Investment Q&A

Q: I am a conservative, retired, dividend-income investor with a pension, CPP, annuities and a diversified equity portfolio, consisting of 60% stocks and 40% ETFs-Mutual funds.

I currently have 8% of my equity portfolio in REITs, 5% in Sentry Global REIT and the other 3% sourced from portions contained within ZLB, Sentry Cdn Income and RBC Cdn Equity Inc Fund.

Question 1 = What percentage of my asset mix would you currently recommend be allocated to the REIT sector? In the past, I believe you recommended 5%. If I ignore the "portions" discovered by "looking under the hood", I am at 5%. However, the true number is probably 8%.

Q 2 = About a year ago Sentry REIT was combined with Sentry Global REIT. As of Sept 30/16 it was quite global = 43% Cdn, 28% USA, 6% Singapore, 4% each in UK, Australia, France, 3% Spain, 3% Japan, 2% Netherlands, and 2% Hong Kong. I am concerned about the various currency impacts on the performance of the fund. The fund has a 1 year total return of 6.6% to Sept 30, but a -1.25% return YTD. I have held this fund for over 3 years and have averaged > 6%/year, but I am concerned about the currency impacts on future performance. It has a MER of 2.4%. Is it time to sell and move into something like ZRE?

Thanks in advance, Steve

Q: Peter and Team

As the sector allocation between ZLB and XMV (both identified Low volatility ETF) is significantly different. Could you please confirm which ETF would be most suitable to replace Sentry All Cap Income Fund with a MER of 2.68%?

Thanks

Sylvain

Q: Hi Peter, Ryan, and Team, In today's question from Albert, where would ZLB fit into the mix? I realize that it has a lower yield than PDC, but a better long-term record than it or CDZ. Your thoughts? As always, the advice I receive from 5i is invaluable!

Q: I have transitioned a substantial part of my own RRSP from mutual funds to individual stocks & other investments, with the help of 5i (thanks! Done quite well), over the past 3 years.

My wife is still reluctant to do the same, so we are transitioning her RRSP from mutual funds to ETF's, with only one purchased so far. The specific ETF our advisor put us in was BMO ZDV. At the time, I specifically wanted an ETF with lower exposure to the energy sector.

Unfortunately, we bought in at the August 2014 peak, and are underwater by 20%, even after distributions. Moreover, the distributions have been steadily dropping since we bought in.

Is it time to bail out of this ETF, and if so, what would you replace it with?

Thanks.

Q: Peter and team:
In my kid's RESP, I am trying to transition away from individual equities into ETF's as we approach the time that it will be required.They currently hold ZWB, ZRE, ZLB & ZLU. I was thinking of adding ZDV to this. Would this be redundant, or help in diversity along with increased yield.

Thank you as always.

Phil

Q: Bought a small portion of ZWU(covered call utilities with 0.72% mer) @ $15.04 in mid 2013(now$13.33) & loss is covered by the 0.08pm distribution.Please advise if I should switch to T,BCE.FTS, CDZ(0.67% mer) or Zlb(.39% mer)In 2013,I did not know what stock in the sector to buy.Since I joined 5I,I learn a lot & now tend to prefer a stock that is suggested by You.Thanks for your usual great advices & services.

Q: Ours is a very conservative portfolio, with one third in dividend-paying equities, half of that individual stocks and half no-load funds. The latter's performance doesn't seem to justify the MER's so I would like to reduce, maybe eliminate, that cost, roughly $5,000 per year. Any thoughts you might have on how best to effect that change and what form that should take, eg less funds, more stocks and/or ETF's, will be much appreciated.

Q: I would like to divide $100,000.00 into 4 ETS of equal weights. Preferably high yield but still conservative. I have been trying to do it myself but I am overwhelmed by the choices. I currently have the two above but they may be too much the same.

Thanks for being there!
Bryan

Q: Over the past few months ZLB is no longer outperforming the others. I would like to pool these funds, add some cash to bring it to 5% of my holdings and invest it into a good conservative ETF. Please comment. Thank you.