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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: Greetings 5i,
I am retired and typically don't have much in the way of fixed income since we have decent pension income, dividend income from a non-Reg account and some income from our RRIFs (started early to postpone CPP).

However, there is likely opportunity now for short-term bonds (higher yields as bond prices have fallen) and long-term bonds (capital gains when interest rates start to fall). Could you please identify two Cdn bond ETFs that would satisfy this rate dumbbell scheme?

Thanks as always for your excellent service.
SP
Read Answer Asked by Steve on January 23, 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: I didn't have bonds this year and I wish I did even though it lost value it still did better than my portfolio tilted toward growth. If you were to initiate a bonds presence in your portfolio. Would you rather buy these 2 or one or the other. Any other suggestion is welcome.

Thx
Read Answer Asked by Yves on December 21, 2022
Q: I read an article in the Globe and Mail this morning where inflation-linked bonds were touted as a good investment at this time. Would you agree with that strategy?
Whether you agree or not could you please give the reasons why. If you do agree where can we buy these bonds and which would you recommend?
Read Answer Asked by shirley on December 07, 2022
Q: Bond ETFs like ZAG and XBB look to be off 20% or more from highs 2 years ago. Do you see a path back to those highs? And over what period of time? The possibility of capital appreciation while collecting 3% interest has some appeal. Would interest rates actually have to decline, or could merely levelling off cause a bond ETF to rise? If you thought the stars might align say in the next 2 years, what ETF might you choose to play a capital appreciation theme (and maybe state a couple of the assumptions you are making)? Thanks,
Read Answer Asked by Stephen R. on November 23, 2022
Q: For price appreciation in the next 12-24 months, would you prefer a long-term ETF like XLB/TLT or an ETF with shorter duration like XBB/ZAG. Or a bit of both?
Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Denise on November 18, 2022
Q: I notice that STIP and TIP have each stopped paying their previously excellent dividends. The prospect of their payouts returning, their low volatility and their low correlation with the remainder of my portfolio keep them somewhat attractive. However, can you recommend preferred stock or bond etfs (preferably with available option series) that can provide low volatility, low equity correlation and some yield?
Read Answer Asked by David on November 10, 2022
Q: Dear 5i
From what i`ve read over the years , it is my understanding that for every 1% increase or decrease in interest rates there is a corresponding 10% increase or decrease in bond prices . Is this generally accurate ?
If so would it be advisable , once it is believed that interest rates have peaked , to purchase a bond ETF ( with longer term holdings ) ? If so what would be your bond ETF of choice ? That being said if interest rates have indeed peaked it would also be favourable for stocks as well . As such i suppose the best scenario is the add to both with new money . Do you agree ?
Thanks as usual ,
Bill C
Read Answer Asked by Bill on November 09, 2022
Q: Back in June I asked about moving some XSB to XLB and you suggusted stick with XSB for another 3 to 5 months. I think I should start to switch some XSB to XLB. Does this make sence or is there another long term bond fund that would be better? Holding period of 5 years or longer.

Thanks Greg
Read Answer Asked by Greg on November 01, 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: HI 5I,

I have been reading, listening to my financial advisor and seeing some answers on your question blog that there may be an opportunity with bonds. I like ETF's the last while, so can you give me your advice on some ETF's that incorporate a high level of bonds that may see some upside if bonds were to have some capital appreciation. Thank-you
Read Answer Asked by Jason on October 25, 2022
Q: what is your thinking about bonds right now.Can you explain how they work with their yields and resets.Are you recommending any bonds or bond funds right now?
Which ones if so.Do you think that the bonds have sold off too much right now?
Read Answer Asked by Josh on October 19, 2022
Q: I am considering dipping my toe into the bond market via ETFs. I know the market is forward-looking as it pertains to equities but does the same hold true in the same way for bonds? Would pricing for XLB, for example, have likely already factored in expected rate increases for the next couple of months or do bonds tend to reprice only after the fact?

Appreciate your insight.

Paul F.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on October 19, 2022
Q: Hi 5i Team,

In your recent article you highlighted that it would be a good time to start stepping into purchasing bonds. I am in my late-30’s so I have a longer term investment horizon and a medium to high risk tolerance. I have never purchased bonds in the past so what would be the best approach to purchasing bonds (ie. is it best to buy an ETF or individual bonds) to capitalize on the current depressed pricing?

Do you see this as being a long term trade or a purchase that should be exited when the conditions begin to reverse?

Thanks in advance,
Jon
Read Answer Asked by Jonathan on October 12, 2022
Q: Hi Peter,

Thanks for your insights at the MoneyShow last week. You mentioned Long Term Bonds as a viable investment option in the current market environment. Can you explain the rational? Also provide some recommendations for ETS (CAD currency preferred) or specific bond and or bond fund.

Thanks for your continued guidance during this bear market opportunity,
Angelo
Read Answer Asked by Angelo on September 23, 2022
Q: I only hold bond positions in these two funds totalling 4.5% of my portfolio. After exiting a couple of equity positions I have a high cash position and was thinking of adding to my bond position. How would you distribute bond investments among
1] less than 5 years
2] 5 to 20 years and
3] over 20 years

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Ronald on August 15, 2022
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