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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 have these bond funds: PGF510, CVC, ZAG, XLB, along with mostly GIC's in my fixed income side of portfolio. Do these Bond funds pay interest the same as the GIC's or do they pay Dividends so I would get the Dividend Tax credit? All are in my margin account. Would any of these be worth adding to now that they have gone up somewhat? Thanks so much!
Read Answer Asked by Pat on July 30, 2024
Q: Hello,

I need to increase the fixed income component of my portfolio. XBB and CBO make up 12% of my portfolio. Please suggest a few more CDN fixed income ETF's I could invest in. I am retired so a more conservative approach is what I am looking for.

Thanks for all your help.
Read Answer Asked by Mauro on July 12, 2024
Q: Bond ETF's like XLB have performed poorly in the face of peak interest rates and pending Fed rate cuts. Could you offer some insight as to why there has been recent weak demand for US treasuries, whether you see that trend continuing in the near term and at what point bonds may become a rewarding investment?
Read Answer Asked by Curtis on May 30, 2024
Q: As an older investor, I am considering a gradual move from mostly individual stocks to a fully ETF portfolio. My thinking is to allow management simplicity for my wife in the event of my death or disability. Seeking dividends predominately but also a representation of growth. Can you please suggest an array (portfolio) of ETFs that I could begin migrating towards? As always, your advice is appreciated. thank you
Read Answer Asked by alex on May 08, 2024
Q: I have these ETF's in my portfolio, although they are a small percentage. I am wanting to do a clean up of most of my partial holdings in individual stocks and purchase more ETF's. I was going to add VIG as well. Could any of these ETF's be replaced with better ones or not bother with them, and what others do you suggest to compliment them for an income investor who wants to see a little growth as well in a well diverse portfolio? Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Pat on May 08, 2024
Q: I currently have equal weights in ZAG and VFV (about 6% each) and a fair chunk of "cash" for stability. Rate drops seem to be stalled, so ZAG is going nowhere fast. OTOH VFV is flying high and might have temporarily peaked. I don't want to lose out on the eventual bond bounce, but I wonder if I should dump ZAG to get the potential VFV upside. I realize this might be crystal ball territory.
Read Answer Asked by Olaf on March 19, 2024
Q: I have these in a robo managed portfolio and am down 25% on ZFL and 5.4% on ZAG and 8.2% on XSH.
Since it appears interest rates appear to be stabilizing should one hold on for a recovery or try a different strategy or different holdings. Perhaps maybe moving to GIC or HISA EFT or other holdings you may suggest. Or do you think the same recovery may be seen by continuing to hold?
This loss seems to be an issue with those that have to go managed funds and mutuals with a balanced EFT portfolio.
I am going to transfer from so called managed to my own managed EFT's to avoid the fees. Think I can do just as well (or poorly depending on how you look at it) but wondering if I should switch holdings when moving funds to self directed EFT's.
I do have a separate portfolio with individual stocks, so this is basically a portfolio to minimize management and time requirements.
Read Answer Asked by Colleen on December 14, 2023
Q: Hi. Which bond ETFs do you currently recommend? US or Canadian. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Zohreh on November 13, 2023
Q: Do you think it is a good time to add bonds? It seems the most likely scenario's (slow growth with moderating inflation like now, or full blown recession) will be more favourable to bond investors than equity holders. What is the asset mix you would employ and do you favour longer bonds today? Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Curtis on October 26, 2023
Q: We have 30% allocated in our registered accounts for fixed. (currently 10% each for CBO, ZAG and XBB) Are these the best options for today and the next year(s)? Also see XLB recommended recently and wondering if we should be adding or replacing any of the above?
Appreciate your opinion
Thanks Doug
Read Answer Asked by Doug on September 18, 2023
Q: What bond funds are the best to invest in right now for the long term? Currently I hold ZAG.TO and CVD.TO. Should I continue buying them? I would prefer a higher dividend than what the ZAG gives.
Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Pat on August 22, 2023
Q: Hi there,

Can you please suggest Canadian-listed ETFs for the bond portion of a long-term portfolio? I'm interested in diversification.

Thanks,

Chris
Read Answer Asked by Chris on August 01, 2023
Q: I have 2 unregistered accounts and hold too much money in HISAs. I would like to invest more in Horizon's total return ETFs that pay no distributions. I have been looking at HBB but the chart looks nothing like similar Canadian bond etfs. Today, July 10th, HBB is trading at the same level it did 5 years ago but XBB is 13% lower today, VAB 13% lower and ZAG 15.2% lower. Can you explain this large difference? Should HBB now track in a similar way to XBB? Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Grant on July 13, 2023
Q: I keep hearing about the 60/40, 40/60 ratio of what you should be invested in with regards to Stocks and Bonds...

- I have Never held Any Bonds of Any Sort...Just Stocks...

- Please recommend some sort of Bond Investment I can consider that is somewhat safe, but Not ultra conservative...

- I remember when my parents said that Canada Savings Bonds were a good and reliable investment...a vintage memory...

Have a good weekend
Thanks
M
Read Answer Asked by michael on April 24, 2023