Investment Q&A

Q: Hi Peter and Team,

In our grandchildren's RESP (ages 15 and 16) I have been using accumulated dividends to 'top up' the above ETFs, as I'm able to do so commission-free through Scotia iTrade. The portfolio is balanced, with the majority of holdings from the 5i portfolios. Can you suggest a strategy as to which ETF(s) I should invest this extra cash at any given time? Since the 16-year-old is in grade eleven, and the 15-year-old is in grade ten, is it safer to use CLF and/or CBO, even though their charts don't look so great, as compared to CDZ and CUD?

Thanks in advance for your valued advice.

Q: Hi,

I have no bonds in my portfolios and am interested in picking up some laddered corporate bonds, specifically convertible debendetures (unrated) from smaller firms. Pays about 5% and after purchase bonds would comprise about 3% of my portfolio.

I'd like to hear your thoughts, and if there are other options for getting some exposure to bonds (ETFs for ex.).

Cam

Q: I note that CBO have US instruments within their investment portfolio. What percentage of the portfolio is in non Canadian paper and what effect does currency have on this ETF. Regards

Q: I've recently sold my ZRE position and am looking for some suggestions on what to consider purchasing with the extra funds on the fixed income side of my portfolio. My equity portfolio is balanced; I am about 8 years from retirement, and am conservative in my approach. I am about 30% in laddered GICs, 5% individual bonds, 3% CPD and 5% in cash. I don't have any bond ETFs (and am concerned about the principal in a rising interest rate environment). What to do with the extra cash? More CPD? Or an international REIT? Or a bond ETF, Canadian or International? Or something else?

Q: Greetings Peter and 5i Team,
I have $100,000 to invest in the fixed income part of my portfolio. All investments will be inside a RRSP. As a retiree, I'm hoping for capital preservation, (safety) with a reasonable return on my investment. Currently, the only exposure I have to fixed income is ZPR. I'm considering adding the investments in your Income Fund (CVD, XHY), as well as HFR to my portfolio.
-Do you believe these investments will provide solid fixed income exposure?
-Do you see any way I can improve my exposure to the sector? i.e. is there any need for exposure to foreign bonds?
- What percentage of the $100,000 would you allocate to each ETF?
As always, thanks in advance for your appreciated support.

Q: With interest rates likely increasing this month in Canada and also the USA, would you put any extra cash into bond funds (like CBO,XHY) or preferred shares right now; or wait to see if the prices decline with the new higher interest rates?

Thank you.

Q: Dear 5i,

I am aiming to configure a fixed-income allocation that is an equal compromise between safety/security and long-term total return potential. I would like to choose ETFs that are versatile enough that they may continue to be reasonably held irrespective of changes in market, interest rate, inflation, and economic conditions. Which configuration do you think would be most appropriate for fulfilling this mandate:

1. 100% VAB
2. 50% VAB, 50% VCB or ZCM
3. 25% VAB, 25% VSB, 50% VCB or ZCM
4. 50% VCB or ZCM, 50% intermediate-duration (~5 years) Canadian government bond ETF (does one exist?)
5. another configuration (please suggest)?

I would prefer to avoid the higher risk XHY and CPD. Why does 5i prefer CLF (VSG is cheaper and similar) and CBO (VSC is cheaper and similar)? VCB is relatively new and has only $12.7M in net assets at this time, is this a problem? Or should I opt for the costlier but similar ZCM?

I realize there are actually many embedded questions in this 'question', so please deduct as many credits as appropriate. I am sure your answer will be well worth it.

Thank you.

Q: Hi 5i Team:
A couple of thanks first before getting to my question.
1. Thanks for the fantastic job you did on my portfolio review and the suggested transactions.
2. Thanks for your opinion and feedback on annuities.
I have some money to add to my fixed income. Are you still liking CLF for government bonds and CBO for investment grade corporate bonds. Time horizon is very long term. Or do you have some other suggestions.
Thanks so much.

Q: Good day,
Can you tell me why there was such a big volume spike in CBO today and is that a good or bad thing. Thanks

Q: VSB looks to include both government and corporate bonds. Is owning VSB the equivalent to owning CBO and CLF? Looking to reduce number of holdings and the MER on VSB is attractive. Is there something similar that includes corporate and govt short term bonds that you like better? Thank you for all that you do!

Q: Dear 5i
Can you confirm the following yields and MER`s for the following Bond ETF`s;
CLF yield 3.04% & MER .17%
CBO yield 2.91% & MER .28%
CPD yield 4.54% & MER .51%
XHY yield 5.47% & MER .67%
Thanks
Bill C.

Q: Could you compare these two ETFs for me. I'm trying to figure out what advantages CBO has over ZCS to justify the differences in fees.

Q: I am looking for an ETF to replace my maturing corporate bonds as part of my fixed income portfolio. I am thinking of buying HAB. I also currently own HFR which I bought last year. Any thoughts on HAB or do you you suggest something else to provide reasonably stable returns.

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: Hi team,
Just a point of confusion: TD Direct Investing treats CBO, XHY and the like as equities, while in your Portfolio Review these are treated as fixed income. Does this matter as long as one is consistent in their assignation of the sector / allocation? I think it does matter as it changes the perspective of the portfolio as a whole. I would like your opinion.
Thank you
Stanley Cohen

Q: Hi, would the etf (CXF) be a significant diversifier in the canadian portion of an income portfolio that currently includes XQB and CBO? How would you rate the risk of that etf? Thanks

Q: I'm looking for a safe place to park some money. You've mentioned CLF but could you explain why its price chart goes straight down and do you expect this trend to continue? Also, what might make it rise? Thanks.

Q: Place(s) to park some cash in Cdn funds (50K) for a short term hold to ride out potential volatility & recently talked about possible market correction?
Ted

Q: I own some CBO and with increasing rates and inflation has this ETF bottomed out or can you suggest a replacement.

Q: COULD YOU TELL ME YOUR VIEW REGARDING THOSE ETF, FOR AN INCOME PORTFOLIO.(CBO - XBB - BXF )
THANK YOU.
P.