Investment Q&A

Q: Curious about yields. It feels like the yield on ETF XHY remains around the level it was several years ago (~6%) despite other stocks yielding much higher returns. Shouldn't those ETF holdings (high yield corporate bonds) be ticking upwards too which should drive the ETF yield higher? Maybe there is a time-delay as they have to reset?

So with various stock yields as high as they are I would like to try to benefit from the yields AND set up for capital gains on the same stocks that *should* pop as interest rates normalize and fall a bit. What are 3 CAD and 3 USD stocks that fit the bill? (High current yield AND good likelihood to strong share price increase in 1-3 years.) And where would ENS fit relative to those suggestions?

Q: Hi 5i Team,

I keep hearing that purchasing bonds is currently a generational opportunity given how elevated interest rates currently are and we are likely at the peak point of the rate cycle. How would you recommend approaching having exposure to bonds in order to capitalize on the opportunity?

Are there any other sectors or areas of opportunity that are out there that you think one should get exposure to in preparation of interest rates eventually coming down?

Thanks as always,
Jon

Q: hello 5i:
can you give me any suggestions for a US dollar denominated covered call bond Possibly something similar to HBND?
thanks
Paul L

Q: HI;
Would you be kind enough to explain the differences and similarities between these two? Is xhy the canadian version of hyg? Is it hedged?
Is there wh tax on xhy. Level 1 or 2? Can I avoid the wh tax by buying hyg? Is hyg a us or canadian listed etf? Is hyg hedged?
Thanks, BEN.

Q: I’m 72 and retired, I would appreciate your view on investing in Canadian long term bond etfs, I plan on purchasing TLT in my U.S. account and was interested in purchasing a Canadian long term etf as well…..I appreciate your views, thank you!

Q: These two US Corporate bond ETFs seem quite similar. How would you decide which of these two to buy in a registered account?

Q: I am considering getting into bond ETF's, given that we are apparently hitting pause on rate hikes and will potentially begin to cut rates in 2024. I realize that you cannot predict timing but would you consider this a good time to be getting into bonds?

What is your view on bond ETF's FCGB and DXDB, or can you offer another bond ETF to consider?

Thank you
Tim

Q: Which bond ETF would you recommend buying if Bank of Canada decreases bank rate by at least 1% in 2024?

Q: I have incorporated these ETF’s into my RRIF with the goal of deferring taking capital from my principal ( mandatory and rising % withdrawal requirements ). They now represent 33% of total portfolio. My TFSA and cash accounts equal my
RRIF and are more growth oriented. The ETF’s give me a high yield, diversified portfolio of solid large cap, primarily low growth companies in Canada and the US. So I ask myself “ Why don’t I have my RRIF be 100% of these 5 ETF’s ? What say you ?

Thanks Derek.

Q: RIF account looking for consistent income and some growth
Getting the feeling we are at or nearing the end of rate hikes (CDA and US). However, I'm also feeling we are in for a longer period of higher normalized (current) rates
Question: Is long term bond XLB worth holding on in the higher for longer environment? I'm contemplating a switch to equity and BIP.UN (preferring the currency diversification). Your thoughts on rates and the switch

Q: Thoughts on this new high yielding bond fund? Thanx.

Q: I just came across this quote within an Economist article:

“If you can earn 12%, maybe 13%, on a really good day in senior secured bank debt, what else do you want to do in life?” Steve Schwarzman, boss of Blackstone, a private-investment firm, recently asked.

Are there any bank bonds that you could suggest that would fit in this category?

Q: I want to take advantage of capital gains in bonds that I expect to occur as rates decline but I am unsure whether I will get that benefit with an ETF like XBB as much as with individual bonds. Can you tell me how that works with the etf? I assume as they buy new bonds at to replace their maturing ones, that will take away the capital gains advantage as they buy them at par in the higher rate market.

Q: Hi,
I see HSAV managers have suspended it's subscriptions and recommends not buying shares. Here's a quote from their website.
"... investors should note that during a period of suspended subscriptions, the Manager expects shares of HSAV to trade at a premium to its NAV per share.
Due to this expected premium, Horizons ETFs is strongly discouraging purchases of shares of HSAV during this suspension of subscriptions."
Can you explain why they're making this recommendation, the risks in buying shares now and do you still recommend buying HSAV shares to park cash in a non-registered account?
Thanks.

Q: Can you help further clarify your answer to Ian's question on high yield bonds? You mentioned you prefer an active strategy, wouldn't that translate to holding HYI in the Income Portfolio instead of the current passive XHY? Then again passive XHY has outperformed over 1,3, 5 years and since inception.

Q: Hello 5i team,

I recently subscribed and bought a significant qty of CSU debentures @ the strike price of 133.
With the Canadian economy perhaps going into a recession? and rate cuts, how would you project the price to behave over one year? The percentage drop in price is more than the yield. Can one expect a total return of 8% for the next year? Would you suggest a sell and deploy in stocks?
Appreciate your analysis on the subject.
Regards
Rajiv

Q: I am thinking of buying a few short term, bonds 1 to 2 years maturity, that are presently discounted with a good credit rating
My thoughts are that with the capital appreciation of the bonds when they mature in 1 to 2 years plus the dividend I can achieve 10 to 12% return
What do you think of this ?
Can you make any suggestions as to three
possible bonds that will fulfil this criteria?
Thank you

Q: Annuities? To be or not to be? As a retiree I'm pondering whether to buy an annuity at a time when the payouts are at a recent hight. I'm not sure I see any advantage over buying say ENB. The company will likely be still around in twenty years with just as much assurance as an annuity provider. I'll get a dandy, tax-advantaged dividend ( not "guaranteed", I know) and still have my capital. can you comment on annuities and whether they make sense or not? thanks. al

Q: Hello
I hold these two bond funds which are down. Do you think they will rebound if interest rates start to drop?
I certainly could be putting the cash to better use.
Thanks
Jeff

Q: Hi. Which bond ETFs do you currently recommend? US or Canadian. Thank you.