Investment Q&A

Q: Hi Guys, the fixed income part of my portfolio needs a few additions, the returns on GIC's are very low, would be happy with PSA but apparently not available through my broker TD Waterhouse so my question is how would you rate the above 4 bonds, maturity date is no more than 3 years out.
Thanks Anthony

Q: What is your opinion of investing in bonds vs GIC's or stocks with high dividends for Fixed Income? I'm looking for security, and given the current bond yields and little room for interest rates to drop, bonds don't look too promising. What do you think of a combination of bonds, GIC's and blue chip dividends?
If so, which bond ETFs would you recommend, for both Canada and the US? I have some USD cash, but mostly Canadian.

Q: I would interested in your view of holding this stock for the bond portion of a 60/40 portfolio, and whether there are other bonds I should consider instead.
Thanks,
Andrea

Q: With understanding bond prices go down as interest rates go up, with the near zero rate situation, is now a bad time to be buying bond funds when one is looking for long term safety and some capital appreciation? In regards to VCNS, being 60% bonds, when bond values go down, the yield goes up, how does rising yields effect the ETF ?

Q: CSU.DB:CA : fell almost 5% this morning, albeit on low volume. trivial . Such a drop is extremely unusual for this security. I do not follow Canadian markets and am wondering if this price drop is consistent with price changes in other similar interest sensitive securities this morning. Are you aware of any reason for such a drop? (I am restricted from CSU and SHOP common but have a large position in the debentures)

Q: If you wish to hold a large portion of your wealth in cash or cash like investments what are the safest investments to own. I’m talking safe from the perspective of a significant economic downturn in the economy with severe risks to our financial system?

Q: Greetings,

I would like to transition an account that was being handled by an investment firm to one that would be income based, and self administered. I will start with approx 100K and add to it as funds come available. I am considering the income portfolio as a guideline. If I were to start with 12 names from the portfolio, which would you be most comfortable purchasing today? Or would you recommend all 22 names and adding to each as funds come available? I have a minimum 10 year timeline, if not longer. I currently follow the balanced portfolio and could not be happier. This account is for my bride and she prefers less risk. Thanks in advance, as a PSA, I have been a member since 2017 and haven't slept better since joining. Thanks!

Q: 5i, thank you again for all the great advice! I saw someone asking a question about these bond / high interest ETFs earlier today. Do you have other suggestions for bond / high interest ETFs? I have a longer investment horizon, but currently are 40% equity and 60% cash. I want to put some of this cash to work in a relatively safer manner.

Q: What are the best bond etfs to own in Canada and US in your opinion? Please provide several options in both countries. Thank You.

Q: hi experts. If a country takes all there gov,t bonds and converts them to perpetual bonds will our bond porfolio drop in value.and if they also change to digital currency what does that mean to us. they are now considering it.thanks brian w

Q: What are your thoughts about the new 6.50% debentures ? The yield implies a higher level of risk but do you think the risk is reasonnable ? Also, is it common to see companies pay the interest or principal in shares when they have the option to do it ? If they do, the amount received is the same as if it would be in cash? Thank you.

Q: Hello 5i Team. My question relates to the dividend on HFR. My plan is to use this ETF as a cash savings fund in hopefully a tax efficient manner. As such, can you confirm or comment on the following: from the Horizon web site (T3 Tax Distribution 2019) it lists the dividend as 93% "other income" and 7% as "foreign income". Can one assume that other income would be taxed as interest income by the CRA? If my assumption is correct, what other ETF options might one look that combines safety and tax efficiency? Many thanks. Steve

Q: With Bank GIC rates down close to 0.5% how do you feel about a bond ETF such as BMO ZBBB as an alternative? May I have your opinion on pros and cons, please.
Thanks for all you do.

Q: Can u explain the concept of a strip bond
Do u consider it a good investment and why?
Can you use an example to illustrate the pros and cons
Where would I purchase a strip bond and can u suggest a few?
Thanks

Q: Hello 5i Team
I want to invest in an Emerging Markets Bond Fund or ETF. My preference is to invest in Canadian Funds. Choices I have found are:
iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) – Symbol XEB.CA
BMO Emerging Markets Bond Hedged to CAD Index ETF – Symbol ZEF.CA
RBC Emerging Markets Bond Fund Series D – Fund Code RBF1097:CA

Questions I have are:
1 – It is not clear from BlackRock’s website, but is XEB 100 % invested in BlackRock’s US ETF EMB:US ?
1 – XEB and ZEF net assets are $97M and $380M, is the lower net assets a concern?
2 - XEB and ZEF average trading volume is 1,707 and 2,664, is the lower daily average volume a concern?
3 – Although the MER for RBF1097 is 1.07% is this a better choice than XEB/ZEF whose MER is 0.54% and 0.55 % as the net assets for RBF1097 is approximately $1.7B?
4 – Any other ETF/MF that I should review?
Thanks

Q: This seems to be higher yielding (3%) but quite safe -short duration, government bond fund. Any concerns.

Q: Do you feel ZHY is a stable retirement income? it pays good dividends over 6%. Is the risk high?

Q: Hi Folks,
My question is about the concept of a 5 year "stepper" product described by one leading financial institution as having a one-year term and automatically renews for four successive one-year terms on the maturity/anniversary date. The annual interest rate automatically increases on each maturity/anniversary date. The investment may be cashed in full or in part on the maturity/anniversary date.
Rates are year 1 - 0.85%
Year 2 - 1.10%
Year 3 - 1.75%
Year 4 - 2.00%
Year 5 - 3.55%
Effective Annual Yield - 1.846%

For someone who has a portion of their portfolio in GICs, does this type of product make sense? What are the pros and cons please and thank you. Michal

Q: Hi Folks,
Everyone is looking for returns, and income investors are searching for interest and yield. Forgive me if I missed a previous question asked and answered, but would it be possible to give a quick list of the type of fixed income products in the low risk category. For a very conservative portion of a portfolio, with a five year hold, which product(s) do you suggest offer the best risk/return trade off given the current rate situation in the market today? How far on the risk spectrum does an investor need to go to achieve a reliable 2-3% return?
Thank you, Michael

Q: Would you know of any reason that there is a further decline in this debenture? The review of the company's financials and other news on their website has provided no indication of any financial issues, on the contrary, there appears to be sufficient liquidity. I thought debentures from established companies would have stability...
Thank you for further clarification!