Investment Q&A

Q: My daughter is looking to invest about $4,000 in an RRSP. She has an investment horizon of about 15-20 years and her current employer provides a secure DB pension. What growth oriented ETFs would you recommend at this time? If she were to add a dividend oriented ETF to the growth choices, what might you suggest? Thanks.

Q: I need to set up an annual income for my wife, for next 25 years. In TFSA and RRSP, using only ETF's. Dividend growth and HY dividends. Should have 5% yearly and 10% total return. Can you recommend the appropate ETF's. Vanguard/BMO/ I Shares (only)
Please NO EM ETF's One European OK--- Key is 5% annual income. Investment .5M$ It has to be buy and collect for 25 years. No input by my wife.
Thank you
Cec

Q: Hi,
if you were putting a fund together comparable to VGG, but for Canadian equities, what might be your first 5 top picks assuming the same criteria for the ETF? Also, what would be your 3 honorable mentions?
When comparing CDZ and VGG what are the main differences in terms of the stocks that make up these two ETF's?
Many thanks,
Dan

Q: Through the pandemic I have decided to remove certain names from my Canadian portfolio that I was less confident in. I am now down to 19 positions from 25 originally. Also with this I have built up more cash than I would typically have. I know you guys advocate being mostly invested, but I am having a hard time finding names that I am bullish on through the pandemic that I do not already currently own. The portfolio is roughly a mix between your growth and balanced portfolios. Would you continue to hold approx 10-15% in cash or add in some sort of growth ETF for the short term until we are through the pandemic and things return to normal where I can expand my portfolio again. If so, which Canadian etf would you add for the short term considering the details i have shared?

Q: Are there any etf's that focus on companies with, strong balance sheets and a track record of consistent dividend growth by sectors, specifically tech, health, cons. staples etc. and if not what would be your recommendation for a general etf that has the same focus. Thanks for expertise.

Q: I started an RESP for my 2 grandsons about 3 years ago. Only 5 stocks in the account: 3 Cdn. banks, BAM and an energy company. It is doing much worse than my RESP or TFSA. I wanted safe, dividend paying stocks. Obviously the lack of diversification has hurt. I have some cash in account I would like to deploy. Please give me a few suggestions of companies I should add. Thx.

Q: Good Day Team,
Looking at VGG and it seems to look quite well. Would this be a good time to purchase?

Thank you,
John G.

Q: This question is about diversification and percentage of stocks vs ETFs. In my overall portfolio (combined tfsa, rrsp, and non-registered), I have roughly 37% VFV/ZSP, and the rest fairly equally weighted across ENB, KXS, SHOP, VGH, AQN, BEP.UN/C, BIP.UN/C, BNS, CPX, GDI, NVDA, RY, TEAM, VGG, TRP, BAM.A. I'm in my mid 30s and have a long time frame, but would prefer to position for short term performance as much as possible. So, with some cash to allocate, can you please recommend a couple US and CAN stocks to add to this mix (or recommend just adding to what I hold)? Also, given your recent market update on covid vs sector performance, what would you do with the VFV/ZSP allocation? I am open to moving that allocation to stocks instead of an ETF, and am wondering if I should take that path, and how best to position there given the big tech names/top holdings in the ETFs, vs some holdings across sectors that are currently down. Thanks!

Q: Hi Ryan, Peter
I am an income oriented investor and I want to increase my US exposure. I am looking for good Canada based ETFs that yield 3 to 5% dividend. I shortlisted ZDY, XHU and FCUD. I am bit concerned about their size, at least the last with less than 150m in net assets. Can you comment on these or suggest alternate ETFs

Q: I have 4 questions:

1. I have not diversified my assets outside the TSX and would like to do so. Between a TFSA, an RRSP, and non-registered account, which is best to purchase US stocks (for tax purposes)?

2. If I wanted to buy an ETF on the TSX for US exposure, what would be a good one?

3. If I wanted to buy an ETF (also on the TSX) for exposure to emerging markets, what would be a good one?

4. Would you buy an emerging markets ETF in your TFSA, RRSP, or non-registered account?

Thank you for answering my questions. The information you provide is very valuable.

Best wishes,
Terri

Q: Hi all, I'm concerned about some of my holdings based on the rising US Covid19 cases. As such would like to raise my cash position for the eventual pullback in USA market. Please select from my list the first to last to sell or reduce in order. Thanks for all you do.

Q: In my RRSP, I follow your Balanced Equity portfolio. I would like to add more US exposure, and for now, intend to do so buy selling some of my Balanced Equity portfolio holdings and purchasing either VIG or VGG. Of these, which should I sell to do so:

ATZ, AEM, ATD.B, BAD, BYD, CCL.B, CAE, ENB, GIL, GC, GUD, MG, NFI, PKI, SLF, TFII, WSP

Please disregard sector, geographical, and asset class allocation considerations in your answer. Thank you.

Q: Hi General investing question. I have both ETF and actual stocks that are in the ETF. Less than 5 years away from retirement so still looking to build my portfolio. What's your opinion on holding ETF to accumulate income or buy the actual dividend stock and get both income and (hopefully!) growth? Thanks guys

Q: Hi

In my RRSP would it be wise to replace VGG, ZDY, and ZWH with ITOT.

Looking for lower fees and growth.

Thank you

Mike

Q: Hi
Would it be a wise to replace the 4 mentioned above with ITOT in my RRSP.

Thank you Mike.

Q: I have full positions in the above except KXS and REAL. For available cash is there a stock that you like and would consider adding to this portfolio .

Q: Morning Team. Question relating to VIG (NY) vs VGG (TSE). From my review of both funds, it appears that the holdings are the same or very very close in both. So the question then comes down to currency. Assuming that the $CDN stays weaker as compared to the USD for the forseable future, what are your thoughts on either VIG or VGG as a core holding for the US market. Or perhaps both might be recommended to cover off currency. Many thx. Steve

Q: Hi 5i,
We are older retirees and have held ZWB and ZWH
in our RRIFs for income for many years. I just ran a Quicken report on performance and neither performed particularly well. I am about to switch ZWB for ZEB and ZWH for VGG. We can live without the monthly covered call income and I am assuming the replacements will outperform the covered call ETFs in a recovery. Your comments or suggestions are welcome. Thanks for the service.
Ted

Q: Hey 5i,
Despite the downturn and possibly another.
Dividends have been cut and some more are possible. Oil potentially being the longer rebound.
Is their a recommended best "overall" US Dividend ETF.
Overall taking into account Yield. Growth. MER. Somewhat balanced exposure and or limited oil holdings.

Great work as always. Thank you!

Q: Would you please recommend a couple of dividends ETFs issued in Canadian dollars - containing Cdn and or US stocks. The objective is yield more than growth with medium or lower risk. Thanks