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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: Question for the 5i team. I took over our investment accounts about 8 years ago and since then bonds were not particularly attractive. As bonds my be about to have their day in the sun I feel it may be time to consider adding them to our portfolio. I however lack the knowledge and experience to make informed decisions at this time. The first part of the question is, can you recommend any informative reading or sites that would be of benefit to a novice bond investor. The second part would be a quick summary of your outlook for bonds, longterm, short term, etc and opinion as to which bonds, ie treasuries, to junk, would offer high yield without excessive risk for young retirees. Thanks for all your helpful and sage advice.
Read Answer Asked by Robert on June 09, 2023
Q: Hello 5i
We currently hold CBO, CLF & XRB at 25/25/50% all as long term holdings in a slight loss position. I believe we are currently at (or very near) peak interest rates. Do you have any suggestions to bond replacements that might be better positioned to capture rate reductions for these holdings. (not accounting for the bonus of tax loss selling)
Again many thanks
Les
Read Answer Asked by Les on June 05, 2023
Q: How would you recommend adding a small/prudent amount of exposure to bonds in the current market environment?
Read Answer Asked by Patrick on April 21, 2023
Q: Hello, still seeing these bond etfs drifting downwards, these 4 are the fixed income portion of a well balanced portfolio, with investment savings offering just over 4% is it worth considering a move, these are in sheltered accounts. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Peter on March 23, 2023
Q: I am looking at adding a 15 to 20 percent bond component to my portfolio. From the mix of laddered, aggregate, short/long term and high yield ETF’s listed. Which would you recommend and why? Please let me know if you have other possible suggestions? Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Myron on March 02, 2023
Q: What are your favourite Canadian bond ETFs given the current circumstances and looking ahead a couple of years.
Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Carlos on January 23, 2023
Q: Hello,

What is the difference between PSA and CASH?

Also, I own ZCS and CBO and was wondering if I should increase my allocation to CASH and PSA while reducing my allocation to ZCS and CBO considering the higher rate (better yield) on the short end of the curve. It seems to be higher income / lower risk strategy. Can you please provide your comments. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Pierre on January 17, 2023
Q: I'm looking at my legacy pile of preferred shares of which I have never been fond and wondering if this isn't a good time to sell and invest in a bond ETF such as XHY. I know you have expressed ambivalence about prefs but have also said in better times the class can do better. However, yields are roughly comparable, I can use the loses and invest the proceeds in XHY or a different bond fund which you might suggest, keeping the investment on the fixed income side of the page, Many thanks. al
Read Answer Asked by alex on January 12, 2023
Q: I completed the Portfolio Analytics Tool and uploaded my own holdings. It suggested I should invest in 30 percent fixed income - I’ve spent my investment years in the equity market - any suggestions for this asset class such as which bonds, what terms, etc… ?
Read Answer Asked by Gary on January 04, 2023
Q: My portfolio tracking analysis suggested I purchase fixed income assets - as much as 30 percent. Do you have any suggestions where to start - as I’ve always traded in equities. Are there corporate bonds I should purchase if so what timeline? Or simply ETFs which would be preferred and which ones?
Read Answer Asked by Gary on January 03, 2023
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: In tuesday's globe and mail, Tom Czitron recommeded buying mid term (5-10 year) federal, provincial government, and corporate bonds because they seem to be in the sweet spot between lower risk and higher opportunity, especially if inflation declines and economic growth wanes.
1. Do you agree?
2. Can you recommend names of bonds that fit this bill?
3. please indicate order of buying (best to worse), if any.
thanks
Read Answer Asked by Mary on October 31, 2022
Q: With rising interest rates, does this ETF still make sense for fixed income? I had thought this laddered ETF would be less sensitive to rate increases but that has not been the case - I've been taking a red bath on these. Is there an alternative or another option in the bond space that you would recommend? The duration curve is painful
Read Answer Asked by Elliott on September 19, 2022
Q: I have been a multi year holder of CLF and CBO in my Non Reg account and I would like to take the loss, and find two comparable etfs for my fixed income portion of my portfolio. Suggestions please.
Read Answer Asked by Wayne on September 12, 2022
Q: Was reviewing the 5i Income Portfolio and the type of bond funds in portfolio. Then was looking at the dividend payments on the two ETFs, the convertible bond (which is in the portfolio) is double of the laddered bond (which isn't in portfolio). Are convertible bond funds considered a much higher risk over laddered bond fund?
Read Answer Asked by Betty on August 15, 2022
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