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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: Hi Peter
What is your opinion of Harbour DSC 890 fund? My daughter has been contributing to it for many years and I would like to see her set up a self directed account with ETF's. She has no other investments at this time. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks for all you do.
Read Answer Asked by Gary on August 15, 2014
Q: Hello 5 I Team

My US Margin Account presently represents only 1% of my total holdings. I intend to make contributions to it later in the year, but for now I would like to see the money "do something" while it's sitting there. Rather than engage in any futile stock picking, I thought I would invest in an ETF which could provide consistent, if modest growth. To that end, I had my eye on the new ETF Direxion iBillionaire Index ETF, (IBLN), or the Market Vectors Wide Moat ETF, (MOAT). I would appreciate your opinion on these choices -- or your suggestion as to what might be a better stock to hold in this context. Thanks for your help.
Read Answer Asked by Sylvia on August 15, 2014
Q: What would you recommend for Canadian index ETFs? I'd like to use one to add more diversification to my portfolio.
Read Answer Asked by Carla on August 13, 2014
Q: At the suggestion of an acquaintance, we have held for a year now, HPR (Horizons Active Preferred Share ETF); HYI (HA High Yield Bond ETF) and XSB (iShares Canadian Short Term Bond). I know next to nothing about bonds and preferred shares. All I know is that they are all in the red! I am holding approx. 25K in each fund. We are close to retiring in the next two to three years. My question is, should we continue to hold them, or find something else? If the latter, your invaluable advice would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks. And all the best on your upcoming ride.
Read Answer Asked by Kathy on August 12, 2014
Q: Could you tell me what you think of these two etf's please?
GGF31734 and VXC on the TSE. Thank you JOHN
Read Answer Asked by John on August 12, 2014
Q: I'm holding PHK (US) in my TFSA to get US dollars for travelling. Given interest rates will probably rise am I wise to hold or look at another high yielding US stock. If so what would you suggest? I'm not necessarily looking for growth. Also if I hang on to PHK how do you think it will react over a time period if rates only rise fractionally? As always, great answers to (my dumb) questions. Bob
Read Answer Asked by Robert on August 11, 2014
Q: Hello peter.
First question for me. I have just sold bns due to all the problems in the world. I would like to be a bit more safe. Some of my investments in my riff are Provincial bonds. Some of them are coming due. Some of them were in the 4.5% and higher I should have taken longer terms. Are there any recommendation on your site on safe bonds, including provincial bonds or corporate bonds that are safe. Due to our age we are looking for maximum 5- 8 year laddered terms. Looking forward to your reply
Read Answer Asked by Mike on August 11, 2014
Q: I have taken some profits from equities as I am rebalancing my allocation to a 75/25 split. However, now that I have increased cash what are recommendations for fixed income holdings? I am thinking ETF's such as HFR or do see other better options?

Thanks again for your great analysis and work
Read Answer Asked by Kevin on August 08, 2014
Q: Hi team, I have a small position in HEE horizons enhanced EFT for oil stock exposure. I noticed your last comments on HEE are about 18 months old so I would appreciate your updated thoughts on HEE at these levels as it has come off of its highs a fair amount over the last three months. Thanks once again for your time and great advice.
Read Answer Asked by Ray on August 07, 2014
Q: I am trying to time the exit on HND. I was waiting for $3.60 nat gas. Is this too low and I should sell at a higher price?

Thanks.

Grant
Read Answer Asked by Grant on August 06, 2014
Q: Many of the large US banks are trading substantially below NAV. What do you think of their prospects for significant capital appreciation? Would ZBK be a good way play this prospect, or are there other ways you would prefer?

Thanks,

Glen
Read Answer Asked by Glen on August 06, 2014
Q: HORIZONS ENHANCED INCOME GOLD PRODUCERS ETF COMMON(HEP:TSX, CA), can you please explain the high dividend to me and whether it is safe. Would you recommend this ETF? Or another way to play gold? Would you maybe prefer GDX in NYSE?
Read Answer Asked by Jeff on August 01, 2014
Q: Good afternoon,
I'm setting up a TFSA for my daughter who turns 18 next week. I plan on contributing the max $5500 at that time, and would like your suggestion on what to purchase. Ideally, I'd like this money to be available to her in 4-5 years for a downpayment on a house, so safety is important as well as equity appreciation (without a crazy amount of risk).
Thanks!
By the way, I'll likely be contributing $5500 each year for the first 4-5 years.
Read Answer Asked by Brenda on July 31, 2014
Q: What is your opinion on using ETFs like CRQ, CIE and CLU which consider fundamental factors like cash dividends, free cash flow and sales but at a higher MER as opposed to the core low ETFs like XIC, XEF and XUS. On a long term basis, they seem to be outperforming the main indexes and normal ETFs and thus justify the higher MER.
Read Answer Asked by Husseinali on July 31, 2014
Q: Hi team, I sold out of my ZUT and ZWU earlier this month when I got nervous about market levels, my mistake. I wonder what you think of the utilities sector at these levels. I know rising interest rates are always a concern, but I have a low level of exposure to utilities so I was thinking of establishing a small position once again (1000 or so shares). Thoughts? Thanks for your time.
Read Answer Asked by Ray on July 31, 2014
Q: HHF. Looking for alternate asset classes to better diversify a portfolio. What is your opinion on using HHF for exposure to hedge funds? I've read articles where it discusses that this type of ETF doesn't closely correlate to the actual hedge fund index.
Read Answer Asked by Husseinali on July 31, 2014
Q: Hi Peter and Team
I hold these financials in my RRIF (RY 3.5%, BNS 5%, XFN 3% and XLF 1.2%) and would like to increase financial by another 3%
Debating for either TD and add to XLF, please help me decide, thanks
Read Answer Asked by Karl on July 29, 2014
Q: We have been holding ZWB and ZWA for income in RRIFs and non registered accounts. I am considering replacing these with individual securities for ZWB and possibly ETF,s for US exposure. (ZWA) Any suggestions? We hold BNS and most securities in both 5 I portfolios. We also have CIQ.UN in all portfolios but TFSA's. Soon there is an option to redeem at NAV (an annual feature) I am thinking of redeeming and concentrating on 5i portfolios. Any thoughts. Thanks for all that you have done for us. I am waiting for the day 5i will critique our portfolios.
Read Answer Asked by Ted on July 29, 2014
Q: Hello Team:
Being close to 70 and having all our portfolio in stocks, should I be considering moving a chunk of money into bonds? Some I am considering are Templeton Emerging Markets (TEI),Pimco Strategic Income (RCS) and Phillips Hager&North (PH&N). I have confidence long term in the market, but am somewhat uneasy of being caught in old age in large downturn. That said, I am willing to accept some risk for better return. I realize this is a big question, but any help you can provide me to structure some sort of plan would be most appreciated.
All the best
brian
Read Answer Asked by Brian on July 28, 2014
Q: Hello Peter and Team: In an otherwise diversified portfolio, I am considering selling my position in CEW and purchasing half positions in each of BNS and SLF. My rationale is to avoid the 0.61% MER in CEW, and I also note that the top two holdings in CEW are in fact SLF at 10.38% and BNS at 10.27% of CEW's total portfolio. Are you OK with this switch? As always, thanks in advance for your advice/recommendations.
Read Answer Asked by Jerry on July 28, 2014
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