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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’m investing for a parent who is currently 100% in cash, is nearing retirement and has never invested. They will not actually need income for another 3-5 years, but I would like to generate some dividends, so they can see actual cash coming off their investments (this may be reinvested). I think dividends will help psychologically if the equity portion declines as they will at least “be paid to wait” while the market recovers.

I am considering constructing the portfolio as follows:
30% Cash – PSA
50% Bonds – ZAG
10% Equity – International Dividend – PID
10% Equity – International Broad Index – XAW
10% Equity – Canada Growth – 5i

Can you provide 5i’s 2 or 3 highest conviction calls right now. I’m looking for growth at a reasonable price. Not looking for yield, but would like it to at least pay a modest dividend.

I would also be interested in any views you have about the suitability of the portfolio and any alternative / additional suggestions you may have.
If there is a correction in the equity markets in next few years or one of 5i’s A companies slips on a banana peel, I may look to put some of the cash to work and increase the equity potion.

My tactical views are: interest rates will rise with the US leading the way, the US broad equity markets are looking very expensive, Bonds are generally not a good investment and at low rates they will get killed by inflation over the long run (but they reduce volatility).

Also, in terms of allocating these investments between non-registered and TFSA, how should I generally be thinking about this? International stocks and bonds into the TFSA until it’s full and cash and Canadian stocks in the non-registered account? I don’t think they will be making any new contribution so perhaps there is no way to use the RRSP.

I look forward to your thoughts and apologise for asking a multi-part questions. If you start to run out of steam, don’t worry about the tax questions.

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Will on July 04, 2018
Q: I have recently taken over my parent’s investment account management because of health reasons. I found that my parent’s financial advisor had their money tied up and mutual funds with heavy fees, as well as GICs that were locked in for a long period of time. The money is now available for investing. They are retired and in their 80s. I will be keeping most of the money in HISA, GIC, and some short term bonds if the yields ever go above GICs. I would like to include a couple of stocks that are quite secure and pay decent dividends. And suggestions? I was thinking of RY, CM, BNS, PWF, BCE, CU, TRP, and ENB. Do these sound good, and do you have other suggestions?
Read Answer Asked by Federico on July 04, 2018
Q: I'm a young investor (early 30s) and have previously had all of my portfolio in equities. I'm concerned about risk and want to put about a quarter of the portfolio into safer, fixed income type investments. I'm struggling to understand the benefits of investing in GICs (currently with rates of 2.8-3.5%) vs Bond ETFs (like VAB or ZAG). Can you help explain the difference and benefits between Bond ETFs and investing in a direct GIC? Can you recommend the better choice for me; GICs or Bond ETFs?
Read Answer Asked by Michael on July 04, 2018
Q: Crown has announced a new LP "Capital Power LP". They have partnered (their first) with OOM Energy Group (“OOM”), a private electricity generation company who produce Integrated Energy Platforms they claim are more reliable and efficient, and cost effective than certain areas such as Ontario Hydro(not surprising). This will "provide investors with attractive, utility-like income". It all sounds good but I am worried about the competitiveness of such a partnership. Would you have any thoughts on this development?

Thank You, Stephen
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on July 03, 2018
Q: I currently have a 1.3% holding in KWH.UN and I am wondering if I should continue to hold it in my income portion. On June 25th, in response to Eric you were "fine" with adding then on June 28th, in response to Stan, your advice was not to add. This seems a significant change in a short period of time.

Since there has been no news and the dividend was recently raised is it fair to say the price momentum has changed your mind or has the investment thesis changed?


Many thanks.

Mike
Read Answer Asked by michael on July 03, 2018
Q: To add to Julien’s post from today on bonds. I am in a very similar situation, younger (early 30s) with no bond exposure, all equities in the portfolio. I’d like to start adding some bond exposure through ETFs and did appreciate your suggestions on specific names. My question is, what etf would you say is a ‘one stop shop’ for bond exposure, as I like to keep it to one or two names at most. I’ve seen ZAG or VAB mentioned before. I’d like to keep it in CAD as I don’t want to add exchange risk. The purpose for the bond exposure would be to add uncorrelated assets and reduce volatility. Thank you as always
Read Answer Asked by Aaron on June 28, 2018
Q: Company and dividend as of close
KWH.UN 11.3%, BCE 5.6%, ENB 6.3%, ALA 8.3%, EIF 6.8%, HR.UN 6.8%, RUS 5.5%, BEP.UN 6.2%, GS 6.1%, AQN 5.1%, EMA 5.2%, FTS 4%, H 4.59%
Hi
Could you please choose from the above list (or any additions of your choice) the stocks that you feel would be best suited to be held in an income/dividend non registered account for a long period of time. It would be great if you could also guide me as to whether I should do equal weight or if it is better to invest by a percentage of one company over another. I am interested in trying to have the highest return of dividends but I do not want to reach too far for it (ie 50% KWH.UN). If I could get a blended 6% annually over 10+ years that would be super. Not all the companies need to be included. I know there are some that overlap sectors.
Thank you for all that you do. You are great guides.
Jeremy
Read Answer Asked by Jeremy on June 28, 2018
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