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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: Hi 5i team,
I would like to have emerging markets equity exposure within my RRSP. Currently, my RRSP holds mostly US situs securities in a U.S. dollar brokerage account (TD-Waterhouse). I am debating between buying VWO (trades in US$) or ZEM (trades in CAD$). I use Norbert’s gambit to convert between currencies, so doesn’t matter so much if I make conversion now (from US$ to CAD$, if I buy ZEM now) or later when I need to withdraw the funds (if I buy VWO now, raising US$ from sale of US$ securities already held, and later converting to CAD$ when funds required for RSP withdrawal). Any emerging markets ETF(s) purchased now would likely be held at least 10 years (potentially, much longer, depending on longevity—spouse and I are both aged 60). One other consideration; we are HNW situation, so US estate tax considerations potentially in play, too (depending on U.S. laws at time of our demise, and specific holdings owned at that time; this consideration would favor ZEM). My question—given the above considerations (currencies, fees within RSP, estate)--which one of these two ETFs would you recommend for long-term emerging markets exposure within an RSP (or, if there is another ETF you would recommend for long-term RSP holding for emerging markets, which would it be, given the above situation?).
Read Answer Asked by Ted on July 03, 2020
Q: I am retired. To help me better appreciate what types of stocks to hold in my TFSA, RRSP/RRIF, and unregistered accounts, could you give me a few Canadian and US suggestions for each. Thanks again for your great service.
Read Answer Asked by bill on July 03, 2020
Q: I sold my business and started investing last year. I am trying to build balanced portfolio and struggling with the bond portion. I don't want to buy individual bonds and was looking into something like HBB for unregistered portfolio and VAB and XSB for registered. Yet, I am very uneasy about buying bond ETFs in the near-zero interest rate environment - the rates can only go up (unless we end-up with negative rates here) and, obviously, bond ETFs will be going in the opposite direction. I was thinking about VSC but almost 35% of it are junk bonds, so no comfort there. With PSA now paying only 0.65%, I am really out of choices for the fixed income portion of my portfolio. Any suggestions (both for CDN and USD positions)? My time horizon is 10 years and I want something safe and tax efficient.
Read Answer Asked by Marie on July 03, 2020
Q: I would like to add two companies to my portfolio to increase my US dividends. What would you pick from these 5? Currently NTR and QSR have a higher yield. Does this indicate a higher risk and should I look at a lesser Yield in order to preserve capital?
Read Answer Asked by Kelly on July 03, 2020
Q: Hello 5i team,
I thank you for sending me the names os 11 US companies involved in the development of a Covid vaccine; are there any publicly traded Canadian, UK, European and International companies as well?
Happy Canada Day,
Antoine
Read Answer Asked by Antoine on July 03, 2020
Q: Hello -
Do you have a recommended Emerging Markets ETF that is ex-China, or alternatively, has reduced exposure to China?
I would be interested in this type of ETF in a USD account and also a similar version in my CAD account if it exists.
Read Answer Asked by James on July 03, 2020
Q: Once upon a time I owned this equity; there was some news today "that it has issued 623,406 common shares to fund interest due on June 30, 2020 on its 6.5% Convertible Unsecured Debentures (the "Debentures"). 355,840 common shares were issued to debenture holders that held 58.8% of the debentures, these holders having elected to receive common shares in lieu of cash interest.....Additionally, 14 insiders, including C-suite, Management and Directors, purchased 267,566 common shares through a private placement.....The Company is applying the proceeds from the private placement to pay the interest on the June 30, 2020 payment and, to the extent of any excess proceeds, the December 31, 2020 interest payment." What do you think is going on here? The stock has been on quite a slide; is this positive, or more bad news? Thanks for your excellent service.
Read Answer Asked by Leonard on July 03, 2020
Q: Please comments this ETF BETZ (Roundhill Sports Betting & iGaming ETF), Would it be a good long term investment? Or are there other substitutes for it to invest in this industry? Would you initiate a position today? Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by David on July 03, 2020
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