Investment Q&A

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: After a "crack", and during a potentially persistent bear market, could you suggest some US and Canadian dividend ETFs ( whether standard, enhanced,or even cover call etfs if indicated ),that could maintain more stable revenues during uncertain economic periods ?

Q: Just re-asking a question from 2013 - "Hi..was wondering if there is a screener of non-eligible dividends for tax..bascially want to enusure purchasing correct ones outside of any sheltered portfolios...thanks"
Also, can you advise if VBAL, VGG, VIG have non-eligible dividends.
Lastly, pls advise if there's any way to check before stock purchase what the subcategories there will be of dividend income and interest income.
Thanks for your quick reply to my earlier questions.
Many thanks in advance.

Q: I have held SCHD for several years and just compared its total return with that of SPY and VIG:
SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF)
• 1 Year: 15.73%
• 3 Years: 15.80%
• 5 Years: 76.76%
• 10 Years: 204.74%
SPY: SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust:
• 1 Year: 27.37%
• 3 Years: 44.86%
• 5 Years: 98.26%
• 10 Years: 254.08%
VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF)
• 1 Year: 27.48%
• 3 Years: 45.14%
• 5 Years: 98.81%
• 10 Years: 256.38%
Are my calculations correct? Return on SCHD doesn't look right to me. The data supports Mr. Buffett’s view on SPY being better overall.

This question is prompted by concerns that my portfolios are in mostly high growth businesses and thus vulnerable. I wonder if one should lean towards dividend growth this year and trim the now-expensive high growth companies. Ignoring tax impact, would you today stay with SCHD, or switch to VIG, SPY , or do you have another US dividend-growth ETF to balance a high beta folio?
:ao:sab

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.

Q: Good Morning
Is there an unhedged version of VGH ?
Can you recommend any other unhedged ETF similar to VIG but listed in the Toronto Stock Exchange ?
Thank you

Q: I currently own a full weigh of the above listed ETFs and in light of President Trump's economic policies that are likely to benefit the financial sector, I'm looking at possibly adding XLF: US ETF to my US$ Non Registered account.


Q1. What would be your best idea for US$ ETF to add to a US$ Non Registered account at this time along with your rational for this choice?

Q2.What are your thoughts on XLF:US in terms of potential return for 2025 and the remainder of the Trump presidency?

Thank you and I look forward to your response.
Francesco

Q: Which do you prefer for 2025 VIG vs SCHD?

Q: Hi

My partner has funds to invest in a TFSA for a 3–5+-year hold starting now. Can you please suggest several diversified ETFs that would be worth considering both USD and CAD hedged that are likely to see growth, including any mid-cap ETFs to consider. Please also suggest any bond ETFs to consider providing balance.

Thank you for the great service!

Q: My wife has some money should would like to invest in eft. Which ones would you recommend.

Q: Happy new year 5I! (this question is not urgent),

Given how far the Canadian dollar has fallen, in an RRSP is there any merit to switching a VIG to VGH if one thinks the CAD will bottom soon and then slowly work its way up by 9-10% in value over the coming years?

Thank you for all your insight in 2024!

Q: I plan to own above 4 ETF is there an overlap on these ETF. If there is an overlap which one would you recommend as a buy for long term hold.

Thanks for the great service

Q: Recently you answered my question regarding US dividend WHT on Canadian domiciled ETF issues (Vanguard Canada, RBC Ishares etc) and noted that withholding taxes are owing on distributions since the Canadian ETF is simply holding the US ETF and the taxes would be levied when distributions are paid by the US ETF to the Canadian ETF.

Some follow up questions:
- I am assuming that the WHT would apply even if the Canadian ETF is held within a registered account?
- Does the WHT explain part of the difference in yield when comparing the US ETF and the Canadian ETF? For example - VIG yields 1.69% while VGG yields 1.17%. Assuming also that the higher MER on VGG also explains part of the yield difference??
- Given these factors - the WHT and higher MER - why would anyone choose the Canadian version of the same ETF. Further to this - In another question posed by Jacques - you point out that the Canadian ETF ZSP would be preferable to VFV since it holds the stocks directly and not thru the US ETF VOO....thereby avoiding WHT's for registered accounts. However - when you look at VOO - the yield is about 26 bp's higher than either VFV and ZSP....again why would you not just buy VOO.

Many thanks

Q: Are there US withholding taxes associated with the ETF's that are offered by Vanguard Canada (or any other Canadian ETF issuer) that pay a USD distribution??
Thanks

Q: Please provide a suggestion for an US ETF that invests in basket of US dividend paying stocks such as PM, BAC, HD, MCD, BLK. Thank you

Q: Hi team, I would like to generate some income in US dollars.

Could you please recommend 2 or 3 dividend paying US stocks, together with a brief explanation as to why you like those companies. I would also be OK with an ETF if you think that is a better way to go.

Thanks as always,
Paula

Q: Could you please provide a list of top US ETF’s that can be bought (low cost with great management)
a) using a US dollar acct
b) using a CDN dollar acct
3-5 for each.

Thanks

Q: My son moved to the USA a few years ago and has opened a Roth IRA upon which I am advising him. He holds the ETFs listed above. I have two questions upon which I would appreciate your advice. In which order of preference would you add to the existing holdings? And can you suggest two additional ETFs to complement the current holdings?

Q: I am still toying with RRSP strategies - I have about 50% of my RRSP in US funds and 50% in Canadian funds. I plan on starting to draw my RRSP down in January and need about an 8% annual return, including dividends and growth for the next 10 years. I have slowly been rolling my Canadian side toward your income portfolio, and am about half-way there. On the US side, I hold the above positions. What are your thoughts on the following - mirroring your income portfolio with the Canadian side, and on the US side hold a combination of ETF's/Equities, or just ETF's. I have been actively growing my RRSP (with success thanks!) But hope to be able to spend less time on it once I retire. The above idea means, for the Cdn side, I can continue to follow your moves on the income portfolio. For the US side, I will continue to monitor/rebalance, but I don’t want it to be a daily task - please suggest a tactic, including whether to mix equities/ETF's, or just go to one or a few ETF's, and please suggest holdings in either tactic. Thanks!