Investment Q&A

Q: Hello 5i,

Could you recommend 3 ETFS that you would consider for a 70 years old retiree. My portfolio is currently 95% in Equities both in Dividend ETFS (VDY, ZEB, XEI and XDIV and individual shares (ENB, RY, TELUS, and BMO.)

Thank You,

Q: Hi, retired 68 and living off my investments. No pension except CPP. Cannot collect OAS. Portfolio is stocks and fixed income about 70/30. Getting tired of worrying about individual stocks. Spouse not familiar with managing investments and simplification would be good if I passed. So was thinking of selling all and buying VBAL or similar. Leaning to XBAL due to better yield and returns. Questions:
1. in one of your posts you said you prefer to limit exposure to single ETFs. Please elaborate why. Would some protection be obtained with a 50/50 mix of VBAL and XBAL?
2. With North American markets at all time highs would this be a good time to do this or would some other time, such as a market downturn be better. Most of the funds are in registered funds so tax is not really an issue.
Thanks

Q: On Aug 21/24 you answered a question and suggested that investors start analyzing better the "downside risks" associated with any of their particular investments.

If we assume that "risks" range from 0 (lowest) to 10 (highest) and that individual stock choices occupy categlories 5-10 I am looking for your suggestions in categories 0-3 - one a USD denominated suggestion and one in CDN.

For my 0 category I currently use RBC's savings accounts RBF 2010 and RBF 2014 (USD) . I assume that some of your favourites from answers I have reviewed will be in categories 1-3 such as HISU.U, UBIL.U, HBND etc.

In any event if you can provide me with your analysis of the nature of the varying downside risk levels on a rising level and a suggestion for each I would be very grateful.

Regards,
Terry

Q: Hi 5i
I'd like to add to a small TFSA investment, which today is 100% in VGRO.ca.
I will add funds so that 25% will be in VGRO.ca and the other 75% would be spilt between 2 to 3 of these: ZMMK, VFV, ZSP, ZDI, XIU. Timeline is 2 to 3 years and thinking to be more conservative because already have VGRO for growth.
What would be your ranking highest to lowest. Are there other ETF's that I should consider?
Thanks!

Q: Up to this point I have been a growth investor. Recently retired, I am converting some RRSP into a RIF and want to lower the risk profile. I am 60 y/o.

Kindly advise some ETFs that you would recommend in Canada or US.

Thanks a lot,

Q: I have a good mix of stocks and ETFs and cash and I want to keep a good portion of my portfolio low maintenance. What do you suggest as a good ETF to set and forget in which I can put some funds into when I'm trimming my winners.

Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages for an investor to put all their funds in a "balanced ETF", i.e. Vanguard Balanced ETF Portfolio (VBAL.TO) or iShares Core Balanced ETF Portfolio (XBAL.TO)?

Q: Currently this fund makes up approximately 21% of my portfolio and is my only diversified holding. It at 7.6% yield makes up 40% of my monthly income and pension makes up balance.The mer.is 1.05% and of course a good % of yield is roc. Would you suggest any better alternative or ? Thanks Larry

Q: Hi,
I’m trying to help my friend organize her investments. She has minimal understanding of investments securities and had to move her pension to LIRA and RRSP 15 years and told Canada Life mutual funds that she was conservative profile. Fast forward 15 years her mutual funds have made her minimal money with back ended fees. The funds range in MERS from 1.6% to 2.5%. In looking at her holdings the portfolio make up is approximately
Fixed income - 22%, Balanced income %11, Cnd equity 62%, resources/specialty -2%. Retirement is still 10-15 years away. (Her husband has a pension)What ETF’s would match this asset mix to help get her started independently and move away from the high fees? I was thinking VBAL … But it is conservative. Any suggestions would be great to provide choice on where to invest her money. Please take as many credits as you want.
Thanks so much!
Kerri

Q: As an older investor, I am considering a gradual move from mostly individual stocks to a fully ETF portfolio. My thinking is to allow management simplicity for my wife in the event of my death or disability. Seeking dividends predominately but also a representation of growth. Can you please suggest an array (portfolio) of ETFs that I could begin migrating towards? As always, your advice is appreciated. thank you

Q: Which ETFs would you recommend for 40 year old with limited income
Thank you.

Q: Hi.
Looking to replace RBC 2025 retirement portfolio fund with an ETF in my RRSP. what do you suggest? I won't need the money for 8 or more years.

Thanks.

Q: Can you suggest 10 best (sleep at night) low risk, monthly/quarterly income, tax efficient, Canadian etfs. Monthly preferred but not essential. Held in non registered account.

Q: Greetings 5i
I have a couple of follow up questions to yesterday’s question regarding a US replacement for vbal. You suggested a combination of spy and a bond fund. What would be an appropriate bond etf for this strategy? I imagine you would be indifferent between spy and voo for stocks? Is there any way to calculate the tax hit in a non registered account. Currently I have non dividend paying stocks in this account to avoid withholding tax. But, i guess if you follow this strategy you have to take the tax bite as part of the package.
With appreciation

Q: Good morning 5i
I sent in a question but it must have gotten lost over te weekend. A member recently said that if he should become incapacitated he left instructions for his wife to sell all stocks and buy vbal, as she was not interested in stocks and this would be a solution.
There are probably many of us in this situation. But,i wonder if one would not be better to sell gradually while alive and capable. After all, you will bot get the big tax hit. Also, in case of the death of one partner, it maybe better to start selling earl, even though it involves capital gains. Because the tax on the one remaining spouse , without the benefit of income splitting will be very high.

One problem i have with this plan is that i have a lot in US dollars. And i want to keep them. One solution i thought woul be to put much more in berkshire. But I don’t know of any US etf that works like vbal. Would you have suggestions on this?
Thanks

Q: This question or type of question was asked in the last week, but I can't find it. Sorry. My 2 kids each have about $100,000. I manage their money, but would prefer to just manage it through ETF's. Can you please suggest a portfolio of ETF's for reasonable growth (60-70% equities), but balanced with some bonds as well. If you want to cut and paste your answer to the question from a week ago, that would be great. Thanks a lot.

Q: Peter, I am a 75 year old active and avid stock picking DIY investor and have been pretty successful thanks very much to you and the staff at 5i Research. However, my wife has no interest and no knowledge to manage our portfolios if something were to happen to me. And with a nod to Warren Buffett I believe I would like to leave clear instructions that our stocks be sold off and the funds invested in a passive 80/20 equity/bond (or what split would you recommend?) all in one ETF that would provide for my wife for the rest of her life.
What ETF would you recommend for this? And is one truly enough?

Thanks. David

Q: I am helping my in-laws take ownership of their investments. Presently, they have the majority of their funds managed by banks/'financial advisors' in high fee mutual funds. What is your opinion of the following funds and can you offer equivalent low-cost ETF solutions? RBF209, RBF269, RBF272, Invesco Global Select Equity Series P

Q: Today, on a risk scale of 1 to 10, 10 being high risk, where would you place a portfolio of 3 parts vbal and 1 part vcns for an 89 and 83 year old couple? Funds should never be required for use, other than being transfered as an inheritance. If wanting to decrease risk a bit, would a one year gic for say 25% be the best idea or?

Q: Good morning,


I am not crystal clear on the most tax efficient account to hold each of the above listed ETFs and before moving any of them to another type of account, I would very much appreciate your guidance on the most tax efficient type of account to hold each of the above listed ETFs.

The above listed ETFs are all held in our family Registered (RRSP/TFSA/RESP) and Non-Registered accounts.

Thank you and I'll await your sage advice.