Investment Q&A

Q: Hi,

I have no bonds in my portfolios and am interested in picking up some laddered corporate bonds, specifically convertible debendetures (unrated) from smaller firms. Pays about 5% and after purchase bonds would comprise about 3% of my portfolio.

I'd like to hear your thoughts, and if there are other options for getting some exposure to bonds (ETFs for ex.).

Cam

Q: I am considering trading my small position in CVD for ALA.R. With higher dividend returns and being a depository receipt as you highlighted in an earlier blog. Does this trade make sense? I will have no tax implications as they are held in a LIRA account. Thanks. Shyam

Q: Greetings Peter and 5i Team,
I have $100,000 to invest in the fixed income part of my portfolio. All investments will be inside a RRSP. As a retiree, I'm hoping for capital preservation, (safety) with a reasonable return on my investment. Currently, the only exposure I have to fixed income is ZPR. I'm considering adding the investments in your Income Fund (CVD, XHY), as well as HFR to my portfolio.
-Do you believe these investments will provide solid fixed income exposure?
-Do you see any way I can improve my exposure to the sector? i.e. is there any need for exposure to foreign bonds?
- What percentage of the $100,000 would you allocate to each ETF?
As always, thanks in advance for your appreciated support.

Q: Hi 5i Team,
I would like to take some money out of a savings account and have it accumulate dividends in my TFSA over a 5 year time period (I will need it at that time). I was wondering in the income portfolio, which of the ETFs/stocks would be the least volatile or the smallest of price movement that pays a good dividend over this amount of time?

Thank you,
Andrew

Q: Are there any convertible debentures that you would consider purchasing currently?

Q: Hello,

Are the distributions for CPD and CVD considered dividend or income? Which would be better in a TFSA and which would be better in a non-registered? My understanding is that both of these ETFs should do well in a rising interest rate environment.

Best,

Carla

Q: Hi 5i,
I'm 58 years old and recently transferred over my Mutual Fund RRSP's to a self directed RRSP. I now have a diversified portfolio except for fixed income - still have 50% in cash. I know I should have around 30% in bonds (fixed income) but having a difficult time justifying investing in bonds with such low interest rates. Can you explain to me if rates start going up won't the value of bonds go down? What bonds would you recommend CBO or CDV or.... Are there bond like equities that would be better at this time.
Question 2: If rates go up in the US will that effect Canadian Utilities, Telco's and interest sensitive stocks.

Thanks,
Luca

Q: I am looking for general advice on the fixed income side of a portfolio. Where should I go to find fixed income that has a decent return? Or should I not worry about that, and concentrate on dividends from stable companies.

I have about 10% cash, and 10% altogether in ZPR, CVD, CSU.DB (all three obviously not fixed income). BTW, retirement in ten years or so.

Q: On the fixed income side of a portfolio 5i has included both conv. debs. and prefs. Do you see them as having a similar risk profile? With new money would you choose CVD or CPD? and why? I am having a hard time finding CDs that are worth the risk, yet the rate reset pref. market seems like a "bargin" assuming rates go up in the next 5,10,15 years.

Q: BMO US Put Write(ZPW)
BMO Europe High Dividend Covered Call Hedged to CAD(ZWE)
PowerShares Preferred Portfolio(PGX:US)
BMO Laddered Preferred Share Index(ZPR)
BMO US High Dividend Covered Call(ZWH)
BMO Equal Weight REITs Index(ZRE)
iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Preferred Share Index(CPD)
iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index(XRE)
BMO Covered Call Dow Jones Industrial Average Hedged CAD(ZWA)
iShares Convertible Bond Index(CVD)
BMO Canadian Dividend(ZDV)
Above are ranked as to yield - high to low. Can you rank as to risk - high to low?
Thank you for considering my question
G. Reynolds

Q: Today you responded to a question comparing CVD to CPD. You discussed the potential capital gains of both, but you did not compare their income. Income from CPD is treated as dividends, and so takes advantage of the dividend tax credit. It occurred to me that CVD distributions would be treated strictly as income and so would not be as tax efficient as the income of CPD in a non-registered account. So would you agree that to maximize income, CPD would be be the best choice? Thank you.

Q: You had recently mentioned that you prefer CVD over CPD currently. Can you please explain the difference between the two and why you prefer CVD at this time.

Thank you