Investment Q&A

Q: In the past I have had very good results from investing in Mawer Equity Funds. In world markets, I have found that they typically outperform the comparative benchmark. I have virtually no exposure to emerging markets so thought that I would invest a small percentage of my assets in the Mawer Emerging Markets Equity Fund. Currently, because it is a small fund, the MER, all in, is in excess of 1.9% and at mid year they were underperforming the emerging markets index; however, I believe they have outperformed since that time. I understand it can be a very volatile area of the world to invest in but thought I should be there so hopefully have picked the fund that will perform best over a 10 year or so period of time. I recognise that this fund has a much higher MER than an ETF but thought that this may have value in this area of investment. I appreciate very much your comments. Thank you.

Q: I've been comparing these two funds and while they appear to be essentially taking the same approach. HFR has Canadian & US holdings and FLOT has exclusively US holdings. Yet their is a substantial difference in their yields. But FLOT yield is 4.3% and HFR 2.3%. I don't get it.
Yield is nice to have but I'm more concerned with capital preservation through the end of this business cycle. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Q: Hi there, going into 2019 I'd like to re-balance my portfolio to start the new year. I'd like to use your BE Portfolio as the Canadian exposure of my portfolio and add ETFs to add diversity. I'm in my mid 30's and have a 15/20 year outlook with a private DB plan at work. In terms of risk and volatility tolerance, I am okay with the profile growthier names in the BE Port (ie: SIS, KXS, TOY, CSU, PBH etc) but usually stay away from the Growth Portfolio names, as the volatility is usually too much for me. At first glance I was thinking of the following but am not very experienced and am completely open to your advice and expertise:

50% BE Portfolio
40% HXS/VFV
10% HXQ

Could you suggest a 1) TSX ETF only listed portfolio make up and 2) TSX and/or US listed ETF make up? Please remove as many question credits as required.

Thanks for your advice and guidance!

Q: I would like to add some income stocks or ETF's for the US side of my RIF that pay the income in US dollars. Income is the primary focus and growth is secondary. Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks you.

Q: Can you suggest both a Canadian and Global Dividend Growth ETF?

Q: A Canadian Investor with over 40 % a portfolio in US securities and additional Canadian companies either doing business in the US or reporting in US dollars. A lot of talk about 2019 being a down year for US dollar against the Canadian dollar.
How does one hedge this risk.

Q: If I were to buy this ETF, which account would be best. U.S cash account or a RRSP (CDN) account. Is there a tax advantage.
Thanks

Q: Hello there,
Any thoughts on the Convertible Bond fund ETF ( CXF) offered by First Asset Management ?
Thanks

Q: hi folks

is this a good (given higher risk vs large cap) way to play the eventual recovery in energy?

if not what do you suggest

thanks

Q: Hi there, I asked a question a little while ago about the BE Portfolio and diversity. Another member asked a follow up question where you suggested this breakdown:

"Allocations need to be highly personalized; a suggestion might be: 35% BE, 15% XIC; 40% VFV, 10% VXUS."

Is there a TSX listed ETF that would be similar to VXUS?

Thanks!

Q: I have held MFT for under a year, purchased for fixed income outside of a bond fund. Currently down a bit over 1% not counting distributions, which is obviously pretty good in todays' market, but the drop does have me questioning where it might be going. What would you expect the fund price to do in the each of the following situations:
1) rates continue to go up, even if at a slower rate
2) rates stabilize
3) rates go down
Also, how would the distribution be affected in each scenario above and what is the approximate lag time?
Because of the mix of products in the fund, do you think it will act more as a bond fund or an equity fund to market gyrations?

Thank-you

Q: What to do with cpd and Ecn.pr.a .
I’ve held reset prefs before, saw it through through the downturn in interest rates and the upturn again, did well, because I had a long term objective.
I now no longer have this luxury. However I feel some comfort with the minimum rate reset preferred. Should I. I appreciate your unbiased recommendation on both securities.
Thank you.
P.s. will be asking for a complete portfolio evaluation in the new year. Paid of course.

Q: Could you compare the CIBC Global tech mutual fund to the tech ETF QQQ
It looks like the former is performing better, and perhaps more diversified?
Thanks Peter.

Q: Despite higher fees, RIT.UN seems to have substantially outperformed over the long haul. (I don't mind paying if management brings a demonstrable advantage.) Your thoughts on this being a good diversified choice within the sector? Basically, what is a solid REIT to add in CAD if adding a single ETF (or stocks) to a portfolio to get sector exposure? Thank you!

Q: Hi, why is ZPR down about 14% when interest rates have been going up the last year.
Thanks,
George

Q: I am constructing a new equity portfolio 60% US & 40% CND. On the US equity I am using the following ETF's:
HXS @ 15%
IWO, XMH,XSU @ 10% total
VGG @ 20%
HXQ @ 15%
I also want to limit taxes, dividends and any US reporting on form 1135.
Could you comment on this set up. Thank you for your service

Q: Hi
Please help me understand this. What is the net difference between $1 in dividend from an eligible Cdn. company ( eg. ENB) vs. $1 “ dividend “ ( dividend and ROC) from a pure play Cdn. ETF ( eg. ZWU) ? Assume a non- Registerred Account that pays no tax.

Q: I typically use ETF's rather than trying to pick the right stock. I notice that there are comments about ETF's in the questions section but I have not been able to find ETF Portfolios for various investment strategies, such as Income, conservative, growth, aggressive, Cnanda, USA, World and so on. Have I been missing something?

Q: Hi, I have my portfolio distribution
10% in a short term bond (RRSP)
50% in XUS (Registered)
25% in HXS (TFSA)
15% in my Non Registered Account (HXT).

Is it time to move to a more definsive strategy. I am thinking of shiftin about 30 % in the likes of BCE and another 20% to short term bonds. Would you be ok with this?

Thanks

Q: I hold HPR and the Dynamic preferred yirld fund. In light of the recent correction in preferred share,, do you advise to hold, buy more or is it time to reduce the positions held.