demand for their service will still be there post COVID-19.
Your comments and/or thought would be greatly appreciated. I have a feeling that many of your clients would be interested in what you have to say.
I’m an experienced investor but don’t have access to the kinds of info I once did. I depend a great deal on your unbiased expert opinion.
Merry Christmas

Roy

Q: I need to increase my us exposure, any suggestions for etf in non-registered, 5-10 horizon?