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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 hold positions in these two funds as part of the fixed income portion of my portfolio. Looking at their current yields (3.1% & 2.27%) I'm starting to wonder why I don't just put that money into CASH.TO, which is currently at 4.52%.

Am I missing something? Are there other, better funds I should be moving them to?
Read Answer Asked by Alex on November 28, 2024
Q: Good afternoon - the recent runup in equities has me looking to re-balance and add more bond exposure. I currently have positions in XLB, XBB and HYG. Can you suggest bond positions ( likely ETF's) in Canada and the US, please? Just add to the existing Canadian positions? What about HYG? Time to move?

Many thanks

al
Read Answer Asked by alex on November 13, 2024
Q: I have recently read that actively managed bond funds or etfs, unlike equities or the same, have a better outperformance history. Can you please comment on this? Would you recommend buying into any and if so could you recommend some?
Also do you think there is more room to run from dropping rates?
Those referenced here are general passive funds.
Thanks

Peter
Read Answer Asked by Peter on October 23, 2024
Q: These are some of the bond ETFs you have previously suggested. You have recently noted that, while interest rates are dropping and long-term bonds should ultimately provide the most torque in this scenario, shorter-duration bonds should not be forgotten. Does this suggest that a 50/50 split between longer and shorter duration is best, or would you suggest some kind of uneven split for a retired-income investor looking for stability and reasonable growth? As a general strategy, would you also include some portion be allotted to convertible bonds?

Appreciate your insight.

Paul F.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on September 23, 2024
Q: With the lowering of interest rates, what bond funds to invest in? Bond ETF’s?
Read Answer Asked by Helen on September 05, 2024
Q: Could you recommend 2-3 fixed income ideas for both in a registered and non-registered situation.
Read Answer Asked by Steven on August 29, 2024
Q: Good afternoon, I am realigning my RRSP account using geographic and asset type recommendations. The asset allocator recommends that 15% of my portfolio be in fixed income. Can you please recommend a few fixed-income ETFs? Also, should fixed-income holdings be mostly domestic or include international as well? Lastly, would you consider CASH.CA part of the fixed-income component of a portfolio or simply a place to keep cash until it is directed into another asset? Thank you in advance.
Read Answer Asked by bernie on August 20, 2024
Q: I’m looking to diversify the fixed income portion of my portfolio. I don’t have any bonds/treasuries so was looking at TLT and XLB. Can I get your thoughts on these and others you could recommend?
Read Answer Asked by Dan on August 07, 2024
Q: 2 questions:
In a taxable account what would you suggest to play the role of Bonds if any? I need to beef up my bonds allocation and need to keep cash and cash equivalent in my taxable account where I have new funds.

For a young retiree with a comfortable portfolio what percentage would you allocate to cash and bonds? Volatility is not a problem for me with a long term view.

Thank you
Yves
Read Answer Asked by Yves on August 06, 2024
Q: The fixed income portion of my portfolio is fairly low. Would now be a good time switch from equities into fixed income in bonds, or has the horse left the barn? What would be, in your opinion, some suggestions for fixed income?
Much appreciated.
Read Answer Asked by Francisco on July 16, 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: Hoping you could suggest an ETF portfolio for an RRSP account with a minimum 12 years until withdrawals are made. The account is starting from scratch.
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Curtis on May 10, 2024
Q: Can you suggest 10 best (sleep at night) low risk, monthly/quarterly income, tax efficient, Canadian etfs. Monthly preferred but not essential. Held in non registered account.
Read Answer Asked by Craig on April 29, 2024
Q: Hi, I'm thinking of gradually reducing my individual stocks and moving into etfs for an all around set it and forget it roughly $3 million portfolio for someone retiring in the next few months. Can you give me your suggested etfs and percentages to hold to accomplish this balance? A chunk of these funds are not invested yet so I'd also like to know how you would suggest deploying these funds? Would you edge in gradually over a period of time or just get the money working? I'd really appreciate any advice you could give me in this format.
Thank you as always!
Read Answer Asked by Harry on March 14, 2024
Q: Dear 5i team.
As I read through the recent Q's on the merits of owning laddered bond funds vs long bond funds (CLF/CBO vs XBB/XLB) couple of f/ups for you. Assuming rates have peaked, and downward is the consensus:
1) What is the upside for CLF vs XLB for example. How much of a move in bond prices would you estimate for each 50 BP move? (can you do same exercise assuming rates move higher?)
2) Since you like both XBB/XLB for long bond exposure, can both be owned, or should one be sufficient?

Many thanks for your help to understand the risk/reward here.
Read Answer Asked by Arthur on January 18, 2024
Q: In many of the investment articles I have been reading Bonds are being touted as a good investment in 2024. Do you agree? If yes, what Bond ETF's would you recommend?
Read Answer Asked by shirley on December 22, 2023
Q: Right now a large % of my portfolio is in TD 8150 money market paying 4.55%
If rates start to drop it will be hit right away---Some corporate bonds are paying over 5%---I like the liquidity of the 8150s and will continue being in fixed to perhaps a lesser extent---do you think I should lock in one of these corporate bonds for maybe50% of what I have in 8150s now?
Thanks
Peter
Read Answer Asked by peter on December 15, 2023
Q: Hello
I have equal amounts in CLO and CLF. Wondering if it might be a good idea to swap one of these for the longer term XLB Bond Fund to hopefully play the downturn in interest rates? If so which would you swap and why? Is there a safer trade with equal potential with less risk then XLB?
Thanks
Jeff
Read Answer Asked by JEFF on December 12, 2023
Q: It certainly feels as though we are seeing the beginning of a new bond bull after the roughest two years since the 1980s-early 1990s.
Please provide you opinion on the above, as well an any other bond etfs that you follow.
Can you please provide you opinion regarding a bull market..
Thanks in advance
Rick
Read Answer Asked by Rick on December 12, 2023
Q: Hello,

I am trying to determine whether tax loss selling would make sense in my current scenario. I have an over 20% weight position with CSU. I want to reduce this position which will trigger a large capital gain. Does is it make sense to sell my fixed income positions in CBO, XHY and VAB which will trigger a tax loss to help offset the CSU capital gain? I can also leave as is and hope the interest rate situation turns around in 2024?

Thanks for your help.
Read Answer Asked by Mauro on November 16, 2023
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