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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: I am trying to clean up my portfolio a bit by reducing the number of holdings. For the fixed income portion I have 5 different bond funds (CBO, XBB, XHY, CVD, HYGH). Is there enough overlap with either of these that I should consolidate any, or would you suggest any different ETFs to simplify the fixed income portion of my portfolio?
Read Answer Asked by Steven on November 01, 2018
Q: I am looking for the proper vehicle for the bond portion of my portfolio.
Would like to have 3% yield in short term ETF. Does rising rates mean existing bonds in an ETF will decline(and hence a lower ETF price)?
Can you suggest any appropriate bond ETF’s?
Derek
Read Answer Asked by Derek on October 29, 2018
Q: What would be solid and safe ETF`s for fixed income? Looking at 5-10 years timeframe.
Thanks
Kevin
Read Answer Asked by Kevin on October 26, 2018
Q: I hold both XBB and ZFH in my RRSP. Is there an advantage to holding both or should I consolidate in ZFH? ... or to another fund which you can suggest?

I need to add a greater bond exposure and want to ensure I'm not simply doubling up.

Thanks,
Ron
Read Answer Asked by Ronald on October 18, 2018
Q: I'm retired and have no fixed income in my portfolio.
I would like to switch about 15% of my investments into fixed income. I have read all the questions regarding MFT but am looking for a few more ideas with as much return as is prudently possible.
I spend time in the U.S., so an idea or two there would be a great help, as well.
Thank you, in advance.
Read Answer Asked by Kyle on October 15, 2018
Q: Recently signed up with 5i and I appreciate the information provided. My first question ... I am reducing the risk in my portfolio in anticipation of a market decline over the next 6 to 18 months. Part of which includes increasing the allotment cash/bonds so that I can reinvest in equities at the appropriate time. Over the summer I've moved into some HFR,XBB, HTB. I would like to get some yield but I do not need the cash flow for years down the road. What are your thoughts on these 3 choices for risk reduction and capital appreciation when the market corrects?
Read Answer Asked by Brian on September 17, 2018
Q: A friend father age 82 recently sold his residence and is looking to invest. Wants to be in the market. Can you suggest 3 to 5 ETF's for him to invest. Thinking Canadian and Us market , as well as a Bond ETF. Has a small registered fund & TFSA.
Read Answer Asked by David on September 07, 2018
Q: We will be putting 50,000 in my wife TFSA inNovember. we are looking for relatively safe investments with decent return.We think perhaps 10 investments @5000 each.Can you suggest other names I could look into.We have RRSP maxed out with varied portfolio.Deduct as many credits required. Tks 5i
Read Answer Asked by Guy on August 13, 2018
Q: Can you please provide a few bond ETF's that may react positively in a market correction to soften the blow to a portfolio? Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Graham on July 10, 2018
Q: I have 25% in fixed income in the above ETFs. In my TD account they are all showing a small negative return. Wouldn't cash be better or a GIC. I would really like to understand the logic of holding these rather than say a GIC. Thanks so much.
Read Answer Asked by Danny-boy on June 18, 2018
Q: Hi 5i,

I need to create a fixed income allocation in my LIRA. Would you recommend an equal allocation to the following ETF's: CBO, XBB, ZEF, CPD and ZHY? If not what would you recommend for a fixed income etf position.

Thanks,
Read Answer Asked by Christopher on June 18, 2018
Q: Hi 5i,

Need to create a new fixed income/bond position in my portfolio. Looking to allocate holdings (equally?) across the following ETF's: CBO, XBB, ZEF, CPD, and ZHY. Would you recommend this as a good long term strategy or would there be a better ETF combination you'd recommend.

BTW loved your May issue in ETF Fund Update (etffundupdate.ca) on balancing sector allocation.
Read Answer Asked by Christopher on June 18, 2018
Q: Of my bond holdings representing 5% of my portfolio and want to increase to 10%; I'm wondering if anyone listed that I should eliminate/increase in this market environment. Would appreciate any other suggestions. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Charles on May 23, 2018
Q: As between the two Canadian Fixed Income ETFs - XBB, VAB and ZAG - which ones) would be your choice? Or would it make sense to have exposure to all?
Read Answer Asked by M on May 09, 2018
Q: 5-I,
I am looking at a managed portfolio of a friend who deals at Wood Gundy. They are comparing the performance of the portfolio to the "Value Balanced Index". It says it is a blended benchmark comprised of 40% DEX Universe, 20% S&P/TSX composite and 40% MSCI World. What would be the closest ETF to this index that I could follow on an exchange ?

Thanks

Paul
Read Answer Asked by paul on April 23, 2018
Q: Hi 5i. FI = Fixed Income

My (6) FI holdings with rough total returns (including MER & dividends) for period held (average ~ 1.5 years): CBO -1.3%, CPD +15.0%, HFR +1.7%, XBB -2.2%, XHY+5.5%, LQD -0.6%.

NOTE: LQD not selectable, so picked HYG for question above.

Question: I understand the reasoning behind having the above FI holdings in my portfolio, but holding CBO & XBB seems like a sure way to lose money. So why not move CBO & XBB holdings to HFR (and possibly also XHY) which at least returns me ~ +1.7% pretty reliably? Your opinion on my FI mix would also be appreciated.

Thank you for continued solid wise advice.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on April 10, 2018
Q: Hello 5i:
We currently hold about 4% of our portfolio in CSU.DB; bought first about 3 years ago with subsequent additions. It's been a very good and stable performer (thanks for the tip as in addition to the excellent dividend, we also have capital gains). Can you provide another name, possibly A ranked company that would have a similar fixed income contribution? Or, should we merely increase our weighting in CSU.DB?
btw, we also hold CSU (the regular equity) at about 3% of our portfolio.

thanks
Paul L
Read Answer Asked by Paul on April 03, 2018
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