Investment Q&A

Q: hi folks:
what would be your choices for investments (etf or mutual funds) in the commodity space?

specifically is there one holding which covers all commodities from coffee to oils, or would a more narrow focus be better ie. xma, xba ?

because of the 'timing/rotation aspect of commodities in general I would not be adverse to a fund

thanks

Q: You mentioned that for ETF's that up to 10% holding is fine, would holding XGD up to 10% be okay if you only have TFSA account and is only around $20,000 and this would be the only material sector stock that you own or is this too high. Currently have a 5% weight.
Thanks

Q: I think the US tax cut has the potential to be inflationary. Investors will have more money in their pockets as the US indices go up and at the same time US government debt will go up since tax income declines but spending does not. The government will be borrowing more to fund their operations. Inflation will help the government as they can use depreciated dollars to pay off their debt. I don’t really buy the argument that increasing economic activity/wealth will somehow flow into back into government coffers replacing the revenues lost to the tax cuts. That being said are gold mining companies a good hedge against inflation? Inflation seems to lead to higher interest rates which is bad for gold. We own some AEM but our weighting is a bit light. Any recommendations?
Thanks
Jim

Q: My materials and precious metals exposure is limited to the above two stocks, and both are very small positions. With recent talk about positive prospects for materials going forward, what etf would you recommend if I decided to put some more money into this sector?

Q: Would like your opinion on SPE? Sell or hold? I want to sell it and buy Kirkland Lake gold. KL still your favorite gold stock? What's the value per share of KL? Do you have a favorite gold ETF? Thank you so much.

Q: I am planning to sell ABX to take a tax loss. However, I like to stay invest in the gold/gold miner sector. I can get my wife to buy back ABX or any of the above companies. I would like your opinion on your preferred investment vehicle in gold/gold miner at this time > any of the above 5 companies? or do you have any other favorite company in this sector ? BTW, can you let me know if I buy ABX in the NYSE, will its dividend qualified for Canadian dividend tax credit ? Thank you.

Q: I have just recently sold these 2 mutual funds and would like 2 buy etf as a replacement. What would your recommendatios be. Plse deduct 2 questions

Q: Hi team, I have a spec position in a junior miner that has done very well while we wait for them to release drill results. In your experience, is it better to sell before the results or wait it out? The first drill result was very promising. I ask this question in the context of investing in the junior market. What has been your experience in investing in junior miners? Any strategies?
Cheers

Q: Given all the world events and the fact we are at the end of a prolonged bull market could you give me your thoughts on a gold hedge play. I have a small position in DGC(.75%). Would you suggest adding here or selling this for another or just staying put?
Would you suggest a stock or the bullion and could you give me suggestions on both?
Thanks

Q: Have over 20 years until retirement. VVL has been a disappointment , seems to be holding too many stocks that underperform and has substantially low dividend yield compared to VCN/VUN.

RRSP Account
ZUH 10%
VVL 7%
ZGI 8%
COW 10%
XWD 6%
ZLU 7%
ZLB 7%
VXC 5%
ZID 2%
VUN 7%
CWW 9%
XGD 6%
XIT 8%
Cash 8%

What would be your top 5 etfs for a long term hold?

Q: Do I really need gold (XGD)?

I know 5i regards gold as an insurance/flight-to-safety hedge, but over ~ 10 years of investing, gold (XGD) has only lost me money. So, based on:

(a) http://money.cnn.com/2017/04/19/retirement/retirement-savings-gold/index.html and
(b) May 08, 2017 - Asked by Harry 'you can use TIPS securities under ticker TIP',

I'm considering replacing all my XGD (2.2% of portfolio; keeping RTM and ZCL in Basic Materials sector) with TIP ETF (10-year returns: TIP: +13.2%, XGD: -30%).

Would very much value you thoughts on this. Thank you.

Q: It was recommended in one of the US investment articles to catch the recent upward trend in gold. Your opinion please?

Q: Without regard for sector diversification and/or weight - If I needed to raise some cash in my portfolio, and wanted to sell some of my losers...which of these names would you sell in order of priority. Could you kindly provide rationale for why you might sell vs. hold. Thanks

Q: Given past seasonal weakness trends in the markets, do you think taking a 20 percent position in gold and the vxx from now to Sept/Oct is a good idea? Thanks.

Q: I have looked at gold and precious metals ltd. ASA. US (closed end mutual fund). What are your thoughts on asa for a small holding 3 percent to diversify?

Q: Good Afternoon: I am thinking of increasing my exposure to the materials sector (principally North America but am open to international) and would like to do so through an etf. I already have an approx. 7% exposure to energy (mostly Cdn.) and less than 1% each to gold and materials. Would you please recommend an etf that you believe to be a good option for me here. Thanks.

Q: In my portfolio I am overweight in Canadian Financial (Banks) and the US tech stocks, but I have no exposure to the Materials sector (except gold.) Can you please recommend me a few materials and mining stocks (in the order or your preference) or do you suggest an ETF.
Based on the recent weakness of the sector is this the right time to get in this sector? or do you suggest that you should stay away

Q: I would like a small positon in gold for my TFSA that pays a dividen for longterm hold. What would be your best choice? thanks.

Q: My average annual return based on 5i guidance is 13.3% over 8 years. Can't argue with that. Thank you.

Question: XWD, for example, is a global ETF which invests in 5000 companies around the planet, which has returned a very steady (almost a straight line) 13.09% since inception.

So why not sell my 40 stocks and simply buy a combination of:
- XWD (growth)
- CBO (fixed income + security)
- XGD (security)
and call it a day? This would have returned say 11% - 12%.
Pretty close...

Maybe this should be addressed on your ETF site, but I thought it was worth asking here.

As usual, thank you for your sound advice.

Q: Have a moderate position in XGD-T and plan to keep it as long term insurance on the general condition of the stock market Good idea?

Thank you.