Investment Q&A

Q: Hello, I am wondering what the estimated rate of return is for XLB? Is this a good choice for a RSP?

Q: I currently hold both ZHY and XLB for exposure to bonds. I am looking to consolidate into one. Can you suggest which is better for a long term bond position?

Q: Fixed Income portion of portfolio is 40% and some deposits came due so need to deploy that cash into fixed income. Thinking of putting 25% of the 40% FI into these two ETFs. I would appreciate your thoughts on this plan please. Alternatives are welcome. Thanks again.

Q: Rightly or wrongly, I believe a market downturn is coming with negative rates a possibility. I have raised cash by selling many of my equities. I'm not confident in the health of the corporate bond market but was wondering if you can suggest a government bond fund/ETF (US and/or Canadian government) or other government fixed income strategy that may benefit from negative rates?

Q: I just recently retired and within my portfolio have approx 60% in Bonds (As per above) - while these have been a great hedge against the equity holdings, I am considering either selling some of the bonds listed above - approx 10% and moving these monies into either high yield bonds - ie CHB or ZHY or if not into high yield bonds possibly a high yield dividend fund like XEI or ZWC or ?
While I would like to increase the income on these monies - do you think this is a good time to make this move?

Q: Hello 5i,
I have the above ETF's in my TFSA as I believed the distribution is interest. I read in reports that distribution is dividend or "dividend interest") All quite confusing. In the TFSA's are also a GIC 5 year ladder, growth stocks (LSPD, LNF) and some high dividend paying equities. Should I journal the above ETF's to a non-registered account and refill the TFSA come January with more growth and GIC's or leave everything alone? I am 73 with a defined pension and 60/40 fixed / equity
Stanley

Q: Hi 5iTeam,
I noticed that when the markets pulled back in early to mid March this year, both bond ETFs: XLB (approx. -28%) and XSB (approx -9%), pulled back as well although there were no movements in interest rates. I would think that these bond ETFs are a good proxy for cash, then what would investors' reason be for selling? Your comments on this would be much appreciated.
Cheers,

Q: Looking for a safe place to park my Moms Money. I was thinking about XLB , but the risk reward there is crazy in my view.
The draw down the way i see it was around 26.5% back in March, this to me looks like the Bond Market isn't functioning properly. She currently owns Scotia Innova Income portfolio which pays a distribution of 3% . The draw down in that fund last March was around 8% i believe, this to me not making much sense either when comparing it to XLB
Considering the issues mentioned above, Does purchasing GICs seem rationale to you considering these crazy times.
Thanks !

Q: Morning, 5iTeam,

I am thinking taking a position in XLB and XSB. Would this move make a good pair trade in your opinion?
Cheers,

Q: Hi, US long terms bonds performed very well during the recent market decline. Did the Canadian bond etfs perform well during this down turn? Which ones did well? I would add to such bond etfs. Thanks.

Regards,

Shyam

Q: Good morning! I would like to add to the fixed income side of my portfolio ... pls recommend the best fixed income investment today (retired, long-term hold, dividend investor). Thank you for this Q&A service!

Q: In your portfolio analytics, you used to have A list of suggested etfs for each sector. I cannot find this list anymore. Has it been removed? Could you please provide a list of recommended etfs for each sector. Thank you

Q: Hi Guys
I own this fund. My understanding on the High Yield bond funds is not very good. When would you guys view as a good time to possibly add more money.
Thanks Gord

Q: Hello Peter et al.

I hope you are all doing well in these unprecedented times. I would like an explanation of the ETF price movement of XLB.TO through these markets. When the markets began to crash to the lows in late March, XLB price surged all the way up to $29.00 and then dropped suddenly all the way to $22.00 and has since bounced all the way back to around $27.00 now? I expected the rise in price because stocks were dropping precipitately but I did not expect it then to drop all the way down to $22. Why did that happen? Also it has bounced back to $27.00 now and why is that as well? What am I missing here in my understanding of this bond ETF? I would have thought the bond prices would have went higher because people would have transferred into bonds for security in these uncertain times. Am I wrong in my interpretation here? I expected the same with gold and gold stocks went down for a bit because of mine closures due to COVID-19. They have since rebounded nicely due to mines being re-opened now and they are producing gold again at good prices. Thanks for the great service. Please educate me here.

Regards,

Brendan

Q: Since the world is engaged in massive bailouts and handouts, does taking a position in US treasuries become more appealing. I know very little about govt bonds other than they are supposed to be safe and they are uncorrelated to the stock market, but if the US govt (and everyone else) is going to buy huge amounts of their own treasuries, it seems this might be a place to make money, not just store it. Is this thinking flawed?
If i take a position in ztl, is this just a safety play, or can it continue to make big gains? Are there other long bond etfs that i should consider?
Thanks for all your help in demystifying the investing world
t

Q: Greetings 5i: I have some XLB which I thought would do well when/if interest rates fell. When interest rates plummeted the unit value dropped almost $7. Now I could be wrong (again) but I don't think interest rates are moving up or down any time soon. It's my expectation that when rates do eventually start to go up that XLB may not be something I want to own. I'd appreciate your thoughts. Thanks. Rick.

Q: Would you have any recommendations for individual corporate bonds with decent yield to maturity for up to a 7-year term? Based on my research, yield remains low for decent quality. Thank you!

Q: I am a long time subscriber and an avid reader of the Q&A. Even with all I have learned, I am still having a difficult time understanding how to invest the fixed income portion of my portfolio. I want fixed income to provide portfolio stability by protecting on the downside while offering the possibility of capital gains along with some income.

I am a buy and hold investor on the equity side and I am comfortable deciding when to sell a company. However, the fixed income side seems to demand a more active approach - or does it? For example, you have been suggesting that interest rates seem likely to decline in the coming months so that would favour long term bonds. But for stability, or as an offset in case I am wrong, should I also hold short term notes? Should my fixed income portion be split 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 among cash, short term and long term and just left at that or is it necessary to continually monitor and adjust these weightings? Or is there one fund that does all that already?

Appreciate your insight.

Paul F.

Q: Do you have an opinion on this etf ?

Q: Hi, I do not have any bonds or fixed income. Looking for one or two prospects to start, with about $50,000 to invest. Would like 3-4%+income. What are your views on the above, and of course any other you may suggest. Would like one size fits all if possible.
Also in a possible 30% downturn in the market , how much would a bond etf cushion the blow?
Thanks