skip to content
  1. Home
  2. >
  3. Investment Q&A
You can view 3 more answers this month. Sign up for a free trial for unlimited access.

Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: I do not have technology shares in my RRSP. I'm well covered in energy, financials, utilities, transportation, tel coms and an ETF US equities. There are quite a few techno companies out there. For a long term investment, any suggestions and why.
Read Answer Asked by Jacques on July 13, 2021
Q: I'm looking for a ETF holding US stocks that will work well with ZWH.CA
This would be in a RRSP.
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on July 09, 2021
Q: Hi 5i, These are my RRSP stocks, etf:
LSPD, WELL, GOOGL, NVDA, SHOP, AAPL, CSU
VOX, BAM.A, QQQ, XIC, VMO, BEP.UN. In around 18 months I will be retired, and would appreciate your comments on my holdings. I'm happy with all of them now, Can you provide any suggestion (goal) to capital preservation, dividends, would you get rid of any?
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Fernando on July 09, 2021
Q: Hi team,

I currently hold TD e-Series Funds in my RRSP and plan to replace them with other index ETFs. What would be your top 5 picks for this?
I have a high risk tolerance with a 25 year timeline.

Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Patrick on July 05, 2021
Q: Please recommend 4 index etf's Canadian for my TFSA and 4 US for my RRSP. If you recommend Bonds make it number 5 Looking at 15-20 year DRIP and hold.
Thanks
Cec
Read Answer Asked by Cecil on June 30, 2021
Q: Hi,
I assume that you will deduct question points as you see fit.
I am considering simplifying and 'conservatising' my RRIF.My wife andI are in our mid 70's.
Portfolio Analytical has again shown that my account is unbalanced with inadequate foreign content. I also need to increase my weightings in Consumer (discretional and defensive), Industrial and Technology.

Could you please suggest 5 names for conservative longterm holds in non Canadian Stocks or ETF's in the following categories?
a)consumer defensive
b)consumer discretionary
c)Industrials
d)Technology .

With many thanks,
David
Read Answer Asked by david on June 16, 2021
Q: Hi,

keeping in view the US Withholding tax on canadian investors.

If one has to hold US S&P 500, US mediam &small cap, US IT/technology ETF in canada.

Then which ETF would be be the best for a TFSA and cash account. ( I believe in a RRSP it does not matter ).

I currently hold SPY,VFV, IWO, VGT and QQQ in my TFSA and cash account. Do you think they are OK, or will you recommend some equivalent more efficient ETF's for exposure these sectors.

Keeping in view the difference between a TFSA and cash account, please suggest suitable ETF's for each, which would mirror SPY, VFV, VGT, IWO and QQQ.

Thanks
Harry
Read Answer Asked by HARRY on June 14, 2021
Q: I’m 71 years old. As I get older I’ve tried to simplify my portfolio, going from about 50 stocks years ago, to my current portfolio of about 16 stocks, 3 ETFs and 15% cash.
I am a subscriber to your Portfolio Tracking and Analysis service and I’m told I need to make changes to reach a suggested asset allocation and portfolio diversification. Right now I’m tech, utilities and financial services heavy.

Here’s what I’d like to do:
The following set up gives me an allocation of 70% equities, 20 % bonds and 7% cash. I’m comfortable with this and have gone through many 20 and 30% corrections in the past 30 years without too much despair.

In my Canadian cash account I’d have CDZ, FTS, AQN.
Locked in RSP (LIRA) I would have AAPL, ZSP, ZEM.
Unlocked RIF I ‘d have CLF, ZAG.
TFSA would have QQQ, ZEM, ZDI, CSU, TOI, SIS.
I’d like cash around 8% of portfolio.

I’m wondering if I have my portfolio diversification covered and if the right stocks or ETFs are in the appropriate accounts for best tax efficiencies?
Your input would really be helpful.
Thanks
Frank
Read Answer Asked by Frank on June 10, 2021
Q: I have balanced stocks in RRSP (mainly from your BE portfolio) and growth companies in TFSA (mostly our picks). Its very well diversified in different sectors. Thank you for your help

I still have ~50 K Cash (from recent clean up) in RRSP which I would be investing in this summer. Since majority of my stocks are Canadian, to balance out I am looking to add mostly US ETFs.

These are the ETFs have got my attentions from your questions answers. I am looking for maximum growth and also a hold and forget for 10 + years. This question applies to RRSP

Please provide me with 3-5 suggestions from below. Would you add anything else here or suggest otherwise?

IWO, IWM, VB, VUG, VFV, VGRO, QQQ, ARKK, ARKG,SPY

Thank you for your excellent service!
Read Answer Asked by Mahendiali on June 01, 2021
Q: Hi Everyone at 5i! I hold AT & T shares and have done so for a while. I am underwater in this holding and considering the upcoming deal, would you recommend still keeping the stock? There is a strong suggestion that the dividend will be cut. My alternative thought would be to sell out and invest in the QQQ for a long term hold. Your insight would be welcome! Cheers, Tamara
Read Answer Asked by Tamara on May 19, 2021
Q: What is the difference between
QQQ vs VGT
VFV vs VGRO

From a pure growth perspective, if you had to choose one from each groups, which would you choose.
Read Answer Asked by HARRY on May 11, 2021
Q: Can you suggest a few good ETF’s which should form the basis of one’s portfolio.

Also please suggest ETF’s for specific applications like..... high risk/ growth, dividend, US equities, Canadian equities, dividend stocks, tech stocks, emerging markets ..... and your choice of basket of ETF’s which a person could use to build a portfolio ( with % allocations)
Read Answer Asked by HARRY on May 10, 2021
Q: We have about an 11% position in this etf (ZQQ). In the 5 years we have held this etf which was suggested to us by 5i, we have had about a 150% gain - thank you 5i Team. Almost half of these are held in TFSA or RIF accounts, and so not subject to capital gain tax . Due to strength in the Canadian dollar, we are considering switching some or all of the non taxable portion to a similar or identical etf that is not hedged to the Canadian dollar. We understand this would be solely a currency call. We would appreciate your thoughts on this and suggestion of suitable non-hedged Canadian ETFs. We think the MER on ZQQ is a bit high.

Thank you for your continued assistance.
Pat & Cyril
Read Answer Asked by Pat & Cyril on May 06, 2021
Q: SPY, QQQ, and IWM HAve what seem to be historically (and ridiculously) attenuated charts especially viewed from a 20 year perspective. Short of using trailing stop loss orders with each of my largely dividend-oriented equity positions, what would you recommend as a defensive strategy? E.G. gradually adding to a laddered IWM put and/or LEAP put position(s)?
Read Answer Asked by David on April 27, 2021
Q: Am I missing any major sectors with these stock investments?
Where should I focus if I would like to ensure a diverse portfolio?
Are there any stocks that I should dump?
Read Answer Asked by grace on April 27, 2021
Q: Hello,
Do you think the trend of SPY outperforming Nasdaq will continue for the next 6 months or so? Also I am seeing IWM outperforming IWO..I am considering moving portions of my tech holdings to IWM and SPY for the next little while..What are your thoughts? Thanks.

Regards,

Shyam
Read Answer Asked by Shyam on March 27, 2021
Q: Do you have a recommendation on the best ETF idea with a growth focus over the next 15 year span to hold within an RESP? Starting with a small amount of capital so a single purchase that will be added to over time is pefered - otherwise would just copy your excellent growth portfolio!
Read Answer Asked by Jeff on March 23, 2021