Investment Q&A

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

Q: Greetings 5i,

I am making an effort to increase my US bond exposure, and am considering adding a full position (5%) in AGG to compliment my current bond holdings TDB and XHY (at roughly 4% each). My reasoning is that the addition of a US aggregate index will not only add multiple levels of diversification (geographical, currency, bond types, etc.), but also a higher degree of stability should the US economy decline; thereby, at least theoretically, putting pressure on XHY's corporate holdings. If I were to add this position, the three aforementioned holdings would make up the entirety of my bond exposure, as the majority of my fixed income investments are GIC ladders.

I am 36 years old, debt-free, conservative, and only invest with a "buy and hold" mindset. My investment portfolio is solely for the purpose of expediting my retirement, and I will have no need of its funds for the foreseeable future.

Based on my situation, does the addition of AGG sound like a reasonable course of action to you?

Thank you.

Q: I can't seem to come to a decision.
Should I continue to hold XHY for the long term (+5 yrs)considering the direction of investment grade bond prices? Should I buy more as high yield prices drop?
This represents less than one percent of my holdings.
Your thoughts please.
Dave

Q: I am looking for a bond ETF to park a substantial amount of money $400K plus for the next 12-24 months. In today's environment with interest rates on the rise i am looking at the following MFT, HYI, XHY or is there a Pimco ETF that would be more suitable.My goal would be to make 3-4% in a safe investment. Any other recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Q: Would you prefer MTF (Mackenzie Floating rate) over XHY or would you own both in the fixed income part of the portfolio? Is one more risky?
Thank you for your service

Q: Hi 5,

I seen a post earlier today regarding MFT.
This ETF looks interesting. I'm wondering what you guys would think of using MFT instead of XHY within the income portfolio? Could you please list reasons for or against this change.

Thanks

Q: To follow-up on Claire's comment, is there an reasoned/optimal % allocation to each FI ETF (i.e. evenly split)? I have: CBO 20%, CPD 12%, HFR 26%, XBB 17%, XHY 12%, LQD 13%. I consider HFR as low-risk cash-like holding.

Thank you again.

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.

Q: why do you think XHY is holding up so nicely given recent US market volatility...thanks.

Q: Hi, I purchased this and ZHY in a few registered accounts for the yield and thinking they might be a little more immune to decline in a rising interest rate scenario. Now I'm not too sure. Should I sell or are the prices reflecting recent interest rate bumps?
Many thanks you guys do a great job!
Bob

Q: I need to add some ETF's for yield, what would be a coupe you recommend at the moment?

Q: I keep reading the traditional fixed income portion of a portfolio that has been allocated to bonds in the past, is a bad idea as a long term investment going forward. With that being said, what type of investments/products would you suggest the average investor allocate the fixed income portion of their portfolio going forward?
Thanks

Q: How do you think this type of high yield bond etf would perfom in a prolonged correction of this nature, (XHY), thanks?

Q: Can you recommend 2 or 3 bond funds in Canadian $ that would be the least volatile and offer a return for a 3 to 5 year hold? I would prefer one Canadian and one U.S. or international. This would be my sole fixed income holding. Thanx

Q: In the current interest rate environment what bond ETF would you recommend as a core bond holding in an RRSP. Time frame would be long.

Q: I am currently using 1 year term GIC's for my fixed income portion of my portfolio. I don't need income and looking to maximize my long term total return (i.e. 10 years or more) with low volatility and relatively low risk of loss compared to equities. Can you please provide me with a few alternatives? I am thinking ETF's might be the way to go but I am open to your suggestions. Thanks for your wisdom.

Q: Hello Peter and team,
I want to pick a manageable number of fixed income ETFs that will mke up 25% of my portfolio in the fixed income portion. I note that Ishares has many bond etfs, many of them designed for a rising interest rate environment, but I am not clear on the differences between the products.

What ETFs would you recommend and in what weightings?

Q: Dear 5i
I`m anticipating retiring in a little over a year so as such have a portfolio with 50% fixed income (35% clf , 35%cbo , 15% xhy and 15% cpd )
I'm thinking of following your Outcome Oriented Fixed Income portfolio and thought i would reduce clf and cbo down to 20% then add vsc and zef at 15% each .. I just feel i need a bit more diversification within the fixed portion of my portfolio.
Does this plan seem reasonable or do these changes make the fixed portion too aggressive ?
Thanks
Bill C.

Q: I have never held bonds only equities. About a month ago bought xbb and xhy, now 15% of my holdings in my portfolio. I'm down about 2.12 % in XHY and about 0.7% in XBB in a very short time. Please tell me why I'm holding these bonds. When I can typically expect them to gain or lose; What sort of insurance/protection they offer me if that is the right word.

Q: I am overweight in a bank stock and will be selling some and since I have no bonds I am wondering if okay to just buy XHY as it would be a 5% position. This is for a RRSP account and not needed for at least 5-7 years.
Thanks