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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: I am interested in buying some mid- to small-cap stocks. I am tracking some of the ones you mentioned and am considering them.

For non-experts though, it seems like it would be better to go the ETF route on such companies. Do you agree and can you recommend a couple of options in CAD and USD.
Read Answer Asked by Kevin on March 06, 2024
Q: 3 short questions:
(1)XSU:CA is the TSX listed hedged version of IWM:US. Is there an unhedged version of IWM:US on the TSX?
(2) Is there a listing on the TSX for IWN:US; either hedged or unhedged?
(3) XSMC:CA (100% IJR:US) has net assets of only $35M compared to net assets of $544M for XSU:CA (100% IWM). Can I conclude from this that IWM is the more popular US small cap ETF in Canada? 5i research has suggest the IJR holds larger, possibly more stable US small caps compared to IWM.
Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Grant on February 26, 2024
Q: Peter et al:
I sure hear a lot on BNN and read in the G&M about small caps making a comeback. Think I heard the same thing last year at this time. Would you invest in small or mid caps or split it up to include both? If so for small would you choose IWN, IJR, or VIOO ? IWO has a good deal of unprofitable small growth companies, that is why I chose IWN as a contender, or is it the same. If your choice would be mid caps which of VO or IJH and why.
Thanks ben.
Read Answer Asked by BEN on January 24, 2024
Q: I want to add a US small cap ETF and am looking at IJR, IWM and IWN. I recognize that all small caps bring higher risk, but can you please rank these 3 ETFs, with the ETF with the best quality stocks first, ie. rank in terms of lowest risk to highest risk. Does IJR generally hold stocks with higher market caps?
Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Grant on January 11, 2024
Q: Is there an Canadian ETF that is like IWO and IJR?

Thanks
Read Answer Asked on January 02, 2024
Q: https://www.rbadvisors.com/insights/4-for-24-year-ahead-outlook/

RB advisers recommend the following 4 themes for 2024 and as a value investor I am looking for ETF recommendations:
(1) US small caps: I am using XSU (100% IWM)
(2) US cyclicals: I found IYC but P/E is 27! Recommendation?
(3) Non-US and emerging markets: I have been using XEF and ZEM. I like XEM (100% EEM) because it posts a P/E each day.
(4) Theme 4 is "Industrials: deglobalization spurs infrastructure". No idea what ETFs to use here.
Thanks for your recommendations/comments!!!
Read Answer Asked by Grant on December 21, 2023
Q: I am looking for a US small cap ETF that is hedged to the CAD. I have been looking at XSU. Fundata in the globe and mail indicates that it follows the Dow Jones US small cap RT index but has been doing worse the this index. My questions are:
1) Do all small caps follow the Dow Jones US small cap RT index?
2) what is your impression of XSU?
3) is there another US small cap ETF that you would recommend?
thanks
Read Answer Asked by Mary on December 18, 2023
Q: I know you don't believe in timing the market but after the last few years i've ended up with a fair bit of cash on sidelines, yielding around 5%.
Post pivot i'm now thinking about when/how to deploy. Assuming interest rates have peaked and we start seeing cuts in 2024 i expect cash yields to start decreasing as well.
So if you wanted to "broadly" deploy your cash reserves throughout 2024 how would you proceed? Thinking some mix of SPY, RSP, EMV (much smaller allocation) as I have retained most of my high convinction Canadian stocks.
Dollar Cost Average monthly or quarterly
Wait for next broad pullback, we know it's coming just not sure when. Can still get a nice cash yield while waiting.
Read Answer Asked by Rob on December 18, 2023
Q: The magnificent 7 have had a nice run in 2023. Assuming that the market is broadening out, can you suggest around 5 to 10 US stocks and/or ETFs where money is rotating to. Medium risk stocks. Also what sectors should benefit in the next phase of the economic cycle?
Read Answer Asked by Paul on December 15, 2023
Q: I manage a small TFSA (~$25K) for a young adult family member, with a long time horizon. We would like to get some exposure to small caps, which you have mentioned are likely due for a bull move. To get diversification with a purchase of only ~$5000, an ETF probably makes sense. There are several that have been mentioned in the past Q&A, so I am looking for your advice / recommendation as to which would be the best choice for a young person looking for long term growth. I am considering IJR, IWO, IWY, VBK... but feel free to add any other(s) you like.
Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Ed on December 13, 2023
Q: Hi 5i Team,

I keep hearing that purchasing bonds is currently a generational opportunity given how elevated interest rates currently are and we are likely at the peak point of the rate cycle. How would you recommend approaching having exposure to bonds in order to capitalize on the opportunity?

Are there any other sectors or areas of opportunity that are out there that you think one should get exposure to in preparation of interest rates eventually coming down?

Thanks as always,
Jon
Read Answer Asked by Jonathan on December 01, 2023
Q: For some time 5i (and others) have noted that small cap valuations are low on a historic basis, and I also believe that you have commented that small caps often lead in a market turnaround? I really like a good "reversion to the mean" play, but what are the conditions for that to happen? I have to think inflation and higher interest rates are disproportionate headwinds for smaller companies vs large caps. What should one look for before buying a small cap ETF, or just forget the timing and figure you'll be happy in a few years one way or another? Thanks for your thoughts.
Read Answer Asked by Stephen R. on October 19, 2023
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