Investment Q&A

Q: Hi Team,
I was hoping you could help explain something. I own a five-year corporate bond ladder. This year to date the value of my bonds have fallen 0.91% (which on its own is fine as I hold the bonds to maturity). I am unclear why my bonds would underperform VAB (up 3.56%) and CBO (down 0.16%) in the same timeframe.

I realize VAB has a longer duration on average than my ladder or CBO. Credit quality may be better in both funds, and mine are typically in the BBB range. But is there any other reason why bond funds should outperform specific bonds in a ladder? Is there a scenario where a bond ladder will outperform the bond funds?

Finally, is there any advantage to owning bonds in a ladder at all?

Thank you. Michael

Q: I have been wanted to diversify my portfolio and I was wondering if this is a good list or a bit of overkill. I have recently bought some XBB. I want these for fairly long positions, my concern is that I might be over paying for these as everyone is fearful and flocking to bonds as a safety net. Would it be wise to let things settle or buy partial positions in these etfs. Also would it worthwhile also owning some us long term treasuries. I am looking to try to cover all possibilities so I am not chasing in the future when market conditions change. I would like diverse group to cover inflation, rising market, recession. I know that I cant take all risk off but I would like have some safety net and not hold all equities.

Q: I have transitioned a substantial part of my own RRSP from mutual funds to individual stocks & other investments, with the help of 5i (thanks! Done quite well), over the past 3 years.

My wife is still reluctant to do the same, so we are transitioning her RRSP from mutual funds to ETF's, with only one purchased so far. The specific ETF our advisor put us in was BMO ZDV. At the time, I specifically wanted an ETF with lower exposure to the energy sector.

Unfortunately, we bought in at the August 2014 peak, and are underwater by 20%, even after distributions. Moreover, the distributions have been steadily dropping since we bought in.

Is it time to bail out of this ETF, and if so, what would you replace it with?

Thanks.

Q: The guests on BNN for MoneyTalk, are they paid for there appearance.

Q: Given the global macroeconomic conditions and low interest rate environment, what do you think is a reasonable return of return to expect from the Canadian and US stock markets for the next five years?
Peter

Q: Hello,

What is the proper way to assess ones portfolio performance and over what period of time should it be underperforming before you change your approach?

The equity portion of my portfolio is down 8% for the year which is horrible compared to the TSX. I have lots of solid blue chips and stocks from your balanced, but 25% of my portfolio are small caps (mostly from your growth portfolio) that are not doing well at all.

It makes me kinda depressed to be underperforming an index but on the other hand I know that small caps aren't doing well right now and generally need to be held for several years. Also, if one or two doing really well, my portfolio will too.

So how long do I wait to see if I get the 9% yearly returns I'm aiming for?

Best,

Carla

Q: Retirement Planning

Please comment

https://youtu.be/gvZSpET11ZY

Q: Hi Peter and Team!! Your introduction to the Money Saver Magazine indicated that the investment advisers have to disclose all investment fees to their clients. Do we specifically have to ask for them, or will they automatically be sent to us? Happy Canada Day to all!!! Tamara

Q: I have noticed with low trading companies, quite often a bid or ask of one lot hiding behind it a larger numbers of bids and asks. Often enough I put my bid or ask 1 cent lower or higher than the competing bid or ask and that particular one lot bid or ask moves ahead of me. Are these traders trying to hide the larger number from regular investors that don't have access to second level quotes? What would be the purpose of their actions.

Thanks

Q: I currently invest through a full fee major bank broker and am considering switching back to an online brokerage account with the same bank. The cost saving is obvious, but what is not is the level of security of assets from potential loss due to hackers or by other means. Do you have an opinion as to the level of security provided by either alternative or what means an individual investor should take to protect themselves, particularly with regard to an online trading account?

If this question is not suitable for this forum can you refer me to articles on this subject?

Thank you for your comments

Q: I am struggling to understand the relationship between dividends from common shares versus preferreds. I understand the the preferred shares will be paid before the common shares. However preferred shares do not participate in any future dividend growth rates. As an example National Bank common shares (trading at $44.09)are offering annual dividend of $2.20 (yield of 4.99%) .The recent issue of national bank preferred NA.PR.A issue price of $25 offer dividend of $1.35 (yield of 5.4%). If the div on common were to grow by a modest 3% over the next 5 years the dividend would be $2.55 or 5.78% surpassing the preferred shares by almost .4%. Historically the div growth rate had been 10.5% which would make the case to own the common shares more compelling.
The argument that can be made for preferreds is when the company becomes distressed the dividends on the preferreds would be paid first. However is the protections really of values as both the share price of the common and preferred will most likely fall when the company is in distress.

My question is how do you calculate the breakeven between common versus preferred shares when looking at the dividends.

Regards...Antoine

Q: Hi 5i. I just read an article at pbs.org about the growing monetary bubble and its eventual unwinding which is supposedly inevitable given the unprecedented level of money creation in the world that is going on. What is your take on the subject? Do you agree that a day of reckoning is inevitable, and what would it look like? Doesn't Econ 101 say we should be seeing escalating inflation if this is the case? What would be the best defence to protect savings in a bad scenario?

Deduct questions as you see fit. Thanks!

Q: Peter; Just a comment- those who think they can "time" the market should take this week as why you can't.
Rod

Q: Hi Team,

Can you please comment on the strengths and weaknesses of TIP - iShares Barclays TIPS Bond Fund (ETF). It seems to be performing well this year so far.

Is it a good substitute for buying and holding bonds directly in a self-managed bond ladder?

Thank you. Michael

Q: A question was asked by Guy about the Ex-dividend date , a minor clarification would help, there are two dates: the purchased date and settlement date. So is the ex-dividend date the purchase or settlement date which three days after the purchase date. Thanks.

Ed

Q: Hi you recommended VGK as part of our portfolio review. What is you opinion now with regard to the results of Brexit vote.

Q: Why is 5i Research so awesome?

Q: Do you think Brexit will really happen, or will they find a way around it?

Q: Hello 5i,
Do pretty much all hedge and mutual funds require that you be an Accredited Investor?
This seems ridiculous...
Basically I must make over ~200K per year or have a net worth of >5 million.
The alternative is that I must invest over 2 million if I am not "accredited".

Taken together, isn't this pretty silly?

Q: This question refers to the ex-dividend date and would, I imagine, apply to any dividend paying stock. The question is, if the Ex-dividend date is June 27th and I buy the stock on that date, do I qualify for the June dividend?
Thanks
GUY R.