skip to content
  1. Home
  2. >
  3. Investment Q&A
You can view 3 more answers this month. Sign up for a free trial for unlimited access.

Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: Hello Peter
I would like to diversify into the health care and pharma industry. I could not find in the database any companies that have a minimum of a B rating. Are there any health care and pharma companies that you would recommend with at least a B rating. Would an ETF be better? I would like to hold it in my rsp and have a 3-5 yr time frame to hold.

Thank you
Read Answer Asked by pietro on December 16, 2014
Q: Hi Peter and team.
could you give me your opinion on ZWH, ie, how the covered calls function and if the dividend is safe. i am hoping for a 8 to 10 % annual return from it.
thank you
cliff
Read Answer Asked by clifford on December 16, 2014
Q: hi
what do you think of this u.s. industral fund with low oil prices
tks
Read Answer Asked by Sam on December 16, 2014
Q: Hello Peter & Co,
I'm 71 and 100% of my portfolio is in equity; I'd like to shift a portion of it in fixed income. Corporate bonds and Government bonds (especially the long term ones) have done surprisingly well this year; the interest rate environment was obviously favourable. But rates are bound to go up, if only because the economy is supposed to pick up with attending inflation.
What fixed income vehicle would do (relatively) OK in such an environment?
Thanks,
Tony Sepetdjian
Read Answer Asked by Antoine on December 16, 2014
Q: This is not a question, but a comment.
Ref: December 15, 2014 (asked by Jim)

Question: I have been looking for an ETF, on the Canadian stock exchanges, that tracks US banks. Can you recommend any and of course, the best one as you see it. (lol)
Thanks for your help!

5i Research Answer:
We woudl suggest the best one (if not the only one) as ZUB, BMO Equal Weight US Banks. It is $199 mm, hedged to the C$, with fees of 0.40%. Three year annual return is 26.7%.

The symbol for US Banks is ZBK, not ZUB. Per the BMO web site, this etf has a distribution yield of only 1.09%, and the fee is 0.35%. Not sure where your performance numbers came from. There are none on the BMO site as this etf only began in Feb. 2014.
Read Answer Asked by Helen on December 15, 2014
Q: I have been looking for an ETF, on the Canadian stock exchanges, that tracks US banks. Can you recommend any and of course, the best one as you see it. (lol)
Thanks for your help!
Read Answer Asked by Jim on December 15, 2014
Q: Hi Peter and group. I am increasingly concerned about Canadian Equity Stocks. I would like some more exposure to the US.I am interested in all sectors including a currency ETF. Is it possible for you to recommend US based ETFs. One in each sector would be a big help. I know you do not focus on the US but at times like this it would be as big plus.. Thanks for your service I find it extremely helpful.
Read Answer Asked by Terence on December 15, 2014
Q: My understanding is that you view Germany and Japan as the 2 countries to benefit most from low oil prices. This being the case could you recommend etf's that that would give maximum upside preferably in US dollars. Dividends are not important to me for this investment. Thanks for your great service.
Read Answer Asked by Ian on December 15, 2014
Q: Hi Peter and Ryan. If I were to have 20% of my portfolio in the model portfolio and 40% in GICs what ETF or ETFs would you use for other diversification?

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Robert on December 15, 2014
Q: I'm looking for a way to play the drop in oil prices. With Abe getting re-elected and Japan being a large importer of oil, I was thinking CJP may be a good way to play the drop in oil. Also was thinking about ATD.B for another way. Could I get your thoughts on both strategies.
Read Answer Asked by Rob on December 15, 2014
Q: On November 21st, in a reply regarding the ZIN ETF, you said that you like the industrial sector. I have been buying ZIN every week over the year, after realizing that it contains numerous companies recommended by either you or analysts on BNN (CN rail, CP rail, Transforce, CAE, Stantec, WSP, Badger, Westjet, Air Canada, etc). Now three things have changed: (A) oil is 40% cheaper (B) this ETF 13% percent down from its high (C) Poloz remarks have caused uncertainties with Canadian banks. Considering this, I feel it's the better place to add new money. My question is: do you think that ZIN is likely to outperform canadian banks over the next year? Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Matt on December 15, 2014
Q: Is this fund forced to buy and sell the oil companies even when they know they are likely to go down? Can they pick and choose what and when to buy? What effect does the price of oil have on this fund? Should I be worried about holding it if I beleive Oil will stay down for a couple of years at least? How safe is the fund for a 2 year hold as I'm down quite a bit on it but have held for a while and my dividends have made up the difference in the capital loss.
Read Answer Asked by Cathleen on December 15, 2014
Q: Can you recommend some US ETFs that are not hedged to the Canadian dollar for the S&P 500, US financials and technology? What are your thoughts on XLK and SLF? Any advice on when to enter these trades? Thanks so much for your service.
Read Answer Asked by Mary on December 12, 2014
Q: I have most of the stocks in your Income & Model portfolio, now I would like some US exposure, but do not have a US trading account. Would you suggest a US ETF, that I can purchase in Can$. Also being the Can$ is going down, would this be a good idea right now?
Thank you for this wonderful and informative service.
Read Answer Asked by Shirley on December 12, 2014
Q: Hi Peter & Team,
Please advise on SDIV (Global X Super Dividend)in RRIF for global diversification
32% US, 65% non-US, 5.2% yield (is this true?), close to its 52 weeks low, 0.58% MER,114 stocks, mostly real estate, REIT and financials. This will replace the money intended for ENB. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Karl on December 12, 2014
Q: PLZ RECOMMEND A CANADIAN DIVIDEND ETF OTHER THAN ZDV WITH LIMITED OR NO EXPOSURE TO THE OIL PATCH.
MANY THANKS

ROGER
Read Answer Asked by roger on December 11, 2014
Q: Hello Peter & Co.
Financials represent 7.6% of my portfolio; it comprises BNS, EFN, HCG and TD. I have room for one more holding and hesitate between SLF and ZUB.
Your input is always most appreciated
Tony
Read Answer Asked by Antoine on December 11, 2014
Q: do you see anything fundamental to have affected the utilities

Is it ok yo buy some ETFs at the levels?
Read Answer Asked by Behrouz on December 11, 2014
Q: Could I please have your thoughts on the direction (down) of this fund and whether it is likely to continue. I have held it for years and am now slightly underwater on it - but do not want to lose more.
My objective right now is to raise cash to hopefully take advantage of buying opportunities in some of the areas that have beenb brutalized.

Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Donald on December 11, 2014
Q: Peter and Team,

This is sort of a follow up from another member's question today on MFR.UN and my questions from the past couple days on bond ETFs.

What is the better choice between HFR and MFR.UN? HFR doesn't appear as volitile but its yield is lower along with lower fees. My head tells me HFR is safer but I'm surprised by the high yield on MFR.UN.

Thoughts?
Read Answer Asked by Marc on December 11, 2014
Looking for more? Sign up for a FREE 14 day trial! No credit card required

We invite you to sign up for a 14 day free trial of 5i Research!
Experience all the benefits and tools we have to offer; stock research, model portfolios, Q&A with our experts, and so much more. Join a community of like-minded investors today!