Investment Q&A

Q: I am at a point in my life where I am looking to my investments more for income than growth. My question concerns how you might incorporate a strategy that are includes "dividend" stocks that pay a low yield. eg HD, TRI, CN etc. Assuming you wish to obtain an overall yield of 4% - 5% from your portfolio (in order to satisfy RRIF requirements while maintaining some growth) I would think it best not to load up only on high yield stocks and continue maintain a balanced portfolio. To achieve the necessary income should one invest in low dividend payers and sell a portion of the low yield dividend payers annually in order to achieve the be needed income; go a bit overweight on high yield equities in order to juice the income; or just forget about balancing the portfolio?

Any thought you have would be greatly welcomed.

Appreciate the insight.

Paul F.

Q: FLI has a good dividend but it is on its declining share value. It is contradictory in its performance as higher interest is supposed lift Life Ins companies earnings. Please advise what is the way to find out how these ETF burning through capital and do you have alternatives for this sector of financial cos.?

Q: I know about covered calls and possible loss of capital gains but at a 11.4% dividend I think it makes up for it. Life insurance companies should be safe and the 5 year chart looks enticing . Knowing that the underlying dividends would be around 4 to 5 % they are earning a lot for the calls, is this sustainable or am I missing something here.

Q: Have owned these for a very long time.Haven't done too bad just looking to maybe change things up.What's your opinion on these ones?Also can you offer a couple of ideas to replace these two.

Q: Considering sell fli and buying cgx. My reasoning is that rising interest rates have not really helped insurance stocks because the yield curve is flat or close to it. FLI is exdevidend Sept 21. Should this affect my decision to sell? CGX has an equivalent dividend , more growth .gaming while at the same time time I collect a dividend, I won’t be paying a management fee,
I’m under water with FLI.
Should I stick with FLI or switch.? I don’t think FLI dividend is eligible for the tax credit

Q: In my well-diversified portfolio, in your view, which of the following are worth holding for income and/or possible capital gains in one year, and which should be sold now with the intention of investing the proceeds in some of your recommendations? I do not need the cash nor tax losses. AT &T(US) CPG FLI G SSF.UN H . Thank you

Q: I currently own the following ETF's/ Funds. Canadian- ZCH ZSP FLI CJP COW VE VEE XGD ; U. S.- IWO AWF BBH FEZ XLRE XLF KRE XLK. In your view, are there any which should be sold to reduce duplication or for other reasons? And which are worthwhile adding to in this market? Thank you in advance for your usual well-considered reply.

Q: I have a 7% position in MFC. Normally this security would benefit from rising rates. My thoughts on this has changed. Borrowing short term and lending long term doesn’t look that attractive to me at this time as the yield curve is flattering. I’m an income oriented investor are there better opportunities elsewhere.. I’m down about 5%. What are your thoughts on my thesis? Should I sell and move on, reduce my position or hang on? I also have a smal positio in FLI.

Q: Over the last little while I purchased the above securities because of a rising rate environment. All have performed as expected except ECN.pr.A. Is there any particular reason for this. Would it be wise to average down . I’m still thinking that with rising interest rates their will be more demand for their services. What about the margin will this increase, decrease or stay the same ?

Q: Banks-increase in interest rates, no increase in savings rates, spread widening.
Insurance Co’s-increase in yield on long term bonds,thus spreads widening.
What is your opinion on owning the above securities. I currently own all except FLI. Thinking of buyingFLI to diversify into insurance Co’s. Thank you for your help

Q: I would like your opinion as to whether you like SLF over FLI for exposure to insurance, FLI being somewhat diversified in Canada and the US? Do they hedge their US exposure?

Q: Good afternoon,

I have half a position in GS and I am thinking of selling it and to buy ETF FLI First assets US and Canadian Lifeco. What are your thoughts?

Paul

Q: Good Morning,

Since interest rate are moving higher ,I am looking in investing into Lifecos. My research into ETF has given me FLI. This etf invest in US and Canadian Lifeco and pays a dividend higher than the the individual companies pays. I assume there is a call option in this ETF. Would you recommend this ETF? Is call option good when an ETF is moving higher? As for LCS is this high risk and how can they pay a 12% plus dividend?

Thank you,

Paul