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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: Last night I watched an Australian money manager talk about the benefits of Smart Beta ETFs. He mentioned the following which I expect are traded on the Australian exchanges but might also be traded in N America.

Yield shares high income, ishares FI balanced risk, Vanguard dividend appreciation as examples.

Are these the same as low volatility etfs we know about here - or are they another type of etf?

If so, what is your opinion on this type of etf for safety and likely better long term returns?
Read Answer Asked by Donald on May 18, 2017
Q: Hi Peter and Team

I own most of 5I balanced equity portfolio in my RRSP account and the following portfolio managed by Manulife / Standard life for RPP and TFSA.

19- Canadian Bond Index (SLI) 25%
344- Canadian Equity Growth (Connor, Clark & Lunn) 13%
26- Canadian Equity (Jarislowsky Fraser) 14%
49- US Equity - SSGA 14%
25- International Equity (SLI) 14%
11- Real Estate (SLIRE) 10%
677 - Global Absolute Return Strategies (SLI) 10%

I would like your opinion comparing these two portfolios especially in regard of risk, growth prospects, fees, and principle safety .Time horizon 5 to 10 years.
Thanks for your great service
Read Answer Asked by Yousef on May 18, 2017
Q: My wife and I, retirees, are considering adding a real estate ETF to our portfolio, to hold in TFSAs. You commented that ZRE has an equal weighting in REITS and is more diversified than XRE (that has a 30% weighting in RioCan and H&R). ZRE has a slightly higher distribution % that appeals. My question is on safety of capital. I perceive Rio Can and H&R to be high quality REITs versus say an Artis or Cominar that have a higher weighting in XRE. Which of the two ETFs would you consider safer, or is it a coin toss between the two? Thank you for your comments
Read Answer Asked by Edward on May 17, 2017
Q: I owned HWO for a number of years and was sad to sell it a few months ago but it seemed prudent in view of the uncertainty regarding the renewal of their contract to drill in PNG. The price subsequently dropped but has begun to rise again. Has there been any news on the renewal of the PNG contact and do you know how much of their revenue comes from this contract?
Read Answer Asked by Ken on May 17, 2017
Q: I am retired and have holdings in Alaris Royalty and Cominar REIT for income in a broadly diversified portfolio, but have incurred unrealized capital losses of 12% and 6% respectively.

Should I continue to hold, sell or buy more at these levels?

Capital preservation is on my mind and are there better companies than the ones I hold?

Thanking you for your opinion
Read Answer Asked by Isabel on May 17, 2017
Q: Hello,
5NPlus seems to have a huge momentum. I saw your previous response to a question..about not covering this stock. Have things turned around in this company? Do you think this company should be considered in the basic materials sector along with ccl, aem and stella. Thanks. Shyam
Read Answer Asked by Shyam on May 17, 2017
Q: Trying to mirror the BE Portfolio and I am just missing the 4 listed stocks..I have started to buy some PKI but don't have any of AIF,AEM and WCP.WCP I know is down YTD and from inception but maybe this is good time to buy .Or would you suggest buying the other 3 stocks first.Thanks.Paul
Read Answer Asked by Paul on May 17, 2017
Q: Please rate these Brookfield companies in order of you best choices for growth, valuation and risk.
Thanks,
Terry
Read Answer Asked by Terry on May 17, 2017
Q: Scanning your latest research summary the 12.3% yield on NAL jumped off the page at me. Your B ranking doesn't put up a red flag but it also isn't in your portfolios. What is your outlook for this company. Will it continue sideways? Chances they will bring back the div? Possible short term buy at the $2 price with expectation it will pop back up to the recent $2.5 range for a short term profit? Or move on to better things realizing the 12% annualized div is gone and was a statistical hangover from better days...Any other yield traps on your list...BDI, ADN, CPX...
Read Answer Asked by Tom on May 17, 2017