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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: Hi there,

I'm evaluating the fixed income portion of my portfolio and am debating between a ladder GIC vs a HISA ETF. I understand GICs are locked in rates and HISA etfs are floating, but can you provide any insight as to the general historical differences in performance over historical time? In other words, say 100k split into 5 rungs of 20k vs 100k in a floating rate HISA etf - is there any difference in performance historically?

Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Michael on March 27, 2025
Q: Just a comment with regard to RoC paid by ETFs...if there is a large inflow of new funds between the payment declaration day and the date of record that can result in RoC. For example, an ETF such as PSA declares a 9 cent interest payment with the date of record 2 weeks in the future. If the 9 cents is 100% of the interest earned but a large inflow occurs before the record date, the ETF would likely have to pay out the extra interest as RoC. I imagine this can be minimized by holding back some of the interest earned in case that happens.
Read Answer Asked by Earl on March 24, 2025
Q: Hi,

I was surprised to learn yesterday that a T3 form was provided to me from by bank for holding Purpose High Interest Savings Fund (PSA). It says there is a minuscule return of capital. I thought PSA would only provide interest as reported on a T5.

I went to the PSA website and sure enough, there is a ROC and has been since 2013. Do you know if this is typical of these high interest savings account ETFs and if there is another fund that is similar to PSA without the ROC component?

Thank you.
Michael
Read Answer Asked by Michael on March 24, 2025
Q: Can you discuss the differences between dlr.i.ca, dlr.ca, hbil.ca , pas.ca , csav.ca in regards to safety of capital to park cash. There is a significant difference in return 4%-10%. Some are high interest savings accounts and others US dollar accounts. Are the US dollar accounts too risky?
Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Brian on March 13, 2025
Q: Dear 5i
If it's not too much to ask could you give me the most accurate yield that you possibly can on the above stated ETF's . It's very frustrating obtaining this information acurrately as different web sites give different numbers . If you were to rely on just one non prescription website what would that website be to obtain reasonably accurate yield information ? I'm sure you get tired of being asked this question on a fairly regular basis .
If you have other suggestion on similar like ETF's i would be all ears .
I also assume that all these ETF's are quite safe and that no more than 100K should be put into any one of them .
Thanks greatly
Bill C
Read Answer Asked by Bill on March 07, 2025
Q: I am looking to invest in these 4 names for my father after he sold his house. He is 92 so I would like something as 'risk-free' as possible, just income needed. Thinking 100k for each, just wondering about any risks involved aside from interest rate risk and inflation risk.
Thanks!
Scott
Read Answer Asked by scott on February 11, 2025
Q: Hi group want to park some $ in high interest saving account I have 2 question's )

- How is the return calculated ( as an example PSA pays out dividend monthly monthly does that mean if i cash out in the middle of the month that i do not get a pro rated amount based on my balance. Could you explain how that works. is it a daily calculation payable at the end of the month or what.

- if i buy a US high interest account would that be a benefit for a higher return compared to buying a high interest Cad saving acct.

- could you provide some actual comparisons using real returns and currency numbers


thanks for your help with this.
Read Answer Asked by Terence on February 03, 2025
Q: Good afternoon,

I have around 18k in my FHSA currently all cash, I'm looking for some investment options to allocate that cash to but not sure of the best practice. I'm looking at purchasing my 1st home in 8-12 months. Would it be best to invest the 18k in different ETFs? Should I allocate 1/3, 1/3, 1/3? What would you recommend as diversification as well as some ETF's you think would be appropriate for my current situation.

Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Kevin on January 15, 2025
Q: Is there a cash holding to invest in that is not locked into a term (like a GIC but with no term), so, with full liquidity? I'm thinking of a high-interest type account within an RRSP so I can go to cash a few months in advance of need for the cash, but still incur interest on the cash as I wait to make a monthly withdrawal. I invest with RBC Direct Investing in case that's helpful - perhaps there is an RBC product that suits my needs.
Read Answer Asked by Kim on December 09, 2024
Q: Hello
My GIC has just matured in my RRSP. The rates are low now and was thinking of putting the money in either of the above two ETFs which have a higher yield.
MNY has a higher interest but higher MER but better return overall however seems riskier then CASH. What would your suggestion be, would you have another favorite or would you invest in some other "safe" income instrument in the RRSP, ie ENB?

Thanks
Jeff
Read Answer Asked by JEFF on December 03, 2024
Q: Hello, I have $500,000 GIC coming due next month and another $500,000 in March. They both are earning a little over 5%. What safe investment would you recommend, bearing in mind that I need the income it would generate to cover some of my living expenses, as I am retired. Thank you
Read Answer Asked by David on November 28, 2024
Q: I am concerned about the possibility of a bear market and would like to reduce my equity risk. I am looking for a safe investment which is highly liquid. I am in the process of considering cashable GICs. Are there any ETFs which you would recommend for money market funds? Can you please recommend an ETF for the Canadian market and one ETF for the US market.

Also, for a 1-2 year hold, what type of bond ETF would you recommend (long bond, mid-term, etc) for a fairly safe investment? Again, can you please recommend one Canadian and one US ETF.

Thank you again for this excellent service.
Read Answer Asked by Dale on November 25, 2024
Q: I am concerned about the height of the stock markets and am in the process of reducing my equity holdings. If there is a correction or bear market next year, then I would want to be able to invest again at some point.

With the cash that becomes available from the sale of equities, what would you recommend as an investment? I am looking for something that is extremely safe, can be sold at any time (which eliminates a GIC for consideration) and gives me a bit of yield/gain. Are there any ETFs which fit this bill?

Thank you for this wonderful service.
Read Answer Asked by Dale on November 21, 2024
Q: I have sold the above two companies, half of BYD and all of ATS. The purpse was to raise cash and put it into a high interest Canadian dollar savings ETF to wait out the first part of the Trump presidential version Nu. two.

Do you have an ETF that you recommend or maybe another suggestion?
Read Answer Asked by Cathy on November 13, 2024
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