Investment Q&A

Q: TD launched a series of Target Maturity Bond ETFs that terminate in Nov of each given year (e.g. TBCF winds up in Nov 2026)
Normally, for Fixed Income, an investor could:
- own individual bonds with exact payment/maturity certainty but very laborious
- own traditional bond ETFs: very easy, but perpetually renewing maturities and mysterious trading prices---often downward, it seems
However these new ETFs seem to offer the best of both worlds.
MER is 0.20 vs XBB 0.10 which isn’t bad.
By TD’s offering chart (May 2), TBCF shows a Yield to Maturity (net of fees) of 4.87%.
Seems like a lot to like here for the individual investor, in Fixed Income.
As a Portfolio Analytics subscriber, the Asset Allocator is unhappy with my dearth of Fixed Income holdings!

Q: Feels like the right time to step into long term bonds. Do you agree and what would be your maximum allocation in an income portfolio? Thanks as always.

Q: Hi 5i
I am asking for advice on purchasing T-Bills from any of the big bank self-investing firms.
1) for a client with lots of investments with a bank, what kind of a spread can a retail investor expect to pay upfront on a 3 month, 6 month and 10 year US T-Bill?
2) how much will this spread change over time? Is there a market condition which advantages the retail investor?
3) is there one of the big banks that does a better job over the others in terms of managing the grey bond/t-bill market? i.e. offering clients a fair bond offering (both in terms of what is available and the percent the bank takes off the top)?
4) perhaps quest trade or interactive brokers show a better offering when it comes to fixed assets?
TIA

Q: Would you consider this ETF as an alternative to bond ETFs? The yield is attractive but I’m not familiar with this type of private credit investment and what the risks are or how sustainable the yield is.
Thanks.

Q: Can I get your opinion on mortgage backed securities (US) for one’s income portfolio? Do these increase in value as interest rates decrease similar to bonds? Thanks.

Q: What is your forecast for long term US Treasuries over the next 3 months and again for one year out.
I purchased an ETF which holds long term US treasuries expecting a flat to downwards move in interest rates. The exact opposite has happened which has resulted in downward pressure on the ETFs unit price basically wiping out the distribution.
Your crystal ball please.

Q: I own ecn.db.b in an RRSP account for income. Would you have concerns that ECN will be able to continue to provide semi-annual payments on this debenture?

Q: Hello 5i team,
I have HBND in my TFSA for US bond exposure (and the high monthly income). The ETF started in Sept of last year and was wondering what your thoughts are in general for this security?
Thank You,
Andrew

Q: Hi,

Just curious how these ETF providers are able to make money with these etfs with a very attractive rates.

Thanks,

Sunday

Q: On 9 Jan 2023, Horizons ETF issued a press release with the following comments on HSUV.U:
“suspension will help manage potential tax implications and ensure that HSUV.U can continue to reinvest its distributions”
“Horizons ETFs is strongly discouraging investors from purchasing shares of HSUV.U”
I was wondering what the risk was for: a) managing potential tax implications, and b) the inability to reinvest its distributions. The other point discouraging investors from purchasing shares was new to me and I’d be grateful for your views.

Also, in the not so remote possibility that the growing US Govt debt finally produced the anticipated “big bang” (ie. default, no new ceiling, … what else?), what would you expect to see just prior to the explosive event? If you were retired and had 65% of your nest egg presently in money market funds (100% safe), what number (% safe) would you apply to moving the funds to HSUV.U?

Your deep and practical insights into how the market reacts continue to surprise and impress me. I have learned so much since my first subscription to 5i and can simply offer a big thank you. And, of course, keep trying to do my own financing homework !

Q: Hi 5i, I have some cash in a US RRSP account and would like to park it in a interest bearing investment for a few months. Your advice please.

Q: Hello, what do you think the unit price of HSAV will do when the BoC starts cutting rates, maybe in June? Will the unit price drop AND climb more slowly from then on, or not really drop but grow a little slower to reflect the new rates? Thanks

Q: If interest rates drop would short term bonds be better than longer term ,which ever is better do you have any suggestions on bonds .

Q: Recently sold a rental house and am looking for investment in low risk but monthly payment in a non registered account. I’m not comfortable with bonds and so far have come up with either laddered GICs ( paid out every 6 months) or combination of PFL, XFR, and ZMMK. Do you have any thoughts on any of this. Which would have a the best tax rate implications? And would you have any other suggestions that would work best in the current reduced rate environment we are heading in the next few years.
Thanks

Q: Hi guys,
Great service...can you give me some thoughts on this RBC product...Target Date discount bond ETF's...seem to be a good option for safe money looking for cap. gains vs. interest....do you think timing would be right to add to these.? Any preference of government vs. Corporate? Thanks.

Q: The governments of the United States and Canada may reduce interest rates this year. Based on recent inflation data, it appears that Canada will lower interest rates sooner than the US. My question is: Will the yield of Canadian bonds respond to the Canadian interest rate cut, or will it be influenced by developments in the US bond market? Thanks

Q: Hi Peter and Team,

Can you please comment on the credit worthiness of Nuvista? I was considering adding to my existing Nuvista bond with maturity in July 23, 2026 and coupon of 7.875%. I am wondering if I am missing something here?

Thanks!

Q: Given the weaker Canadian economy (and outlook), how does the long Cda bond (xlb) compare to the long US bond (tlt)?
Thanks.

Q: Hi 5i, I have a fair bit parked in CASH and PSA, enjoying the decent interest on the funds I dont want to have exposed to market volatility. My question is, if Canadian interest rates drop significantly sooner and/or further than US rates, would it make any sense to move out of CASH or PSA and in to something like HISU.U?

Understand, of course, this introduces the element of currency risk/volatility. But, ignoring that, would this strategy work to continue realizing interest rates of +/- 5% (assuming US holds longer)?

Thanks!

Q: I hold DYN6001 in my non-registered savings account to generate USD income. It has low volatility but relatively modest monthly income due to management fees. Would ZWB.U be a better choice? Its current yield is 7.2% but comes with an MER of 0.72%. Can you suggest other options for USD income with low volatility?