Investment Q&A

Q: I'm trying to understand why HURA has outperformed URA by almost 20% this year. Holdings like Cameco and the Sprott Physical Uranium Trust Fund that have moved alot seem to have relatively similar weightings in both funds. NAK Kazatomprom AO - GDR hasn't had as strong returns YTD and is actually overweighted in HURA vs. URA. I don't think the USD-CAD has had any major impacts on the returns this year. What am I missing?

Also I think Cameco has had exceptional returns in 2023 far outpacing the ETF, do you think the others will catch up over time?

Q: Looking at etfs in the US using covered call strategies and understanding the limits on their upside capture and limited aid to the downside I'd ask you to compare JEPI GPIX GPIQ JEPQ and SPYI. GPIX and GPIQ are new and thus will earn your caution that they don't have sufficient liquidity yet but I assume they will soon attract significant investment. Could you look at all 5 and compare their individual strategies, how they differ in terms of holdings and please rank them from an income investor perspective on a total return basis. Would you recommend such an investor hold more than one? A big question but I suspect many members including myself are invested or considering these etfs and would appreciate your input given the current market uncertainty and the growth of these covered call etfs. Thank you!!!

Q: hi. assuming rates stay the same, or begin to fall next year, do you like these ETF's? are they still your top picks for pref.s and bond ETF's in Canada? cheers, Chris

Q: Is TGAF a long/short etf you favour? Are there any that might be considered worth 5-10% of a retiree portfolio?

Q: Looking to add S&P 500 exposure in my portfolio through one of 3 ETF's;
VFV or EQL hedged or not hedged. Normally would prefer unhedged but with our low dollar may be some merit in selecting a hedged version of EQL.

What would you recommend and could you please provide some rationale for your recommendation. Thanks.

Q: Do these products match the yields they advertise ? What would the expected result to the etf price and yield in the environment of rate cuts in the new year.
Thx

Q: Hello Folks:
Currently we own solid positions in CIC.TO AND MFC-PK.TO and interested in both MAERSK and USA because of dividends (Maersk 19.24% and USA 9.98%).
What is your opinion of these companies, security of their dividends, growth etc. Maersk is one of the world's premier shipping companies although one questions sustainability of such a rich dividend.
All The Best
brian

Q: Good Morning,

Your recent answer on FCIV prompts me to ask the following. How would you compare it to ZDI.
Investment yield compares favourably for ZDI but 3 yr ttl return favors FCIV with an asset blend that is quite different. At first I was going to shift from ZDI to FCIV.
However with the heavier trend toward Real Estate (1.86% vs 9.32%) and Industrials (11.26% vs 23.71%) for FCIV is now prompting me to go 50/50 on these etfs for diversification. Any suggestions.

Q: For a purchase today would you pick ZEB or XLF? Or perhaps you have a preferred alternative in the financial sector?

Q: Hello, I hold RBF5733 & RBF5737 in my RRSP from a previous employment contribution plan. Would you consider VFV a suitable replacement for a lower MER and a bit of a dividend or is there a compelling reason to stick with the two RBF funds?
Thank you

Q: As grandparents, we are interested in making a long-term investment for our two grandchildren that will be held for the next 20 years. Could you please recommend the most suitable type of investment account to avoid personal investment and tax implications? Additionally, we would appreciate your suggestions for a few ETFs to consider for this extended investment period. Thank you.

Q: Hi folks, Tamarak Valley tve/t released their 2024 Capital Budget....looks like 2 tiered & lowered guidance....stock taking a 5+% hit and nearing 52 week lows....I know liked by 5i, Nuttal, Martin Pelltier & many analysts....BUT...is this a case of TVE mgmt "over promising & under delivering", hold a fair size position.....thanks for your views/opinions....& would U rate Buy/Hold/Sell....thanks, jb

Q: I intend to invest a significant amount of cash ETFs in my TFSA ,could you suggest a list of safe ETFs with interest,or even short term bond ETFs if pertinent with this objective,aiming at preservation of capital and 4% + to 5% revenue, would it be better to hold just one ETF or a mixture is better in this context,many thanks for your excellent work

Q: Given a career move, my daughter (30 Years old) recently moved her pension money from HOOPP into a LIRA and RRSP. Given she has 30+ years to retirement, can you suggest a handful of ETFs that provide both sector and international exposure? Currently considering XAW for some of the monies. Thank you.

Q: I am looking for a good large cap USD ETF for my RRSP. I am 68 years old and would like a stable ETF with a lower P/E and OK dividend, hence considering RSP:US rather than the S&P 500 with a high P/E. Overall want an ETF with a good total return over 5 years.
I am considering the above 3 ETFs or perhaps you know of something better.
Thanks!

Q: Hello,
I currently hold RBF5737 & RBF5733 in my RRSP as it was the only way to get index exposure in my work contribution plan. I was wondering you would consider selling the two RBF funds and replace them with VFV for a lower fee and achieving a bit of a dividend or is there a reason to leave it as is?
Thank you.

Q: Hello Peter,
If i wanted to buy an ETF in India, which one would i be better off with? or am I better to put equal amounts.. Also, I was hoping topicus would replicate csu performance over long term ( i know it has not been in existence for very long but i am under water on topicus). Should i just forget TOI, and LMN, and stick to csu. Much appreciated.

Q: Is it possible to choose a favourite for a 1-1/2 to 2 year hold with the expectation of a reasonable yield while rates remain near current levels, and a capital gain as (if) they begin to fall?

HBND vs XBB or something preferable?

I'm assuming they all provide yield that will be treated as interest and not eligible divs. If so, preferred account type?

Thanks,

Q: Unless your opinion has changed over the course of the last few years it appeared back then that USO was your favoured way to play crude, as in the commodity. Anything changed ?

Is there a similar way to play natural gas? I was thinking maybe UNG, but I'm thinking the contract roll-overs make that chart look as bad as it does. Maybe the ticker symbol should be changed to U-G-L-Y.

Q: Retired, dividend-income investor. Sorry...this is a market timing question.

I am in the process of building a position in ZUT. I'm about 70% there. Most of the remaining funds to attain my full position will be sourced over time (3-5 months). However, with the recent run up in NWC and its subsequent impact on my asset allocation, I will be trimming a bit of it (NWC) and plan to direct it towards ZUT.

Q#1 = In the past you have indicated not to worry about market timing, especially when it comes to ETFs. However, with the rise in interest rates and the negative impact on ZUT, roughly when do you think is a reasonable time to start the process of adding (again) to the utilities sector (specifically ZUT)? While the general consensus is that rates have peaked, when do you think the utility sector to start to recover its losses...do rates actually have to decrease or just plateau? Also, you have usually answered this type of question with spread your money out over a number of months and get on with it (my paraphrase). Same answer?

Q#2 = Tied in with this a question => relative valuation of ZUT? Where does it's current valuation compare to its historical range? Is it cheap now or pricey?

Thanks for your help...Steve