Investment Q&A

Q: Hi 5i,
For a 3 to 5 years hold which etf VSB or ZAG would you side with and why
Thanks
F

Q: I have noted that XSH and ZCS have outperformed VSB every year since their respective inception years. Do you expect this outperformance to continue? In what scenario would VSB outperform XSH or ZCS? Even during recent market downturns (2015, 2018), VSB has underperformed. Thank you.

Q: Hi team,
Current income allocation is as follows,
VSB 8.5%
XCB 7%
XHY 6%
and 5% cash

would like your opinion on this set up and allocation and if you would change something here.

Thanks for the great service.

Q: I wanted to chime in on Johns question about bond etf’s. I completely agree with Johns concerns and feel that generally speaking the possibility of capital losses on a bond etf is under appreciated, under reported and glossed over by too many people. I have held VSB and VSC for well over 3 years and my yield to date isn’t even remotely close to covering the capital losses. I see absolutely no reversal in site. That they are more liquid and diversified to me is pointless. I would have been significantly better off in cash, GICs or an individual ST bond that matured and gave me my capital back.

Q: I am retired and have significant positions in vsb and vab and both are valued less today than a couple of years ago.
I was thinking to sell one or both and purchase xhb and /or xcb and bep.un and/or ala.
I look forward to your comments. Thank-you

Q: I have owned shares in VSB for 16 months and as of today my unrealized loss is greater than what I have received in income. If interest rates continue to go up I would expect the unrealized loss to grow. On the other hand I remind myself that all bonds are supposed to mature at face value so in the long run I think I shouldn't really lose money.
Can you help me sort through these opposing thoughts? If I am really likely to end up losing money over a 5-10 year period with VSB I will just sell it and buy GIC's that I will hold to maturity.

Thanks

Q: I am looking to move some cash after a year end portfolio clean up. I am considering 25% in each of VSC and VSB, 25% in PMIF, 25% in XHY. Would you recommend different ETFs and/or % allocations?

Thanks for you dedication
Merry Christmas to all.

Q: I'm switching from mutual funds to ETF's and making a portfolio makeover. I have 3 years to retire and wanted to make sure I chose the correct Canadian Fixed Income ETF (at 40% bonds and 60% equities). I'm looking at HAB, ZCS, VSB, ZAG and ZEF. Of these 5 ETF's which one should I go with?

Q: Hi Team,

with the recent fed hike of 25 basis points can you please explain how this will affect short bonds and bonds in general.

Thank you

Q: Dear 5i,

I am aiming to configure a fixed-income allocation that is an equal compromise between safety/security and long-term total return potential. I would like to choose ETFs that are versatile enough that they may continue to be reasonably held irrespective of changes in market, interest rate, inflation, and economic conditions. Which configuration do you think would be most appropriate for fulfilling this mandate:

1. 100% VAB
2. 50% VAB, 50% VCB or ZCM
3. 25% VAB, 25% VSB, 50% VCB or ZCM
4. 50% VCB or ZCM, 50% intermediate-duration (~5 years) Canadian government bond ETF (does one exist?)
5. another configuration (please suggest)?

I would prefer to avoid the higher risk XHY and CPD. Why does 5i prefer CLF (VSG is cheaper and similar) and CBO (VSC is cheaper and similar)? VCB is relatively new and has only $12.7M in net assets at this time, is this a problem? Or should I opt for the costlier but similar ZCM?

I realize there are actually many embedded questions in this 'question', so please deduct as many credits as appropriate. I am sure your answer will be well worth it.

Thank you.

Q: I have recently raised cash in my portfolio and am wondering if you could suggest a good place to park it for some kind of return over an undetermined period of time. Are money market funds still my best bet?

Q: Currently, all of my fixed income (>$100000) allocation is in VSB, all in non-registered accounts. Should I switch to BXF for tax efficiency, or stick with VSB given it's lower MER (0.11 vs 0.2)? For my fixed income allocation, safety, capital preservation, and liquidity are primary considerations; yield is a secondary consideration.

Q: Place(s) to park some cash in Cdn funds (50K) for a short term hold to ride out potential volatility & recently talked about possible market correction?
Ted

Q: Given the toppy markets and expectation of higher rates coming soon, where would you put new money with safety of principal and a modest return in mind? Thanks.

Q: Hi,

I am looking to add more income to my portfolio. Currently own XCB and VSB and some cash that I want to deploy into another ETF. Which income etf's would you recommend to add or would you simply add to the existing holdings?

Thank you