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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: Hello 5i,

In your recent update, you are increasing XHY to 6% of the income portfolio. We own quite a bit of ZAG in a non-registered account (about 10% of the total portfolio) that we received this year as part of an inheritance. Given your update, does it make sense to sell some ZAG and replace with XHY? The remainder of investments are in mostly diverse growth stocks and other ETFs on your advice and I'm looking to retire in about 10 years.

Thank you and happy holidays,
John
Read Answer Asked by John on December 28, 2022
Q: I didn't have bonds this year and I wish I did even though it lost value it still did better than my portfolio tilted toward growth. If you were to initiate a bonds presence in your portfolio. Would you rather buy these 2 or one or the other. Any other suggestion is welcome.

Thx
Read Answer Asked by Yves on December 21, 2022
Q: hello 5i:
We hold the Pimco Monthly Income Fund as our sole Global Fixed Income contributor. We are not displeased with it, but wonder if you favour another ETF, or mutual fund, that could replace it, or complement it. We would probably expect at least a 4.5% distribution. Ideas?
thanks
Paul L
Read Answer Asked by Paul on November 28, 2022
Q: For price appreciation in the next 12-24 months, would you prefer a long-term ETF like XLB/TLT or an ETF with shorter duration like XBB/ZAG. Or a bit of both?
Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Denise on November 18, 2022
Q: Great October Market Report. I notice that in the 2008 and 2020 periods, job opening numbers began to decline only after higher rates had plateaued for a period of time. Today, job opening numbers have started to decline before higher rates have begun to plateau. Does this suggest the FED has gone too far to fast...and is poised, or could be forced, to quickly pivot? I'm just looking for a good reason to step into ZAG, or XBB for some decent yields and opportunities for capital growth. Thanks as always.
Read Answer Asked by Curtis on October 20, 2022
Q: How would you suggest a 70+ participate in this market,if at all?
Read Answer Asked by TERRY on September 19, 2022
Q: What are your thoughts on index funds and if you were to buy a few which ones would it be, following the Canadian and US exchanges?

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Cam on August 31, 2022
Q: I am 80 and I have 85 k in my TFSA . Iam looking to invest in Fix income . What would you suggest ?
Read Answer Asked by charlie on July 27, 2022
Q: Hi team. About a year ago I sold out of ZAG and replaced it with ZST. This has worked well as ZAG dropped about 16% while ZST was relatively flat. I would have thought that with rates still rising, ZST would be a safer place to be but I have heard a number of recommendations on BNN and elsewhere that it is time to get back into longer term bonds. I have noticed that the share price of ZAG has been turning up recently. Is it time to switch back into ZAG?
Read Answer Asked by Ken on July 08, 2022
Q: Many months ago, everybody and their brother was predicting interest rate increases, so I sold the bond funds in my RRSP (primarily ZAG) and bought short term bond funds like ZST and XFR. And for some fun /an experiment, I bought some TBF. I try not to time the equity market (as per your sage advice), but I could not resist with bonds (because it seemed like everyone was convinced about the interest rate direction). Good news is that TBF is up 22% YTD; and ZAG is down 13% YTD, but I do not understand why I do not hear anyone promoting TBF as a solution for this rising rate environment. What am I missing? Is there a liquidity risk for sellers when the rates start to flatten out; or is there a significant and quick price plunge risk; or...??? Thanks in advance for your comments.
Read Answer Asked by David on June 27, 2022
Q: I am currently managing my TFSA/RRSP funds and some money outside of registered accounts, which are largely individual stocks. With the market volatility, potential recession and war in Ukraine, I am finding it more difficult to keep on top of the individual stocks and am therefore considering going to ETF's. I am a year away from retirement but would be ok with more risk in the TFSA/RRSP's.
Could you please suggest 5 ETF's for the registered accounts and 5 ETF's for the non-registered accounts.
Thank you,
Jacquie
Read Answer Asked by Jacquie on June 02, 2022
Q: Hello 5i Team,

We recently settled my parents estate and the 3 sons (me included) received a fairly large transfer in the form of 5 ETFs including ZAG (9%), XEF (11%), XUS (3%), XIC (13%) and VFV (12%). This now represents almost half of the total portfolio whereas the remainder is invested in diverse stocks and some other ETFs mostly on your advice. I think you like ZAG for bonds but I’d like to ask if any of the other ETFs seem problematic to you or would you switch any with a similar focus? We also own some XQQ, WXM, IWO and VUN (all at about 2% each). Looking to retire in 10-15 years and with a pretty good risk tolerance.

Thank you for your help!

John

Read Answer Asked by John on May 10, 2022
Q: Could you give me 7 diversified income etfs for 200000 rank them in order which ones you would pick up first etc. thanks
Read Answer Asked by Ken on May 09, 2022
Q: What is your suggestion for bonds or a bond fund in this market climate? Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Gary on April 25, 2022