Investment Q&A

Q: Hi Team,
I am putting a note on my personal file for my wife in case I ever become unable to manage our household portfolio. Inspired by Buffet, I thought having 3 years of cash and the rest of the portfolio in something like VCNS, re-balancing annually, would offer a diversified and conservative portfolio that would be very easy to manage and meet ongoing needs.

One of your recent answers suggested not exceeding, I believe, 25% in any one ETF or fund. If I were to follow that rule, I would need to come up with the equivalent of VCNS in a few funds.

Would it make sense to simply tell my wife that instead of buying only VCNS, buy all the constituent ETFs held by VCNS, in the same proportions held by VCNS, and rebalancing annually?

That would mean holding the following:
AB.TO Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond ETF 35.74%
VUN.TO Vanguard US Total Market ETF 15.45%
VBG.TO Vanguard Global ex-US Aggt Bd ETF CAD-H 14.00%
VCN.TO Vanguard FTSE Canada All Cap ETF 11.91%
VBU.TO Vanguard US Aggregate Bond ETF CAD-H 10.94%
VIU.TO Vanguard FTSE Dev AC ex Nrth Amer ETF 9.08%
VEE.TO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Mkts All Cap ETF 2.87%

Can you think of a simpler way to go here?

Thank you very much. Michael

Q: Have a limited amount to spend and wondered how you view ATCO considering the Kitimat deal. I currently hold ZEF and have noticed that you like VEE. Would I be best off changing to VEE?

Q: My 14 month total return for this preferred share etf is - 7.53%. It should provide better downside protection than HAZ , so maybe having a ten year time horizon would be better, and just look at it as part of a diversified income portfolio. Would you step into HAZ at this time if you needed Dividend income?
Thanks Gord

Q: Hi Guys
Thinking about swapping CPD for HAZ or CYH.
what would be your pick
thanks Gord

Q: I've just started contributing to an RRSP this year. I would like to implement an indexing strategy for the most part since I wont be using the money for 30+ years. I've only looked at vanguard so far: VOO, VFV, VSP and maybe VOOG. My question is, would it be better to use a canadian fund etf that tracks the s&p 500 like vfv, or would it be better to use one in american dollars like voo. If I do go with Canadian, should I go with a hedged one such as VSP? Or perhaps a mixture?

Thanks

Q: Looking to bring some growth to a small ($110,000) SDRSP with 5 years before it needs to be converted to a RIF. Could you recommend a tax efficient , medium low to medium risk ETF (or ETFs) that would be used to invest the total portfolio . Income not required until conversion made to a RIF.
Many thanks, as always.

Q: Could you please suggest one or two currency hedged bond ETFs to compliment ZAG. This would be for a long term core position. I am trying to slowly increase my bond exposure and my only other holding is ZAG. I prefer to ex out currency fluctuations for my bond allocations, hence looking for hedged position. My initial thought was VBU. Your thoughts are always appreciated.

Q: Could you please give me your opinion as to the quality of the companies in the energy sector and would now be a opportune time to purchase for a 2 year hold. Are there other companies in the sector that you feel would provide better upside. Thanks

Q: Hello Team,
I a significant amount of cash to deploy in my RRSP and also in my TFSA.

I would like to build a mixed portfolio (50% income/50% growth) and would like to know what would your best 4 picks from each categories (income portfolio/growth portfolio) at this moment.

Would you have the same picks for the RRSP and the TFSA.

Thanks in advance!

Michel

Q: Hi 5i team,
Some time ago, I bought CSU shares (thanks to 5i) on the Canadian exchange. I transferred them not so long ago to my usd account in order to receive their usd dividend in usd. To my surprise, I still receive it in $cad. My understanding is that I am getting slammed twice by the bid-ask conversion exchange rate.
I contacted my broker who answered: that it was either a CSU ou compensation chamber’s decision to pay the dividend in $cad to CSU’s shareholders, and that they were converting the amount in usd because the shares were in my usd account. I then contacted CSU: who promptly responded (thank you) that they were paying their dividend in usd out of their usd, and also that they had nothing to do with the american listing (pink sheets)(Is that the problem?). I understand that there are many/several large TSX listed companies paying usd dividend (algonquin, brookfield among others). So my case or CSU’s case is probably not unique. My question is: what should I do in order to receive CSU’s dividend in usd? I would appreciate to get an answer specific to my situation, not a generic answer. I understand that getting to the bottom of this might take time/effort. There is no hurry, my timeline is: several days before the next dividend payment in April in order to have the shares in the right account for the next regular and special dividends.
Thank you for your collaboration,
Eric

Q: Good Morning, Can you tell me your outlook for the Defence and Aerospace sectors, and your evaluation of these two companies. Which would be best to purchase at this time? Thank you.

Q: Hi there,

My questions is about xlre and SRET and the degree of risk associated with these 2 stocks. I currently have xlre and was thinking taking 20% of my position and investing in SRET - 1. for the higher dividend and 2. for the international exposure. Both would be held in a 401K and i only pay 2.95 a trade so taxes and trading fees aren't really a consideration.

Thanks

Q: Surprised to see no questions asked about this Fortis-affiliated Caribbean utility with a nice yield and a recent major share price jump. Can you opine on the pros and cons?

Q: Could you please select the two or three stocks from the following list that you think will have the greatest total return over the next ten years:

WCN
BAM.A
AQN
SMU.UN
BIP.UN

If you have any other suggestions that would be also be appreciated.

Q: Hi Team,

I have owned RET.A for a few years now and I am under water on this position. Is the stock worth holding on to or is it best to sell and move on? And what stocks would you recommend as alternatives in the Canadian market with good upside potential?

Thank you.

Dave

Q: Why did NV5 drop on Friday

Q: what is the danger that this company could go bankrupt

Q: Any conclusions to be taken from the share buyback announcements from GWO (as part of a broader program within the Power group)? Seemingly significant, they.
Thanks,
Randy

Q: I hold the above banks. Which would you hold right now and which might you liquidate, of you needed the finds and why?

Thanks for all your support,
Mark

Q: Which Canadian pipeline co generates most of its revenue from the US.
Also which is your favorite pipeline co and why?