skip to content
  1. Home
  2. >
  3. Investment Q&A
You can view 3 more answers this month. Sign up for a free trial for unlimited access.

Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: I am currently managing my TFSA/RRSP funds and some money outside of registered accounts, which are largely individual stocks. With the market volatility, potential recession and war in Ukraine, I am finding it more difficult to keep on top of the individual stocks and am therefore considering going to ETF's. I am a year away from retirement but would be ok with more risk in the TFSA/RRSP's.
Could you please suggest 5 ETF's for the registered accounts and 5 ETF's for the non-registered accounts.
Thank you,
Jacquie
Read Answer Asked by Jacquie on June 02, 2022
Q: could your recommend a low volatility ETF for the Canadian, US and International market? would you prefer a Canadian or International ETF over the US given that the US has had such a large run?
thanks
Read Answer Asked by Mary on December 10, 2021
Q: Hi folks, I am expecting an inheritance of about $50-70,000. I currently have what I would consider a med-high risk portfolio for retirement. I'm 46 so I am a ways from retiring but would rather put that $50-70,000 in a small number of low-med risk equities or an ETF with a good dividend and just let it grow slowly but surely. Can you provide any recommendations?

Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Brad on June 25, 2021
Q: hello 5i:
recent discussion on Factor Investing on your Questions board. this item probably should be in the Blog section (not sure how many use it), so publish if you wish or think it adds value to the ETF discussion. Material is dated, but I have invested a portion of our portfolio in the suggestion, on this article in Seeking Alpha:
https://seekingalpha.com/article/4275985-beating-market-factor-etfs-simple-approach
thanks and hope this helps someone
Paul L
Read Answer Asked by Paul on August 10, 2020
Q: I just read your answer re the above symbol, Larry Bermans newest addition. My question would be, what would you recommend that has a longer track record and is similiar to zpay's philosophy, maybe not quite the best word for an etf !!. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Maureen on May 15, 2020
Q: Hi 5i -- my son (age 26) has recently started working in a well-paying job in the US. He's saving a good portion of his salary and has asked me what he should be investing in. No debt. He's looking to invest for long-term growth for retirement in 40 years or so. About 1/3 of his holdings right now are in Brookfield Asset Management, 1/2 are split between VIG and USMV, and the rest is Berkshire Hathaway and CN for his non-registered accounts. Right now non-registered savings are $75k.
His 401k is separate in Vanguard SP500 index fund. He is a believer in pay yourself first and has been able to save and invest 5,000/month US!

He's looking for good growth stocks or funds that will increase steadily over the long term. He's earning enough now that he doesn't need dividends in the short term but he's not opposed theoretically if everything fits together. Any thoughts on what he should be investing in? Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Giovanni on May 11, 2020
Q: Hello 5i,
Interesting times. Thank you for the backup.

I am trying to help my sister rebalance her portfolio and to get it retirement ready. She does not want to watch the portfolio but is open to rebalancing a couple of times a year. She is in the 40:60 to 50:50 bond:equity range for comfort (although this market is a great test about that assertion). She will live 3 - 4 months in the us during retirement.

I’ve been playing with the above mentioned etfs, keeping in mind that USD are already held (25% of portfolio), to find the proper mix of etfs to get to a 40:60 mix of bond to equity, with an equity exposure 25:50:25 Canada, US, International.

Please feel free to suggest other etfs as necessary if the above are not appropriate. Can you suggest an appropriate etf composition/ collection to satisfy the above criteria?

Tia
Read Answer Asked by Kat on April 01, 2020
Q: Which best bang for the buck should a retiree look at when looking for some US exposure through ETFS, for the future recovery, I have no US exposure as of now and would like to take advantage of the downturn, I get by on the pensions I have.
Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by James on March 19, 2020
Q: I want to rebalance my portfolio and increase my US holdings to ~60% of my portfolio using ETF's.
I currently hold VFV (15%), VB(10%) & VIG (10%).
- What other ETF's should I consider adding
- Recommended percent in each.
My timeframe is 3-5 years
You provide a great service for investors, thanks to you and your staff...
Read Answer Asked by William on January 02, 2020
Q: I have some US funds to invest. Growth and some protection in a downturn. What stocks? I am thinking IHI,VZ, V or IWO ?? other suggestions?
Read Answer Asked by Helen on December 23, 2019
Q: Would zlh be a fairly safe and effective investment for a 3 to 4 year holding? I need some more US exposure and would like to preserve my capital with some upside potential. Are their other low volatility US etf that you would prefer? Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Steve on December 10, 2019
Q: 5i Team,

Please provide your guidance on US based ETF's that you believe could be a buy now, and perhaps others that could be placed on a watch list pending a market adjustment or a new developing trend line. Goals would be moderate growth (lean towards safety) with a steady and growing dividend. I currently hold VIG and would want to expand my US based exposure. Position would be held in either a cash or rrsp account. Many thx. Steve.
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on October 28, 2019
Q: My question concerns my rif which has 50% cash right now with u.s. div. stocks representing that 50% invested. I am considering investing equally in usmv - aem and cwb (convertible bond etf) in this rif. Does this make sense in todays investment market with the u.s indexes at all time highs and trading sideways or should i hold that cash into year end . That cash in the rif represents about 23% of my overall cash position. We are 70 yoa with enough income from canadian dividend stocks to supply us with our living so look at this amount as next generation money...thanks for the great service...
Read Answer Asked by gene on October 28, 2019
Q: Would you please suggest 2 or 3 US balanced funds, available in Cdn$ and hedged. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by gary on October 23, 2019