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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: My fixed income holdings are comprised of - LYZ801A & MMF559.
I am with a full service advisor - up until a few years ago we bought individual bonds - then on his recommendation switched to these funds. What is your opinion on their performance. What are some alternative better performing mutual funds and ETF options or should a person go back to buying individual bonds? I read an opinion that said with individual bonds (held to term) you get the principal and interest with funds not so much. Your expert opinion would be appreciated as usual.

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Reg on March 28, 2022
Q: Among banks, 5i seems to favour TD and BNS, though since 2019 patient investors have done well with just about any of the Big-Five-plus-NA.

But supposing interest rates are now set to rise, won't banks tend to find a trading range? In which case, wouldn't ZWB, with its covered call component, provide greater total return? Or do its MER and trading expenses claw back too much of its income?

Interestingly, since inception, ZWB's share price seems to have done as well as (for example) BNS, in spite of the potential for its positions to be called-away.
Read Answer Asked by John on March 25, 2022
Q: Hi 5i team,

As many do, I currently hold part of my portfolio in fixed income (bond etfs). I am wondering if you can recommend any fixed income or "fixed income like" investments that might hold up best in the current rising rate environment that seems to have a long way to run. I had held ZAG but have switched to VSB with rates rising. Currently even cash is doing better than these however. Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Peter on March 25, 2022
Q: Hello. In reviewing my portfolio, I realize that I lack exposure to US markets. I am therefore thinking of purchasing an VFV ETF. I am 66 years old and receive a reasonable pension. While I have an RRSP, I have not contributed to it for many years, choosing instead to build my TFSA. Given that my TFSA is now topped up, would it make sense to add VFV to my RRSP (better tax advantages??) or add it to an open investment account that I currently hold?
Read Answer Asked by Heather on March 21, 2022
Q: My question is on gold /silver / precious metals. Starting to look like gold / metals should be a full position in portfolios. (plese comment)

Can you comment on Etfs verses individual stocks +

Please give me some names I am thinking that some physical gold etf like PHYS should be held please comment also a good etf that covers all the metals c/w mix % suggestions. Thanks for your help with this.
Read Answer Asked by Terence on March 18, 2022
Q: My son (30) has some money and wants to put it in your small cap growth model. He wants to include a number of ETF's to have some other exposure. He would put 30% of his money in the small caps and 70% in ETF's. Here is the list of ETF's he is considering, but is worried it is too many. Can you please help with the ETF list as he is concerned that he has too many. Please take as many credits as needed. Thanks.

XIC 15%
XIU 15%
CDZ 5%
QQQ 10%
IWR 7%
DIA 10%
SPY 10%
SDY 5%
VTI 8%
IDV 5%
VXUS 5%
VEE 5%

Read Answer Asked by Gregory on March 18, 2022
Q: I presently own Mawer US equity 108 and 150 global small caps
Would like your recommendations as to buying two more Mawer funds that are down a lot and may have some good upside in the next two/three years
Alternatively can you recommend an ETF instead of the mawer funds you choose since the etf would have lower fees
Finally would You choose the Mawer funds over the ETFs you recommend in spite of the higher Mawer fees with the expectation of better returns from Mawer ?
I would like to purchase with Canadian dollars
Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Indra on March 17, 2022
Q: Hello, conservative investor and thinking about adding an oil and gas ETF into my portfolio and am looking at XEG vs HEE. Now, I know HEE writes covered calls, so I was surprised when looking at 5 and 10 year returns that HEE's return was lower than XEG. Conversely, in up years, HEE had higher returns than XEG. I would have expected this to the be the opposite. Are you able to say why this has been the case? Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by jeff on March 17, 2022
Q: A while ago I asked 5I to run the numbers on HCAL as an example of one of Hamilton's new leveraged ETF's comparing both a covered call and similar market ETF and speculate on the return of their other ones ...... Below in quotations is the answer I got .....

" HCAL 1 month 1.7%, three months 0.85%, YTD 34.9%

ZWB 0.9%, 1.65%, 23.7%

ZEB 1.05%, 1.72%, 29.9%

The difference is likely very closely related to the leverage impact. We would not expect HDIV to be different. " .....

Clearly the Hamilton product out performed both the covered call and regular banking market ETF's

Please clarify the following answer given to Craig this morning ? .....

" For a long-term hold, we would side with either VUN or ZWH, as HYLD would cap long-term capital gains due ot the coverd call strategy. We would be fine with the prospects of both ZWH and VUN but side with VUN for a broader exposure to higher growth areas. "
Read Answer Asked by Garth on March 16, 2022
Q: I have a relatively small RESP portfolio that will have to change to an RRIF. I would like the RRIF to be able to generate enough dividends to cover the required withdrawals. If that is possible. Can you tell me your top ten highest dividend-paying Canadian companies or maybe even better ETFs or a combination that you would be comfortable owning?

Thank you.
David
Read Answer Asked by David on March 15, 2022
Q: I am not a crypto guy at all but cannot ignore the hype/craze. If I were to dip a toe in what would be a trustworthy (in relative terms) platform to get started with?
Read Answer Asked by DAVE on March 15, 2022
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