Investment Q&A

Q: I am a conservative, retired, dividend-income investor with a pension, CPP, annuities and a diversified equity portfolio, consisting of 60% stocks and 40% ETFs-Mutual funds.

I currently have 8% of my equity portfolio in REITs, 5% in Sentry Global REIT and the other 3% sourced from portions contained within ZLB, Sentry Cdn Income and RBC Cdn Equity Inc Fund.

Question 1 = What percentage of my asset mix would you currently recommend be allocated to the REIT sector? In the past, I believe you recommended 5%. If I ignore the "portions" discovered by "looking under the hood", I am at 5%. However, the true number is probably 8%.

Q 2 = About a year ago Sentry REIT was combined with Sentry Global REIT. As of Sept 30/16 it was quite global = 43% Cdn, 28% USA, 6% Singapore, 4% each in UK, Australia, France, 3% Spain, 3% Japan, 2% Netherlands, and 2% Hong Kong. I am concerned about the various currency impacts on the performance of the fund. The fund has a 1 year total return of 6.6% to Sept 30, but a -1.25% return YTD. I have held this fund for over 3 years and have averaged > 6%/year, but I am concerned about the currency impacts on future performance. It has a MER of 2.4%. Is it time to sell and move into something like ZRE?

Thanks in advance, Steve

Q: can i have your thoughts on the main pros and cons of:
ETFS VS Mutual
index/passive fund VS active managment

Q: Hello 5i team,
I would like to purchase a few REITS through my RRSP account since I currently have non. I was thinking of purchasing one of the listed REITs that you suggested in a previous question and maybe an ETF (if they exist).

Of the REITs (CSH, HR, CAR) which one has the best dividend/growth? I figured a REIT that goes across the country would be the best.

Also do REIT ETFs exist? If so are there some that possible cover commercial properties only?

Thank you,
Andrew

Q: Are their distribution return of capital and is the distribution stable. Also what is their Management fees

Q: Hi 5i. In April of 2015, you discussed Cdn Dividend ETF's, and suggested that because CDZ (iShares Cdn Div Aristocrats) focused on Co's that regularly increase dividends, that it outperforms other Cdn. Div. ETF's, particularly over the long term.
Do you still consider this view to be valid, particularly as it compares to XDV (iShares Cdn. Select Div. ETF) and ZDV (BMO Cdn. Div. ETF). Thanks T.

Q: Would you favour CLF or VAB for government bond exposure?

Thanks,
Jason

Q: Hi guys,

My portfolio is $500,000 with $450,000 in equities and $50,000 in fixed income. I just changed my asset allocation from 100% equities to 90% equities and 10% fixed income. I have $50,000 cash to invest in fixed income and I put my first tranche of $10,000 in CPD for the yield and to gain from rising rates if and when they occur. I was reading some previous questions and you talked about having ETFs as a minimum 5% weighting because of the number of securities they hold. In this case with CPD, it is currently 2% and I will add to it as opportunities arise. I debated splitting the 5% between CPD (3%) and HPR (2%), which is an active traded preferred share fund. Is this recommended for a total weighting of 5% in preferred shares or should I just stick to CPD. My other 5% weighting will be in a laddered corporate bond ETF since I think it provides better protection against rising rates that a government bond ETF and also has a better yield. Agree?

Thanks for your help,
Jason

Q: I'd like to start a long term position in at least one or two healthcare stocks or ETFs, but the sector looks treacherous and I can't quite decide. I'm considering a wide range of names, including companies like JNJ, PFE, AMGN, NVO, NVS, RHHBY, MDT and ETFs like XLV, IBB and especially IHI (medical devices). I've read many of your prior comments, including one where you recommended AMGN. In light of the latest news about AMGN and its issues with Enbrel, I'm curious to know if your opinion has changed, and how you might compare it to NVS which has a competing drug. Mainly I'm wondering if any of the investments I listed sound promising, and how you might rank them. Thanks very much for your thoughts.

Q: Hi Peter and Team! I know that Us stocks are not something you specialize in, but I was thinking that I might like to invest in a Us bank with good stability and growth potential ,or an ETF that holds a basket of US banks. Any suggestions? Kind Regards, Tamara

Q: I came across this article this morning and would like your take on the thesis put forward by the author.

The case against dividend ETFs

Friday, October 28, 2016
ROB CARRICK

Thank you for considering my question.

Q: BMO has a risk rating for ZYH and ZFH of low to medium for each of
these etfs.Would you agree with this assessment? Joe

Q: Peter and Team

As the sector allocation between ZLB and XMV (both identified Low volatility ETF) is significantly different. Could you please confirm which ETF would be most suitable to replace Sentry All Cap Income Fund with a MER of 2.68%?

Thanks

Sylvain

Q: I presently hold an ETF for the S&P 500 and am thinking maybe now is the time to exit this Index ETF. Would like to know your thoughts. Thank you

Q: I am interested in investing in an ETF listed in Canada that invests in US Technology companies. What would be your recommendations?

Q: Hello 5i Team,
Could suggest an ETF for each Canada, USA and international that would as closely as possble mirror the methodology used to contruct the balanced equity portfolio?
Thanks
Dave

Q: I'm currently 50% in cash (although understandably I shouldn't be). I am contemplating allocating 70% of my entire portfolio to the Balanced equity model to represent Canada and the remainder (30%) to Vanguard's total market US market ETF - VUN.TO. In the past I have tried to stock pick myself using some suggestions from this site and have not come anywhere close to the performance you have achieved with the Balanced Equity model. What is your opinion on the 70% CAD market and 30% US market allocation? Thanks!

Q: Hi 5i Team, can you please explain the impact of interest rates of CPD. I understand that last year the rate cut had a negative impact on the ETF and that a couple of years ago talk of rising interest rates hurt preferds. Can you please explain the impacts of either rate increase or cut on CPD?
Thanks

Q: Team. Is there a solar energy play, that you recommend? All of the solar companies recommended by others, 6 months ago, are crashing,

Q: What do you recommend is the best way of gaining exposure to the Indian stock market? In the past I have purchased Excel India mutual fund and I am considering Fairfax Indian fund. I am a long term investor and plan to hold my position for at least 5 years. I welcome your comments.

Q: Good morning Peter and Team,

In our accounts (Margin, RRIF, RRSP, and two TFSAs), we have no health care stocks or ETFs per se, but we do have a 1.8% position in Chartwell. In my sector breakdown, I classified Chartwell as "Real Estate", and notice that in your answers to other 5i members, you refer to Chartwell as a health care stock. Would I be correct in re-classifying CSH.UN as health care? If I wish to further reduce my overweight real estate holdings which contain AP.UN, CIG, CSH.UN, FCR, FSV, and TCN, would there be any that I should "let go" or reduce? What "additional" health care stock or ETF would you recommend at this time, using the cash that the sale/reduction of the above stocks would provide? Please feel free to deduct as many credits as this lengthy question entails, and thanks for the great help your service provides.