Investment Q&A

Q: I have US$ in my RIF that I would like to invest defensively given general high valuations and the potential for a correction. Would VIG and VIGI be good choices or would you have other suggestions. Thanks for the help. Doug

Q: I am very heavy on Canadian equities within my corporate investment account. My personal accounts are all a bit heavy on Canadian equities as well. Plan to purchase ETFs to balance. Which of your current ETF portfolio names would you add right now and is there any advantage to doing so within my INC., TFSA, RSP or personal unregistered account. Would invest a 5% positon in the next few weeks. Balanced equity portfolio is the target, 10 year horizon.

Q: Hi, for my US exposure, I hold the following 3 US ETFs at the following total percentages:

VTI - 50%
VIG - 20%
IWO - 30%

I have $10K USD to add and I'm wondering whether VTI and VIG are too similar or whether I'm fine to add to all 3 and keep the same rough percentages.

Thanks
Robert

Q: I have noticed that many ETF's traded on US markets offer lower MER's than similar ones in Canada. Do you recommend owning US based ETF's in my RRSP or does it just add too much complexity for the average investor?

Q: I recently asked a question regarding VIG. 5I approved but pointed out that SPY had returned 2% better over the last five years. With VIG yielding 2% and SPY yielding 1.85% what is the case for buying VIG over SPY ?

Q: Hello 5i,
I have recently made some changes in my portfolio and have some U.S. dollars to invest and was wondering the best positioning, considering that I have a fairly balanced portfolio. I follow Barry Riholtz and have found him to be pretty good. He says basically that the US may be in for a slower growth for the next little while, while emerging markets would be best. Here is his post, if it is of interest:
https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2016-how-to-invest-10k/
He suggests VWO. I was wondering what your thoughts on this thesis would be?
Also, another question. If you were going to invest in US etfs, the great investor Warren Buffet, says the best thing is to just buy a vanguard etf for the S&P and forget about it.
I notice, however, that you often suggest other options like VIG, which I believe is a dividend appreciation etf for the American market. Do you think it is worth the extra trouble to diversify from Buffet’s original suggestion?
Thanks again

Q: I need some International ( outside Canada) exposure. Please suggest one or 2 dividend paying ETF's. US exposure ok, but mostly outside North America.
Thanks Team

Q: Hello

I m looking for a etf or mutual fund of quality blue chip who can growth in bull market and minimize the the risk during a bear market for a long run minimum of 5 years.

Which product between VIG, ZGQ, MAwer global equity, edgepoint global, black creek global,do you suggest me?
If you have other suggestions let me know.

Thank you for your help

Have a nice week end

Q: 5i

I have held JNJ for a few years and it has grown to be 10% of my portfolio. Using your sage advice I need to reduce the shares in JNJ. I am retired, have JNJ in my RRIF and depend on dividends to enhance my retirement pension. Would like a suggestion as to any USA stocks you would recommend that is as safe as JNJ and pay a dividend of 3% or more with some growth I know you do not cover USA stocks but thought you might have a suggestion. If not is there an ETF with USA exposure that may accomplish these goals. I am currently 74% Canadian and 26% USA invested.Look forward to your thoughts and recommendations

Regards

w

Q: Hi Peter: I currently hold ZWH in my rrsp and as it is the only U.S. exposure that I have, am wondering what you else you would suggest as a compliment to it. ZWH currently is 6 % of my overall portfolio. I am looking for something of a moderate risk to hold for 3-5 years or longer.

Thanks, David

Q: Good morning, If I sell ZWH, VGG and VIG in taxable accounts and replace with ZWA and VGH (both hedged and in Cdn dollars), will this trigger the disallowed tax loss? i.e. are they too similar to replace within 30 days? If so what would be a better solution? What would be your suggestion for US representation at this time?
Thanks for your never ending help.
Ted

Q: what is your favourite ETF or growth stock that is outside Canada. Is it a good time to buy it now?

Q: Hello 5i,
I am looking to increase my U.S. and International exposure. I currently hold VIG-N, JNJ-N and a number of Canadian ETF's which also hold U.S. equities. I am open to either USD or hedged products and would like a yield in excess of 2.25% if practical. Since I look to yield for income I was considering ZWA. Would you have any other options you would prefer over ZWA?
On the Int'l. side I hold CYH and ZDI and am happy with both; I held VEE at one time, but the yield is on the lower side for my needs. Should I just increase my holdings in these two or, again, do you see a better option? I could move out of one or both of those if you think there is a more compelling option I'm missing.
As always .... thanks so much for all of your help - very much appreciated!!!
Have a great summer!!
Cheers,
Mike

Q: I'm considering various ETFs (mostly from Vanguard) for global exposure and I just wanted to get your thoughts:

Asia/Pacific - VPL or VAH
Europe - VEH or ZWE
EM - VEE or VE
USA - VUN or VIG or VGG
Global - VT, VIGI, VYMI, VXC (would it make sense to buy all of these, or is there too much overlap?)

These would all be held for many years. I don't need the income from dividends, but a decent yield is always nice. Currently wondering about things like hedged vs unhedged, fund size, growth potential. Thanks for the advice.

Q: Good morning from the West Coast. My question is about diversification. I have purchased CDZ. I would like you to recommend an equivalent ETF for the USA please.
Thanks
Rick

Q: Hi 5I- I would like to deploy most of my 30% cash in your income fund, but feel better if it was more global in nature. This would form the major part of my fixed income. Could you suggest some global or international div. etf's to compliment your 5I income model. The big US bully bothers me. We are early 70's retirees needing more than bond exposure. Thanks kindly.

Q: I would like to add VIG and SPY to my RRSP account for both a 5% weight. Would you recommend both for a 5% weight? The only US stock that I own is RSG.

Thanks

Q: Hi guys,

In response to Sam's question,how would you rank these for a long term investment. Right now I am holding VIG.

Thanks,

Jjm

Q: Hi 5i, I'm moving money from my broker (40+ stocks, 500K) to a few ETFs (Equal Weight) , I'm considering the following ETFs: XIC, IWO, CDZ, SPY, FDN, and FIE; would you please help me choose four or five ETFs from the list, I'm looking for moderate growth, and of course preservation if capital.
Thanks

Q: I have a well diversified Canadian portfolio. I would like to have coverage of the US market with one or two etf's. Can you suggest any that would give me a broad selection of US stocks.
Many thanks Dorothy