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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: I'd like to initiate a long position in the oil and gas sector, but am hesitant to do so by picking individual stocks. Are you able to recommend two ETFs with a focus on oil and gas? I'm looking for one with exposure to NA Junior producers, and one with exposure to a mix of oil related companies (producers, explorers, services, etc).

Barring that, perhaps you can think of a mix of 5 stocks I could buy to make my own mini ETF with the above considerations.

Thanks,

Cam.
Read Answer Asked by Cameron on December 18, 2014
Q: Merry Xmas to all. Could you comment on S? Todays action, Also cdz, Thanks and Good wishes in 15. Thanks, Cliff
Read Answer Asked by cliff on December 17, 2014
Q: Merry Christmas Peter and Team.
With your help the stock portion of my portfolio has grown and I need to add about 5% to my bond portion.
With no room in a sheltered account TFSA or RRSP could you suggest an ETF or other investment to add bond type safety in a non sheltered account.
Read Answer Asked by Peter on December 17, 2014
Q: I presently hold as much as 25%of my portfolio in th IA Clarington Strategic Fund CCM3550. I was looking at the steady dividend income when I purchased this fund. Can you tell me how rising interest rates will affect this fund (higher dividend or lower). This is for long term, is there a better place for my holdings? Your advice and insight would be greatly appreciated.
Read Answer Asked by Mark on December 17, 2014
Q: Thanks for the quick response to my problem this morning, much appreciated. With your recommendations of CUD and VGG, is ZWA a similar product? Can I have your thoughts and preferences on this one also. Allot of volatility in the markets right now, just looking to park a lump sum of money long term, that pays a decent dividend,[ monthly ] and is some what safe. Thanks again Rick.
Read Answer Asked by Richard on December 17, 2014
Q: Most of my investments are North American and at this time I am looking at adding some international through an ETF. Looking at EEM, FEZ and VXUS. What are your thoughts on this selection looking at a 5 yr window. Would one enter now or even though we are having an up day is there more down side to come. Also any other recommendations.
Merry Christmas to you and staff.
Read Answer Asked by Loretta on December 16, 2014
Q: Hello Peter
I would like to diversify into the health care and pharma industry. I could not find in the database any companies that have a minimum of a B rating. Are there any health care and pharma companies that you would recommend with at least a B rating. Would an ETF be better? I would like to hold it in my rsp and have a 3-5 yr time frame to hold.

Thank you
Read Answer Asked by pietro on December 16, 2014
Q: Hi Peter and team.
could you give me your opinion on ZWH, ie, how the covered calls function and if the dividend is safe. i am hoping for a 8 to 10 % annual return from it.
thank you
cliff
Read Answer Asked by clifford on December 16, 2014
Q: hi
what do you think of this u.s. industral fund with low oil prices
tks
Read Answer Asked by Sam on December 16, 2014
Q: Hello Peter & Co,
I'm 71 and 100% of my portfolio is in equity; I'd like to shift a portion of it in fixed income. Corporate bonds and Government bonds (especially the long term ones) have done surprisingly well this year; the interest rate environment was obviously favourable. But rates are bound to go up, if only because the economy is supposed to pick up with attending inflation.
What fixed income vehicle would do (relatively) OK in such an environment?
Thanks,
Tony Sepetdjian
Read Answer Asked by Antoine on December 16, 2014
Q: This is not a question, but a comment.
Ref: December 15, 2014 (asked by Jim)

Question: I have been looking for an ETF, on the Canadian stock exchanges, that tracks US banks. Can you recommend any and of course, the best one as you see it. (lol)
Thanks for your help!

5i Research Answer:
We woudl suggest the best one (if not the only one) as ZUB, BMO Equal Weight US Banks. It is $199 mm, hedged to the C$, with fees of 0.40%. Three year annual return is 26.7%.

The symbol for US Banks is ZBK, not ZUB. Per the BMO web site, this etf has a distribution yield of only 1.09%, and the fee is 0.35%. Not sure where your performance numbers came from. There are none on the BMO site as this etf only began in Feb. 2014.
Read Answer Asked by Helen on December 15, 2014
Q: I have been looking for an ETF, on the Canadian stock exchanges, that tracks US banks. Can you recommend any and of course, the best one as you see it. (lol)
Thanks for your help!
Read Answer Asked by Jim on December 15, 2014
Q: Hi Peter and group. I am increasingly concerned about Canadian Equity Stocks. I would like some more exposure to the US.I am interested in all sectors including a currency ETF. Is it possible for you to recommend US based ETFs. One in each sector would be a big help. I know you do not focus on the US but at times like this it would be as big plus.. Thanks for your service I find it extremely helpful.
Read Answer Asked by Terence on December 15, 2014
Q: My understanding is that you view Germany and Japan as the 2 countries to benefit most from low oil prices. This being the case could you recommend etf's that that would give maximum upside preferably in US dollars. Dividends are not important to me for this investment. Thanks for your great service.
Read Answer Asked by Ian on December 15, 2014
Q: Hi Peter and Ryan. If I were to have 20% of my portfolio in the model portfolio and 40% in GICs what ETF or ETFs would you use for other diversification?

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Robert on December 15, 2014
Q: I'm looking for a way to play the drop in oil prices. With Abe getting re-elected and Japan being a large importer of oil, I was thinking CJP may be a good way to play the drop in oil. Also was thinking about ATD.B for another way. Could I get your thoughts on both strategies.
Read Answer Asked by Rob on December 15, 2014
Q: On November 21st, in a reply regarding the ZIN ETF, you said that you like the industrial sector. I have been buying ZIN every week over the year, after realizing that it contains numerous companies recommended by either you or analysts on BNN (CN rail, CP rail, Transforce, CAE, Stantec, WSP, Badger, Westjet, Air Canada, etc). Now three things have changed: (A) oil is 40% cheaper (B) this ETF 13% percent down from its high (C) Poloz remarks have caused uncertainties with Canadian banks. Considering this, I feel it's the better place to add new money. My question is: do you think that ZIN is likely to outperform canadian banks over the next year? Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Matt on December 15, 2014
Q: Is this fund forced to buy and sell the oil companies even when they know they are likely to go down? Can they pick and choose what and when to buy? What effect does the price of oil have on this fund? Should I be worried about holding it if I beleive Oil will stay down for a couple of years at least? How safe is the fund for a 2 year hold as I'm down quite a bit on it but have held for a while and my dividends have made up the difference in the capital loss.
Read Answer Asked by Cathleen on December 15, 2014
Q: Can you recommend some US ETFs that are not hedged to the Canadian dollar for the S&P 500, US financials and technology? What are your thoughts on XLK and SLF? Any advice on when to enter these trades? Thanks so much for your service.
Read Answer Asked by Mary on December 12, 2014
Q: I have most of the stocks in your Income & Model portfolio, now I would like some US exposure, but do not have a US trading account. Would you suggest a US ETF, that I can purchase in Can$. Also being the Can$ is going down, would this be a good idea right now?
Thank you for this wonderful and informative service.
Read Answer Asked by Shirley on December 12, 2014
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