skip to content
  1. Home
  2. >
  3. Investment Q&A
You can view 3 more answers this month. Sign up for a free trial for unlimited access.

Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: I hold 2 bond funds in my RSP, ZAG and BND. Both bought last summer after a GIC matured and I didn't want to lock in funds again at that time. Both ETFs are slightly under water on the stock price, and getting worse. Interest payments don't do much more than make me even. With a low yield (esp. ZAG), market movements can be a killer and has me thinking a money market type fund might have been better, despite lower yields still. I know you seem to think rates will be coming down - which I assume will be a plus - but the market seems to be pointing the other way. Questions:
1) would you continue to hold these funds
2) do these complement each other, which was my thinking
3) do you see either of these funds changing their monthly payments
4) are there better alternatives
Thank-you
Read Answer Asked by grant on March 10, 2026
Q: Good Morning,

Retired income investor with almost 100% of funds in equities. I feel it is time that I added some bond exposure but I am not well informed on this market. Can you please suggest investments that would get me started, cover the basic gamut and provide reasonable returns.

Thanks very much.
Read Answer Asked by Dave on February 26, 2026
Q: I have no Bond investments and would add to my TFSA and RRSP's. Are there any other that I should consider. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by David on February 24, 2026
Q: Hello, can you please confirm these 2 ETF would not be subject to Withholding Tax? Also, can you please recommend 2 diversified stock ETF for exposure outside Canada which would not be subject to Withholding Tax, with decent dividend and buy and forget type of security. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Pierre on February 23, 2026
Q: Good Mormning.
Given your positive comments om XHY and BND, I am considering adding to my holdings. How safe are the distributions on these types of funds? Will the distributions remain constant regardless of market conditions?
Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Dennis on February 20, 2026
Q: I am all equities in my RSP and RIF portfolio. Although a solid blue chip list of Cdn, US, some international, I would like to mitigate risk by adding one or two bond etf's (cdn dollar). These can be Canadian bonds or a combination NA and global. Please offer one or two...and are we looking at shorter duration or longer in light of current interest rate environment/future outlook. Ideally 4%+ yield
Read Answer Asked by Harry on October 27, 2025
Q: Hello team.
The above are my highest dividend payers in my unregistered account, however at the end next year I have to start withdrawing from RRSP and LIRA account and would likely elevate my income to a substantially higher tax bracket. For that reason I am think of reducing my income generating holdings in the unregistered account and be less focus on income. Conversely, while divesting in the unregistered account I would rebalance the RRIF to be more income oriented. Does this make sense and could you suggest 5 growth oriented equities with SOME income to replace the above. I already TD,BNS,BN,BAM, TFII (small position)?
Thank you
Frank
Read Answer Asked by Francisco on September 29, 2025
Q: Good morning - With the market rising so nicely, it's timely for me to do some re-balancing. For fixed income, I have positions I xlb, xbb and XHY. What fixed income investments do you suggest these days. I could add to the above and/or to corporate bonds, if that makes sense. But, I am nervous about the prospects for Canadian companies as the Trump tariffs take their toll. What does your crystal ball reveal? Many thanks.
Read Answer Asked by alex on August 26, 2025
Q: I have been trying to find a high yield bond fund for the last year, and was looking at zhy and xhy, and was shocked when I saw their 10 yr charts.
Can you explain why the dramatic share price decline from about June 2014, until about Sept. 2022.

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Greg on July 08, 2025
Q: Hello, which fixed income: ETF/Bond/GIC investments would work best under current economic conditions of lower rates coming from the US FEDS and Canada.? And, do you suggest staying short or long? .. Of course the lowest possible risk.
Thanks
Carlo
Read Answer Asked by Carlo on June 17, 2025
Q: In an effort to balance my portfolio, I’ve invested in both short-term (XBB, currently +0.9%) and long-term (XLB, currently -2.74%) bond ETFs, all held within a registered account. Despite these being commonly recommended by industry analysts for portfolio diversification and stable returns, I’m seeing losses across both and finding it difficult to understand how to generate positive returns from bonds in the current market environment.

Given this, I’d appreciate your guidance. Should I consider:
• Selling XBB and XLB and moving the funds to a high-interest savings account?
• Adding to my bond holdings by including alternatives like XSB or VAB?
• Holding my current positions and staying the course?

I’m open to adjusting my strategy but would value your insight on how best to approach bond investments right now.
Read Answer Asked by Ronnie on May 27, 2025
Q: I'm wondering if you have any recommendations for ETF's with international exposure for income and growth, and also a good way to invest in the bond market for income.
Read Answer Asked by Shane on April 29, 2025
Q: I am slowly working on reducing my exposure to the US$ given the recent commentary and negative sentiment. I am also questioning bond exposures given the Trump administrations decisions recently and hiccups it has been causing in the bond market. I have ensured the downside risk on long bonds and would like your take on the following:

1) If Trump causes crisis in the bond market which bond market and ETF would be least likely to be disrupted?

2) What is your take on the short and medium term risks to the bond market with Trumps economic non-strategy?

3) Is it a more reasoned decision to reduce bond exposures in favour of investing in shares of stable Canadian or European companies?

Thanks very much,

Dave
Read Answer Asked by Dave on April 23, 2025
Q: Could I have your opinion on XHY?

Thank you
Read Answer Asked by kim on April 14, 2025