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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
I have equal amounts in CLO and CLF. Wondering if it might be a good idea to swap one of these for the longer term XLB Bond Fund to hopefully play the downturn in interest rates? If so which would you swap and why? Is there a safer trade with equal potential with less risk then XLB?
Thanks
Jeff
Read Answer Asked by JEFF on December 12, 2023
Q: It certainly feels as though we are seeing the beginning of a new bond bull after the roughest two years since the 1980s-early 1990s.
Please provide you opinion on the above, as well an any other bond etfs that you follow.
Can you please provide you opinion regarding a bull market..
Thanks in advance
Rick
Read Answer Asked by Rick on December 12, 2023
Q: I intend to invest a significant amount of cash ETFs in my TFSA ,could you suggest a list of safe ETFs with interest,or even short term bond ETFs if pertinent with this objective,aiming at preservation of capital and 4% + to 5% revenue, would it be better to hold just one ETF or a mixture is better in this context,many thanks for your excellent work
Read Answer Asked by Jean-Yves on December 08, 2023
Q: Is it possible to choose a favourite for a 1-1/2 to 2 year hold with the expectation of a reasonable yield while rates remain near current levels, and a capital gain as (if) they begin to fall?

HBND vs XBB or something preferable?

I'm assuming they all provide yield that will be treated as interest and not eligible divs. If so, preferred account type?

Thanks,
Read Answer Asked by Peter on December 08, 2023
Q: Hello 5i,

Is there a downside (15% tax) of owning US bonds such as VCIT, VCLT, TLT, AGG, in an RRSP. If so, can we apply for an exemption for an RRSP? If not, would you switch to XTLH instead of TLT? Are there can-hedged ETF's for VCIT, VCLT, AGG?

Thank you

Debbie and Jerry
Read Answer Asked by Jerry on December 07, 2023
Q: Your thoughts on a switch from PSA.to to XLB.to?
Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Lawrence on December 05, 2023
Q: Could you comment on the relatively new option-based US treasury ETFs HBND and HPYT. The yields have caught my attention, together with the underlying security of US treasuries and the possibility (?) that rates have peaked. Do you see these as being suitable up to around a 1.5% position in an RSP, and is there US tax withholding on the distribution in an RSP? How do these compare to TLTW (I would prefer to buy a CDN$ ETF rather than take the hit on conversion) Do you have a preference, and would you buy today? Note that I already hold about a 2.5% position in ZLC, which is up marginally.
Thank-you
Read Answer Asked by grant on December 05, 2023
Q: Good morning 5i
I am getting older and not sure i want to endure too many more stock market roller coaster rides. I am therefore thinking of moving into a higher bond allocation. You have mentioned yourself that even something like tlt could be a roller coaster. I am not adverse to getting some but I would like to know from you, what bond etfs you would recommend if one wanted , for instance, a 40/60 split between bonds and stocks. I am open to Canadian, too, but my intention is to keep fixed income in our rif, therefore, i would concentrate more on us bond etfs
Thanks as always
Read Answer Asked by joseph on December 04, 2023
Q: Hi Peter, With all the talk going on about rate cuts next year, what is your opinion on parking cash as part of fixed income. Should one go for 1 year or 5 yr ladder GIC. This is what i got from TD branch although website is way lower.

1 year GIC – 5.90%
1 year GIC – 5.90%
2 year GIC – 5.60%
3 year GIC – 5.40%
4 year GIC – 5.20%
5 year GIC – 5.20%

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by S on December 01, 2023
Q: Curious about yields. It feels like the yield on ETF XHY remains around the level it was several years ago (~6%) despite other stocks yielding much higher returns. Shouldn't those ETF holdings (high yield corporate bonds) be ticking upwards too which should drive the ETF yield higher? Maybe there is a time-delay as they have to reset?

So with various stock yields as high as they are I would like to try to benefit from the yields AND set up for capital gains on the same stocks that *should* pop as interest rates normalize and fall a bit. What are 3 CAD and 3 USD stocks that fit the bill? (High current yield AND good likelihood to strong share price increase in 1-3 years.) And where would ENS fit relative to those suggestions?
Read Answer Asked by Marilou on December 01, 2023
Q: Hi 5i Team,

I keep hearing that purchasing bonds is currently a generational opportunity given how elevated interest rates currently are and we are likely at the peak point of the rate cycle. How would you recommend approaching having exposure to bonds in order to capitalize on the opportunity?

Are there any other sectors or areas of opportunity that are out there that you think one should get exposure to in preparation of interest rates eventually coming down?

Thanks as always,
Jon
Read Answer Asked by Jonathan on December 01, 2023
Q: HI;
Would you be kind enough to explain the differences and similarities between these two? Is xhy the canadian version of hyg? Is it hedged?
Is there wh tax on xhy. Level 1 or 2? Can I avoid the wh tax by buying hyg? Is hyg a us or canadian listed etf? Is hyg hedged?
Thanks, BEN.
Read Answer Asked by BEN on November 29, 2023
Q: I am considering getting into bond ETF's, given that we are apparently hitting pause on rate hikes and will potentially begin to cut rates in 2024. I realize that you cannot predict timing but would you consider this a good time to be getting into bonds?

What is your view on bond ETF's FCGB and DXDB, or can you offer another bond ETF to consider?

Thank you
Tim
Read Answer Asked by Timothy on November 29, 2023
Q: I have incorporated these ETF’s into my RRIF with the goal of deferring taking capital from my principal ( mandatory and rising % withdrawal requirements ). They now represent 33% of total portfolio. My TFSA and cash accounts equal my
RRIF and are more growth oriented. The ETF’s give me a high yield, diversified portfolio of solid large cap, primarily low growth companies in Canada and the US. So I ask myself “ Why don’t I have my RRIF be 100% of these 5 ETF’s ? What say you ?

Thanks Derek.
Read Answer Asked by Derek on November 27, 2023
Q: RIF account looking for consistent income and some growth
Getting the feeling we are at or nearing the end of rate hikes (CDA and US). However, I'm also feeling we are in for a longer period of higher normalized (current) rates
Question: Is long term bond XLB worth holding on in the higher for longer environment? I'm contemplating a switch to equity and BIP.UN (preferring the currency diversification). Your thoughts on rates and the switch
Read Answer Asked by Harry on November 23, 2023