Investment Q&A

Q: “Horizons ETFs Management (Canada) Inc. said that since no distributions are expected to be paid, the ETF will be more tax-efficient for investors who hold it in non-registered accounts.”

Can you please recommend me a few Canadian and US listed alternatives that I may want to consider?

Q: Good morning, I’m wondering if you could provide a list of a few dividend ETFs for a TFSA. Looking to contribute every two weeks. Currently hold XEI. Thanks

Q: I am looking for the top 2 Canadian dividend ETFs to hold mostly in registered accounts. I screened for MERs less than about 0.4 and current yields of about 4.5% or more and came up with: ZDV, XEI and VDY. How would you rank these for long-term holdings; best first. XEI is tied for the lowest MER and has the highest yield, with 29% energy, 29% financial and 17% utilities. VDY has the largest AUM at $2B but high financials at 54% and low utilities at 6%. Finally, I would like to invest in HXH in unregistered accounts but I am concerned about the low daily trading an small AUM at $92M. Thank you!!

Q: Hi Peter,
I have over 6 figures to invest for 3 or more years for a Canadian holding company and am looking for suggestions to invest in each of the sectors, in a combination of ETFs and stocks. I would like to be more tax efficient where most of the returns would be in capital gains (total returns are mostly in the growth of the stocks, less in dividends). Investments can be in any geographic areas. In terms of risk level, I am comfortable with your balance portfolio approach, where it has some elements of growth.

One example I have, closer to income than growth, is HXH-T. It is a dividend ETF, low MER cost, with beta of < 1, pretty risk adverse. The price of the stocks is the index it tracks plus dividends.

Thank you,
Roger

Q: I own HXH, which I presume would, generally speaking, track the TXS. However, it doesn't. The ETF seem to jerk upwards once in a while, even as the TSX moves steady upward. Can you explain why? Thank you.

Q: Total Return ETFs... Do you have an opinion on this type of vehicle? I am setting aside monies for a niece with special needs> I do not expect to use the funds for many years - it is for her years as an adult. I do not want dividend income.

Q: Hi Peter/Ryan, what would be your top picks of ETF's (tax efficient ) for non-registered account assuming one falls in higher tax bracket?

Thanks

Q: What are you thoughts on swap or synthetic etfs? I have a basic understanding of how they work, and they seem like a good thing to pop in a non-registered account after RRSPs and TFSAs are maxed out. What do you guys think?

Q: Could you please clarify how this ETF pricing mechanism works? My Qtrade website shows the current bid at $30.88 and ask at $30.91 (at approximately noon PT on Wed, April 18), yet the Day High shows $30.49. Is this indicating that there has not been any trading since the $30.49 price? I see a similar discrepancy with HXQ, but not with HXT where the bid price is exactly at the day high price. Thanks.

Q: As small investors, we are constantly urged (John DeGoey even pleads) that we diversify out of Canada via ETF/mutual funds but far less is said about the tax implications on investment return of the recommendations. Let's say one wants to invest new funds in mutual/ETF funds that are tax efficient. Because of contribution limit rules on TFSA/RSP/RIF, someone wants to add to their regular Canadian trading account instead. I understand at least one fund co. uses swaps so you postpone tax until you sell thereby avoiding annual dividend and unpredictable capital distributions. At least you then have some control over tax exposure timing and amount. Realize this not the forum for comprehensive answer (designing such a portfolio good topic for one of your newsletters), but can you advise of of some high quality fund managers/funds that offer tax advantaged products? Thank you.

Q: My daughter wants to start a TSFA with $5000.00. This will be a long term investment with nothing else added for at least a year or two. She is 24. Would you recommend a couple of stocks or would etf's be the way to go? Which stocks or Etf's would you suggest? Thank you.

Q: Could you recommend which Canadian equity ETFs have the best sector balance? I'd like to find something which is not so overweight in financial and material stocks.