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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: Given the current economic situation, are preferred shares a good buy? They are all down in price and their dividends are up to 6 to 8%. I understand their upside is less than the common shares, but at the same time because they take priority over the common shares, the dividend and capital is safer than the common shares. I'm thinking of these as an alternative to a bond ETF, because the preferred prices have declined more. What are your thoughts? Is it better to buy individual shares or an ETF? Any ETF recommendations?
Read Answer Asked by Jack on April 07, 2020
Q: In my RRSP accounts I have built up a laddered GIC portfolio in addition to a variety of stocks and equity etfs, taking the income generated by the portfolio and adding to the ladder. Given the low rates for 5 yr GIC, under 2%, I’m thinking of taking this years income and purchasing CVD, which has a lower payout but more stability than the above mentioned Preferred share ETFs.
I may split my purchase between CVD and one of the above Preferred Share ETFs and am leaning towards ZPR as performance and MER of the 3 is similar but ZPR has a higher dividend payout.
In addition to better income, interest rates should be close to bottoming and if I stage my purchases over the next 3 months I will benefit from unit price appreciation when rates start going up and will have locked in a 5-6% return.
Your thoughts please.
Read Answer Asked by Bruce on March 13, 2020
Q: I purchased XBB and am looking for another fixed income etf to compliment it. Thanks, Len
Read Answer Asked by Leonard on February 12, 2020
Q: Hello,

I want to add fixed income to balance my portfolio and will hold it in a cash account. I'm targeting 15% fixed income with > 10 year hold.

1. Are the ETF's in the income portfolio appropriate? or should I have more concentration? Or a different selection?

2. If > one ETF do you have a weighting suggestion?

3. Will these be taxed as income or dividends?

Thanks!

Dave
Read Answer Asked by Dave on December 13, 2019
Q: Good morning
I own CPD which has trended downwards in price over the last year and is now yielding 6.9%. I am considering selling CPD for tax losses and if so, what would be a more sensible strategy. Buy back into CPD after the appropriate delay or Buy something else like a blue chip equity. I know the legal difference between preferred and common but it seems that over an extended buy and hold, commons will prevail albeit with dips along the way. In reality how often are preferred rights called into play to the detriment of common with Canadian blue chips? To me, preferreds offer the worst of both worlds. At this point, my CPD shares are part of my fixed income side and a switch to equities will rebalance things, I know.
Read Answer Asked by alex on December 11, 2019
Q: Looking to increase my fixed income exposure. Currently hold CBO, XBB, and CPD (preferreds). Thinking of adding XHY in addition to these, would you recommend additional ETF's in this space to help diversify?
Read Answer Asked by Patrick on December 05, 2019
Q: If I was to invest $400,000.00 into an all bond portfolio, could you suggest what bond securities you would invest the money? Thanks, Bill
Read Answer Asked by William J on October 07, 2019