Investment Q&A

Q: Given the expected volatility in the upcoming U.S. Election, and not wanting to face tax consequences by selling equities outside of Registered Accounts, what reasonably priced "Puts" and duration of "Puts" would you potentially suggest placing as insurance to protect the rest of the portfolio?

Q: Transitioning my mutual funds to a self managed ETF portfolio of near equal weighting of ve, vee, spy,vig and iwo for all USA and international exposure. I am due for another block of buying. Which of the 5 above would be best to add now. VE and VEE are down so average out my loss? On weighting I was due to add mostly VEE and IWO. Just starting the transition so can add pretty much any of them.

Q: What is your top ranked large U.S. index tracking fund (includes the FANG stocks)
How would you rank the 4 listed ETF’S compared to your top choice?
Thanks once again. RAM

Q: I have about 30,000 in US cash and was looking for a suggestion as to how to deploy it. Generally, I am more conservative in the cash accounts and I do not need to access the money in the near future. An ETF would be considered. I currently have JPM and HD.

Q: it is mind boggling how one man can do so much devastation to a world economy. is there one or two stocks you can recommend to protect me from this lunacy. I hope some sensibility comes out of this mess. thanks again bill

Q: I am heavy canada and have decided to diversify globally with ETFs on my own.
Bought some VE and VIG today off the CMS model portfolio list to start on the market dip today. I dont need ANY Canadian exposure so looking at adding positions in VEE, SPY, IWO. Not really interested in ZWU at 0.71 MER. Any preference on which you would add this week? Other options not on CMS portfolio. Balanced growth equity follower. 5+year time frame.

Q: Which ETF best mirrors the Tangerine Equity Growth Portfolio, Fund Code: INI240? I'm happy with the performance but thought I may be able to reduce the MER with the same product in an ETF.
Thanks

Q: Hi 5i,

I have 10k in my TFSA that I'd like to allocate to ETF's. I'm still in school so I won't have as much money coming in to diversify through stocks.

I was wondering what would be the best way to allocate (how many, what percentage)? I was thinking along the lines of XIC, SPY, and VIG.

Also, what do you think about investing purely in ETF's?

Thanks in advance,

Jon

Q: I have approximately 2% of my portfolio invested in MMM in a RSP and with decreased share price and current outlook of industrials would it be a better choice to sell and add to either SPY or VIG for the long term ? I would appreciate your opinion.Elizabeth

Q: Hello,
I would like to buy S&P 500 index through ETF. Could you explain the differences among VFV/T, XUS/T and ZSP/T. Which one of them you recommend? Should I convert Canadian dollars to US dollars to buy SPY? Should I buy hedged ETF(S&P 500 index)?
Thanks
Victor

Q: Peter, Can I have your non-bias opinion on" FUND" for LT hold in RRSP Understand Insiders own 30%
Thanks
Cec

Q: A guest on BNN said he hedged his equity positions by index hedges.What are they and could you give me an example. thanks James

Q: Monthly, my husband and i contribute $200 to a mutual fund(ci select 40i60e, fund code= cig 2245) for my 33 and 31 yr old son/daughterinlaw. contributions 2014 $1800, 2015 $2400, 2016 $2400, 2017 $2400 = $9000 total. value of account December 31,2017 is $9732.00. January 2017 our advisor switched out of ci global asset alloc, ci cambridge global equity, ci signature high income, ci harbour corp class, ci harbour global equity and said having one fund (40i60e) would be best. Their current debt (in total) is a $240,000 mortgage. They want to pay this off before investing in the markets. Should we continue/cease the $200 monthly contributions to the 40i60e fund and buy them something else? To publish or not to publish the ? is up to you. thank you for your time. jane

Q: Good morning.... we are 15 years away before we may need to access our RRSP..
We sold all enegy (although would be okay with one "best of class" or ETF)..
I have a solid mix of similar weightings (BCE,BEP.UN,BNS,PBH,ATD.B,FSZ,SJ,GUD SIS). I would like fixed income/US/International exposure...I will be adding XHY..
I am looking for suggestions for either a few ETF you recommend for US/International exposure...keeping in mind we would not need to withdraw for at least 15 years..and if you think should have a minimum of 5% in energy or alternate AI ETF...

Thanks
Matt

Q: Dear 5i,
During the past week I had been deploying extra cash to rebalance my lower weighted holdings. I hold most of your BE Porfolio, some growth and a handful of US stocks. I have limited dry powder left to deploy and have significant losses in RRX and AEM (only energy / gold holdings except for ENB). I know you don't recommend buying the tsx index b/c it is weighted in resources and financials. I also have a little USD $ left. I am thinking of selling the loosers above for the capital loss and just buy the TSX index and the S&P 500 index with my remaining USD$. What do you think of this plan? Which index funds do you recommend?
Thanks,
Kerri

Q: Hi 5i
I like CMS ETF portfolio choices.
One of your ETFs is SPY.
My question: Does it have to be SPY?
Or can I replace it with ZSP or XSP?
If not, can you let me know your reasons?
shanthi

Q: I would like to get your thoughts on an equal weight approach vs a market weight approach with the S&P 500. This would be for long term performance holds of 10, 20 years.

Q: Currency question:
I want to buy an emerging market ETF and a US market ETF. If we assume that the American dollar continues to drop, are we better to have a Canadian dollar hedged fund or to purchase in US dollars? Thanks in advance.

Q: Would SPY be comparable to ISUG ? Or would ISUG have a higher concentration of tech stocks?

Q: I am setting up an all ETF portfolio for a 20 yr plus holding period and I have a two-part question. The first part concerns the makeup of the Canadian/US component. Is it better to go with a combination of SPY and XIC or would including CDZ and VIG provide stability and perhaps a bit more growth to the mix (keeping in mind that I intend to hold at least 5% of each but don't need income yet)?

Secondly, I am looking for higher risk assets for my TFSA. I was thinking of IWO. I know that there are specialized sectors I could include but I looking for a fairly hands-off approach. Do you think this approach would serve me well - I know that it is only one asset type - or is there a better mix out there that would still be quite manageable?

Appreciate your insight.

Paul F.