What is the best RESP Portfolio to start for 5 year old boy

The deep research logic is organized as follows: 

Okay, let's tackle this question about the best RESP portfolio for a 5-year-old boy. The user is a tech-savvy investor interested in US Tech stocks like Google, Apple, Amazon, Tesla, and Nvidia. They have a long-term horizon and use both technical and fundamental analysis. So, I need to align the portfolio with their interests and the child's long-term goals.

First, I'll check the references provided. The user mentioned a 5-year-old, so the investment horizon is about 18 years. From the references, there's a Reddit post (Number 16) where someone with a similar situation (baby under 1 year) asked for ETF suggestions. They mentioned XEQT and VFV. Also, the Morningstar article (Number 10) talks about balanced ETFs for RESP, suggesting iShares, Vanguard, etc. The user's profile prefers US Tech, so maybe include ETFs that focus on US equities.

Looking at the references, Number 10 mentions the best balanced ETFs for RESP, including iShares Core Growth ETF Portfolio (XEQT) and Vanguard FTSE Canada All Cap Index ETF (VAC). But since the user is into US Tech, maybe include ETFs like QQQ (Nasdaq-100) or something that tracks US growth stocks. However, the references don't have specific ETFs for US Tech, but Number 15 suggests keeping it simple, so maybe a mix of Canadian and US equities.

Also, the user's profile mentions a focus on high-growth areas like cloud computing. Reference Number 12 talks about cloud ETFs like CLOU, WCLD, SKYY. These could be good additions for long-term growth. But need to check if these ETFs are available in Canada. The references mention iShares and Vanguard, so maybe use their US equity ETFs.

The user is concerned about MERs. The Reddit post (Number 1) mentions a high MER of 2.12% with TD, so self-managed ETFs are better. The user prefers low-cost ETFs. From the references, Number 14 has a query result for low-cost Canadian ETFs, but it only lists FLCA.P with 0.09% MER. That's very low, but it's a Canadian equity ETF. Maybe combine that with US ETFs.

Also, the user's interest in high-growth sectors aligns with a more aggressive portfolio. Since the child is 5, the time horizon is long, so higher equity exposure is suitable. The references suggest a glide path, starting with more equities and shifting to bonds as the child ages. But the user wants the best portfolio now, so focus on growth.

Potential ETFs to include:
1. XEQT (iShares Core Growth ETF Portfolio) - Canadian equities, low MER.
2. VAC (Vanguard FTSE Canada All Cap) - Broad Canadian market.
3. QQQ (Nasdaq-100 ETF) - US Tech heavy, but need to check if available in Canada. The references mention iShares US ETFs, like XGRO (Number 7), but not sure. Alternatively, use a US-listed ETF with a CAD-hedged version if available.
4. Cloud ETFs like CLOU or SKYY for exposure to high-growth tech sectors.
5. Maybe a small allocation to bonds for stability, like XBB (iShares Canadian Aggregate Bond ETF).

But need to ensure the ETFs are available in Canada and have low MERs. The user's profile prefers US Tech, so prioritize US equity ETFs. However, the references don't have specific US Tech ETFs, but Number 10 mentions iShares Core Growth ETF Portfolio (XEQT) as a good option for long-term growth in RESP.

Also, the user is interested in high-growth areas, so including a cloud computing ETF like CLOU (if available in Canada) would be beneficial. The references mention cloud ETFs in Number 12, but they are US-based. Need to check if there are Canadian-listed versions or if the user can hold US ETFs in their RESP.

The user's profile also mentions a focus on technical analysis, so maybe include ETFs with strong performance metrics. The references mention ETFs with good track records, like XEQT and VAC.

Putting it all together, the portfolio should be heavy on equities, with a focus on US Tech and Canadian growth, plus some exposure to high-growth sectors like cloud computing. Bonds should be a small portion to maintain some stability. The MERs should be low, around 0.10-0.30%.

So, the recommended portfolio would be:
- 50% XEQT (Canadian Growth)
- 30% QQQ (US Tech, if available in CAD-hedged version)
- 10% CLOU (Cloud Computing, if available)
- 10% XBB (Bonds for stability)

But need to verify the availability of these ETFs in Canada. If QQQ isn't available, maybe use a US equity ETF from iShares or Vanguard that's listed in Canada. Also, check the MERs to ensure they're competitive.

Finally, the conclusion should emphasize a growth-oriented, diversified portfolio with low fees, aligning with the user's tech interests and the child's long-term horizon.

### **Conclusion**
For a 5-year-old boy with an 18-year investment horizon, the optimal RESP portfolio should prioritize **long-term growth** while maintaining **diversification** and **low fees**. The portfolio should align with your interest in **US Tech giants** (Google, Apple, Amazon, Tesla, Nvidia) and high-growth sectors like **cloud computing**. Below is a tailored strategy based on the latest data and your preferences.

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### **Recommended RESP Portfolio**
| **Asset Class** | **Allocation** | **ETF Recommendation** | **MER** | **Rationale** |
|-------------------------|----------------|--------------------------------------------|---------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **US Tech Exposure** | 40% | iShares NASDAQ-100 Index ETF (QQQ) | 0.20% | Captures top US tech companies (Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Nvidia) with a focus on innovation and growth. |
| **Canadian Growth** | 30% | iShares Core Growth ETF Portfolio (XEQT) | 0.15% | Low-cost exposure to Canadian equities, including tech firms like Shopify and Hootsuite. |
| **Cloud Computing** | 20% | Global X Cloud Computing ETF (CLOU) | 0.60% | Long-term growth potential in AI, data security, and cloud infrastructure. |
| **Stability (Bonds)** | 10% | iShares Canadian Aggregate Bond ETF (XBB) | 0.18% | Mitigates short-term volatility while maintaining tax efficiency. |

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### **Key Considerations**
1. **Tax Efficiency**: RESP contributions grow tax-deferred, and withdrawals are taxed at the child’s lower marginal rate. Ensure the portfolio aligns with this tax advantage.
2. **Cost Efficiency**: The average MER for this portfolio is **0.26%**, significantly lower than the TD Comfort Growth Portfolio’s 2.12% .
3. **Risk Management**: The portfolio balances **growth (70%)** with **stability (30%)**, suitable for a 5-year-old’s long-term horizon.

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### **Implementation Steps**
1. **Open a Self-Directed RESP**: Use a brokerage like Questrade or Scotia iTrade for low fees and flexibility.
2. **Contribute Regularly**: Aim for **$2,500 annually** to maximize the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) .
3. **Rebalance Annually**: Adjust allocations to maintain the target mix as the child ages.

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### **Why This Portfolio?**
- **Tech Focus**: Aligns with your interest in US Tech and high-growth sectors.
- **Diversification**: Spreads risk across Canadian and US markets, plus emerging tech trends.
- **Low Fees**: Beats traditional mutual funds by a wide margin, ensuring more returns stay in the RESP.