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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: Hello 5i Team.

One of the most important reasons that I am a subscriber is not only to ask questions about my own portfolio and stocks on my watch list but also to learn from you folks PLUS fellow subscribers and their questions!

Today (20th May) Peter asked a question about Bond ETFs VS Actively managed Bond funds. Having read so many Q&A s about bond ETFs by you, I thought Bond ETFs like VAB,VSB etc would have been your top picks! I didn't realize that actively managed Bond funds beat the ETFs. A new lesson for me!

Given that is your answer, can you suggest your top picks in actively managed Bond funds, for Canada, for the US and perhaps for the international exposure. Of course lower fees would be preferable!

Thanks for your answer in advance.
Read Answer Asked by Savalai on May 21, 2025
Q: If a bond crisis were coming in Canada ,with increased interest rates( including Moody's lowering CDA rating ),increased debt and deficits for instance , would ETFs similar to HSAV or CASH also be at risk ( as longer term bonds) and in such case,woùd you have better ETF suggestions for short term investments ?
Read Answer Asked by Jean-Yves on May 21, 2025
Q: Do actively managed bond funds have a history of outperforming bond etfs? My bond etf doesn’t seem to move much.
Read Answer Asked by Peter on May 20, 2025
Q: I am looking to increase my fixed income percentage but this current market has me bamboozled. Major markets are basically even YTD despite Trump's tariffs still being on the books. There was a significant rally the other day because the US is “only” going to levy 30% tariffs and China will drop theirs to “only”20%! But while the markets go up, long term bonds continue to drop which I thought was a negative market indicator. So are things as mixed up and incoherent as I think? And with this background is now a good time to buy long bonds, short bonds or equal amounts of both?

Appreciate your insight.

Paul F.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on May 15, 2025
Q: What type of bond funds are best to invest in right now? Long term duration or short term, funds or can I buy individual bonds? Could you make recommendations for investing in todays market for the bond side of portfolio. I would prefer to make a 4-5% dividend but don't know if that is possible. Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Pat on May 06, 2025
Q: MAAA Any thoughts on Mackenzie AAA CLO ETF Trust Units? Would it be a good addition to a fixed income portfolio?
Read Answer Asked by Gregory on May 01, 2025
Q: What is the difference between ZST.CA, ZST.L.CA and ZSTL.CA. What is the total return 5 and 10 year return on each. Which one if any would you recommend for use of holding portfolio cash to generate some income and the safety of principal.
Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Brian on April 29, 2025
Q: I am slowly working on reducing my exposure to the US$ given the recent commentary and negative sentiment. I am also questioning bond exposures given the Trump administrations decisions recently and hiccups it has been causing in the bond market. I have ensured the downside risk on long bonds and would like your take on the following:

1) If Trump causes crisis in the bond market which bond market and ETF would be least likely to be disrupted?

2) What is your take on the short and medium term risks to the bond market with Trumps economic non-strategy?

3) Is it a more reasoned decision to reduce bond exposures in favour of investing in shares of stable Canadian or European companies?

Thanks very much,

Dave
Read Answer Asked by Dave on April 23, 2025
Q: What would be a good replacement for MMF559 - could you provide a mutual fund and ETF option and brief points why. Or should I just keep it? Just not sure it's performance justifies the cost.
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Reg on April 22, 2025