Investment Q&A

Q: Hi 5i Team,

I have held a balanced Canadian Couch Potato Portfolio with the above etfs in my son's RESP which i started when he was born in 2009. The portfolio has done pretty well (in my books at least) at 8% annual return. I am now looking at a 6 year time horizon for when he will need to begin to draw from the RESP. I am thinking of starting to rotate toward more conservative holdings as the timeline for needing the funds draws closer. Under "normal" circumstances from what i have learned this would mean moving more into bonds at this point but I am having trouble believing this is appropriate in the current market. With interest rates and inflation both rising i am wondering if low debt dividend stocks might be a better bet to hold onto purchasing power in this time frame? Maybe something something like CDZ vs XBB? I know you can not suggest specific portfolio recommendations but looking for suggestions/best bets for maintaining value and keeping up with inflation over this time frame.

Thanks,

Q: My son (30) has some money and wants to put it in your small cap growth model. He wants to include a number of ETF's to have some other exposure. He would put 30% of his money in the small caps and 70% in ETF's. Here is the list of ETF's he is considering, but is worried it is too many. Can you please help with the ETF list as he is concerned that he has too many. Please take as many credits as needed. Thanks.

XIC 15%
XIU 15%
CDZ 5%
QQQ 10%
IWR 7%
DIA 10%
SPY 10%
SDY 5%
VTI 8%
IDV 5%
VXUS 5%
VEE 5%

Q: Hello 5i,

What would be your top 10 stocks or ETF's (Canada or US) to purchase today for a 3-5 year hold? It is OK to say "wait" a little longer and not suggest any stocks.

Thank you

Jerry and Debbie

Q: I have enough exposure to the Canadian market but I need additional global equity exposure for the next 10 years.

Would you please recommend an ETF for each of the following categories:
US
International
Emerging markets

Thanks

Q: Hello. I have ~$50K cash to deploy for investing. Given current volatile market, I am thinking of investing all in ETF (which might be safer), unless you feel strongly about some undervalued stocks. I'd like expose to world economy including the US, Canada and perhaps others. The investment can be long term as I don't need these money right away. But in case of decent gain in a short term, I probably would take money out for real estate purchase. Can you please recommend 3-5 ETF? I understand you don't timing the market. But given the outlook for rising interest rate, would it be better just hold them as cash for now?

Thank you.

Q: Thanks 5I team for helping us make better decision every day. With a long term Horizon of 3 year plus what is your number 1 ETF recommendation for International exposure (Ex Canada and US). Looking for value and growth, not much concerned about income/distributions. In the same line the top recommendation of International stock. As per Portfolio analysis I am very low on International.

Q: I am a 49 year old Canadian with $50,000 Cdn in TFSA and $25,000 in RRSP. I would like some names to build a portfolio. High growth. Risk tolerance high. How much cash should I hold for dip buying. Right now I am overweight TSLA. It seems to me MSFT is a very good stock and I like its outlook and steady growth. A trusted friend recommends TSLA. Please suggest other names including ETFs. Could you rank the names with percentage allotments? 15 year outlook.

Q: Do you have some suggestions for ETFs that have the following characteristics, with a very long-term hold in mind:

- do not include Canadian or US stocks
- could be focused on Europe or Latin America
- could be focused on Asia, preferably with little or (better yet) no exposure to Chinese stocks
- could be focused on other geographic areas you think have excellent potential

Q: Hi 5i,
For the equity part of my portfolio I'm looking to diversify internationally. As a percentage of my total equity portfolio I'm thinking 4%VXUS 2%DLS and 2%DIM. Is 8% international stocks a reasonable number for a conservative investor and is there maybe a better way to adjust the percentages? The equity portfolio will be rebalanced yearly. The bonds and cash part of the portfolio have not been included this is strictly equity.
Thanks

Q: My 22 year old daughter has $7G to invest. She has dual citizenship with the US and has been told that she will be taxed on TFSA gains. Do you have any recommendations for her based on this?

Also, could you recommend some ETF’s for her?

Thank you so much.

Q: My grandson has been financially responsible and soon to be mortgage free. He has made some investments with with a financial advisor who has him in high MER mutual funds. He doesn't feel competent to have a self-directed stock account but he would like to invest using ETFs. Can you recommend where I might start in searching for an advisor who would be willing to invest in ETFs for a relatively small ($40,000) account to start. My grandson lives in Greater Vancouver.
With appreciation,
Ed

Q: Can you recommend a sort of Rip van Winkle portfolio for an 84 year old lady who just sold her house? We're talking in the neighbourhood of $400,000. She has little need for the money right now and is not worried much about volatility. She has an pension which helps too cover the need for bonds.

Q: Hi 5i,
Thinking of selling VXUS and buying VEA, VWO, DIM, DLS in its place to gain wider exposure to international stocks, what do you think of this idea. I will be able to control percentages in various market cap. companies too.

Q: Hi 5i,
I believe in diversification with a dividend bent. That said, I have Canada covered and thank you! The USA is mostly covered as I have bought large cap. div. companies and about to buy DES to cover the smaller cap. companies, does that make sense or is there a better way? Also the rest of the world is currently covered with VXUS, what else can be bought to cover equities in the rest of the world, if needed.
Many Thanks!

Q: Hi 5i, I believe in diversification and sector capital allocation as the way to help protect yourself over the long term and am currently building out a well diversified portfolio with dividends in mind. With that said my Canadian investments are good (thank you 5i) In the US I am missing exposure to small and midcap companies can you recommend a ETF or mutual fund while keeping dividends in mind currency doesn't matter to me as i have both Canadian and US accounts. Also for the rest of the world I have VXUS ETF can you help me with exposure there.
Many thanks!

Q: In my last question you suggested VXUS for international diversification. Unable to buy in either TFSA or non registered accounts. I transferred all my U$ to C$ before the increase
In exchange rate, there is no reason for me to own U$ . At my age my expenditures are in C$.
Justlokking for an alternative to cash. I’m like the 80 year old in a question in g&m a couple of days ago, why invest when you’ve got enough.
I’ve accumulated a lot of cash in TFSA by selling outback in May at good profit after a health
scare.
Still investing in a portfolio that will leave my wife well situated.
Just in case you don’t know the stocks in registered and unregistered. Here they are: aqn,bam,bns,byd,cae,car.un,ecn,eif,enb, mg,pbh,slf,t,TFII,vdy,VFV,vgg,vvl,wasp.
I consider most of them sold except for smaller investment in byd and eif, but I don’t think they are going broke anytime soon.
Thank you for your excellent advise in the past and hope to be around to take advantage of your advise a little longer. Even though I’m an experienced investor it’s great to have an unbiased opinion such as years Peter. I was sort of hoping that would get to Toronto again and get a chance to talk to you .
All the best.

Q: Hello 5i team,

I'd like to say I enjoy this first class product. The questions obviously are one of the pillars of this service. Offering fantastic insight and vision for all who read.

Looking for confirmation and guidance.
Without specific weights etc is this a sound plan to stick to longterm?

Non registered account is now growing and will be holding CDN stocks.
Former holding was XIC

RRSP is in USD and holds VTI and VXUS
I like the currency diversification and funds. And norberts gambit reduced the cost.
I also pay into an employer matched pension.

TFSA growth stocks in both CDN and USD
I am looking at mid to longterm ETF'S for growth. Without regard to sector etc.
My portfolio is balanced.

My selections are:

SMH
VTWO
BOTZ
MTUM
IWO
QQQJ
ARKK


Could you please rank these in terms of your conviction on success. If one stands out and comes to mind that isn't here please add it.
I would like to add 2 funds.

Thank you very much.

Q: I have these four ETFs currently and I have new money to add. Should I top up one (or all) of these, or is there one you feel would be a good complement. The four ETFs probably indicate my risk profile, but generally I am pretty conservative (a couch potato). Thank you.

Q: What are your thoughts on diversifying your portfolio with ex-USA international ETFs? Are there any European or developing markets focused ETFs that you would recommend or consider including in a portfolio?

Q: I am looking to put my money into 2-5 stocks/Mutual funds.
Investment Horizon is 10 Yrs, i am a high risk taker, looking for High growth.
But, I am not very active in the stockmarket, I want to put my money in 2-5 holdings and then forget about it..... and then sell them after 10-15 years.

Please suggest 2-5 stocks/Mutualfunds etc...
I friend suggested BAM, BRK.B and Mauer Mutual funds.....Please advice