Investment Q&A

Q: I'm hearing caution about government bonds (inability to pay during recession) so what is your recommendation on corporate bonds, individually and ETF?

Q: I currently own CPD in a taxable account at a loss position. With interest rates looking like they are going downwards would it be positive for preferred resets? Would you be okay with a switch from CPD to XBB at this time? I have CPD as part of my fixed income portfolio even though it is kind of a hybrid between equity and bond. Thanks for your insight

Q: With the possibility of a pending recession in the next year, would you recommend selling one of the following bond funds: ZLC, XBB and ZHY?

Q: Could you suggest some great quality Canadian bonds that are publicly trading?

Q: I'm looking for a world-wide ETF to invest in long-term, without exposure to Canada. I came across XAW. It seemed like a wise choice. I like it because it's world-wide, but doesn't include Canada, and has no bond holdings.

I am currently saving for a downpayment and have about 30% of my portfolio in XBB (which will be used for the downpayment). Plus a bunch of money invested in Canada already.
1. What do you think about XAW?
2. Any other ETFs in a similar space as XAW I should consider?

Thanks!

Q: I should have bonds in my portfolio as I'm 69 but don't currently. I am considering XBB to diversify the portfolio - other suggestions?

Q: There are plenty of forecasts telling us that bond yields are declining and may go to zero.
If they continue to decline , what does this mean and how can an investor take advantage of this. Your Asset Allocator tells me I need to move $500,000 into fixed income to balance my portfolio, which is predominantly equities.
Do I go to a bond fund , or actual bonds? If so what would you recommend? If bonds what type and term? I will hold for min 5 - 10 years.

Thanks and take as many credits as you wish.

Q: Hi 5i,
I am looking for your advice on what to buy for a new TFSA (full $63,500 deposit) at this time. The funds in this account will be required in the next 3 to 5 years. Income and growth are the objectives, within the requirement to preserve capital. Would you allocate your recommendations equally or ? Thanks!

Q: Thank you for your Portfolio Analytics feature, I am finding it a useful tool for helping with overall perspective.

Here is a sounding board fixed income ETF allocation question.

In registered accounts I currently have 1% XBB and another 4'ish% spread generally evenly between VSC, CLF and CBO.

For general simplification purposes would it be a better idea to only hold a couple of ETFs or maybe even just a single bond fund?

Possibly keep XBB and choose one of shorter-termed VSC/CLF/CBO products? Would you suggest different ETF(s) instead? Thanks for any ideas and I recognize you are not giving individual advice.

Q: Hello 5i team,
The price of the above shot up by 7% in the last 6 months; is that a reflection of the more accommodative stance of the Fed?
Thanks
Antoine

Q: I presently have Cdn cash in a savings account @ 1.95. I will not require these funds for at least 5 years. Can you suggest a strategy to increase rate of return, not taxed as interest, low fees and minimal risk. Please rate the above funds. Any other suggestions?

Q: Hello 5i team,
It seems to me that interest rates will remain low in the next year or so; in that context, would it be wise to invest in the above ETFs. I would be happy if I got a return of 2 or 3%.
Thanks,
Antoine

Q: For the next 6-12 months, do you think moving from XBB into CLF or ZPS would provide greater security? Thanks.

Q: Which is better in terms of cost, diversification, performance, risk: MD Bond Fund or XBB.TO?

Q: 2 questions - please deduct as many points as needed.
Q1 - according to Portfolio Analytics, I need to increase my fixed income allocation by $90k. I own 4% positions in XBB, ZIC & PMO005 and 2.6% in CPD. Would you recommend adding to one of these or would you suggest adding another ETF?
Q2 - I need to add $125k to International exposure. Current international holdings include XAW, XMI & XEC at just over 2%. Should i add to anyone of these or add something else?

Q: Hi 5i.

I have transitioned from 55 stocks to 25 hybrid (ETF (16) & keeper stocks (9)) 3 months ago, based on 5i Stock & ETF Growth/Balanced portfolios. Sleep better.

Question: Given 'Ya can't time the market', can one successfully/intelligently tweak holdings a bit based on current economic conditions?

Example: Given USA-China trade war risk, move 20% (VEE, VTI, VVL, XEF, AYX) to (ZAG, XBB, CLF, HFR, ENB). If market goes down -2%, swap half back. Another -2%, swap back remaining half; otherwise, do nothing. Do this at most say 3 or 4 times a year.

Am I just kidding myself that ETFs can be used differently than individual stocks?
I did buy more (VVL, VEE) with available cash when they went down -3% (last week) from when I bought them, with little emotion. Just felt 'smart'. Or am I deluding myself?

Thank you for your continued wise advise for 6+ years.

Q: Good Morning, I have been watching ZAG and XBB in order to deploy cash. Not sure when is a good entry point? I know we cannot time the market but what would you suggest I should look for (e.g.. off it's 52 wk high, net asset value etc). Which one would you prefer ZAG or XBB. Thank you. Heather

Q: Hi Team,

Question about income etf's, i have roughly 225k invested. I am 50 years old and have always been an aggressive investor. Usually an 80%equity to 20%income. In which etf or etf's would you allocated the 20%

Thanks

Q: For the above I have the following percentages:
VSC - 2.5%
XBB - 3.3%
XHY - 2.0%
CPD - 1.0%

Next year I must convert to a RIF and was going to work toward lessening my equity portion and increase the portion paying reliable dividends.

What would you increase these holdings up to? Are there others I should consider? I currently have 24% in utilities and a small position of 2.8% in CDZ.

Thank you

Q: looking ahead the next 6 to 12 months and with safety of principal in mind, how would you rank these fixed income etf's? thanks.