Investment Q&A

Q: What is the best denominated US TIPs etf?

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?

Q: As STIP and TIP have ceased to pay their previously excellent distributions, I have been looking for alternatives with similar distribution, diversification and volatility characteristics. XHY seems a valid choice; however, can you comment/provide alternatives? Thanks.

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?

Q: These two "inflation-protected" bond ETFs turned out to be extremely disappointing investments. I don't know whether it's poor investment strategy or some other factors, but these two ETFs didn't provide any intended inflation protection, they behaved just like all other bond ETFs dropping like a cannonball when FED raises the rates. In response to my question on Sept 23, you mentioned that increased distributions may provide some comfort here, but both ETFs decided to cancel October dividend, so stated yields are completely meaningless now. I hold these two in taxable account, do you suggest to continue holding them hoping for a recovery or just to sell them both for tax loss and replace with some other bond ETFs that have better recovery potential? If it's the latter, what replacement would you suggest for STIP and for TIP. Thanks.

Q: I'm thinking of investing in US Long-dated TIPS.

Does this make sense: good real yield right now, and if inflation persists then the yield remains high. Flip side, if we enter a recession and the Fed reverses and lowers rates or pivots to QE then the long duration would make for good capital gains.

1) Please point out any flaws in my above reasoning/if there are other risks I'm not seeing.

2) Please recommend 2 long(er) dated US TIPS ETFs that you think are good.

Q: After reading your answer to a question on TIP and STIP on March 29, I invested in these two inflation-protected bond ETFs, however, their performance to date was extremely poor and I am down about 10%. Can you please explain why these "inflation protected" securities behave so poorly in the current high inflation environment? Aren't they specifically designed for situations like we have these days?

Q: I like TIP for its dividend and excellent lack of correlation to the rest of my portfolio. However, will its dividend and covered call income potential make up for its immediate seemingly dubious short and intermediate-term growth prospects? Thanks!

Q: Hi Team,

I understand that TLT should decline as bond yields rise. On the other hand, why does TIP continue to decline? I was under the impression that TIP is indexed to CPI, shouldn't TIP be rising at this time?

Q: Hi,

For fixed income, from your Q&A, it still make sense to have some holdings in inflation protected bond funds. In your opinion, would it be a good idea to shift most bond holdings into funds like these until inflation abates? What are your favourite inflation protected funds in the US and Canada?

Thank you, Michael

Q: According to a G&M article on treat of stagflation, XSB is not a good choice of invest re 40-60 portfolio.
Assuming you agree with this article what would be your top 3 or 4 investment to replace XSB ?

Q: Context: Sold CNQ after a long run up. Funds now to deploy into a locked in RSP about to be unlocked into an income stream. Currently have all blue chip dividend payers and am looking to offset risk by initiating a bond position. Looking for:
-CDN domiciled etf with NA and/or Global focus
-3% minimum yield
-High grade but willing to accept corporates for yield
-Prefer shorter term to maturity, to match future rate increases
-If not CDN domiciled, willing to look at US and willing to look at more than one to match criteria

Thank you!

Q: Hi Peter and team,

In your answer today to Stephen, you suggest TIP for a non-registered account. Would you know what is the tax paid on the dividend? I think it's taxed as interest?
Thank you!

Q: Hello 5i Team

In a taxable non-registered account denominated in US$ I hold Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B) as a proxy for the US market in which no dividends are paid.

I would like to complement 20 % of the account value in US government bonds as a hedge against market corrections.

This account has a time horizon of greater than five years before any funds are withdrawn.

Which ETF (I used iShares as the ETF provider) would be most suitable for this account:

3-7 Year Treasury Bonds (IEI) duration = 4.66 years
7-10 Year Treasury Bonds (IEF) duration = 8.01 years
10-20 Year Treasury Bonds (TLH) duration = 14.89 years
20 Year Treasury Bonds (TLT) duration = 19 years

Or should I use a general US Treasury Bond ETF (GOVT) with a duration of 6.79 years.

If the same question is asked and US Government TIPS are utilized in place of US Government regular bonds which of the ETF below would be suitable:

0-5 Year TIPS (STIP) duration = 2.60 years
General TIPS ETF (TIP) duration =7.68 years

Thank you

Q: Which of QTIPS vs TIPS would you recommend given fees etc and how the US/CAD dollars would likely move in the event of longer term inflation? Any other bond investments that could provide better income and safety if 10-year yield continues to rise?

Q: I need to add fixed income to my portfolio. I do not believe the inflation we are heading for will be transitory. Given that assumption, are there ETF's you can suggest that will react best to inflation? And how would they do with the inevitable higher interest rates? Thank you.

Q: With rising Inflation would TIPS be a good Investment. What would be your top 3 Investments.

Q: What are some of your top value stock and ETF picks to protect against inflation during the next 1-3 years. Thanks as always.

Q: Can you please explain the impact of rising inflation on a long term holding of 1) short term bond fund such as SHY and 2) inflation protected bonds such as TIP.

Thank you.

Q: I'm trying to keep a decent weighting of fixed income, and started buying the TIPS etf a couple years ago for better-than-GIC returns, and its worked out well. Now, I'm thinking of shorter duration TIPS (STIP) in case the fed has to move on rates sooner than anticipated. I'd appreciate your comments.