Investment Q&A

Q: Not only are preferred share ETFs seeming to hold their stability well of late but they're outperforming just about any other ETF I own, be they Canadian dividends, US tech, or international. Obviously, there's a market reason for this. Would you know it and whether it's likely to continue?

Q: Good morning,

What is your favourite preferred share ETF please?

Thanks as always.

Trevor

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

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.

Q: Could you tell me the difference between these ETFs and would you suggest having just one or all in ones portfolio. Currently I have ZPR in a margin account. I have some room in a TFSA; I'm wondering if I should leave that for my Reit ETF - ZRE as I'm moving away from growth toward income. Why are they all down right now? Is it a good time to buy or is it best to wait? Thank you!

Q: Your thoughts on TPRF. Is there a better active Preferred ETF?

Q: Hi Team,
Could you suggest Canadian ETFs of the following sectors for Senior incomes :
1 /Reit 2/ Utility 3/Prefer 4/Bank/Financial 5/Energy.
Please deduct as many question credit as needed.
Thanks as always,
Tak

Q: What are your thoughts on DXP ETF or do you prefer another ETF. Preferred shares perform better in which environment.

Thanks for the great service.

Q: Hi Team,

Like many I am trying to figure out what to do with cash on hand with interest rates near zero. I am trying to generate income while managing risk/volatility for this "low risk" part of my portfolio.

After some research I have come up with what may be three "best of breed" places to put some cash to work: REITs (e.g., RIT), preferred shares (e.g., HPR) and real return bonds (e.g., XRB).

What are your overall thoughts please on these securities at this time? Do you see any better alternatives in this market and interest rate cycle? What are the main downside risks you see for each security? Would you consider blue chip, high yield common shares more attractive or is there a diversification benefit here?

(Please deduct as many credits as appropriate for this compound question.)

Thank you so much, Michael

Q: Years ago I thought it would be good to add some preferreds to my RSP so I bought HPR . It hasn't done well but has a dividend of 5%. I'm thinking of switching to AD.UN but it's already had a good run. but has a high dividend. What do you think.

Q: Hello, looking for emerging markets, ETFs you recommend ex China and ex India (as I already hold INDY and FXI). Also looking for non-Canadian REIT ETF recommendations (I hold XRE). Finally what are your thoughts on preferred share ETFs and which would you recommend (Canadian or not) outside of CPD.
Thanks!

Q: If I sell CPD to harvest a loss and replace it with HPR would it be considered a superficial loss by CRA?
Thank you.

Q: I hold this in my Cash account (for income) and it is underwater (has been for a while). In your opinion, would I be better off to harvest the loss and purchase 2 or 3 individual top quality preferred shares? If so, can you provide some specific suggestions (I am overweight financials). I assume I would have to wait 30 days to purchase the individual shares to avoid the superficial loss?
Please deduct credits as appropriate.
Thank you.

Q: Hi 5i Team. Question(s) for you on the ETF HPR as it relates to taxation. This summary was taken from my recently received T3. On the T3 summary in the first column it indicates, on a monthly basis a total distribution of $352.14. The $352.24 is broken down as follows: 2nd column on the T3, indicates a return of capital or foreign tax paid of $18.81. The 3rd column on the T3 then states the actual non-elig.div or actual elig.div or foreign tax paid of $344.63. Should I assume that the $344.63 is actual elig. div for the Canadian Dividend Tax credit? Please deduct number credits as required. Thx Steve.

Q: In my RRSP accounts I have built up a laddered GIC portfolio in addition to a variety of stocks and equity etfs, taking the income generated by the portfolio and adding to the ladder. Given the low rates for 5 yr GIC, under 2%, I’m thinking of taking this years income and purchasing CVD, which has a lower payout but more stability than the above mentioned Preferred share ETFs.
I may split my purchase between CVD and one of the above Preferred Share ETFs and am leaning towards ZPR as performance and MER of the 3 is similar but ZPR has a higher dividend payout.
In addition to better income, interest rates should be close to bottoming and if I stage my purchases over the next 3 months I will benefit from unit price appreciation when rates start going up and will have locked in a 5-6% return.
Your thoughts please.

Q: Preferreds in general have been getting kicked for quite some time.
With current bond yields at around 1% and hpr, zpr, cpd at 5%......I don't get it
Thank you

Q: Would appreciate your opinion on ZPR vs HPR Preferred share ETFs.

Q: I would appreciate your help in simplifying my RRIF fixed income portfolio. I am retired at 73, with about 55/45 equity/income split.primary aim is income and capital preservation. I hold positions in zag 10%, xsh 9%, clf 5%, pmif 5%, tlt 5%, xlb 3%, Xhy 2.5%, srln 2.5%, rbf 1340 4%, mdl240 23% and (sadly) preferreds HPR 3% vrp (US) 1.5% .the rest is cash type investments. I would like to switch the canadian PFD to all US: switch xlb for more TLT. I am gradually decreasing mdl240 which has to be withdrawn overtime for another more flexible short duration ETF. Keeping either xhy or srln which ever you feel would improve the porfolio. I would appreciate your thoughts of these etfs, and percentage allotments to them If there are better choices please share your insight. Please use the number of credits appropriate. Thanks very much Tom

Q: With the speculation that a recession may occur in the next year or so and given the current downward trend of interest rates, what are your views of buying/holding preferred share etfs like zpr and hpr ? Thank-you

Q: The Portfolio Analytics has HPR.CA showing as 100% Materials which is far from correct. The ETF provider's sector breakdown is roughly 55% Financials, 24% Energy, 11% Utilitlies and so on, but no Materials. Can this be corrected so that the results being received from the service are accurate? This would certainly make a great tool a lot more useful to me (as in ditch the spreadsheet).