Investment Q&A

Q: Does QQQ provide sufficient exposure to AI and AI build out stocks ? If not, what are some ETFs that generally cover tech stocks as well as AI and AI build out ? Are any such ETFs listed on TSX ?

Q: I am just starting to do the Smith Maneuver. I am planning on "deploying" about $200k to start and then CDA monthly and then, if and when there is a market drop, buy more.
My time horizon is at least 10 years but maybe more, if all works out.
Please recommend stocks and/or etf's; both Cdn and US.
Thanks for your knowledge and help.
I appreciate being a member.

Q: I have the above 3 ETF's. in various portfolios. On review it appears all 3 have quite similar top 10 holdings. Would like to reduce to one, any suggestions as to which one should be considered a hold. Yield is not important.

Q: I have a fairly diversified portfolio, except for tech/AI. Can you recommend four or five ETFs for that sector? Thanks

Q: What option would you suggest to pursue to gain additional exposure to technology within a portfolio? I currently only own QQQ in USD registered account.

1) just add more to QQQ at the current exchange rate
2) diversify and add XIT
3) diversify and add both XIT and CSU at 50/50 (understanding XIT owns approximately 23% of CSU already)
4) none of the above, try an alternative (e.g. QQQM)

Q: Retired investor with no new money coming in. I have a larger position in QQQ and a small position in VMO. I would like to sell QQQ and move the funds into VMO. I also hold large positions in VFV and RSP and understand there is some overlap with QQQ. Would you endorse such a move or would it be prudent to split the funds equally between the two?

Q: I've owned XIT for a very long time and it has performed extremely well. Using your charting system, I have tracked it against QQQ and it is amazing how you can virtually lay one on top of the other over multiple time frames (especially 3 years and 10 years).

It is only in the last month that there is an obvious change. XIT has plummeted since the start of 2026, while QQQ has roughly held it's own.


XIT is comprised of 10 stocks, with SHOP at 25%, CLS at 24%, CSU at 23%, GIB.A at 12%....totalling roughly 85% of XIT.

Reading up on these four, I think I can paraphrase the 5iR answers as: SHOP-no major concerns, CLS-no concerns at all, CSU-should be ok in the long terms (unless AI is indeed a major disruptor to the software subset of technology, GIB.A-should be ok, but not exciting. My apologies if I got this wrong.

For asset allocation purposes, I added funds to XIT in late December and early Jan around the $80 level (this is after trimming at $86). So if I liked XIT at $80, I should really like it in the $60's. I have more funds available to add to XIT, but I am very proud of my latest action this week or so....just sit on my hands and do nothing.

I like buying when the proverbial "blood is running down the street" and could easily top up now. However, we may now be looking at some capitulation...not sure? I also look at the old expression that after a parabolic rise, the stock could easily settle by 1/3 to 1/2.

Do you have any advice as to when to deploy new funds into XIT? Should we wait until CSU reports in late-Feb? Are there other factors to consider.

Thanks.....Steve

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?

Q: Can you share your top US ETF picks for each sector? Thanks!

Q: Hi I’m 37 years old, considering myself a moderate risk investor. Can you recommend your top 5 ETFs in order? (CND or US) I prefer to buy and forget.

Thank you

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

Q: Are there any listed international ETF like QQQ.us and XIT. Canadian ?

Q: Any suggestions for a technology EFT that covers United States, Canada and Global

Q: My current plan is to add to my XIT holdings in my TFSA with this year's contribution.

By the way, XIT tracks very well when compared with QQQ...using multiple timeframes on your charting system. They overlay each other very closely....surprises me.

This is actually a "timing" question. Usually I just contribute the money and then buy according to a well laid out plan weeks in the making. However, with the big run up last year and the slide in stock prices lately, I can't help but ponder whether I should just sit on my hands for a bit?

My full plan was actually to buy the first $7k tranche sooner (early Jan), then create some cash from the other holdings in my TFSA and buy a 2nd tranche later...Feb?

Your thoughts?

Thanks for your help throughout the years....been with you from virtually the beginning....love the service!!! Steve

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

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)

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: Hi 5I team: We plan to buy QQQ and Google shares for my son's RRSP. given the US drop in interest rate and what may come given Trump's influence, would you recommend that we exchange the Canadian $ into US $ and buy in US? Thx

Q: Everyone, if your portfolio was only ETFs how many would you have and what would they be? Clayton

Q: want to raise some cash(tech breaking down technically) in what order would you sell the above listed stocks bearing some are winners and some are losers so what your recommendation sell winners or losers first without getting in to too much specifics. CSU as an example sell now to claim loss or then buy back after 30 days FFH on the other hand is up 60% so sell now and hope to buy back later at lower price. what would you do? Remember i want to raise cash so how would you approach this rebalancing ...thanks for your help