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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: Good afternoon,

My question pertains to holding US equities in various accounts. Can you please validate or refute the following:

Cash account: US dividends are taxed as interest-50%, and a 15% withholding tax is applied which can be redeemed during tax season.

RRSP: US equities are supposed to be capital gains and divends tax free. However, I have noticed that some equities, such as limited partnerships have their dividend taxed at 38% with an additional 15 % non redeemable withholding tax. Can you confirm this, and are their any other types of US equities that are Exempt from RRSP tax sheltering?

I have also been told that US equity ETFs that are listed in the US are also have their dividends taxed. Is this true? And would this be the same for US equity ETFs that are listed in Canada (ex: those listed on black rock Canada website )?

Thank you for bringing some clarity to the issue. Any other tips you may have would be well appreciated.

Cheers,

KR
Read Answer Asked by Karim on November 28, 2016
Q: Thanks for your answer on Shopify. Another question: is it too late to jump in? Does it have a competitive advantage?
Is the growth there? Is next year's forward p/e reasonable?
I seem to always jump in at the top. Can't figure out how they can compete with Amazon who dominates the market.
Read Answer Asked by Helen on November 28, 2016
Q: In the process of cleaning up the losers in my high risk portfolio. Could you please rank out of the above list which ones you would let go first?
Read Answer Asked by Shawn on November 28, 2016
Q: Hello Folks:
In reading your answers to previous questions on GILD you recommend the company for it's strong cash position and low valuation, but recommend having the patience of a 2 year outlook. I have owned GILD for several years and not done very well as of late. Being I am 70 yrs. old should I hang in with GILD or move into another health related company? I have a full position with Johnson & Johnson, but am unaware of other very good health care options. I am not a frequent trader, tending to hold mostly American blue-chip companies,and welcome your advice...I greatly appreciate your good service!
brian
Read Answer Asked by Brian on November 28, 2016
Q: Growth stocks
I am retired and using the investment income from my high-dividend stocks. I have a few clunkers which are going nowhere fast. I am thinking of substituting these (a modest amount) in Canadian growth stock, which I interpret as small/mid cap. Not wanting to make a choice myself or, or that matter, betting on one horse, I am thinking of the Pender Value Fund or a growth ETF. Comments on above?

Also, as I would buy this through my full-service broker (with whom I have a flexible arrangement), is there a transparent information source for the sales and management fees applicable to the various classes of mutual fund products - class A, class F etc?
Read Answer Asked by Carl on November 28, 2016
Q: I have a modest position in this company in my margin acct, what are your thoughts as to their future prospects..I purchased it at lower levels a little over a year ago so am doing ok as far as the dividend goes.
If I was to sell ( 2017 ) I would be looking to reinvest in a Canadian stock.
Read Answer Asked by Warren on November 28, 2016
Q: TA-tsx is popping the last few days. Up ~13% today.

They announce today the signing of a deal with the Albert gov't.
+ The earlier this week's announcement of the government's change to the way electricity producers will be paid (via how much the can provide, not by how much they deliver).

Both appear good for TA.

Insiders per usual must have know this and started buying it upward a few days ago, per usual. Legal or not. LOL.

Have a great day!
Read Answer Asked by Stan (1) on November 28, 2016
Q: Hello 5i,
My wife is concerned that our exposure to bonds is far too high, so I thought I would turn to the experts for advice.
Fixed Income is 31.1% of our total, combined portfolio broken down as follows:
CBO 4.8%
EMB 6.9%
VEE 1.0%
XHY 5.0%
XIG 4.7%
XPF 2.4%
XTR 3.0%
RBF 461A 3.30%
Note: these percentages reflect only the Bond or Fixed Income component of these ETF's, not the equity or other holdings.
We each have modest private pension as well as CPP and (1) OAS.
Our total portfolio income will soon be required to help cover living expenses - and presently looks to be able to do so for the most part.
So, my question is: given the foregoing do you see any areas of concern or any compelling changes that would be required?
I know this might sound a lot like a mini portfolio review, but I have added a lot of detail so that it might assist others who read the Q&A as I know asset allocation is an area of concern and interest for many members.
Please feel free to deduct as many questions as you deem appropriate.
Many thanks,
Cheers,
Mike
Read Answer Asked by Mike on November 28, 2016
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