Investment Q&A

Q: Hi, I like to get your opinion on Pimco Monthly income as part of an income portfolio. Is the distribution stable or is there a large fluctuations between each years? Thank You

Q: This is a similar question to Craig’s question on August 8, regarding several mawer funds
I have held the above funds for a few years, and they are all positive still
Do you see underperformace of these funds in the past five years and if so would you advise replacing them with an ETF?
can you recommend etf replacements in Canadian dollar
Much appreciated

Q: I have a sizeable amount of my Retirement savings invested in Mawer Global Balanced fund and have been a big fan of Mawer over past years. YTD this fund as well as many other Mawer funds have underperformed their benchmarks. A 3rd Party Advisor suggested over the Long run I would do better to avoid the fees and utilize either VBAL or XGRO on a Passive basis thus avoiding Management fees and the eventual underperformance of Fund Picking vs Passive investing.

What do you think of Mawers underperformance recently and which strategy would best serve the needs of a moderate knowledge investor to maximize Performance?

Q: Invested $25,000.00 about 2% portfolio weighting in our income focused and only portfolio in 2012 in BMO Monthly Dividend Ltd. fund and currently valued at ~$41,000.00 about 3.5% weighting of our portfolio..

I would appreciate your opinion of this performance. Thanks in advaance

Q: Hi Your opinion please : US fonds TDB 410.

Fonds Fidelity Situations spéciales Série F
Categorie Fidelity Innovations mondiales Serie F
thanks
Jean Guy

Q: Where would I look to find yearly historical AUM numbers for ETFs and Mutual funds traded in Canada? Thanks

Q: I hold ZQQ for tech exposure. It has grown 33.8% over the last year. I've noticed that RBF619, a Life Science and Technology fund, has grown 39.9% over the same period even with a much higher MER - 0.94% vs 0.39%. I assume this is due to the life science component in RBF619, including high performing stocks like Lilly. Would you switch ZQQ to RBF619 or are there other alternatives that provide a better tech return than ZQQ.

Q: What do you think of AIM1517 for international exposure?

I have a couple of mutual funds left in my RRSP that I bought YEARS ago. I’m trying to decide if I should keep them or replace them with an ETF(s)? I currently hold XEC and XEF for international exposure. Is it worth keeping AIM1517 for international exposure, it’s 60%+ US stock so not sure how international it really is. Would something like XEC and XEF make more sense and provide better overall results? Is there a better ETF(s) I should be looking at for that goal?

Q: I'm thinking about buying these funds on a recommendation from a friend. Can you give me your thoughts on them? I'm looking for some exposure to some bond funds as interest rates start to drop.

Q: Hi,

Is there a way for me to buy US and/or Global small cap stocks in Canadian dollars? Your answers from the archives suggest XCS which deals only with Canadian small caps. Any ETF or Mutual Fund in CAD for the US/Global Small caps? What is your favourite Mutual Fund? I know you don't like their high MERs. Neither do I. :) Many thanks.

P.S. I searched in ETF and MF Newsletter to no avail. Still no easy search function ;) Long over due folks.

Q: Good Morning
Am I correct that these three TD Waterhouse Savings accounts TDB8150, TDB8155, and TDB8159 are EACH separately insured to $100,000 by Canadian Deposit Insurance Corporation? Even if all three are in my Cash account? I am just wanting the safest place to park cash for awhile with decent interest.
Thanking you........ Paul K

Q: Currently this fund makes up approximately 21% of my portfolio and is my only diversified holding. It at 7.6% yield makes up 40% of my monthly income and pension makes up balance.The mer.is 1.05% and of course a good % of yield is roc. Would you suggest any better alternative or ? Thanks Larry

Q: Hi,
I’m trying to help my friend organize her investments. She has minimal understanding of investments securities and had to move her pension to LIRA and RRSP 15 years and told Canada Life mutual funds that she was conservative profile. Fast forward 15 years her mutual funds have made her minimal money with back ended fees. The funds range in MERS from 1.6% to 2.5%. In looking at her holdings the portfolio make up is approximately
Fixed income - 22%, Balanced income %11, Cnd equity 62%, resources/specialty -2%. Retirement is still 10-15 years away. (Her husband has a pension)What ETF’s would match this asset mix to help get her started independently and move away from the high fees? I was thinking VBAL … But it is conservative. Any suggestions would be great to provide choice on where to invest her money. Please take as many credits as you want.
Thanks so much!
Kerri

Q: This fund has been recommended to me and would love your feedback.

Q: Are margin requirements the same for Mutual funds versus ETF s ?
Example FID Gobal Innovators Fund versus the ETF.

Q: What is the difference or implication buying Global Innovators mutual fund versus buying Global Innovators mutual fund?

Q: in general do you favour etfs or mutaul funds for a sector investment?

Q: I am in a quandary on what to do with esb shares that I have. I don't understand how the underlying stocks have doubled but the unit value of esb has FINALLY gotten up to a point where they are paying $.10 a share. I have no idea why the nav has taken so long to get to over $5.00. I fear that the shares will not hold their value, my cost is $.80, thinking about selling and buying some mid cap oils, like tve or bte, what are your thoughts
Thanks
Auftar

Q: Hi.
Looking to replace RBC 2025 retirement portfolio fund with an ETF in my RRSP. what do you suggest? I won't need the money for 8 or more years.

Thanks.

Q: As per your answer to Garth on April 15, explaining the return of capital scenario.Would you please tell me how you would rank CIG 447.Thanks Larry