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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: a) Is it risky to purchase a corporate Bail-in Bond? Even if they have been rated as A or A-?
b) Can you explain what a bail-in bond means from the purchaser’s (my) point of view?
Read Answer Asked by Graeme on November 08, 2023
Q: RE purchasing US treasuries

Hello 5i,
Once or twice I have tried to purchase bonds from my discount broker RBC direct investing. The process to purchase is fairly easy (you will face a hit up front on the bond price compared to the open market). However, when selling a bond or treasury that's when a DIY investor is really at a loss. You call up RBC and then the agent will consult the "manager in the bond department" and they will decide on a price they will give you for the asset you wish to sell. Kind of like a car dealership! It truly is a grey market where your discount broker has all the control of the sale of that fixed asset. Also, if looking at treasuries, you must commit to $10k USD and can't buy, for example in smaller increments, like I wish to do for a family member in a conservative TFSA.

IS there an ETF suggestion for a 10, 20 30 year treasury in USD? Not what i really want, but will mirror the moves in this market, I suppose? TLT is the 20 year. What is the 10 year, 30 year?

Also, can you confirm that the interest paid on the treasury would be tax exempt if held in a TFSA? If tax on interest is exempt in a TFSA, would it still be exempt if one holds the ETF and not the treasury itself?
Read Answer Asked by Kat on October 30, 2023
Q: I need to sell 1/3 of my portfolio and park the cash for 3-6 months. TD will not allow me to buy PSA, CASH, HISA, or HSAV. Can you recommend a few other good options.
Thank you,
Derek
Read Answer Asked by Derek on October 27, 2023
Q: In the event of windup, dissolution, liquidation, where do the various debt instruments rank with respect to each other ie. bank debt, debentures, notes and preferred shares? When there are several debentures, notes and preferred shares outstanding, how do they rank with respect to each other?
Read Answer Asked by Kenneth on October 26, 2023
Q: Do you think it is a good time to add bonds? It seems the most likely scenario's (slow growth with moderating inflation like now, or full blown recession) will be more favourable to bond investors than equity holders. What is the asset mix you would employ and do you favour longer bonds today? Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Curtis on October 26, 2023
Q: I am a retired income investor and I purchased this ETF several months ago for income and some potential growth. It is in a registered account. The payment is reasonable but I now realize that I don't fully understand how this will react to interest rate swings compared to either short or long-term bonds. Should I expect it to have a higher beta than longer-term or shorter-term bonds? Would it usually react fairly quickly to anticipated interest rates move or because there is an equity component does the state of the economy (aside from rates) impact its value, resulting in slower swings? Would you consider it riskier or "safer" than "straightforward" bonds?

Appreciate the insight.

Paul F.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on October 25, 2023
Q: Could you comment about Ninepoint High interest savings etf
Read Answer Asked by terrance on October 25, 2023
Q: I currently have positions in HYG ( a bit underwater but no reason to sell) and am considering switching HYG for TLT. The current yield is lower, it seems, but the chances for a long term gain look more inviting. Your thoughts on TLT would be much appreciated. Good idea to switch?

All the best

al
Read Answer Asked by alex on October 23, 2023
Q: In a recent fixed income question, the option of a bar bell approach was suggested using XSB/XLB for short/long bond exposure. Is there an ETF option for this?
I see few questions recently on the covered call version for long bonds (HBND) is there a short bond version of this available as well?

Your comments on up to date pros/cons of this strategy also appreciated.
Read Answer Asked by Arthur on October 22, 2023
Q: Dear 5i
Could you please confirm the MER's for the above stated high interest funds and that the stated 12 month yield is net of the MER . Also is it more important to go with the fund with the higher yield or the fund with the tighter bid/ask spread or the fund with the tighter 52 week differential or try to determine the best when considering all three factors knowing there is some compromises ?
Thanks
Bill C
Read Answer Asked by Bill on October 20, 2023
Q: Hi 5i,
In today's environment; October 17, 2023.
If one wanted to purchase a Canadian Passive Fixed Income ETF to hold in a TFSA for 1 to 3 years and then potentially sell. Can you suggest some ETF's that might give out sized Total Return. My goal is Total Return and not necessarily High Yield.
Read Answer Asked by Ian on October 20, 2023