Investment Q&A

Q: I'm looking at these two ETFs for the short term, as they are near a 52 week low and have fairly good liquidity. Which one would you recommend the most, or would have a better suggestion ? Thanks

Q: Now that the Brexit vote uncertainty has diminished a bit, would it be a good time to add to European market exposure? Presently hold ZWE for income. Would you add to ZWE or open a position in another etf? If so, which etfs would you recommend for income? Which for growth? Possible ZDI ?Looking at 2-3 year time frame. Many thanks for the terrific service.

Q: Currently 25% of my portfolio, is in individual US Stocks.I have recently sold some positions and I am wondering the best strategy on re-allocating the money.

Should I look at US stocks as part of my total portfolio and add in sectors and areas that I need more exposure too? (in stocks)

Or should I be looking at trying to get total portfolio diversification in US funds?

I was thinking IWO would add diversification with growth over time. At the same time I think Google may do better than IWO; however it isn't as diversified.

Also have 18% of my portfolio in tech, so should I pass on Google? I believe Google is becoming a stock that you can buy and hold for a long time and do well.

As always thanks for the advice. Cheers.

Q: BMO US Put Write(ZPW)
BMO Europe High Dividend Covered Call Hedged to CAD(ZWE)
PowerShares Preferred Portfolio(PGX:US)
BMO Laddered Preferred Share Index(ZPR)
BMO US High Dividend Covered Call(ZWH)
BMO Equal Weight REITs Index(ZRE)
iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Preferred Share Index(CPD)
iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index(XRE)
BMO Covered Call Dow Jones Industrial Average Hedged CAD(ZWA)
iShares Convertible Bond Index(CVD)
BMO Canadian Dividend(ZDV)
Above are ranked as to yield - high to low. Can you rank as to risk - high to low?
Thank you for considering my question
G. Reynolds

Q: I appreciate your comment in regard to this ETF which has done well during the last year,.ebrahim

Q: Bond ETF: Of all the questions about bond ETFs, XCB is hardly ever mentioned. XCB is one of my core holdings in the fixed income portion of my portfolio. I now have additional cash for corporate bonds, would you buy XCB as a long term (10 years +) holding? I do not need the income, this is simply a portfolio stabilizer. Would you choose a different bond ETF?

Q: Hello Peter, Ryan and expanding team,
The yield curve is (dangerously) flattening; does that have any effect on the outlook for equities. It used to be one of the indicators of a severe downdraft.
Please enlighten me.
Greetings,
Antoine

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: I have been wanted to diversify my portfolio and I was wondering if this is a good list or a bit of overkill. I have recently bought some XBB. I want these for fairly long positions, my concern is that I might be over paying for these as everyone is fearful and flocking to bonds as a safety net. Would it be wise to let things settle or buy partial positions in these etfs. Also would it worthwhile also owning some us long term treasuries. I am looking to try to cover all possibilities so I am not chasing in the future when market conditions change. I would like diverse group to cover inflation, rising market, recession. I know that I cant take all risk off but I would like have some safety net and not hold all equities.

Q: I am considering selling XRB. Is this a good time to hold or get rid of a real return bond index?

Q: I have transitioned a substantial part of my own RRSP from mutual funds to individual stocks & other investments, with the help of 5i (thanks! Done quite well), over the past 3 years.

My wife is still reluctant to do the same, so we are transitioning her RRSP from mutual funds to ETF's, with only one purchased so far. The specific ETF our advisor put us in was BMO ZDV. At the time, I specifically wanted an ETF with lower exposure to the energy sector.

Unfortunately, we bought in at the August 2014 peak, and are underwater by 20%, even after distributions. Moreover, the distributions have been steadily dropping since we bought in.

Is it time to bail out of this ETF, and if so, what would you replace it with?

Thanks.

Q: hello,
I watch BNN news on the regular. I have been noticing that the general market overview appears to be pessimistic for the approaching years. Many of the BNN guest are talking about a recession soon and a probable housing bust. What are your thoughts?

Q: Hi,

I have a diversified portfolio consisting with the majority of my money being in etfs: XIU, XEI, VTI and VXUS

I use a spreadsheet to calculate my sector allocation.

At this present moment in the macroeconomic cycle, should I be equally weighted across the 12 sectors ?

If not, in which sectors should I be under and over weighted respectively ?

Q: I have about $60,000 to invest in your balanced portfolio. Invest now or wait until after the US election? Do I buy at equal weight for each company or at the percentage you now have?
Thank you
Jean

Q: What are your thoughts on HBG ETF(Hamilton Capital Global Bank ETF). Do you recommend any other similar ETF since this is new ETF.

Q: Hi Team,

Can you please comment on the strengths and weaknesses of TIP - iShares Barclays TIPS Bond Fund (ETF). It seems to be performing well this year so far.

Is it a good substitute for buying and holding bonds directly in a self-managed bond ladder?

Thank you. Michael

Q: One more question regarding asset allocation in my RRIF-- how would you rate a 50/50 split of XBB and CBO as the bond component? Given all other factors remain the same. Thank you!
PS - loved the question "what makes 5i so great?"
You provide fabulous service and take some of the angst and mystery out of investing.

Q: Hi you recommended VGK as part of our portfolio review. What is you opinion now with regard to the results of Brexit vote.

Q: Hi folks
Two questions.
I have held both these for some time in my wife's LIRA account. She can not access this for about 12 years, so a long term hold is very possible. Have held these for a couple years. Both are down about 10%, I have held on because I see the ETF as a long term play on our aging population, and ACHN (hopefully you have a little info with this) as a risky but likely takeout target down the road. I have trimmed this one down and made a bit of $ in another account with it, so it isn't as bad as it looks.
Looking back, which is always easy, there are better options, however I am in now and wondering if I should stay the course.
Don't mind volatility, actually kind of drawn to it. Any thoughts?
Excellent job btw, your cheap at twice the price!
Cheers ;)