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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:
We've held a small position in PFFD for quite some time, with a significant loss (glad its small position).
But: the Fed narrative has changed from raising to pausing and the next step is inevitably lowering. Yes, there may be another small raise and yes, I know the higher for longer argument.
PFFD pays out over 7% in our RRIF, in an investment that appears to have very little risk of more downside and even a large amount of upside if things were to return to pre-covid levels.
Summing up and being a bit of a contrarian (skate to where the pucks going?), would you agree with my assessment? Can you see any reason for anything but limited downside with new money in the preferred space? What am I missing here?
thanks
Paul L
Read Answer Asked by Paul on October 17, 2023
Q: Regarding your very quick response to my question yesterday where you stated "Capital gains are treated the same as Canadian gains, but must be converted to C$ for tax purposes." ZSP is a Canadian listed equity in Canadian dollars so I assume that I will not need to make any conversion when taking a capital gain? If I alternatively buy HXS (or HXQ) will capital gains be treated as Canadian only?
Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Dennis on October 17, 2023
Q: Dear 5i
Do most or all high interest savings accounts pay distributions monthly or quarterly ? How would you rate the above ones that i've listed ? Do you have to be a little cognizant of when you buy them as i see the price can fluctuate slightly throughout the day ? Are you best to buy the one with the highest % distribution or a combination of % distribution and the smallest 52 week high /low spread ?
Take as many points as necessary as i have multiple questions and lots of points .
Thanks
Bill C
Read Answer Asked by Bill on October 17, 2023
Q: Hi 5i,
if one was interested in getting exposure to the US or Canadian High Yield Bond market would you lean toward active management or a passive index ETF? I would appreciate some suggestions to further research for both US and Canada markets.
Read Answer Asked by Ian on October 16, 2023
Q: I'm thinking it might be a good idea to buy some inflation linked government bonds especially long dated either US or Canadian via an ETF Would appreciate your suggestions on specific ETFs and thoughts re short term vs long. My thinking is if inflation is here for longer than we expect and I have inflation linked bonds it's probably the best way to protect myself.
Read Answer Asked by Nigel on October 16, 2023
Q: Good morning!
I'm a retired investor and I am looking to lock in some fixed income! I have had very little exposure to bond trading but can use my TD Trader account I believe! What could go wrong, Lol!
I'm leaning toward corporate bonds...many friends have gone with GIC's but I like the appreciation of the bonds value should we see rates come down...is this a good idea or ?
Are bond ETF's as sure to see appreciation in value as individual bond holdings?
Thanks
Peter
Read Answer Asked by Peter on October 16, 2023
Q: Hi Peter,
Regarding bond and US treasuries ETFs, if the ETF yield on my purchase date is 5%, would my annual interest income remain to be 5% as long as I hold the ETF, similar to my buying a bond with a yield to maturity of 5% and hold it to maturity? What are your top choices for 10 year US treasuries ETFs US listed, and Canadian listed and what’s their current yields? Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Willie on October 13, 2023
Q: Recently I asked a question on HBND. Could 5i give me a similar analysis on HPYT ? As well as comparison of the different structures between the two . The only one I am aware of is the 50% position of HBND that is not covered calls . Not sure what the situation is with HYPT ..... The yield on the two is considerably different with the former yielding 10% and the latter 15% ...... Please compare what you would suspect would happen differently with each under rising/stagnant/falling interest rates ?..... Thanks Garth
Read Answer Asked by Garth on October 13, 2023
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