Investment Q&A

Q: What is your opinion on using VCIP as a 'slightly riskier than cash' investment vehicle for a holding period of 6-12 months? It is obviously riskier than HISAs/GICs/PSA, but do you think it is riskier than XSB/VSB/HFR? There is an equity component to VCIP, but given its greater diversification compared to XSB/VSB/HFR, I wonder if, paradoxically, it might actually be 'safer'. I note that when the pandemic hit, even VSB/HFR fell quite precipitously. Would you advocate a mix of VCIP/VSB/HFR instead? If so, how would you weight the three? Thank you.

Q: Follow up on ECN debenture,
Priced at par.

Thank you.

Q: Good morning,

Could you please offer an opinion on this mornings new issuance of a debenture:
ECN Corp 6%, Dec31/2025.
Is it priced well and a good credit?

Thank you,

Q: Good morning 5i. I am considering "parking" about 10% of my portfolio in "cash equivalents". Are CVD and CPD your preferences in this case as I see they pay out roughly 5% which seems a reasonable risk/reward scenario? Are there other options or recommendations that you might consider? Thank you in advance.

Q: Hi Guys
I have always been nervous about parking money in PSA high interest savings Account as it is not covered by CDIC
Are my worries here unfounded.?
Maybe my concern comes from the issues with Commercial Asset backed paper years ago.
If you can put my mind at ease on this issue it would be appreciated
Thanks Gord

Q: I am very green when it comes to the purchase of bonds. Please help me understand the following transactions. I bought 26000 units at 101.275 for a yield of 4.25%. My understanding is that I paid $26,331 and I will get $26,000 at maturity. In the mean time I will collect the yield. Right? or...
The second transaction is when I bought 25,000 units at 99.25 for a yield of 2.58%. How much principal will I get at maturity?
Thanks for you welcomed answer.
Yves

Q: I would like to park some cash, with the eventual purchase of a residence and am interested in more than GIC's and I understand that this will entail more risk, though less than equity risk. What do you think of MFT, XHY, PYF, PSA, HFR and PMIF and would you split them in equal percentages?
Thanks for your service

Q: I have a GIC maturing today in my RRSP. I am looking for an alternative fixed income choice as all GIC rates are now again abysmal. Any suggestions or would it be just as well to take a high dividend yield from one of the Canadian banks, telcos or utilities?

Q: I listened to a commentary where the analyst was suggesting one have a bond fund, in this case US, which receives income in a foreign [non-US] currency and then the fund converts that to USD. As the USD depreciates from QE relative to other currencies [if this happens in reality] the inflow to the bond fund will be worth more in USD. Is that a logical approach and would Vanguard’s BNDX be an appropriate? Even if the above is a stretch would holding some of one’s bond allocation in BNDX be prudent?

Thank you.

Q: TD securities is offering a structured note product TD GDXJ ETF autocallable coupon notes It is linked to the junior gold sector
Could you explain how this note works and what are the downsides and upsides to this note I am thinking of purchasing some
Thank you for your response
Paul W

Q: Looking for a low volatility money market fund for a short term to 3 year hold. What would you recommend please?

Q: Hello
Can you please provide your opinion on a Morguard REIT bond maturing next year? Is it too risky?
Thanks

Q: Hi 5iTeam,
I noticed that when the markets pulled back in early to mid March this year, both bond ETFs: XLB (approx. -28%) and XSB (approx -9%), pulled back as well although there were no movements in interest rates. I would think that these bond ETFs are a good proxy for cash, then what would investors' reason be for selling? Your comments on this would be much appreciated.
Cheers,

Q: I am planning to increase my bond exposure in my RIF and have looked at VBU. I already have Canadian bond exposure. This is a hedged fund. Is this, as a hedged fund, appropriate for my RIF? Is there an unhedged equivalent? Do you have other funds I should review?

Thanks

Q: Hi,
This is about parking one's cash.

I know I have "slightly" less cash than Mr. Warren Buffet :))

But whenever I read that people like him have 134 BILLION dollars in cash or other Mega rich people sitting on the sidelines with literally hundreds of Millions of dollars, I have always wondered where these ultra rich people park their money?!
We the ordinary folks are struggling to get 0.65%. The same for them too?

Your answers have always suggested GICs, High Interest Savings Account and ETFs like PSA and very rarely Income ETFS/Mutual funds.

Any new suggestions?

Q: One of my bonds recently matured. I am looking to use the funds to purchase che.db.b. I know you do not like che.un as an investment, but this convertible debenture matures June 30, 2021 with a yield of 5.6%. What is the likelihood that CHE.UN will pay out at maturity?

Q: Dear 5i,

Can you suggest some non-Bond type Canadian traded ETF's that might have similar performance characteristics to a short term Canadian bond ETF. I am hoping you may be able to suggest some relatively low risk Canadian ETFs that have a little income with minimal chance of capital loss.

thanks

Q: Looking for a safe place to park my Moms Money. I was thinking about XLB , but the risk reward there is crazy in my view.
The draw down the way i see it was around 26.5% back in March, this to me looks like the Bond Market isn't functioning properly. She currently owns Scotia Innova Income portfolio which pays a distribution of 3% . The draw down in that fund last March was around 8% i believe, this to me not making much sense either when comparing it to XLB
Considering the issues mentioned above, Does purchasing GICs seem rationale to you considering these crazy times.
Thanks !

Q: What do you think of this and Pimco Inv Grd Credit as "safe haven" investments?

Q: I am currently reviewing my mother's non-equity portion of her retirement portfolio. She currently owns CLF, ZAG and short-term GICs. The interest from these investments are not needed for immediate living expenses. The non-equity investments in her portfolio serve to reduce volatility, and provide peace of mind.

Everything I have read recently indicates that interest rates have likely made a long-term bottom. As such, I am wondering whether my mother should sell ZAG and keep her interest-bearing investments in short-term, secure instruments only (i.e. CLF and GICs). In short, should she be staying away from mid-long term bonds?

Jeremy Siegel recently recommended that retirees should modify the traditional 60/40 stock/bond portfolio to 75/25 going forward because he does not anticipate good returns from longer-term bonds. Do you agree?

Many thanks for your thoughtful and valued insights.