Investment Q&A

Q: Which ETF would have the best potential under the current market outlook?

Q: Hello 5i,

David asked a question about timing a purchase of TLT. The answer indicated now was a good time but the recommendation was to buy an aggressive bond. Can you list two examples from the US, CAN, and 1 from a global perspective that would meet the description of an aggressive bond?

Thank you,
D&J

Q: Dear 5i
I currently own TD and RY for my financial positions . I was considering buying SLF as an alternative to banks but still considered within the financial sector . Is it worth the diversification or should i just add to my existing bank stocks that i own ?
Also i've recently added HISA and PSA to my portfolio which would probably not be for a long term hold but until interest rates decline considerably from where they are today . My question is, is it possible to have too much cash parked in these type of accounts that should interest rates decline noticeably and quickly , that there would be a liquidity problem ie getting my cash out , should a lot of investors decide at the same time to liquidate their holdings in these type of accounts ?
Thanks
Bill C

Q: Your response to "Alex" on October 23, 2023 and today's National Post article by David Rosenberg are very positive for the immediate success of TLT. Given its reasonable payout, it seems worth waiting for a turnaround; however, its recent performance has been abysmal. Timing thoughts? It is a worthwhile long-term hold?

Q: I am puzzled that you often recommend Global V Iithium (LIT) .
Even though it is an ETF ( thereby "broader and safer" , in comparison to other lithium plays it has been one of the worst performers . Almost every day it loses value. ughhh

Q: Hi, I have a goodly amount of my savings in HYLD for income, and now Hamilton has come out with SMAX. I like the idea of SMAX, as it is not leveraged, and only writes covered calls on 30% of it's holdings. I realize that it is brand new, SMAX, and not very big, but would you consider it to be a better choice down the road, as I am considering switching out of HYLD into SMAX in the future.
Thanks for your patience with these high yield covered call questions.

Q: XSTH, QTIP, or ZTIP - which do you prefer for TIPS etf in CAD and why? Feel free to include another CAD name I've not mentioned if applicable

Q: What is the best denominated US TIPs etf?

Q: Hbnd has a yield of .88% though it pays distribution of .13 cents monthly.Why is that-they do this with several enhanced etfs

Q: I am looking for a fund to hold U.S cash in a U.S. managed Account.
What are your thoughts on NBC201? Are there any others that come to mind?
What is the present yield and MER of NBC 201 and others you might suggest.

Q: What is the present yield and MER of the above funds?

Q: On October 24 you answered a question with the following " ZSP we think is fine for general US exposure (dollar hedged)" my understanding has been that ZSP is not hedged, and I found other sources supporting that. Am I wrong or misunderstanding, or did you misspeak? Thanks

Q: I'm considering Harvest Premium Yield Treasury ETF (HPYT.CA), US treasury Income, high yield through covered calls; very aggressive Yield of approximately 15% and 0.45 mgmt. fee; new ETF to the market, anything one should be aware of here good or bad? Thank you & keep up the super work!!

Q: Please give me your comments/suggestions about my fixed income portfolio and weightings.


BMO AGGREGATE BOND INDEX .ZAG 9%
CI INVESTMENT GRADE BOND .FIG 9%
FIDELITY TACTICAL CREDIT .FID7573 9%
HORIZONS CDN SELECT .HBB 9%
LIBERTY ALL STAR EQUITY FUND USA 9%
PENDER CORPORATE BOND FUND .PGF550 9%
PICTON MAHONEY FORTIFIED .PIC8501 9%
PIMCO MONTHLY INCOME FD CDA .PMIF 9%
RP INVESTMENT ADVISORS .RPD210 9%
RP STRATEGIC INCOME .RPD110 9%
DYNAMIC PREMIUM .DYN3361 10%

Q: RE purchasing US treasuries

Hello 5i,
Once or twice I have tried to purchase bonds from my discount broker RBC direct investing. The process to purchase is fairly easy (you will face a hit up front on the bond price compared to the open market). However, when selling a bond or treasury that's when a DIY investor is really at a loss. You call up RBC and then the agent will consult the "manager in the bond department" and they will decide on a price they will give you for the asset you wish to sell. Kind of like a car dealership! It truly is a grey market where your discount broker has all the control of the sale of that fixed asset. Also, if looking at treasuries, you must commit to $10k USD and can't buy, for example in smaller increments, like I wish to do for a family member in a conservative TFSA.

IS there an ETF suggestion for a 10, 20 30 year treasury in USD? Not what i really want, but will mirror the moves in this market, I suppose? TLT is the 20 year. What is the 10 year, 30 year?

Also, can you confirm that the interest paid on the treasury would be tax exempt if held in a TFSA? If tax on interest is exempt in a TFSA, would it still be exempt if one holds the ETF and not the treasury itself?

Q: Is it time to buy ?

Q: I need to sell 1/3 of my portfolio and park the cash for 3-6 months. TD will not allow me to buy PSA, CASH, HISA, or HSAV. Can you recommend a few other good options.
Thank you,
Derek

Q: 5i has been very clear regarding COVERED CALL etf’s vs related sector etf’s. More specifically 5i has said covered call etf’s provide some cushioning on the downside with the offset of underperforming on the upside.

.My questions:

1. Are there any rule of thumb metrics for estimating the magnitude of the difference?

Cases in point ….admittedly these are snap shots and probably not statistically reliable…. but I do wonder if there are reliable metrics.

This information is from RBC DIRECT INVESTMENT as of today and represents 1 year performance and is an attempt to cover both ends of the risk spectrum.

UTILITY COVERED CALL ETF:ZWU -7%
NO COVERED CALL ETF:ZUT -18% / XUT -15%


TECHNOLOGY COVERED CALLS: JEPQ + 27%

NO COVERED CALLS: XLK +39%/. VGT +36%

2. Are dividends included in the performance numbers?

The data seems to reinforce the 5i information. No doubt about that…. thank you.

How about metrics to guide the buying decisions.

I am increasingly risk averse…. definitely more risk averse but still with some interest in “ adventure “ .

THANKS .

Q: Are there global ETF in US /CDA, that offer in priority protection against inflation,and hopefuly also significant dividends + capital appreciation potential.

Q: hi,
according to portfolio tracking and analysis, I am short on basic materials, consumer cyclical, health care, industrials. im also quite short US and international equities. I prefer equities with dividends that are growing, and has some capital appreciation/growth as well. with this in mind, can you provide your top few picks in each sector please. much appreciated. chris