Investment Q&A

Q: On Jan 27th, Pierre asked about buying ZJG. You suggested XGD holding larger companies primarily for safety. I am thinking of adding gold exposure and see that both ETFS have the same MER (.55%)and while XGD has a 70% exposure in N.A. ZJG is 100%.
My question is, would the smaller gold producers in ZJG have more torque to the price of gold and perhaps benefit from M&A activity? Or perhaps not.
Thanks for your great service Gord.

Q: Hello,

What are your thoughts on XEG? Would buying shares of XEG.TO be a good strategy for getting exposure to an oil price recovery without the risk of holding individual oil companies?

Thanks

Q: Sold 2 US ETFs (1 small & 1 medium cap)- small profit. Funds available - $100,000 US. Prefer 2 replacements for a RIF - 3-5 years. Thank you.

Q: I have noticed that, when someone asks about investing in Google, Amazon, etc., you have recommended one ETF or another. I don't believe you have ever recommended FDN, which I hold and like. Is there a negative to this vehicle that I may have overlooked?

Q: I am looking to buy about $100k of Fixed Income for my asset allocation and I have a 12 year horizon. Do you think I should buy actual bonds in some sort of Bond Ladder? or Bond Mutual funds? I am quite sure interest rates will rise at least 2-3% in the next 12 years. Is there a better fixed income product.

Q: Why not use HBU or HGU instead of AEM

Q: I would like your suggestions for replacing the three interest income positions and the preferred shares position with dividend like equity positions. Thanks.......Tom

Q: Hi Peter

I have no metals or materials exposure and was wondering if it would be appropriate to add some for portfolio diversification purposes? I was thinking about 2% of my portfolio for an initial position. If so, I am leaning towards an ETF rather than purchasing individual stocks. Do you have any suggestions for an ETF for this purpose?

thanks,

J

Q: I’m mulling on using USD$ ETFs rather than a number of separate positions in a US$65.000 portfoilo. This would be a new venture for me. At the same time I monitoring about 40-50 TSX stocks. So US$ETF would make it easier for me. The objective is to hold US$, and achieve reason total return of 7% for a long term hold. I take it this would be a good way to go?
I just read your response about "If you continue to want the tech exposure in USD$, the ETF "IGM" could be used as well.” And following you suggestion that because TSX is thin in consumer discretionary, health care and industrials, what USD$ ETF’s would you suggest I consider for these sectors?
End result would be to hold 4 ETF’s, about U$15,000 each which would align with your other suggestion of holding that level, like 3 positions in value…..Again…thanks……tom

Q: Hello PETER, Your suggestion please for sector etf like - health, media & communication, tech. Global and some dividend is better.
thanks

Q: Hi again,

I have some IBB biotech etf which has followed the sector down. Do you see any positive potential for this sector over the next quarter or so?

Thanks

Q: Would relatively small investments in each of Google, Facebook and Amazon seem reasonable at this time? Are there any others you would suggest? Thank you. Peter

Q: I own SPB @ 7% of the portfolio. I plan on buying ZUT for utility holdings, but notice that SPB represents 8% of the ZUT portfolio. In looking at the other holdings in ZUT, SPB seems out of place. Would you hold both or divest SPB? Thanks

Q: What are your thoughts on couple of BMO Mutual fund.
BMO Tactical Dividend ETF = GGF31734
BMO Tactical Balanced ETF GGF31222

Q: I would like to invest 10% of my portfolio in an international ETF and was wondering what you'd suggest. I'm thinking developed might be better than emerging markets and less volatile? I'd also like to go hedged to the Canadian dollar because I currently have 20% in US stocks, and feel that adding 10% international unhedged would put me in a bad position when the Canadian dollar starts to rise. What would you suggest and do you think 10% is a good amount for an investor 17 years from retirement?

Q: Hi all,

With the great market we are experiencing combined with regularly hearing from any objective individual that indexes are the best place for your money, should we not all be buying ETFs now? Really, why risk missing out on any recovery by playing specific stocks?

What ETFs would be your favourite right now, Cdn or US?

Thanks,

Cam

Q: Your thought on this ETF or any other suggestion for Asian pacific ETF with a Dividend?

Thanks

Paul

Q: In response to a question about CBO last fall you suggested that XLB should be considered as part of a fixed income allocation. It appears to be very stable, and moves somewhat opposite to the TSX. What are your feels about XLB in the current market environment, or would it make sense to just wait for an opportunity to buy it below NAV?

Q: What are your thoughts on holding these etfs

Q: Peter and Team:

Even as oil turns and heads lower again and the Saudis confirm they are not going to blink, there is a general consensus that oil will eventually find a "stable" level i.e price higher than it is now.(2016/17?)

I am looking for your opinion on parking 50k in either XEG or ZEO. They are paying a respectable approx. 4%, and I would think would realize a pretty decent capital gain if held over a two or three year term. Would you have a preference, if one considers cheap oil may be around for a while and some companies might fold?

Thanks as always

Phil