Investment Q&A

Q: Total return index ETF; is it good ?

Q: This question has to do with research. Recongnia shows Ithaca as being under valued, with ESP growth rate of 35.6% and a Rate of return of 185%. Do you put much store in this kind of research.
GUY R.

Q: What are your thoughts on this new ETF? Global Momentum Factor ETF (VMO)And the momentum strategy employed vs a plain vanilla index as the global portion of one's portfolio?

Q: Hi 5I team. Can you please tell me if companies in general have been increasing their dividend payout ratios? Where might a little guy like me find this information? Benjamin Graham had written something like "Never buy a companies stock only for its dividend." Probably pertaining to value traps but in this environment many people are being forced to do this. This makes me worry about some of the higher debt levels and earnings decreases perhaps many companies that are increasing their dividends are chasing investors in hopes of higher stock prices. I realize every company has a different story but market sentiment pushes everything in the same direction irrelevant of what is happening individually. Thank you
J

Q: I have been dabbling with momentum investing recently after reading endorsements of a 70% value 30% momentum approach. I haven't been able to find too many concrete details on momentum process, mostly vagaries. So far, I have been keeping things simple - buying names with reasonably good fundamentals and strong momentum over the last 6 or so months and riding the momentum until 10 day SMA crosses below 30 SMA. The results have been mixed so far, I reckon I've come out about even. Does this approach seem more or less sound based on your experience? Are there other details you might include in the process (i.e. absolute loss limit in addition to SMA trigger)? Finally, how to stick to the process when markets are in a down trend (i.e. very few stocks have good performance in last 6 months) -- I assume it's important to stick with the process to catch momentum when it turns.

Q: I recently purchased shares of Magna on the idea that the sector is simply oversold and given a 5 year time horizon is as close to a sure thing as there is in the markets. When I look at the US markets in particular there are a lot of still beaten down sectors. Automotives is one of them. In Canada I am having greater trouble finding these kinds of bargains, while in the US there are chemicals companies, consumer discretionary companies, oil refiners and even banking which are very cheap and all of which could make some very nice moves akin to the one made in the materials sector these last few months. Do you see any of these unloved sectors here in Canada and/or which of them either here or in the U.S. would you currently favour. Thank-you as always for your answer.

Q: Please let me know your general theory on the following. Assuming one believes in getting dividend ( predominant ) income, interest income and capital gains what are your thoughts in allotting these between a TFSA, RRSP and regular margin account. Assume that RRSP and TFSA are maxed out contribution wise.

Thanks

Paul

Q: I have been holding for 3 years Direxion Gold Miner BullX3 (nugt-n) (long before I discovered 5i Research) hoping for a recovery in the price of gold. It is about 10% of my portfolio and I am 60% in the red. To balance things off, I bought Direxion Gold Miner Bear3 (dust-n) earlier this year and it amounts to 7% of my portfolio; I am now 70% in the red with it. On top of that, about 18% of my porfolio is in mining stocks I bought some 5 years ago and held while waiting for a recovery in gold prices: they are Argonaut Gold (ar-t)(60% off)Vista Gold (vgz-t)(46% off), both in my registered portfolio, and Alamos Gold (agi-t)(18% off), Endeavour Mining (edv-t)(30% off) and Silver Standard Ress. (sso-t)(30%off) in my non-registered portfolio. I don't need to create capital losses as I have a lot already.

I realize I have been foolish and that I am in a very bad fix. Is there any way out without loosing my shirt ? I am 76 years old. I am in line for a badly needed portfolio review with your team, but in the meantime, what do you think I could or should do ?
Your well informed views will be greatly appreciated.

Q: Peter and Ryan and Co.:
Just wanted to say thank you for your unique and excellent service. Between reading the questions and answers, to the great reports, to the model portfolios, it's been and continues to be an amazing education for me and I'm sure many others, in the world of investing.
Having the benefit of your 20+ years of knowledge and experience is pure gold! So thanks again for all you do. cheers

Q: It does not make sense to me that CBO can pay over 3% on quality bonds with a 1-5 year maturity and when I investigated a few years ago, I saw that part of the payout was return of capital. I am unable to find this information on the Blackrock site now. Can you comment on this?
Thanks

Q: Peter Not ? but a comment I read the article you wrote in FP today and found it right on the money an d I would recommend all 5I members read it .Well Done and thanks
Stan

Q: I hold many quality dividend paying stocks which are reaching new highs in the face of a solid wall of risky economic scenarios including a possible real estate bubble, the impact from Brexit and possible Trump victory, probably inflated commodity stock prices, an uncertain energy outlook and so on. Does any of this suggest taking profits and retreating to the sidelines? A recent comment by David Rosenberg posed equity values appear to be whistling by the graveyard. Your thoughts?

Q: Hi,

I have a small (100% in oil and gas) portfolio and am 34 years of age. My investment strategy involves riding the oil and gas recovery in the short term (until early 2017). From this point I would like to reconfigure into a diversified portfolio. My question is, when does a middle/not aggressive/not cautious/average person implement your different types of portfolios? I gather that duration until you require the investment is of most importance with risk tolerance playing an equal part of the equation. But what if neither risk adversity or time are an issue? Should I be 100% positioned towards the growth portfolio?

What are some general rules of thumbs and what are some 'ballpark' milestones for someone who is investing for retirement? I'm after a generic answer that looks something like until:
age 40 100% growth,
until age 50 100% balanced,
then by age 60 100% income.

Q: Hello Peter, I am looking for safe investment with dividends, I have ZEF in my portfolio, I would appreciate your help to rate the above, perhaps suggesting a couple better ones. Also, how would future interest rate increases effect their prises.
Many thanks, J.A.P. Burlington

Q: Hi 5i team,

Could you please tell me whether this ETF pays dividends or interest income? Until now, I have been assuming that CBO pays dividends for tax purposes, but I read an article in the Globe&Mail which states that bond ETFs pay mainly interest income.

Many thanks for the great service.

Q: Covered call ETFs are gaining popularity. Does the technique have risk that isn't being talked about (yet)? It seems too good to be true. You can buy ZWA which owns 30 awesome mega-caps and has a 5.2% yield. Or, you can buy ZRE which contains companies that max their payout to get you that same yield of 5.2%. The first, ZWA, is not exposed to rising interest rates, or, to the housing mania. In that sense, ZWA seems to be a clear winner for income. But something tells me that as more firms make similar ETFs, something will happen. Won't the increase in put/call writing become crowded and a problem? Maybe fees will increase? Have you come across some writing on the subject? I'd like to investigate before putting 3 years of savings on ZWA. Thanks team.

Q: Could you give a general comment about investing in private equity as a non accreditated investor using investX. As a diversification mean, i was thinking of investing 5 - 10 % in a pool of investment. thank you

Q: Hi Peter and Team.
This is an asset allocation question for a 23 Yr old in a Defined Contribution Plan.
Which sectors and percentages would you suggest.
Thanks for your time.

Q: I own HEWJ and ZDM as my International exposure (5% of my portolio). Neither are doing well, especially after the Brexit vote and I'd like to replace them with ETFs with a more positive outlook for the next 2-3 years. Your thoughts and recommendations please!

Q: When doing sector allocations would you includes income stocks such as XYH,CVD and CPD under financials or should this be separate sector? If so what should be the allocations for income stocks?

Thanks
Dolores