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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: General trading question question for you. When buying or selling, how does one identify or understand the spread drivers or factors between the "bid" and "ask" price to get the highest price (when selling) or lowest price (buying) when quotes are presented from an on-line service. In my case iTrade. As the transaction value increases (from selling or buying), the potential for an non-optimized trade exists for an individual investor. I realize that their are potentially many factors that can contribute to the spread between the bid and ask (particular day, volume, larger players, etc) but how does an individual investor maximize his/her return? On a recent trade (sell), I received the lowest price in the spread with the net results of a $1000 reduction as compared to the median price in the spread. Thx Steve.
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on January 15, 2020
Q: Is it possible to use etf's other then DLR and DLR.U to perform Norbert's Gambit? I want to buy with weekly contributions and avoid having money out of the market but also avoid withholding tax on US dividends in my RRSP.

For example purchase share in HSX with weekly contributions until I accumulate enough shares that it's worth journaling them over to HSX.U - sell the shares and buy SPY.

If so is there an all country world index ETF that one could do this with?

Thanks







Read Answer Asked by Dennis on January 15, 2020
Q: I am helping my son pick mutual funds for his work RRSP as he now has more funds that he can choose from. My question is that he can select a pure US mutual fund
( better return than the one he currently owned) and a Pure international fund but the international fund has a lower return over 1,3, 5, 10 years than the one he currently invested in over the same time period which is a combination of US and International holdings. If he invest in the pure US fund his US Allocation will go up and international will go down. He has many years before retiring so would it be best to invest in the pure US and pure International to keep weight more balanced? He has also some in the Canadian mutual fund. All funds are managed by Blackrock.
Thanks
Read Answer Asked on January 15, 2020
Q: Regarding a companies credit rating, is this something that is reviewed automatically every year.
Read Answer Asked by Pat on January 15, 2020
Q: I currently own ZDI. I would appreciate your views on this ETF as a long-term hold. I am considering replacing ZDI because it has a higher MER, and it is overweight both financials and energy.

What ETFs do you recommend which hold international equities and focus on a dividend growth strategy? Preference is for Canadian currency ETFs, but would appreciate recommendations on US currency ETFs if you feel there is sufficient additional value-added to warrant the currency conversion fee.

Thanks again for this excellent service.
Read Answer Asked by Dale on January 15, 2020
Q: hi there,

I have used FLOT to park US cash historically but i have been looking at SLQD in the US as it looks like it has outperformed FLOT and has a higher yield. Can you comment on the differences. Is there any reason i would not switch to SLQD (BTW this ticker does not come up in your drop down)
Read Answer Asked by kelly on January 15, 2020
Q: Hello Peter & Team,

I noticed you added REAL.CA to the Growth Portfolio in the past month or so at 12.95. It's down slightly since. (ask today is around 12.28) I am considering adding a position to my Portfolio in consideration for how well I have done in following other Growth Portfolio additions you have made. My question is... what your reasoning was behind adding REAL to the 5i mock portfolio and, have you seen any changes to their story since doing so that you feel reflects negatively or positively on your decision?

Thanks for all you do

gm
Read Answer Asked by Gord on January 15, 2020
Q: The Vision Strategic Opportunity Fund and the Vision Opportunity Fund Class A units are 2 funds that interest me.
I would appreciate your thoughts on how risky they may be and what the pros & cons would be as well.
Thank you,
Nick



Read Answer Asked by Nick on January 15, 2020
Q: I want to get a position in the cc area on the cashless system as we use very little cash and feel the future for Visa ,amex ,PayPal etc.is very bright. Please advise which you consider the best company for capital preservation as well as appreciation.
Cheers,Doug
Read Answer Asked by Doug on January 15, 2020
Q: Good Day Team
I have held these two stocks for a few years and have never seen them go past the level that I purchased them for.
So have been on the sinking end. I want to grow my portfolio and these seem to be losers.
Should I hold on to them or is it time to sell.
Thank you,
John G.
Read Answer Asked by John on January 15, 2020
Q: Building up my ETF portfolio and have some cash to deploy. Of XEF VE and SPY which is the best one to add right now. Crystal ball yes...balanced follower, 5 year time horizon. I am currently over allocated to Canada and on target for emerging markets a little light USA and international. Likely to buy a bit of each if not strong case for one in particular.
Read Answer Asked by Tom on January 15, 2020
Q: Looking for couple of stocks or ETFs with a 4%+ yield to add to an existing RESP. My time frame to hold would be about 4 years and the weighting would be about 5% of my portfolio. I am fairly well diversified so do not have any sector preferences, just want something lower risk that I can hold for a few years that will pay a decent dividend.
What would be your recommendations?
Many Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Marie on January 15, 2020
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