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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, I am looking at these 3 ETFs to park my cash, now that short term interest rates have come down and ETFs like PSA or HSAV have much less attractive rates than 6 months ago. Can you highlight the main differences between MNY, CBIL and CMR and sort these by increasing risk level? FYI, CMR will add asset-backed paper to its portfolio sometime next year. Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Martin on November 14, 2024
Q: Good afternoon - the recent runup in equities has me looking to re-balance and add more bond exposure. I currently have positions in XLB, XBB and HYG. Can you suggest bond positions ( likely ETF's) in Canada and the US, please? Just add to the existing Canadian positions? What about HYG? Time to move?

Many thanks

al
Read Answer Asked by alex on November 13, 2024
Q: I’m trying to understand the risk I’m up against with investments in CASH and UCSH.U. Both have significant holdings in Scotiabank and National Bank investments. My portfolio percentage positions in these two is quite significant.

- Do you have options for better diversification of my cash holdings?

- In the event of “something going off the rails”, what impact does this have on an investor of these two investments like me in the event of a bail-in of either Scotiabank or National Bank because of these holdings within the two ETF's?
Read Answer Asked by James on November 11, 2024
Q: As a general rule do most bond funds have a set philosophy about duration or do they simply employ funds based on what they think makes sense at that particular time?

Thank you
Read Answer Asked by paul on November 11, 2024
Q: Hello 5i,
We have CDN and US funds in our RRSP’s and TFSA’s, no pensions, income is CPP and OAS only, + RRSP withdraws.

We are looking at placing funds needed for the next 3 years into less volatile environment with a yield of 4%-5%. We have laddered GIC's and PSA for CDN funds and are looking for something similar in US funds. Our equities (stocks and ETF's) would remain in place though each year we would sell some stocks and purchase short-term ETF’s to retain a 3-year comfort zone. This allows us to retain higher risk equities in a longer time-frame in case of a large drawback.

Some examples we found were IGSB, BIL, VGLT, VCIT, VCSH, AGG, IEF. Do you have any recommendations? What are your thoughts on long-term Treasuries with a Trump win? Dump and run?

Thank you for your service.

D&J
Read Answer Asked by Jerry on November 11, 2024
Q: Looking to move some money into the bond section of my portfolio. On the more risky side looking at XHY and USHY. How would you rate these for safety going forward on the the capital gain/loss side. Also I may sell some stocks like Magna that don't appear to be doing much.

I've been listening to Howard Marks and he thinks now is the time to be leaning towards bonds and Warren Buffet has been raising cash.
Read Answer Asked by Mark on November 06, 2024
Q: I’d like to get your thoughts on the new Global X Treasury Ladder ETFs (SLDR, MLDR, and LLDR). My understanding is that their returns are likely to closely follow the current yield, with minimal potential for capital gains or losses. Does this make them a good fit for the secure portion of a conservative portfolio, or are there additional factors to consider?
Read Answer Asked by Patrick on November 05, 2024
Q: Dear 5i team.

The common theory of interest rates decling was long bonds would benifit most. This does not appear to be the case currently, and I've seen some not so clear responses thus far in the Q+A. Please explain in further detial, why long bonds have not performed to this expectation thus far, and what you see as a catalyst for long bonds to perform as expected with possible future declining interest rates..

Many thanks for your help.
Read Answer Asked by Arthur on November 04, 2024
Q: Short term cash US cash investment.
Hello 51 team,

I have a portfolio at Nat Bank, using NBC101 to park cash; however, it is a bit inconvenient as it required at least 2 days between selling and buying the mutual funds and another day until it posts in our account while ETF is the same processing rule as equities.
I appreciate having your thoughts on using ETF instead==> ICSH vs JPST
What are the difference between the 2 and which one will be your pick?
I noted that ICSH (lower fee .08%, smaller size) vs JPST (higher fee, much larger size). Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Nhung on October 29, 2024
Q: If you have $500,000 to invest in GIC's - would you recommend 5 different institutions holding $100,000 of GIC's to be sure of CDIC coverage? Seems like a lot of work to me.
Read Answer Asked by Lucy on October 25, 2024
Q: Recently I have found the TBIL and ZMMK ETFs to be a safe place to keep my cash and earn a half decent return.
However, the upcoming US elections, the upheaval in the Middle East, Ukraine, and the ongoing threat to global oil prices, is increasing the possibility of a sudden spike in interest rates, and a complete reversal of the current narrative of lower rates.
How would TBIL and ZMMK be affectted by such a turn of events (i.e. a spike in interest rates) and more generally, what investment asset classes would you recommend that would best mitigate such risks.
Thank You
John
Read Answer Asked by John on October 24, 2024
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