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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: I am retired, and have a portfolio with a mix of equities, ETFs and bonds. I have some money from municipal bonds to reinvest and I am considering some ETFs such as XSB, CBO, XBB and XHY as options to invest these funds, with a 5 year investment horizon. In the current environment (interest rates and the US election), how do you think these ETFs will perform in the coming years? Thanks for your great service.
Read Answer Asked by Alan on November 14, 2016
Q: How would you suggest I invest $100,000 in fixed income today, or would you recommend I hold the cash position into December? My only fixed income holding at present is a $200,000 5 year GIC ladder. Thanks, Barrie
Read Answer Asked by Barrie on November 14, 2016
Q: Hello 5i
Thought I would ask Investor portfolio management and psychology/behaviour question.

As I watch my profits in companies like Emera drain away 2% per day ( down $5/share since August), I wonder what the statement to investors should be when the question comes up, why did we not get out seeing clearly this stock is in a down trend and with rates moving up, is going to be out of favour and see price declines?

Waiting for an annual dividend of $2 when in four months $5 of capital disappears, just does not make good math sense or a profitable stance.

In September this was a good investment. What are your thoughts on this today with debt high, rates moving and short sellers pointing at companies like this?

Should we not have been selling at $50 instead of holding at $45.....and watch the price tick lower?

As you can imagine, it is tough watching long term paper profits in REITs, Telcos and utilities drain away.

Would you please offer your thoughts on the emotions that arise in this situation and with the stated company and sectors?

Thanks
Dave
Read Answer Asked by David on November 11, 2016
Q: In many of the ETFs that track US healthcare, some of the sub-sectors took a hit yesterday while others outperformed. Is it too early to tell what this portends? Given the new U.S. admin, I’d be grateful if you could share your thoughts on your favourites in this space, especially among the broadly diversified ones. Thanks very much.
Read Answer Asked by Brian on November 11, 2016
Q: Hi Peter,
Reits, Telecoms and Utilities have not been participating in the market rallies for a while now. Just wondering when you think that the yields on these types of stocks will start to hold up the stock prices. (a few of mine are starting to get come nice yields on them now.

Thank you,
Charlie
Read Answer Asked by CHARLES LA on November 10, 2016
Q: Hi Peter,
These long bond etf (ZLC, XLB, ZFL) have done very well with YTD total return of 10.48, 10.35 and 8.91 respectively
Why have they done so well?
Is it too late to consider them for RRIF income investment going forward? If so, which one do you recommend, thanks
Read Answer Asked by Karl on November 10, 2016
Q: PPL and others in the utility pipeline space have taken a major haircut in the last few days for no reason at all. Is the threat of a Fed rate increase really to blame? In real financial terms that is really immaterial. However, market movers have been using all threats (real or otherwise) to further their games of stirring stock movements. What is your take on this? Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Victor on November 04, 2016
Q: I am wondering what benefit it would be to the U. S. to raise rates. On one hand is their economy that "hot" that it needs to be controlled ? They seem to be a consumer driven society so a strong dollar makes imported goods cheaper for the U.S. consumer. More consumerism makes their economy hotter. Was that not the scenario some years back culminating in a housing bubble? Also raising rates makes their goods more expensive for other countries. Some large U.S. corporations have experienced a drag on earnings with the dollar at its current levels relative to other currencies. How can the U.S. be an island of a strong currency when many other countries are weakening their currencies to promote growth? These are simple views but your thoughts on the effect assuming an interest rate hike in Dec.
Read Answer Asked by Clarence on November 04, 2016
Q: Hey folks
With it looking more possible that a Trump win is in the future, and the predictions of how the markets are going to fall ( which we may have seen the start of today), would it be prudent to take some gains off the table now and reinvest when/if the markets drop, knowing fully that they will recover in a short time, or should a person stand pat and ride it out? I am thinking there may be some gains to be realized by playing the over reaction that is sure to come if Mr. Trump wins.
Read Answer Asked by Michael on November 02, 2016