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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 looking for an industrial US or global ETF in USD. I searched and discovered the aforementioned ETFs, which include defense ETFs. Which one or two ETFs would you recommend for diversification, and why? What proportion of my portfolio should consist of defense/industrial ETFs?
Read Answer Asked by Dev on August 25, 2025
Q: Dear 5i team.

I would like to look at a small investment in defence/war munitions sector companys or ETF. Can you suggest 3-5 names that cater to "War" efforts that can be considered a DIY ETF? As well, which ETF(s) would you consider for this exercise. Ideally one with the lowest BA %.
Finally, are these Co's trading at resonable valuations, or has this ship sailed, so to speak?

Many thanks for your help.
Read Answer Asked by Arthur on June 10, 2024
Q: Please recommend a ETF that concentrates on companies that build weapons.Today's WSJ has an article that these companies are running huge backlogs. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Murray on January 03, 2024
Q: I have partial positions in listed 10 ETFs - plus JPM Quality US Factor [JQUA] ETF.- did not come up on your list.
Your advice is requested on which ones to move to full positions now:
a) rank those to buy now and add others you like;
b) rank those to buy later when your price points realized
c) rank those that are could be sold.
Thank you
Read Answer Asked by sam on December 14, 2023
Q: Hi. I'm looking at enhancing the defense portion of my portfolio and I'd like your thoughts on XAD. Or would I be better going with XAR or ITA?

Thank you.

Read Answer Asked by Marc on November 23, 2023
Q: hi, with military spending increasing globally, which companies do you see benefitting and worthwhile investing in? is there a time frame or just slowly building a position? thks
Read Answer Asked by pietro on June 22, 2022
Q: Retired investor not dependent on portfolio income.
Low on my Industrial sector exposure of 15% spread across non-reg and tfsa accounts. Currently have bbu.un, cae, tfii, tri, wsp in equal amounts (~2%).
Looking for three suitable current growth-income suggestions from each of USA-International or Canada-based with high foreign exposure for longer 3-5 year hold. Or do I just add to existing?
Read Answer Asked by William Ross on June 02, 2021
Q: Defense Industry ETFs: Searching the database I do not find any questions on this subject (ITA, XAR, DFEN, FITE, etc.) Would be an allocation to USA industrial exposure outside of tech. Do you have views, suggestions, insights and/or rankings?
Read Answer Asked by William Ross on April 07, 2020
Q: Hi,
This is a follow up to your answer regarding my original question on Feb 14th regarding ETFs in the US Aerospace and Defense sector. Your answer focused my attention on the expense ratio as the main factor in choosing among ETFs with a similar theme, and you offered that 5 year average returns should also be considered. However, I am wondering if the dividends paid should also be a part of the decision? If yes, then as a general rule, ETF dividends would be considered only if all else is equal? Between the three ETFs, PPA pays .2504, XAR pays .0938 and ITA pays .3205. All are listed as quarterly payments. Thanks for helping out with my learning curve!
Dawn
Read Answer Asked by Dawn on February 16, 2018
Q: Hi,
I am thinking that the recent drop may present an opportunity to enter into the US Aerospace & Defense sector at a bit of a discount. Is it better to use ETFs, or choose one or two top rated stocks? I don't know how you compare the costs of ETFs and could use a primer on what to look for / what to avoid when considering them, as I mostly use stocks or debentures.
As always, we appreciate you're thoughts and insight.
Dawn
Read Answer Asked by Dawn on February 14, 2018
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