Investment Q&A

Q: ..please correct me if i'm wrong, but Canada seems to be a horrible place to put your money....with safety of principal first in mind, a desired yield of 4%, and an ever increasing risk of a market correction, what would you suggest for the next 6 - 12 months. thanks.

Q: My daughter is 51 years old, and has just sold a rental property for a profit of 240,000. She does not have a pension, though her husband does. She would like to invest the money in a conservative way, so as to not lose sleep, but would like to use this as her own pension in a few years time. How should she proceed?

Q: Which of these ETF’s would you consider to be most cash-like?

Q: I have an RBC online account. What symbol do I use in order to purchase this ETF? Thank you.

Q: Raising cash and moving it into PSA. So far 10%.
Sold Zub.un into strength today . This gives a further 2% to add to current position in PSA.
Considering selling KWH.UN . Another 1% to add to PSA. Your thoughts please.
How will Kwh.un fare under recessionary pressure?

Q: What do you think of using PSA to hold cash?

Q: Greetings to Team 5i:

If I am reading the data correctly these ETFs trade on fairly thin volume? It looks like it would not be unusual for them to trade 5k, 30k, and 20k shares respectively on any given day. I am new to direct/on-line investing and trying to figure out the best strategy to buy ETFs (or any equity) like these if the quantity you want to purchase approaches maybe 1/4 or 1/5 of the total shares typically traded in a day. Obviously I'd prefer not to get into a situation of an order getting filled over two days or only partially filled since the returns are meager enough without incurring two commissions or something. Is there a concern here, or a strategy that should be followed as to the type of order entered? Thanks as always for your guidance because I truly do continue to learn something new every day with 5i.

Q: I’m investing for a parent who is currently 100% in cash, is nearing retirement and has never invested. They will not actually need income for another 3-5 years, but I would like to generate some dividends, so they can see actual cash coming off their investments (this may be reinvested). I think dividends will help psychologically if the equity portion declines as they will at least “be paid to wait” while the market recovers.

I am considering constructing the portfolio as follows:
30% Cash – PSA
50% Bonds – ZAG
10% Equity – International Dividend – PID
10% Equity – International Broad Index – XAW
10% Equity – Canada Growth – 5i

Can you provide 5i’s 2 or 3 highest conviction calls right now. I’m looking for growth at a reasonable price. Not looking for yield, but would like it to at least pay a modest dividend.

I would also be interested in any views you have about the suitability of the portfolio and any alternative / additional suggestions you may have.
If there is a correction in the equity markets in next few years or one of 5i’s A companies slips on a banana peel, I may look to put some of the cash to work and increase the equity potion.

My tactical views are: interest rates will rise with the US leading the way, the US broad equity markets are looking very expensive, Bonds are generally not a good investment and at low rates they will get killed by inflation over the long run (but they reduce volatility).

Also, in terms of allocating these investments between non-registered and TFSA, how should I generally be thinking about this? International stocks and bonds into the TFSA until it’s full and cash and Canadian stocks in the non-registered account? I don’t think they will be making any new contribution so perhaps there is no way to use the RRSP.

I look forward to your thoughts and apologise for asking a multi-part questions. If you start to run out of steam, don’t worry about the tax questions.

Thanks

Q: Peter and Team, I raised cash progressively by trimming a few different positions from my stock portfolio (basically mirror of Balanced Equity Model Portfolio) over the last 6 months to reduce risk a bit as I have been and am still concerned about the markets (high debt levels, rising rates, very high P/E's, etc.). I put some of the proceeds in HFR. I currently have approximately 5.7% of my overall portfolio in HFR. I also have approximately 21% of the portfolio in straight cash. I want to put this money to work in something that won't crash with the markets (if they do) and recognize this means low return/low risk. How much should I be comfortable in putting in a single ETF like HFR? I've also been looking at running a small 0 - 90 day fixed income book to generate approximately 1.15% annually or so. Ideally, I'd just drop a bunch of cash on my mortgage but my significant other is concerned about taking that cash for that reason and not keeping it invested for the long term.

I digress. Thoughts on concentration risk with HFR and other low risk, low correlation ideas to make some return on my cash position would be greatly appreciated.

Q: This is a followup to my question on PSA. For shorter term funds how would you rate the safety/risk between PSA and HFR ? Are there any tax implications in a TFSA for either product .
Also, a suggestion - I notice a number of people are looking for a place to park money with some degree ( including 100% ) of safety but don't necessarily want to get locked into GIC's. Any chance you could do a comparison chart for various alternatives that you feel would be appropriate, including tax impact for TFSA, other registered funds, and non-registered ?
Thanks again.

Q: Is this a risk-free place to park money ? If not, could you please explain what and how likely, the risk might be ?
Many thanks.

Q: Hi 5I, in view of future interest rate increases I am looking for investment with some income and protecting my capital. I would like your help in assessing the above, Also, please rate them, perhaps suggesting better ones. Many thanks , J.A.P Burlington, on.

Q: Just sold my house and not planning to buy one within half a year. I am using part of the proceeds investing in 5i stocks. I want to park the rest of the money somewhere relatively safe for a quarter or half a year. Looking at XHY.to, CVD.to, CPD.to, even KWH_u.to, ALAr.to. A bank is giving you nothing. Please advice

Q: What is your opinion of PSA and FSL as investments? Is FSL low risk?

Q: In Jan 26 response you mentioned cash like ETFs with a similar yield to High Interest Savings Account for short term savings of cash. Could you name a few?

Q: Hi

Which would be a better place to park cash for 4 to 6 months
ZST or PSA
Thank you for your advice
Steven

Q: I am interested in parking funds in this product. Would you endorse it. Is the settlement to buy or sell on the third day. With market sell could I lose more than 1 cent on the spread.
Thank-you
Best Regards
Harold