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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: Hello 5i Team,

We recently settled my parents estate and the 3 sons (me included) received a fairly large transfer in the form of 5 ETFs including ZAG (9%), XEF (11%), XUS (3%), XIC (13%) and VFV (12%). This now represents almost half of the total portfolio whereas the remainder is invested in diverse stocks and some other ETFs mostly on your advice. I think you like ZAG for bonds but I’d like to ask if any of the other ETFs seem problematic to you or would you switch any with a similar focus? We also own some XQQ, WXM, IWO and VUN (all at about 2% each). Looking to retire in 10-15 years and with a pretty good risk tolerance.

Thank you for your help!

John

Read Answer Asked by John on May 10, 2022
Q: What do you think of the Bloomberg commodity index going back to 2005, very big move off of the low. Commodity Cycles are very long lived are they not? Can go on for many years. They have been outperforming Global Equities for awhile now, do you see this continuing for the next 5 years?
What would your best way to participate in this shift.?
Thanks! Gord
Read Answer Asked by Gordon on May 10, 2022
Q: Stock picking is getting too challenging!
Slowly shifting to broader ETFs. Eg utilities, energy, banks.,
Now looking more broadly at the TSX, NASDAQ, Dow and TSX.
Long term it seems that even among the professionals it is tough to beat the indexes.
Hence my shifting strategy.

Are these indexes revamped periodically?
If yes, how is it done. How often. Criteria?

Would this be the main reason for beating most of the pros?

As usual thanks for your help

Read Answer Asked by Donald on May 10, 2022
Q: Don't have any bonds, just plain cash.
Interested in US corporate investment grade bond ETF.
Can you recommend one and would it be a good move at this point?
Thanks
jerry
Read Answer Asked by jery on May 09, 2022
Q: Hi team. I have ~$15k for my TFSA and was wondering about SYZ and FIE for tax free income. I’m down quite a bit with SYZ in other RSP accounts but was wondering if it might be an opportunity now while waiting for some growth in the future. FIE has been good to me and the coupon is roughly the same as SYZ. Hate to be a dividend chaser. Should I buy now or buy something else? Appreciate your thoughts. Bill
Read Answer Asked by William on May 09, 2022
Q: What are your thoughts on Carbon Capture ETF from Ninpoint for the long term >5 yrs? Do you think it would serve as a portfolio diversified? Or do you think the market would disappear if the conservatives gain power?
Read Answer Asked by Steven on May 09, 2022
Q: Hello

Regarding VRIF, I saw a YouTube recently that said that the 4 percent payout will remain constant and that if each unit drops below $25, Vanguard will reduce the monthly payout. Does that make sense? I am somewhat mathematically challenged but from what I understand, if I buy an ETF at a lower price today, I will earn a higher percent payout than if I bought it at a higher price. I'd appreciate your input regarding VRIFs payout.

Thanks

Lynn
Read Answer Asked by Lynn on May 05, 2022
Q: I inherited the following:McKenzie Strategic Income Fund;McKenzie Strategic Income Ser.A;Invesco Strategic Yield Fund;BMO Income ETF Portfolio;BMO Concentrated Global Balanced Fund.Are these suitable investments in the present rising rate,volatile environment and where applicable, are there ETF's
that mimic these funds?Thanks for your assistance in helping me sort these out. Maurice.
Read Answer Asked by Maurice on May 05, 2022
Q: 5iteam: Retired income seeking investor that anckored my portfolio with VRIF for reasonable stability with a 4% yield. I am down currently 8% and maybe counting. Can you give me your perspective on what and why with a 50/50 split to stocks and bonds performance has suffered? Would you consider it a good hold for my needs or suggest another prospect with more potential and security worth tacking a loss for the switch? As usual much appreciated Larry
Read Answer Asked by Larry on May 03, 2022
Q: Good afternoon Gentlemen! Thank-you for your excellent service.
Could you share your thoughts on the the iShares JP Morgan Emerging Bond Market recent slump?
During volatile times I have retreated to Bonds to avoid volatility but you have warned about XEB in the past. Downloading their holding I have a rough total of 2.9% related to Russia and Ukraine.
Do you see further down-side to this investment?
Read Answer Asked by Ted on May 02, 2022
Q: I find the dividend payment confusing for this ETF. Looking back at data over the last 4 years, i was expecting to see the dividend payment growing, What i found was that in 2018 the 4 dividend payments totaled .$1.15 ) 2019 - $1.32) 2020- $1.05) 2021- .82 cents. From a prior question on this ETF you mentioned they payed a $5.18 in capital gains distribution. Does this mean the fund sells the holdings at the end of the year and pays out the capital gains like a dividend?
Thanks Gord !
Read Answer Asked by Gordon on May 02, 2022
Q: In regards to CPD or just pref's in general. They have sold off a lot over the past month. Fair to say they have priced rate increases in and are now forecasting a slowdown and rates going lower? Would a partial switch to a TLT-US make some sense here if that is the thesis?
Read Answer Asked by Michael on May 02, 2022