Investment Q&A

Q: I have large positions in most of Mag7, as well as VOO. For a 20 year time horizon, should I keep putting money into VOO or start a position in RSP for less concentration risk.

Q: Would like to get some guidance. I have ~$250K cash in a LIRA and would like to invest it in an ETF. I would like some guidance in terms of which ETF I should invest in. Should I invest in VFV or VOO?

In the long run, which one is a better investment choice for a Canadian, considering foreign exchange rates, MER, fund performance and dividend withholding taxes?

Based on my research a LIRA is exempt from the US withholding tax, similar to a RRSP.

Also, aside from the factors above that I’m considering, from your perspective are there any other pertinent factors that I’m missing?

Q: Can you recommend a few US-listed ETFs for a US citizen living in Canada with a Canadian investment account (to avoid problems caused by US PFIC rules)?
Mainly looking for ETFs to track the main indexes.
Thanks.

Q: good afternoon - I'm looking for US ETF's and have held VOO for some time. Can you suggest three or four different sector ETF's you feel are worthwhile. Should I diversify or just add to VOO (which is up bigly). Many thanks

Q: Which ETF do you feel compliments VOO the most? This would be for my RRSP. Also, I’m 15 years from retirement.

Your top 3 in order preferably?

US/CND/international/All world.. doesn’t matter.

Thank you

Q: Would you support selling VOO for VEU for a better return on investment?

Q: I am looking to put a portfolio of ETF's together to provide exposure to the total US market as well as some limited International exposure. I would like some FX protection hence the inclusion of some hedged ETF's.

For the US segment - I came up with the following holdings
VOO - 50%
ZAA - 20%
ZMID.F - 10%
VIOO - 10%
VIG - 10%

For the International Segment - I am looking at ZDM

Do the ETF choices and mix look reasonable to you - any other suggestions.
Thanks

Q: Hi,

As VFV is based entirely on VOO, why do they have different growth? VOO is up 5% in the last 6 months, whereas VFV is flat over 6 months? I'd like to invest in VFV but not with 5% discrepancies?

Q: Trump’s pro-U.S. policies (tariffs, tax cuts, deregulation) are driving U.S. market growth. What would the best US dollar etf's be to take advantage of this growth. This will be held in a unregistered account. TY!

Derek

Q: A large portion of my portfolio is VOO, QQQM and SCHD. Would you recommend buying QQQ, VOO or SCHD when they are currently available for less from their highs?

Q: What ETF do you recommend to mirror the S&P 500?

Q: Hi I currently hold VOO. Would you consider selling for COSTO with its recent decline? I understand it’s difficult to compare ETFs and stocks, but looking for the greatest growth return long term. Do you feel COSTO could drop further in this market? If so, entry point? Thank you

Q: Can you please share your favourite ETF for Dow Jones, S&P500 and TSX

Please share in CDN dollars hedge and unhedged. Plus in USA dollars

Thanks for the great service.

Q: Mr Warren Buffet has recently sold his entire positions in SPY and VOO.. Can you explain or help rationalize this move?

I currently hold VOO. Would you consider these ETFs a BUY/HOLD/SELL?

Thank you for your time. Cheers

Q: What is your opinion of this ETF? The performance history is really good beating the S&P and others over the last 10 years. They have had a couple of splits in the past and hold about 235 stocks in total. I looked at the top holdings and they are almost the same as the VOO /VFV. Would this be a good sub for the VFV or VOO? The price per unit is low

Q: Hello Peter and 5i Team! it is an RESP account.

A new granddaughter born this year has a tiny new RESP in her name. It started with 3 shared of IUSG, and then, realizing that commissions were a large percentage of such small purchases, we added 2 shares of ZUQ, which has no commission.

For future small contributions, I am looking at these 4 ETFs, based on 3-year average annual return. I am specifically wondering about MER vs Tax efficiency:

ZUQ: +13.44%/yr, MER=0.33%, yield=0.60%, holds US stocks directly
VFV: +13.36%/yr, MER=0.09%, yield=0.99%, holds US stocks indirectly through VOO
XUS: +13.36%/yr, MER=0.09%, yield=1.03%, holds US stocks indirectly through IVV
ZSP: +13.30%/yr, MER=0.09%, yield=0.94%, holds US stocks directly
(as far as I know, none of these are hedged)

Generally I gravitate to low MERs, so perhaps ZUQ is not the best choice.

I recall a comment on 5i that the indirect holding of US stocks means that the withholding tax is withheld when the underlying US ETF pays dividends to the Canadian holding ETF (e.g. VFV get the dividend from VOO, less 15%). So holding in a TFSA won't avoid it, whereas it would be avoided with, say, ZSP in a TFSA.

So, my question is: do the 3-yr performance numbers take all of this into account? I am guessing not... withholding tax efficiency depends on the holders nationality, sheltered status, etc.

Bottom line - which of these ETFs would you recommend for a grandchild with a time horizon of many decades, for optimal performance?

Thanks for your excellent insights and wisdom!

Q: I have a significant amount of my USD portfolio in VOO, I won’t need the money for 20 years. I’m trying to decide where to invest new USD with current stock market valuation. With a long term horizon any reason I can’t keep buying VOO?

Q: Greetings!

What ETFs would you recommend to make up someone's entire investment portfolio with the intentions to add to them monthly?

Thank you very much.

Q: Good Morning. I have US dollars that I want to invest for my recently born grandchildren so there is a 15-20 year timeframe. Please advise 5 ideas, US $ stocks or etfs, and rank in order from low risk to high. I will likely purchase a mix and compare how they perform over time. Thank you.

Q: I submitted this question on Sunday, so now re-submitting...

Asking this question for a friend who is relatively new to investing (and may be a future 5i client:-)

She has $200k in a non-registered account and is contemplating a balance of 75% US ETFs and 25% US equities, any sector. The account is growth-focused, moderate to medium risk; no funds will be withdrawn for 3-5 years. Given these parameters, please suggest 4 ETFs and 4 stocks she should consider. Thank you.