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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: There are a number of ETFs offered which has a policy of using Options of up to 30% of the investment. The management fees in general is higher as it attempts to provide higher yield as well as Capital gains. As I have a few of these funds in various accounts, where can I find how much are they making in Options, Dividends and Capital gains. Will appreciate the source of such information in general for these kinds of ETFs.
Read Answer Asked by Ritwik on December 04, 2023
Q: I am an income investor. I believe that umax and zwu are similar.

Would umax (14% yield) not be preferred to zwu at 8.2%

Same for qmax (11.8%) vs. txf at 8.3%

thank you for your comments

Read Answer Asked by JACK on November 23, 2023
Q: Hi 5i,
I hope you might help with my education ...
I have trouble getting my mind around the concept and basis for owning hedged vs unhedged. I know it has to do with currency valuations but beyond that I'm afraid I don't really understand it.
As a real world example to work off, I've owned TXF (the hedged version) for a long time and have noticed that it's pretty consistently been out-performed by its unhedged counterpart, TXF.B. I bought some TXF.B thinking to at least even things up and ironically since then the hedged version has been doing somewhat better.
My problem is that I really don't understand the mechanics of how it works, and why hedged is better in some circumstances but not in others - and even what those circumstances are.
I know hedging is something i should understand better, and I hope you can give me a primer, even though it's likely a pretty basic concept and also likely not that difficult to understand. I just seem to have a block and don't feel like I've grasped the concept or the important factors to consider when thinking about it.
Thanks!
Peter
Read Answer Asked by Peter on July 31, 2023
Q: Hi 5i,
I have a few of questions about a few tech ETF's - please deduct as many points as you think appropriate.
In comparing XIT to TXF.B I note that XIT has a better 5 year annualized return (16.03% to 7.87%) but TXF.B has outperformed XIT over the past 3 year annualized period by 10.23% to 8.38%. In addition, TXF.B pays a very healthy distribution (over 9% annually) while XIT pays none. And then finally, XIT is all Canadian and has over 75% of its NAV wrapped up in 4 names - CSU, SHOP, CGI and OTEX.
All that being the case, I wonder:
Is XIT too dependent on just a few names that are all in one geography to have the safety one expects (hopes for at least) in an ETF, both looked at in isolation and also when compared to a name like TXF.B?
XIT obviously hit it big with those 4 names (and especially CSU I'd think) but is its good return likely to continue into the future with so much reliance on so few contributors, all of which are in Canada?
Is there a site that does the hard work of comparing the actual returns of ETFs by analyzing the combination of capital gain combined with the contribution of distributions so that it's possible to get a true idea of the performance of an ETF like TXF.B with its 9% /year distribution compared to XIT's zero payout? and finally:
Between a hedged ETF like TXF vs an unhedged ETF like TXF.B which have identical holdings, which would you expect to do better over the next 3 years or so, and why? I note that unhedged TXE.B has outperformed hedged TXF over the past number of years, and I wonder if you think this trend will continue.
Thanks 5i, I look forward to reading your thoughts.
Peter
Read Answer Asked by Peter on April 10, 2023
Q: In have TXF in my registered account and its dividend has been high @12%. Recently along with tech stocks it has lost over 20% of its value. I want to know where can I find how the high dividend is generated from its components income, capital draw down and options trading (about 30%). And would really like your view of this ETF.

I am a new subscriber and I do appreciate your prompt and wise advice thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Ritwik on February 27, 2023
Q: Hi,

I'm looking for a CDN growth/tech ETF and I was astonished to kind TLF has a dividend of 6.5%?? And TXF has a dividend of 15.6%?? Is this true and is it safe?

I don't understand why growth ETFs would have dividends like this? Of the 3 ETFs mentioned, which would you recommend?
Read Answer Asked by Graeme on February 13, 2023
Q: Good day all!
We currently have the above stocks on the tech side of our registered and non-registered portfolios. Looking to bring our portfolio in balance with recommended weights.
Can you please suggest 2 new stocks each for non registered and TFSA account that are good buys now. Dividends welcomed but not necessary.

Thank you

Roger
Read Answer Asked by Roger on January 26, 2023
Q: Hi, for an income portfolio, I am looking to add either HTA or TXF. Just not sure which one to choose (in a cash account). TXF is a larger fund and has more liquidity, a higher distribution % as well as a lower MER. On the other hand, HTA had double the return of TXF in 2021 and 5% more in return in 2022. Their portfolios is not exactly the same but similar. Can the difference in their respective portfolio explain the outperformance of HTA since 2021? Which one should offer the better total return in the next few years? Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Martin on January 05, 2023
Q: Hi 5i,
3 questions I believe, so please deduct accordingly:
In each of the following groupings which name do you see as having the largest gain (dividends and capital gain) after a three year hold and, if you would, brief reasons for your choices. Also, if any seem to you a bad idea to buy and pay little attention to for three years, please say so,
1. BIR; ARX; CNQ
2. NWC; EMP.A
3. ZQQ; TXF
I look forward to your thoughts. Thanks.
Peter
Read Answer Asked by Peter on December 14, 2022
Q: I have a small RRSP account that is half in TXF.TO and half in US cash. I will not need access to this account for at least ten years. Overall, my portfolio is very diversified. But I am trying to decide what to do with this account. I was thinking 1) about putting the US cash into VOO 2) and/or selling TXF.TO and only holding VOO. My other thought was 3) putting the US cash into a US REIT or 4) a US ETF paying a good distribution. Would you have any thoughts? And if you think a US REIT or US ETF would be a good idea, could you provide a few suggestions? Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Kim on November 24, 2022
Q: I'm down 33% on TXF in an unregistered account.

For tax loss harvesting would ZWT be considered an acceptable proxy for TXF by Revenue Canada? If they are too similar, what do you feel would be an acceptable proxy?

Alternatively, if there isn't an acceptable proxy would 5i suggest leaving the proceeds in "cash" on the basis that it is doubtful that TXF would increase enough in 30 days to offset the tax gain?

Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Cory on October 12, 2022
Q: Hello:

Wondering if TXF is beaten down enough to provide a good entry point. Is there a better ETF for similar exposure in CAD?

What are 5i's thoughts on HHL for weathering the next year or two with possible recession and general market uncertainties? I expect healthcare may see less volatility but would like your perspective, please.

Thank you for your great service!

Read Answer Asked by Marilou on July 12, 2022