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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: I'm moving away from 30 equities to and few ETFs. What do you think of a portfolio made up of SPY 30%, XIC 30%, VIU 20%, and VAB 20%? Or would you rather XEQT 80% and VAB 20%?
Read Answer Asked by Lyle on February 18, 2026
Q: I am considering gradually switching from an all equity portfolio to these six ETFs at the following percentages: XGRO 20%, VBAL 20%, ZSP 15%, SPY 15%, XIC 15%, and VIU 15%. I have been happy with my returns but am thinking more conservatively.
1. What do you think about this mix, are there any you'd suggest a replacement for?
2. What would your educated guess be for an annualized return over the next 10 years?
Read Answer Asked by Lyle on February 17, 2026
Q: Hi 5i, I have a family member who has retired and is interested in buying a growth portfolio of ETFs that is US currency based. They have bought an annuity that will support their lifestyle for 10yrs. If you were building this portfolio what ETFs would you chose and what percentages would you allocate to them?
Read Answer Asked by Mark on February 03, 2026
Q: I have just started an RESP for my grandson and will be contributing the max $2500 per year. What would you recommend as my first stock purchases.
Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Marty on January 26, 2026
Q: What do you think about SPLV for lower risk investing? I understand the defensive nature of this ETF, but it's practically unchanged since Aug 2024, so I am wondering whether holding one of these new dual-direction Innovator ETFs or simply holding SPY and selling covered calls at +10% and buying puts at -10% is a better strategy here than holding SPLV. Your thoughts/suggestions on SPLV and these alternatives?
Read Answer Asked by Michael on January 13, 2026
Q: Hello 5i Team,
I was looking at the performance of ZSP vs. SPY on the Google Finance site.
ZSP shows a 1-yr return of 13.33%, and a 5-yr return of 97.04%
SPY shows a 1-yr return of 17.67%, and a 5-yr return of 81.69%
Why are the returns so different if both are looking to replicate the returns of the S&P 500?
For a long term hold within my RRSP, would it be better to take a position in one vs. the other, or take a half-position in each?
Many thanks,
Brian
Read Answer Asked by Brian on January 07, 2026
Q: Hi,

I have $50,000 to invest in my TFSA for 2026.

Could you provide your top 5 ETFs to invest in for US/Canadian, Top 3 foreign ETFs. and Top 3 dividend ETFs.

Holding for approx. 10 years. Risk level Moderate to high.

I have an ETF in SMH that has 108% ROI in the last 2 years. Would you advice on putting more cash into SMH?

Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Don on January 06, 2026
Q: Greetings 5i Team:

I'm looking to make upgrades to some RBC Funds in my wife's accounts. Deduct as many credits as needed.

Can you suggest:

1. A general tech ETF of the same ilk as RBF 620 Global Technology Fund,

2. For that matter, can you suggest a (preferably Cdn dollar) cyber security ETF.

3. A substitute for RBF 615 US Equity Fund.

4. A substitute for RBF 617 US Midcap Fund (with the idea that small caps might actually catch a bid this year).

5. A healthcare ETF, preferably in Cdn dollars.

Thank you, you're much appreciated!
Pete in Calgary.
Read Answer Asked by Peter on January 06, 2026
Q: Does 5i have a perspective on total weight a investors portfolio could have holding respective ETFS for

: SP500 QQQ DJI RUS 2000 and TSX ...... 1.5-2.5% each ?
(10-15% total)
Read Answer Asked by Brant on January 06, 2026
Q: Hi Gang
What are your top 5 etf. At this time
Thanks Mike B
Read Answer Asked by Mike on December 23, 2025
Q: Everyone, if your portfolio was only ETFs how many would you have and what would they be? Clayton
Read Answer Asked by Clayton on December 03, 2025
Q: If a new Canadian investor wanted to get into the North American market and use low cost index investing to achieve both diversification and simplicity what would you consider for such a portfolio. And if international exposure was desired what could be considered as additions for that.
Read Answer Asked by dave on October 23, 2025
Q: Peter, I’m also tiring of underperformance of MAW funds. Could you suggest alts for these two please? Thanks,
Rod
Read Answer Asked by Rodney on October 21, 2025
Q: My son has US$100K to invest in a non-registered account. He would like to keep it simple and invest in a low fee ETF for balanced growth. Please suggest suitable investment vehicle in USD denomination.
Read Answer Asked by M on October 17, 2025
Q: I will be simplifying my RRSP portfolio whereby it will be mainly comprised of ETF's that can give growth as well as income that i can use to draw on when RRSP are converted to RRIF.

Can you provide me ETF's / Index funds suggestions for:
S& P 500 index
Global large cap index ex USA
Dividend appreciation index ( large cap) for Canada and US

Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Mario on September 10, 2025
Q: If you were setting up a diversified unregistered account for yourself from scratch using US ETFs today, for a long-term hold:

How would you approach this?
What would ETFs would you pick?
What percentage would you put in each?

Please charge multiple questions as needed. Thanks very much.
Read Answer Asked by Chris on July 18, 2025
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