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Investment Q&A

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Q: Can you provide your top 5 Canadian stocks, top 5 ETFs available on the TSX and top 3 international ETFs (TSX) and top 3 US stocks that are considered HALO investments. ( Heavy assets low obsolescence) less impacted by AI disruption. Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Dick on March 03, 2026
Q: Hello,
I have owned stpl for years as a sector based diversification strategy but feel it has had disappointing returns, even for that sector noting that there are some great breakout picks in the staples sector.
Could you please advise if you think it is a reasonable choice for the staples sector versus specific picks?
I realize that you typically recommend dol as well as wmt, cost and pg. just wondering what you think are good long term picks at this time given significant movement in these in the last couple of years.
Read Answer Asked by Peter on December 09, 2025
Q: Hi Peter, Ryan, and Team,

To raise our U.S., International, and Consumer Staples sector, please rank these three ETFs . I realize that STPL is the only one of the three that has holdings in countries other than the U.S. This investment would be for our two RRIFs.

Thanks for your insight.
Read Answer Asked by Jerry on February 03, 2022
Q: I have about $100K to invest in the US stock market to bring my portfolio closer to my intended US weighting, and I am looking for some US stock/ETF ideas.

My portfolio is already 25% Technology, and 16.5% Financials. So I don't need suggestions from those sectors. I was considering more VFV, but that has 25% Technology in it already, so maybe an ETF to complement that.

Can you suggest some US stocks that are not in the Technology or Financial sector that you would consider for a US style model portfolio. And also some ETFs holding US stocks that are light in Technology and Financials.

Thanks,
Paul
Read Answer Asked by Paul on October 26, 2021
Q: Greetings,

I am underweight consumer defensive and consumer cyclical and would need to invest about a $100k in each to get the right balance.

I also need more US and international exposure.

Can you suggest your top two individual names in each category that are listed in the US and Canadian markets?

Lastly, is there an ETF or two I should look at?

Keep up the good work… i am up substantially on TOI based on the guidance received here.
Read Answer Asked by Simon on August 27, 2021
Q: Hi,
I assume that you will deduct question points as you see fit.
I am considering simplifying and 'conservatising' my RRIF.My wife andI are in our mid 70's.
Portfolio Analytical has again shown that my account is unbalanced with inadequate foreign content. I also need to increase my weightings in Consumer (discretional and defensive), Industrial and Technology.

Could you please suggest 5 names for conservative longterm holds in non Canadian Stocks or ETF's in the following categories?
a)consumer defensive
b)consumer discretionary
c)Industrials
d)Technology .

With many thanks,
David
Read Answer Asked by david on June 16, 2021
Q: Hi, Can you recommend any consumer defensive stocks or etf’s that are international? Looking to reduce Canadian bias while increasing consumer defensive as per portfolio analytics. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Lavern on June 15, 2021
Q: Could you recommend Canadian and US consumer staple ETFs? Are any of the holdings in the model portfolio consumer staples? What percentage of one’s portfolio would you allocate to consumer staples?
Thanks for all your help
Read Answer Asked by Mary on May 27, 2021
Q: Could you please rank these consumer defensive stocks and why - STZ, DOL, ATD.B, MRU and PG.
Need to increase my US and International exposure, however considering selling STZ (in a RRSP)
What are you thoughts? Is there an ETF in this sector you favour with US /International exposure? Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Lorraine on February 19, 2021
Q: Hi 5i
Based on my recent review of Portfolio Analytics information, I need to increase my US and International exposure significantly and, also, Consumer Cyclical, Consumer Defensive, Industrials and Tech.
With the thought of killing a number of birds with just a few stones, could you recommend a few ETFs that trade on the TSX that will increase my US and International exposure along with my investment in the listed sectors, while also having the prospect of some reasonable return in the form of either capital appreciation or dividends, or both.
Thanks!
Peter
Read Answer Asked by Peter on November 12, 2020
Q: Morning 5i team,
I'm looking for a few suggestions on an ETF that covers consumer staples in the NAM? Some that came to mind were XST and STPL, but they seem to lack US exposure?
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Phillip on August 26, 2020
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