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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: A few questions have mentionned the ETF XBB. Since its fee is 0.34% versus ZAG's fee of 0.23%, shouldn't we go for ZAG? I also like the fact that ZAG is a BMO product which means I pay fees to a canadian company rather than a U.S company (bonus points). Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Matt on December 12, 2016
Q: My "advisor" is encouraging me to switch out of Telus and buy Royal Bank instead. Rationale: Telus "is a defensive stock and will not do well in a rising interest environment".

Telus is my only communications holding, and I already own National Bank in the financial sector, in a portfolio weighted to as-secure-as-possible dividend income stream with DRIP wherever possible.

Your thoughts on this switch? I'm reluctant.
Read Answer Asked by Lotar on December 11, 2016
Q: Hi 5I Research team.
I presently own OCS.UN which I believe is a closed end fund. Could you please explain what a closed end fund is? I have held this for about a year and a half and am under water with this fund. Recently the fund has been going up. It pays a 10% dividend which is great. Would you expect this fund to continue to go up. Is the fund tied to the interest rate and would it continue to go up if the interest rate goes up. Thanks for your help
Bob
Read Answer Asked by Robert on December 09, 2016
Q: Can 5i tell me if bond coupons have "ex-payout dates". My transaction records show that the date coupon is posted is always on the nearest weekday to the maturity date of the Bond. I presume there is a posting lag, but I would like to know what date I can sell the bond and still get the coupon

I enjoy the service you provide And wish the team a happy Yearend and many more of them in the future.

Ernie
Read Answer Asked by Ernie on December 09, 2016
Q: For someone looking at a retirement in 2 - 3 years that will be funded by personal investments, I am having trouble formulating an investment strategy that would currently include fixed income investments. Fixed income securities seemed destined to only go down in value in the foreseeable future as interest rates rise so why would I want to invest in them? Pipelines, utilities and telecoms may also drop but their yield is currently quite good and secure and capital appreciation is always a possibility, if not a probability, in the longer run.

It seems to me that much of the argument for holding fixed income assets is to ensure the preservation of one's capital. But if I am ultimately going to invest largely in quality dividend paying stocks eventually anyway to fund my retirement is capital preservation the main concern? Isn't dividend "preservation" more the issue?

I feel like I am missing something because it seems that all advisors, planners and analysts strongly suggest there be some fixed income in a portfolio, especially as retirement nears. What are your thoughts?

Appreciate the insight.

Paul F.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on December 09, 2016
Q: I have a fairly large sum of money to invest from an estate and I am primarily interested in just taking the dividends and keeping the principal reasonably safe. I was thinking of the Brookfield companies and Canadian Banks however just wondering if you would have some suggestions for a couple of other companies in different sectors. I would like to try and get close to 5% on the dividend.
Read Answer Asked by Bradley on December 09, 2016
Q: Hello and Merry Christmas to all at 5I.
Moving forward I have new funds to add to my portfolio in the fixed income sector. My RRSP portion is fully utilized for fixed income using CBO and XBB so this is new fixed income funds outside of a sheltered account should I still use XBB/CBO or is there some other fixed income source that would be more beneficial that I should consider.
Read Answer Asked by Peter on December 08, 2016
Q: My wife recently purchased a pair of glasses on-line. I was skeptical but the process was very easy, the fit turned out to be much better than her last pair that was purchased at a store and the price was a small fraction of the cost of a store bought pair. My concern about BCI is how are they going to counter this trend with some very aggressive players moving into the on-line glasses business? Would this be a concern going forward?
Read Answer Asked by Alex on December 08, 2016
Q: Are dividends on Bond ETFs taxable as interest? If so, they would not qualify for the dividend tax credit. Would it be wiser to look for dividend bearing shares such as BCE with a low beta and a good dividend that would qualify for the dividend tax credit?
Read Answer Asked by Donald on December 08, 2016
Q: Which of these 2 stocks would you recommend for an initial position? Could you comment on each of their growth prospects,debt levels dividend growth/stability and their prospects with regards to their forays into markets outside of Canada? Also, what might be an attractive entry level for each. Thanx.
Read Answer Asked by Steve on December 07, 2016
Q: THE REAL ESTATE AND UTILITY SECTION OF MY PORTFOLIO INCLUDES THE ABOVE. I AM A LONG TERM HOLDER AND AM CONSIDERING REDUCING THIS EXPOSURE BECAUSE OF THE IMPENDING POSSIBLE RATE INCREASE, AND REPURCHASING SOME AFTER A SUBSEQUENT DECLINE. ALSO INCREASING MY INFRASTRUCTURE EXPOSURE WITH BIP.UN. WHICH OF THE FOREGOING WOULD YOU RECOMMEND SELLING AT THIS TIME REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE REPURCHASED LATER? WHAT IS YOUR OPINION OF A SWITCH TO BIP.UN FROM H? THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED ADVICE.
Read Answer Asked by Harold on December 07, 2016
Q: I have ACQ with a big loss and am thinking that I should sell and buy either KBL or NWC (keeping in the consumer space). Thinking 2 yrs out, would this be a good idea? If yes, would there be a better replacement than KBL or NWC
Read Answer Asked by Sandy on December 07, 2016
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