skip to content
  1. Home
  2. >
  3. Investment Q&A
You can view 3 more answers this month. Sign up for a free trial for unlimited access.

Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: Hi, looking to add to the fixed income part of my portfolio, I hesitate between CBH and CBO. In the current state of affairs, should I go for a short-term etf like CBO or go with CBH for which the duration is a reasonable 4.5 years. I have mainly individual govn’t bonds at this point plus 10% total in XBB and XSB. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Martin on July 13, 2020
Q: HI TEAM
XHY IS APPROX 10% AND THE OTHER 3 ARE 30% EACH OF THE BOND PORTION OF MY PORTFOLIO, WHER WOULD YOU ADD FUNDS AS I NEED TO TOP UP MY BONDS
Read Answer Asked by Peter on June 04, 2020
Q: Hi,
I'm trying to create a well balanced bond fund for that portion of my portfolio and have come up with this: HFR-T, CBO-T, CLF-T, TLT, XBB-T, CVD-T, SHY, FLOT, IVOL, BNDX, VSG-T
I guess I should have something that will generate monthly income as well? If I am overdoing this, please let me know...it seems like a lot of holdings. Is there a better way? A mutual fund?
Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Gregory on May 13, 2020
Q: Would you have any recommendations for individual corporate bonds with decent yield to maturity for up to a 7-year term? Based on my research, yield remains low for decent quality. Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Pierre on March 18, 2020
Q: Just before the sharp downturn in market values I sold about 20% of my growth holdings.if I was looking to add a 2 - 3 names back what would be your top recommendations for good value on price and long term growth prospects?
Also, what was the reason for the decline in CBO price?
Read Answer Asked by PETER on March 16, 2020
Q: I have these 3 ETFs in my RRSP for fixed income exposure. I am strongly considering selling CBO and CLF, down approximately 3% each, to raise funds to buy stocks that are, in my opinion, getting to really attractive valuations today. I'll keep XHY because it is down a bit more (11%) and will likely recover as things improve. Is this an acceptable strategy in times like these. 25+ years until retirement.

Thanks,
Jason
Read Answer Asked by Jason on March 13, 2020
Q: I am a long time subscriber and an avid reader of the Q&A. Even with all I have learned, I am still having a difficult time understanding how to invest the fixed income portion of my portfolio. I want fixed income to provide portfolio stability by protecting on the downside while offering the possibility of capital gains along with some income.

I am a buy and hold investor on the equity side and I am comfortable deciding when to sell a company. However, the fixed income side seems to demand a more active approach - or does it? For example, you have been suggesting that interest rates seem likely to decline in the coming months so that would favour long term bonds. But for stability, or as an offset in case I am wrong, should I also hold short term notes? Should my fixed income portion be split 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 among cash, short term and long term and just left at that or is it necessary to continually monitor and adjust these weightings? Or is there one fund that does all that already?

Appreciate your insight.

Paul F.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on March 02, 2020
Q: I currently have about 7 1/2 % of my RIF in bonds and would like to double that position - on the safer end . As a percent of total portfolio (Rif, non-Registered, TFSA) my holdings now are:
CBO <1%
CVD 1.1%
XHY 2.1%
ZAG 3.8%
Could you suggest what else to add or what adjustments to make to the above. Many thanks
Read Answer Asked by Alexandra on January 22, 2020
Q: Looking to increase my fixed income exposure. Currently hold CBO, XBB, and CPD (preferreds). Thinking of adding XHY in addition to these, would you recommend additional ETF's in this space to help diversify?
Read Answer Asked by Patrick on December 05, 2019
Q: Hi,

In your answer to James you suggested the following bond ETFS: XBB, XLB, XSB, CBO and/or XHY. I'm very interested in this as I'm trying to increase fixed income exposure.

What percentage would you suggest in each of the total bond portfolio? Also, unless I am missing something, CBO and XSB both appear to be the same thing, so why the need to own both?
Read Answer Asked by Pamela on November 27, 2019
Q: Hello 5i,
To clarify my previous question: I hold bonds at 40% for my fixed portion of my value blue chip dividend retirement portfolio.These include CBO $30,000 2.31%, XHY $25,000 1.86% and XLB 87.000 6.76%. I also hold a $60,000 5 year GIC ladder. I would like to change the CBO for VCB for more income and stability instead of watching CBO's constant descent into the nether regions of the market.
Is this consideration appropriate, should I just leave things alone or can you suggest a better alternative given what I already have?
Thank you
Stanley
Read Answer Asked by STANLEY on November 20, 2019
Q: Hello 5i,
I am currently holding CBO at 2.3% portfolio weight. I would like to exchange it for XCB with higher yield and apparently not dropping like a rock as CBO has done. Would this be w worthwhile exercise, can you suggest a better alternative, or should I just leave things alone. I would be taking a $1,500 loss on $30,000 a holding.
Thank you for the great service
Stanley
Read Answer Asked by STANLEY on November 19, 2019
Q: Hi
I am looking to add a bond etf to my portfolio. I am looking for something with a reasonable yield, that is defensive with some possible growth opportunities. Could you recommend the one that fits that those criterion or if you have a better choice, I would appreciate it. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Leonard on November 07, 2019
Looking for more? Sign up for a FREE 14 day trial! No credit card required

We invite you to sign up for a 14 day free trial of 5i Research!
Experience all the benefits and tools we have to offer; stock research, model portfolios, Q&A with our experts, and so much more. Join a community of like-minded investors today!