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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: Good morning,

I currently have fixed income as 30% of my portfolio, made up right now of ZAG and CPD (15% each). CPD is dripping and within a few more months of contributions ZAG will be too. Once they are both dripping, what would be the next Canadian-listed fixed income ETF you would add to compliment those two? Thanks in advance.
Read Answer Asked by Jeff on May 30, 2019
Q: Based on the information I'm getting from various sources, it seems to me that it's time rearrange my portfolio to reflect the possibility of a recession in the near future. Based on that premise, I've decided to buy the 'best of the best' dividend and dividend increasing companies in Canada. I would appreciate it if you would suggest the absolute best quality companies Canada has to offer an investor in the so called "more conservative" sectors. I'm thinking sectors like pipelines, utilities, telcos but I'm open to other sectors/companies you think will hold up well in a recession. I'm looking for at least 6-8 companies that you believe would fit these criteria. Thanks as always for your guidance.
Read Answer Asked by Les on May 28, 2019
Q: 2 questions - please deduct as many points as needed.
Q1 - according to Portfolio Analytics, I need to increase my fixed income allocation by $90k. I own 4% positions in XBB, ZIC & PMO005 and 2.6% in CPD. Would you recommend adding to one of these or would you suggest adding another ETF?
Q2 - I need to add $125k to International exposure. Current international holdings include XAW, XMI & XEC at just over 2%. Should i add to anyone of these or add something else?
Read Answer Asked by Rosemin on May 21, 2019
Q: Hi 5I,
I have very little fixed income exposure and would like to add some longer term decent yield ETF's or Income Stocks from the Income Model Portfolio.
Is CPD a good buy at this stage in the cycle? Its been a long time since I have purchased preferred shares, therefore is CPD a good buy?
If CPD is not a great choice today, can you recommend a ETF or Stock pick please.
Read Answer Asked by Dean on May 01, 2019
Q: Hello,

I am currently looking to increase my fixed income exposure by $70,000. I currently hold the above 4 Fixed income ETF's. Each one represents less than 5% of my overall portfolio. I am looking for growth. Your suggestions would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Mauro on April 25, 2019
Q: Hello . My house is paid off. I would like to set up a reverse mortgage or home equity loan to cover the cost of running it. Which 5 dividend payers would you recommend for my project? Is my plan reasonable and which is better home equity loan or reverse mortgage? Much thanks for your excellent service.
Read Answer Asked by Florence on April 24, 2019
Q: Please provide a comparison on CPD,FIE, and XTR. My objective is dividend income and security. Can all 3 be owned ? If not which do you prefer ? Or provide a better choice ?
Many thanks,
Read Answer Asked by Luc on April 18, 2019
Q: Can you give a quick comparison of these 3 ETF’s ? For dividend income and security, long term hold, should I own all 3 , if not explain why and in which order would you buy ?
Please advise anything else relevant.
Many thanks,
Read Answer Asked by Luc on April 17, 2019
Q: I have a non-registered a/c, a RRIF and a TFSA and would like to add fixed income investments to each using ETFs. I am looking at the above mentioned ETFs. Is there a general rule of thumb as to which type of income should go in to various accounts and would XHY and XPF be subject to withholding tax?
Read Answer Asked by Lloyd on April 16, 2019
Q: For the above I have the following percentages:
VSC - 2.5%
XBB - 3.3%
XHY - 2.0%
CPD - 1.0%

Next year I must convert to a RIF and was going to work toward lessening my equity portion and increase the portion paying reliable dividends.

What would you increase these holdings up to? Are there others I should consider? I currently have 24% in utilities and a small position of 2.8% in CDZ.

Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Ronald on April 16, 2019
Q: As suggested in Portfolio Analytics I need to add Fixed Income to family portfolio. It suggested ZAG or XBB; Defensive CBO or FLOT, Aggressive CPD or ZPR. Which of the three would you suggest to invest in? Also researching them they refer to Dividend Yield. Is it actually dividend yield or interest income? The reason I am asking should the fixed income be in RRSP (I know it is preferable for US$) or would a non-registered corporation account be fine also?
Heather
Read Answer Asked by Heather on April 16, 2019
Q: Are preferred shares suitable for the retail investor?
I admit to not fully understand them but it seems to me that:
- value is primarily impacted by interest rates, so constitutes an interest rate speculation
- the positive or negative effect of an interest rate change will vary depending upon the particular issue
- even on a reset date, an issue will not necessarily trade at par
- the characteristics of individual issues varies a lot, complicating comparisons
- thinner market for individual issues, making for bigger spreads
- trading prices are not transparent
- a pref share ETF may be a better choice
Comments?
Read Answer Asked by Carl on April 08, 2019
Q: I would like to understand better why preferred shares, as represented by CPD, plummeted in 2007-2008 and again in 2013-2016. They dropped about 35% in the first (recession) episode and about 36% in the second one. Most recently, between September 1, 2018 and now, they have dropped about 13%. How vulnerable would CPD be to another huge drop if the economy continues to weaken through 2019?
Read Answer Asked by Philip on April 05, 2019
Q: My 14 month total return for this preferred share etf is - 7.53%. It should provide better downside protection than HAZ , so maybe having a ten year time horizon would be better, and just look at it as part of a diversified income portfolio. Would you step into HAZ at this time if you needed Dividend income?
Thanks Gord
Read Answer Asked by Gordon on March 12, 2019
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