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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: With regards to your response to Member Brian Oct 20, 2020. Which bank stock to buy? National maybe small and regional, but the growth of the bank has been far superior to the other Canadian banks.
Dating from Dec 31, 2015, National stock is up 65%, the nearest rival Royal is up 30% and BNS has grown .02%. Since March 23, 2020 National is up 75%. Far ahead of rivals. National pays 4.3% dividend and BNS is 6.5%. However which one would you prefer to own. Many seem to forget this company and I don't know why. Just my observation, love your site, and you've made me a ton since I joined. Thanks to your Team PS even XFN ranks third in returns
Read Answer Asked by David on October 20, 2020
Q: I am down in XEI and ZRE about 20% and 25% respectively;
in DGRO 2%.
Do you think it is worth waiting for a turnaround or should I
look to exchange for something more hopeful?
Although DGRO is only down a bit it has never gone up.
Would something like VUG be more growthy?
I would appreciate your assessment.
Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Sam on October 20, 2020
Q: Hello 5i,
As always, a huge thank you for all you do!!!
Income-focused investor.
My question is in response to a previous question, in which answer to, you seemed to favour PID over ZDI. I hold ZDI and have previously discounted PID as an option for two specific reasons: 1) ZDI is almost 3x larger in market cap (328 million versus 124 million (from Globeinvest)) and also the average volume is many times greater (today's volume notwithstanding - PID seems relatively illiquid). I have seen previous answers re: ETF's in general where you are less keen on what are almost micro-cap ETF's for other than the most niche of offerings. I have occasionally had concerns about ZDI's relatively small market cap as it is. The yields between these two are only about 1% with ZDI being marginally higher. So, given the foregoing, do you see the growth profile of PID so much of an advantage that you would still endorse it over ZDI? I would have no problem switching, but my previous concerns would need to be allayed somewhat before considering the move.
In general, what would be the "line" for an ETF market cap below which you would not endorse?
Your thoughts??
Many thanks - be well and stay safe!!
Cheers,
Mike
Read Answer Asked by Mike on October 20, 2020
Q: In recent questions, you have recommended VEE as a Canadian emerging markets ETF. In the past, you often recommended ZEM. Is this observation correct? If it is correct, why do you now prefer VEE to ZEM?

For a TFSA account, would you still prefer VEE to ZEM? If I am reading the company information correctly, ZEM appears to be more tax efficient and has had a higher return over the last 5 years.

Your advice is most appreciated. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Dale on October 20, 2020
Q: Thanks for the presentations at the Canadian Fin. Summit.

My question is regarding taxation of ETF's. I'd like to know if I understood correctly. I have VWO, GDXJ and ZID all in my RRSP (USD and CAD accounts respectively). Are you advising that they should be moved to non-registered accounts?

Read Answer Asked by James on October 20, 2020
Q: Good day!

I've noticed a trend with respect to your recommendations for RESP ETF holdings with a longer timeframe (10-15yrs). You seem to like VGRO +/- IWO. I'm looking for growth and can tolerate risk. Currency doesn't matter.

VGRO has a 19.9% weighing of bond ETF's and the rest are a combination of other vanguard ETF's. In looking at performance since its inception, it lags behind IWO which often lags behind the S&P 500 ETFs. From a non-expert viewpoint it would seem that a combination of large and mid cap US/CAN ETF's would achieve similar purpose and improve returns by eliminating the bond component.

1. What am I missing re VGRO? is it that the bond component satisfies the usual 80/20 combination as an all-in-one and is simply easy?

2. If you were to improve the 'all-in-one' VGRO using a combination of ETF's, which US/CAN growth/index ETF's would you assemble to eliminate the bond component? Perhaps a combination of XIC, VFV/ZSP/VOO, VTI, VUG, ZQQ or others you think work better?

3. Out of the S&P 500 ETF's, do you have a preference between ZSP or VFV? Is there an advantage to holding the US listed SPY, IVV or VOO vs the Canadian-listed? and if so, which do you prefer?

4. If you were to devote 25% of the RESP to high potential equities, which would you choose?

Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Bart on October 20, 2020
Q: Looking to Mr. Buffett's behaviour in the past, he seems to be investing in whole industries, like airlines and most recently with the Japanese trading houses.

Do you think taking a similar strategy works in select Canadian industries as well?

For example:
Buy and hold all the Big 5 Canadian Banks (BMO, BNS, TD, RBC, CM)
Buy and hold all Major Grocers (Empire, Metro, Loblaw)
Buy and hold all Major Telecoms (Rogers, Telus, BCE)

Or do you think there's a better way to mimic this through an ETF?
Read Answer Asked by Eugene on October 20, 2020
Q: What are your thoughts on IRM?
It seems like a stable recurring and loyal customber-based business and they are branching out into data centre businesses as well with their reputation for records management.
Interestingly I note an 18-20% short interest - could this lead to an asymmetric upside potential if their business improved due to a short-covering rally?
I do love the dividend as well and hope it's sustainable.

Read Answer Asked by Neelesh on October 20, 2020
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