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Investment Q&A

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Q: Hello, my question is about an article I read in CMS. Bill Gross says investors need to watch only one number in 2017 to figure out what returns are going to look like across the various markets, and that’s whether the 10-year Treasury yield crosses the 2.6% mark. As of today the 10-year yield is 2.48%. "If 2.6% is broken on the upside...a secular bear bond market has begun," Gross said. "Watch the 2.6% level. Much more important than Dow 20,000. Much more important than $60-a-barrel oil. Much more important than dollar/euro parity at 1.00. It is the key to interest rate levels and perhaps stock prices in 2017."
So my questions are, what will happen if it crosses the 2.6% mark? Does this mean that the yield on bond ETFs such as XBB and VSB will increase? Does this mean that this will be good for the stoch market in general? What is a secular bear bond market?Regards, Gervais
Read Answer Asked by Gervais on March 07, 2017
Q: Hello 5i team,
Your article on hedging for a market downturn is quite timely; thank you.
A 5% or 10% correction is not too worrisome as it could be recovered in a relatively short period of time.
I do not foresee a "black swan" event; do you? In my opinion, the current steepness of the yield curve does not signal the eventuality of such an event.
Regards,
Antoine
Read Answer Asked by Antoine on March 01, 2017
Q: Hi guys,

Just wanted to know your thoughts about EMH and active investing. We all know that fees are a huge drag on performance; but interestingly, an old Globe article by George Athanassakos argues institutional factors like hugging the index are the main factor for underperformance.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/investor-education/real-active-management-is-worth-the-price/article26874608/

Would there be an advantage in returns (not including fees or commissions) with following a disciplined 100k model portfolio versus investing 100k in a traditional 300mil fund with the same holdings? I suppose inflows and outflows would be a major factor as well.

Thanks for your opinion.
Read Answer Asked by Elliott on February 08, 2017
Q: Gary's question regarding the border adjustment tax 9BAT) on oil reflected my concern, as well. Presently, Canada ships 3.5 boe and Mexico is at about 800,000 so energy independence seems well down the road. If there is a BAT, some have said gasoline prices in the US will rise proportionately. I don't understand that conclusion. Canada only gets $40/barrel and Mexico $46. They can't raise the price to cover the tax so does that mean US recipients will get less and then raise prices to consumers?
Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Steven on February 02, 2017
Q: Looks like us financials are losing steam / as is the US currency against the Canadian $ I have some profit in US financials would you take the $ and run or wait?

Also what do you see for the US $ against the Canadian currency going fwd especially after Trumps comments today that the US $ is too strong ? - I under that this is 2 questions thanks as always for your insight
Read Answer Asked by Terence on January 18, 2017
Q: I saw a report today that the Republican GOP is planning to introduce a bill to reform (lower) US corporate taxes that includes a so called "border tax" on all imports. Some talking heads have commented that if it becomes law as currently written the US dollar will see a big increase (as much as 25%). Have you heard about this and do you have any comments? Is it time to overweight US holdings to hedge against a currency increase?
Read Answer Asked by Steven on January 11, 2017