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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: Could I get your thoughts on how HHL might behave in a recession. I understand Healthcare as a sector would be a Defensive sector however I also understand 5i is not to crazy about the cover call aspect, believing it would not protect again the down side. So how would HHL behave? Would the price fall greater than the average defensive share price, or would investors still consider it a defensive play and hold steady the price. Or would the cover call aspect cease to work and the dividends reduce? If it's more an impact on the dividends, is there a way of telling how much the
cover calling is adding to the dividends and therefore what dividends could be expected in times of a recession. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Phil on March 19, 2019
Q: Health care sector: I own GUD, COV and RHT (I did not get out of RHT in time so will hold) in Canadian health sector - all are down significantly. I follow BE portfolio and have diversified non- Canadian mutual funds and etfs. What are your thoughts on USA health sector, which if any of the IBB, HHL, ZUH would you add for long term (5+ yrs)?
Read Answer Asked by Glen on January 04, 2019
Q: As a retired person I am always looking for high yield investments.
So I look at something like HHL from Harvest. It holds 20 equal weighted mainly US healthcare stocks. A solid sector with good long term demographics. I see their current yield on what they are paying out is 8.67% - all capital gains - great! But I see the average dividend yield on the stocks held is only 1.96%. How can that be? Seems it’s done using covered calls Not sure how that works but sounds like it creates added risk. What if the covered call $ generated isn’t enough to meet their intended distribution? Where does the extra $ go if covered call exceeds the distribution.

So I investigate the industry a little more and I see words like- total return swap based, inverse, currency hedged, low/ high volatility, fund of funds, proprietary methodology, 2x returns etc., and I start to wonder what’s going on?

Then I remember the term “ flow through shares” of some time ago and say to myself “ it’s déjà vu all over again.

Derek
Read Answer Asked by Derek on November 20, 2018
Q: I originally purchased this holding in a registered account when it was an income trust. It converted to an ETF a while back. Since acquiring it this has been a steady dividend payer and I do rely on its income. My cost is greater than its value today. What is your opinion of this stock going forward? Should sell my small position and look to another area>
Read Answer Asked by Ronald on January 29, 2018
Q: What would be your recommended ETF's for the following sectors that would provide safety and a regular monthly income . Financial, Consumer, Utilities ,, Energy, and Healthcare. I have noticed that you generally prefer for retired conservative investors like me to follow more the income portfolio.
Your comments and recommendations are appreciated. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Fred on November 30, 2017
Q: Kudos to your new website, it’s very user friendly and a good tool for the small DIY investor!
My inquiry is on a Canadian Healthcare ETF (HHL) which I find interesting in that it includes US companies such as Novartis, Stryker, Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson and Anthem in the top 10 holdings, indicated dividend is north of 8.00%!
Also, if one is to hold it in a TFSA would the dividends be subject to the 15% foreign withholding tax?
Thnx for your great service!!
Read Answer Asked by David on November 22, 2017
Q: I presently have no healthcare or tech holdings in either my RRSP, TFSA or cash. Am retired,like dividends, but can take some risk.

Looking at having 10% in each sector with HHL (50%),CSH.UN (25%),GUD(25%)in healthcare and TXF(50%),ABT(25%)PHO(25%) in tech.

What do you think of this approach and the individual holdings?

Where would you put each one ( RRSP,TFSA cash)?

Thanks Derek


Read Answer Asked by Derek on August 14, 2017
Q: I was asked to review my sons portfolio and he is a ETF investor mainly. I have a concern with the very high MER of 3.76% current for healthcare Leader income ETF It has a high yield (8.4%) that I think is tempting him but Brand leader fund by the same firm has a mer of 1.44 %. Why the big difference. I see the hhl is advertised and promoted heavily on BNN. Are they charging fund holders for their promo on a under preforming fund? I found a great site The Wealth Game (wealthgame.ca) that lets you calculate the true cost over time of fees. It can be an eye opener for younger people with longer time horizons that are sucked into what they may think are low fees such as 2 or 3 percent. Your views please.
Read Answer Asked by James on March 03, 2017