Investment Q&A

Q: There are a number of Canadian based NASDAQ100 and S&P500 ETF's. Which NASDAQ100 and S&P500 ETF would you prefer, or would be "best", for a TFSA account, and why? Would investing within an RRSP or in a non-registered account alter your selections and if so, why would that be? Thanks.

Q: I am looking to add exposure to the US market in my TFSA. I currently own ZSP and ZNQ and would like to add an ETF listed on the Cdn exchange that would balance my exposure to the Mag 7. I have seen you recommend EQL which I am considering however is there another ETF that would broaden my exposure beyond the S&P 500. Perhaps to include some mid and small cap stocks?
Also would you expect that mid and small caps will outperform given where we are in the market cycle?

Q: For tax efficiency in a non registered account do you recommend HXS and HXQ over ZSP and ZNQ. For US dollars do you like HXS.U and HXQ.U.
For a long term hold what are your thought of HXT in this account?
Thanks

Q: Sold ZNQ for tax loss. Would it be ok to replace it with a S&P 500 ETF? If so which would be your pick for a Cash account?
Thank you and Happy Holiday season.

Q: I know predictions are a guessing game, but how well do you think this ETF will perform for 2022?

Thanks!

Q: I notice that XQQ does not seem to have the same performance as compared to ZNQ and HXQ over the last week, month and 3 months according to Globe and Mail.

XQQ seems to track the NASDAQ or QQQ "better" .

Can you help me understand this please.

Q: The above is for a long term hold in a non registered account.

1.Please provide a break down of MER, AVERAGE TRADE VOLUME daily or monthly, Assets under management (is this the best indicator of safety)
2. Are they all tracking the nasdaq 100?
3. What are the differences between them? (I believe them to be unhedged purchased in Canadian dollars)
4. What should influence me to purchase one over another?

thanks

Ernie

Q: Good morning,
I'm looking at adding a QQQ equivalent component two my Cdn$ Non Registered portfolio.

HXQ and XQQ are among the ETFs currently under consideration.

Q1. At this point in time, would you recommend a hedged or unhedged Canadian version of QQQ?

Q2. Not limiting yourself to HXQ and XQQ, what would be your recommendation for a Canadian QQQ equivalent?

Thank you

Francesco

Q: I hold the US portion of my portfolio in my RRSP. It represents roughly 20% of my total investment. I do not need to convert to RRIF for another 5 years and at that time will be taking the minimum required.
I currently hold ZQQ; ZPAY; ZDY; ZWH; ZSP.
I am thinking of switching my holdings to the following in roughly equal amounts: ZPAY; VUN; ZSP; ZNQ; XSU.
The objective is to get better coverage of the total US market through XSU and VUN. Maintain coverage of S&P 500 through ZSP. For Tech switching to non hedged via ZNQ. ZPAY will still provide good income with perhaps some downside protection through its options strategy.
Your thoughts and recommendations of alternatives.
The rest of my portfolio in my Non-Registered account and TFSA follow a mixture of your 3 portfolios which by the way have provide me with a return of 12 - 15% in the past 6 plus years.

Q: We have about an 11% position in this etf (ZQQ). In the 5 years we have held this etf which was suggested to us by 5i, we have had about a 150% gain - thank you 5i Team. Almost half of these are held in TFSA or RIF accounts, and so not subject to capital gain tax . Due to strength in the Canadian dollar, we are considering switching some or all of the non taxable portion to a similar or identical etf that is not hedged to the Canadian dollar. We understand this would be solely a currency call. We would appreciate your thoughts on this and suggestion of suitable non-hedged Canadian ETFs. We think the MER on ZQQ is a bit high.

Thank you for your continued assistance.
Pat & Cyril

Q: So my next step is to buy MG, however am trying to determine the effect that the global chip shortage will have on the auto industry and MG in particular , including extent and duration of any growth headwinds for the company. Thanks for your help. Derek

Q: I am looking at either ( or both) for initial tech position in conservative high income non registered portfolio. HTA, covered call, hedged, equal weight 20 large caps, MER 0.85 ,yield 4.75 , One year return 44%, ROC tax efficient. ZNQ, Nasdaq 100, hedged, cap weighted, MER 0.38, yield 0.34, one year return 39 %, normal tax.
Which would you prefer and why? Thanks
Derek

Q: A few questions re best index ETFs for safety, total return and tax efficiency:
(1) S&P/TSX 60 (unregistered account): Is XIU, XIC or another ETF better?
(2) S&P 500 (RRSP/TFSA): What CAN listed ETF is best for long hold: ZSP, XSP or other ETF? If held in an RRSP (ie US dividend tax except), can you recommend the best US listed ETF for the S&P 500?
(3) NASDAQ 100 (RRSP/TFSA): What CAN listed ETF is best: ZNQ, ZQQ or another ETF? Is QQQ the best US listed?
(4) Ex-North America index (RRSP): Can you list the best CAN listed ETF index fund? Would you stick with large caps or all? XEF? VIU?
(5) Emerging market index ETFs (RRSP): ZEM, VEE or other?
(6) MISC: Has HXT, HXS and HXQ permanently resolved gov't issues and are these ETFs safe for long term hold?
Thank you!!

Q: Good day,

Would you have a problem buying ZNQ today for a long tern RESP hold, instead of buying the 5 biggest companies of the etf? Thanks as always for the great service.

Q: Are there any Canadian based etfs that track the Nasdaq 100 index similar to ZQQ but are not hedged to CAD?

Q: Is it better to own QQQ and pay the extra fees for converting Can to US dollars through my broker ( TD ) or buy hxq, znq even though they have small market caps and have low trading volumes? Both seem to have better performance over the last year than QQQ.
Thanks, Michael

Q: Hello team,
please help me on this, compare these two ETFs, with size spread; returns; fees; and so on.. if only one to go with, which one and why? please confirm they are NON Hedged, as I DO stay with US currency

Thanks

Q: Good morning, stay safe and keep up the good work.
My question is on hedged vs unhedged funds.
My son is 27 and his time horizon for any investment is long term.
Now that our Canadian dollar trades at an all time low against the USD, (last time we hit similar lows was in 2016/2017) and the chances that our CAD trades lower are relatively slim, wouldn't it be preferable to invest in a hedged fund version of the Nasdaq-100 indexed ETF. The reason being is that the return of an investment in a USD equity (when converted back to CAD) decreases in a strengthening CAD environment. On the flip side, in a weakening CAD environment, the same USD investment's return, when converted back to CAD, would be increased.
To recap: My assumption (might not be a valid one) is that our CAD can only increase in value against the USD. In this strengthening environment, isn't it better to purchase a hedged ETF ?

Q: Hi there, just a follow up to my previous question. You mentioned a good strategy to get back into the market was to buy a 5% tranche on a 5% dip in the QQQ. If purchasing in Canada in a registered account, would ZQQ/ZNQ be good choices? Also, would you be doing 50/50 ZQQ/ZNQ split? Thank you!

Q: Good Morning,

Putting fresh 2020 TFSA contribution to work. Which would you buy? It appears they are the exact same except the hedging/unhedging? Thanks again