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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 currently hold BPY (up 50% over cost) and H&R in my portfolio 4% and 3% respectively.
I am considering swapping BPY for BEP for the additional income. Your thoughts?

I also plan to crystallize my capital losses and purchase the following ETFs:
Non registered:
ZPW – US Put Write
ZWE – Europe Covered Call hedged to CAD.
ZWH – US covered call
CPD – CAD preferred
XRE – Capped REIT

Registered (RRIF):
PGX:US – Preferred.

Each would constitute 2% - 3% of my portfolio. Diversification is my intention, but risk and surety of income is the primary consideration in all of the above noted.

Again, your thoughts.

Thank you for considering my questions

Gail
Read Answer Asked by Gail on August 02, 2016
Q: Hi, I have been comparing low-volatility developed ETF options traded in Canada with the options (to my knowledge) being ZLI and XMI. My analysis has sided with ZLI and I want to layout the logic here to hear your thoughts. Positives for ZLI: Smaller market cap while not too small offers better opportunity for alpha, Fewer holdings so more opportunity for alpha, Not based on major index (MSCI) so less opportunity to be front-run, BMO has a good track record for other similar funds (e.g. ZLU). Positives XMI: Longer operating history , Slightly lower MER, more resources for investment research(?). Thanks as always.
Read Answer Asked by JONAS on August 02, 2016
Q: Now that the Brexit vote uncertainty has diminished a bit, would it be a good time to add to European market exposure? Presently hold ZWE for income. Would you add to ZWE or open a position in another etf? If so, which etfs would you recommend for income? Which for growth? Possible ZDI ?Looking at 2-3 year time frame. Many thanks for the terrific service.
Read Answer Asked by Don on July 25, 2016
Q: Hi,
My son is taking a break from active stock picking and has gone with this ETF model: VUS(15%), VBU(5%), VCN(22.5%), VAB(5%), VI(22.5%). His investing horizon is very long (10-20 years). Your thoughts on the individual ETFs? How about sector & geographic diversity? Any other concerns?
Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Gordon on July 25, 2016
Q: XT-N
iShares Exponential Technologies

I am looking for an ETF that follows emerging new technologies. One that seems to fit the bill is iShares Exponential Technologies (XT-N). What do you think of it? Is there another you would like better? Are there any traded in Canada?
Read Answer Asked by David on July 25, 2016
Q: BMO US Put Write(ZPW)
BMO Europe High Dividend Covered Call Hedged to CAD(ZWE)
PowerShares Preferred Portfolio(PGX:US)
BMO Laddered Preferred Share Index(ZPR)
BMO US High Dividend Covered Call(ZWH)
BMO Equal Weight REITs Index(ZRE)
iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Preferred Share Index(CPD)
iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index(XRE)
BMO Covered Call Dow Jones Industrial Average Hedged CAD(ZWA)
iShares Convertible Bond Index(CVD)
BMO Canadian Dividend(ZDV)
Above are ranked as to yield - high to low. Can you rank as to risk - high to low?
Thank you for considering my question
G. Reynolds
Read Answer Asked by Gail on July 18, 2016
Q: I am looking to add some diversity to my rrsp holdings and value your opinion. I would like to add a position in xmm,emerging markets,low volatility and one of xmw or xmy,which is $Canadian hedged. What would be the reason for the discrepancy in nav between xmw and xmy(hedged)? I realize that the latter are newer etf,but which might be the better choice for a 2 to 4 year hold? Also,Vanguard just initiated vvo,another global etf. Have you had a chance to view and could you give your opinion? Thank you for your great service.
Read Answer Asked by Steve on July 18, 2016
Q: I realize that Oi (the Brasilian telecom) is far outside your area of specialisation, but wonder if you can explain how a company that has commenced bankruptcy proceedings can show an aggressively-rising stock price. Is it even conceivable that, post-proceedings, shareholders could come out ahead? If so, in what sense could this be true of bankruptcies in general?
Read Answer Asked by John on July 15, 2016
Q: Should I continue holding Harmony Gold Mining or take my profit and run? I know that it has more risk the AEG or GLD, but it has a good trend right now.

Should I let it run, or take some profits? You have said before that Gold is insurance, and now that insurance is paying off. When is the right time to cash in, and should profits be put back into gold?

HMY is currently 4.5% of my overall portfolio, and that and Alacer (1%) are my only two gold holdings.
Read Answer Asked by Colin on July 11, 2016