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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: I am an income investor in my 80’s, largely in large cap Canadian equities and with 30 percent in GIC’s. Approximately 5% in U.S. stocks through ETF’s. I feel that I should have a larger U.S. presence but lack the knowledge to invest in that market. Can you make a few suggestions, bearing in mind that preservation of capital is important?
Read Answer Asked by Gail on October 11, 2023
Q: This morning you responded to a question from Ralph regarding TXPDDV. I checked my SDRIF and I see that for my shares of VFV I receive a TXPDDV. I understood that there was no withholding tax in a SDRIF.
Read Answer Asked by Dennis on October 11, 2023
Q: What do you think about taking a new position in Russell 2000 at this time? Dan Niles was on CNBC talking about how the index may outperform some of the big tech names. I am also considering a position in SPY and/or the QQQ. I tend to buy and sell stocks too quickly and my thought was to buy an index fund with a view to holding longer term so that I don't have to worry about individual names. Thank you,

Jason
Read Answer Asked by Jason on October 11, 2023
Q: hello 5i:
we're interested in starting a small position in HBND.
First, can you clarify something.
You said, in reply to a previous question: "But if rates stagnate or decline, and for an investor seeking income, the yield on this ETF may come under pressure, but its unit price can see capital appreciation. "
Are you saying here, that if (for example), the 10 year Treasury were to fall from 4.8ish to 2.4ish, that HBND would then yield around 5%? Along with a capital gain?

Second: would the decrease in HBNDs yield matter that much, as Treasuries and GICs, etc, would have a similar decrease in rates (a 1 year GIC paying around 2.5% vs a current rate of around 5%?

Third: isn't a stagnant yield almost ideal for a covered call bond, as nothing is changing, other than the seller continuing to collect the premiums from the sale of the covered calls?
thanks
Paul L
Read Answer Asked by Paul on October 11, 2023
Q: If we had $75K in an unregistered account, would it be accurate to say that purchasing an ETF like HSAV would be better than putting this money in a GIC or high interest savings account, due to the fact that there are no distributions and thus, only 50% of any income are taxable?

In other words, if I am deciding between a 6% GIC, or HSAV (which I believe has a similar yield), I would pick HSAV correct?

Are there similar ETFs like HSAV that have similar characteristics (ie do not pay out dividends) that you would prefer over HSAV?
Read Answer Asked by Eric on October 11, 2023
Q: My son, 25, recently married and working in USA, has just begun contributing to ROTH IRA matched by employer and looking for advice on on initiating investment in top 4-6 etf's to achieve long term gains with appropriate market diversification. Also, could you please suggest weightings for each considering moderate to high risk tolerance? Thanks so much. Tony
Read Answer Asked by Tony on October 10, 2023
Q: Hi, I’m a little overweight in these sectors, and thinking about selling one, and adding XIU or ZCN for diversity and dividend.
Which would you sell ( T or Becp) and which would you add ( XIU or ZCN) for a long term hold. thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Brad on October 10, 2023
Q: There is a ( very) new ETF, coming out from Horizon with ticker QQCL being a covered call Nasdaq 100 with anticipated yield of 14.10 %.
This seems to be attractive for my TFSA for higher growth (with volatility which I can handle), along with a high yield.

I have bought several of these products, HTA, HHL, UMAX for both my registered and non registered accounts. They seem “ too good to be true “ and am wondering if that’s true. I have seen many of these enhanced products ( remember flow through shares ?) and hope these do not repeat.
Your thoughts on QQCL and on these ETF’s in general would be appreciated.
Thanks. Derek
Read Answer Asked by Derek on October 06, 2023
Q: I am close to retiring and have all registered accounts maxed out, but have $200K of non-registered funds to invest, and wondering what recommendation would be. I am leaning for simplicity to spread across a few ETFs to get some balance of growth and dividends. Thoughts/recommendations.
Read Answer Asked by Steven on October 06, 2023
Q: With U.S. Treasury yields on the rise, is this a good time to buy this U.S Treasury focused ETF? Also, looking forward, and assuming a higher for longer scenario for interest rates, that are at a peak now, and will stay there for a couple of years, what would your outlook be for this ETF? Is the yield sustainable at a targeted 10%, or might it rise in the short term? Thanks. Will
Read Answer Asked by Will on October 06, 2023
Q: MY ERROR ! I asked the question ... "I have recently come across some US covered call ETF's offering +10% returns on ES Bonds. Sorry, don't have the ticker. They are on streaming platforms and flash by before I can write then down. Can you comment on the danger of such an investment, the stability of the dividend as interest rates are certain to shift. Thanks ! " BUT, I meant to type US (not ES). SORRY. Please deduct a few additional questions due to my typo.
Read Answer Asked by Jim on October 05, 2023
Q: With the sell-off and resultant higher yields on bonds, what are a few bond ETFS that I might consider as a short term park for money in registered accounts. Maybe there are bonds I could buy? They are hard to get some times on my bank platform: CIBC Investors Edge.

I have not owned any bonds for a very long time. Prefer dividend growth stocks.
Read Answer Asked by James on October 04, 2023
Q: My TD Waterhouse account used to show a calculated yield based on the current price of UMAX and HMAX but for some reason shows no yield for UMAX and 10.8% for HMAX now ...... Yahoo Finance isn't much better . And the Hamilton website shows 13% and 15.5% no matter what the ETF price is ..... So the first question is what is the calculated yield for both at today's price ? And second what would be the unit price for my targeted entry point of both 14% and 14.5% for UMAX { still making up my mind on UMAX entry price } .... and 16.5% for HMAX ? With rising rates hurting utlities and banks in the doghouse I'm inclined to think I might get those entry points .....
Read Answer Asked by Garth on October 04, 2023
Q: Hey Guys,

- In this current environment, I know you are not betting people/advisors, But What in Your Opinion that Stands out as a Theme, Investment or Speculative Play that may be something to look at...
- Take speculative funds and invest in what?

Thanks,
M
Read Answer Asked by michael on October 03, 2023