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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 nearing retirement. Most of my savings is in a non registered account (75% non registered and 25% RRSP). Can you suggest tax efficient ways of managing the fixed income portion of the non registered component? I understand ZBD and BXF are tax efficient. Would you recommend these or do you have any other ideas? MERs are important and I noticed the management fee for BXF is about .2%. With a return of only about 1% does an investment in this make sense?
Read Answer Asked by BRYAN on November 17, 2016
Q: I am a retired, conservative dividend-income buy-and-hold investor, with a pension, CPP, and annuities. I am looking to top up a half position in Fortis. Even though I am not a "market timer", I am looking at different options:

1. Just top up now
2. Wait for the Fed to raise USA interest rates in December. Theoretically, this would cause FTS to sell off, so I could buy it cheaper. However, roughly 45% of FTS is non-Canadian. So in this scenario, wouldn't the USA dollar increase relative to the CDN $, effectively making it more expensive to buy FTS (I am buying it on the TSX)?

What are the interest rate and exchange rate impacts and are they significant enough to cause me to avoid option #1, above?

The FTS metrics look really good right now (P/BV = 1.3, P/E = 16.2, P/S = 1.7, P/CF = 6.4). I'm tempted to ignore the interest and exchange rate issues and just top it up.

Your thoughts?

Thanks, Steve
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on November 17, 2016
Q: If we believe all we are hearing there could be a lot of government spending on Infrostructure both in Canada and the US. With this in mind how would you rate the above companies for growth in the next 2 - 3 yrs? Which would be benefitting most from US expenditure? Any others you would prefer?
(If this is more than one question - OK) I always appreciate your good advice. Thks.
Read Answer Asked by Arthur on November 16, 2016
Q: Is there an ETF listed on the TSX that replicates fairly closely Barclays Global Aggregate Bond Index? If so, what is your opinion of the fund as a core vehicle for the fixed income allocation of my portfolio, in addition to laddered GIC's? Many thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Paul W on November 16, 2016
Q: Hi I have some money that I want to park for a few years in a couple of stocks that are considered conservative. I am thinking of ALA and Chemtrade. They both seem reasonably priced. I will be reinvesting the dividends. Are these good choices and can you recommend a couple of others? I have considered SLF but it sure moves quickly based on interest rate news or rumours. Thanks, Bill.
Read Answer Asked by Bill on November 16, 2016
Q: Hi,
I've found myself having a position in both these companies. Do you see long term value in keeping both, or do you think there's too much overlap between them? I have been thinking about buying into marijuana stock now and would be rolling any money from a potential sale into it.

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by david on November 16, 2016