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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: The fixed income portion of my portfolio has been suffering for the last few years, what do you think of the above and what recommendations would you have, thanks, Jean
Read Answer Asked by Jean on June 24, 2016
Q: Your thoughts on the following tentative plan will be appreciated:

Looking to tweak our equities some over the next year or two to provide for a bit more US exposure and sector diversity and less in mutual funds. We looked at about 10% of our equity holdings in yesterday's review with our IA and tentatively landed on this:

1. Cdn $ - Sell Dynamic Dividend Income Fund and (some of our) RBC Cdn Equity Income Fund tentatively in favour of iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF CAD-Hedged (XSP).

2. US $ - Sell CI American Value Corporate Class Fun and TD US Mid-Cap Growth Fund tentatively in favour of SPRD S&P 500 ETF.

PS. Our IA seemed to hesitate about us selling any of our RBC equity fund as he feels it well-managed and performing well again this year (11% ytd).

(Context: Retired. No pension. Conservative. 35% GIC, 30% preferred, 5% alternative, 30% equity, preferring blue-chip safe dividends.)

Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Bill on June 23, 2016
Q: It seems to me that the trading pattern of ZCL was very unusual yesterday and today. Yesterday over 200,000 shares traded (about 4X the daily average), yet the price was “contained” within a 1 cent range from 8.99 to 9.00 the whole day. So far today it is the same thing with the price range contained from 8.99 to 9.00. Does this look out of the ordinary to you?

I searched all top picks on BNN’s Market Call, and Market Call Tonight shows for the last 3 years to see how often ZCL was a top pick. It was a top pick three times, but only within the last 3 months (April 8 @ $8.05; May 31 @ $8.69, and June 20 at $9.00). It was not a top pick when it was under $5, $6, $7, and now that it has gone up 40% in a year it suddenly becomes a top pick of several BNN guests. Hmmm. When several BNN guests suddenly make a small company that is not well known a top pick it makes me a little suspicious (could they be unloading after the nice run up).

Reading previous questions about ZCL I see that 5i has liked this stock for a few years. What would you consider a good entry point?

Paul
Read Answer Asked by Paul on June 23, 2016
Q: Hi Ryan and Peter,
My question is of a general nature and concerns a problem many seniors are having with portfolio construction. I'm 70 years old, have a defined benefit pension which, along with my wife's defined plan, covers our monthly commitments. We are underinvested in the fixed income part of our portfolio but because of the lack of returns on bonds and GIC'S, are hesitant to commit a large portion of our savings to this sector.
As with many seniors who have their monthly expenses covered by pensions, we need guidance as to what percentage of our funds should be in fixed income. What percentage do you think is appropriate and could you suggest a few specific investments.
If you believe, as I do, we would be better off investing in Canadian Blue Chip companies that offer relatively safe growing dividends, could you suggest several such companies.

Thank you in advance for your much appreciated guidance.

Read Answer Asked by Les on June 22, 2016
Q: Hi, what do you think of this new fund, Caldwell US Dividend Advantage? It still very small. I am trying to diversify from Canadian only stocks, want a dividend and don't want ROC (which they state in their prospectus might happen). Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by TK on June 20, 2016
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