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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: Dear 5i
Can you confirm the following yields and MER`s for the following Bond ETF`s;
CLF yield 3.04% & MER .17%
CBO yield 2.91% & MER .28%
CPD yield 4.54% & MER .51%
XHY yield 5.47% & MER .67%
Thanks
Bill C.
Read Answer Asked by Bill on June 01, 2017
Q: What is the best way to access and evaluate high yield bonds in Canada and the U.S.? I would like to add some risk to my portfolio, and improve the yields. My online investment platforms (RBC,TD) do not seem to make them available. Is there a better way?
Read Answer Asked by Michael on May 26, 2017
Q: A follow up on your recent response regarding XHY and BSJK.
What is the difference in risk factors comparing these two funds if interest rates rise as expected over the next 2-3 years.
I would expect BSJK to act like a single bond held to maturity ( 4% annual return with 100% of the principal returned in 2020 ). XHY yields 5.3% but rising rates could substantively reduce its value, resulting in a net loss if redeemed in 2020. Am I understanding this correctly?
Read Answer Asked by Lloyd on April 24, 2017
Q: Hi team,
Just a point of confusion: TD Direct Investing treats CBO, XHY and the like as equities, while in your Portfolio Review these are treated as fixed income. Does this matter as long as one is consistent in their assignation of the sector / allocation? I think it does matter as it changes the perspective of the portfolio as a whole. I would like your opinion.
Thank you
Stanley Cohen

Read Answer Asked by STANLEY on April 13, 2017
Q: The value of this ETF seems to have been holding steady at between $19.50 and $20.00 over the past year. What would make this ETF move higher or lower ? There is now talk of interest rates starting to move up, plus speculation that the Fed will get rid of some of its bond holdings. Are either of those likely to have any effect on value of this ETF ?
Read Answer Asked by Don on April 12, 2017
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
Read Answer Asked by Andrew on March 14, 2017
Q: Could you please outline the risks in holding these types of high yield bond ETFs, with respect to the effect on the capital and yield components. I have a long term (15-20 years) view.

Are there scenarios where more stable bonds (ie. XBB) might outperform it over a longer period (15-20 years) of time?

Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Mike on March 03, 2017
Q: I am interested in beefing up the fixed income portion of my portfolio. My adviser recommends PMO005. I see a MER of 1.39%. What do you think of this mutual fund? Are there similar ETF's at a lower MER. I know you don't usually like Mutual funds but your commentary in the questions and answers seems good on Pimco. Should I diversify fixed income into several bond funds? If so could recommend a few of your favourites please. Thank you for your great service.
Read Answer Asked by Brian on January 20, 2017
Q: Hello 5i,
My wife is concerned that our exposure to bonds is far too high, so I thought I would turn to the experts for advice.
Fixed Income is 31.1% of our total, combined portfolio broken down as follows:
CBO 4.8%
EMB 6.9%
VEE 1.0%
XHY 5.0%
XIG 4.7%
XPF 2.4%
XTR 3.0%
RBF 461A 3.30%
Note: these percentages reflect only the Bond or Fixed Income component of these ETF's, not the equity or other holdings.
We each have modest private pension as well as CPP and (1) OAS.
Our total portfolio income will soon be required to help cover living expenses - and presently looks to be able to do so for the most part.
So, my question is: given the foregoing do you see any areas of concern or any compelling changes that would be required?
I know this might sound a lot like a mini portfolio review, but I have added a lot of detail so that it might assist others who read the Q&A as I know asset allocation is an area of concern and interest for many members.
Please feel free to deduct as many questions as you deem appropriate.
Many thanks,
Cheers,
Mike
Read Answer Asked by Mike on November 28, 2016
Q: I am retired, and have a portfolio with a mix of equities, ETFs and bonds. I have some money from municipal bonds to reinvest and I am considering some ETFs such as XSB, CBO, XBB and XHY as options to invest these funds, with a 5 year investment horizon. In the current environment (interest rates and the US election), how do you think these ETFs will perform in the coming years? Thanks for your great service.
Read Answer Asked by Alan on November 14, 2016
Q: I see that a number of very interest-sensitive vehicles are still included in your income portfolio such as CPD, XHY and BEP.un and a few others.
Given what happened last week and right now with interest rates should we be lightening our position on these types of investments? Put another way, is it your call that medium and long rates will keep on going up?
Read Answer Asked by Robin on November 14, 2016
Q: How would you suggest I invest $100,000 in fixed income today, or would you recommend I hold the cash position into December? My only fixed income holding at present is a $200,000 5 year GIC ladder. Thanks, Barrie
Read Answer Asked by Barrie on November 14, 2016
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