Investment Q&A

Q: Hello, I am looking for an answer to a difficult question about evaluation of risk for fixed income assets.
I understand that for a long time, it was anticipated that the long decline of interest rates and correlated bond rally has ground down and the current prevailing question surrounding interest rates is how fast they may rise.
With this in mind, could you please offer thoughts on the relative risk of bonds? How much downside potential is there, and is it justifiable to buy their low volatility, even if it is believed to be a (apparently) horrible investment with no future potential, just for those two percents of yield?
Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Q: I read your article about the correlation between stocks and bonds and it made me wonder whether this was a good or not so good time to purchase them? I read a little more in another article and it said that in the same historical instances, bonds have tended to do well after. Would you agree with this?
I only have room in my margin account so would CVD, CPD, and HAB be giving me interest as apposed to Dividends so there are tax implications?
Thanks!

Q: As a follow up to my question on fixed income, would you suggest I hold both XBB and CBO or pick one and if so, which one please? Similarly, hold both SHY and TLT or choose one and which one?

Thanks.

Q: Suppose an investor believes that the US Treasury market is at the end of its multi decade rise and likely to collapse within the next 1-3 years. Is there a low cost way to short US Treasuries you could recommend? If so then what about at different maturities? What would be your opinion about this strategy and its risk?

Q: As a follow-up to my question last week on interest rates up/down, please also advise which funds/ETFs perform best when interest rates move in either direction.

Thanks again.

Q: I have 2% of my portfolio in this bond fund in my US margin account. It has a mix of bonds from AAA to BBB. Do you know if there is a ETF bond fund which holds most of its bonds in 30 year AAA rated US treasures?

Thanks.

Q: Is it time to start letting go of these long term bond ETF? Or do you see a role as part of a laddered portfolio? If so, what percentage of these long term bond holdings would you suggest at this point? Unless we have negative rates the only way is up? Not sure I believe that rates will be kept so low for much longer.
Thank-you.

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: 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: Hi,
I'm trying to create a well balanced bond fund for that portion of my portfolio and have come up with this: HFR-T, CBO-T, CLF-T, TLT, XBB-T, CVD-T, SHY, FLOT, IVOL, BNDX, VSG-T
I guess I should have something that will generate monthly income as well? If I am overdoing this, please let me know...it seems like a lot of holdings. Is there a better way? A mutual fund?
Thanks.

Q: Could you please suggest few a) good fixed income high yield ETFs b) least volatile ETFs with some income ?
Thanks

Q: What are your top 5 Fixed Income ETFs (Cdn or US / International exposure) to hold long term in a RRIF or RSP in the current environment?
Thank you in advance.

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: In most bear markets I would turn to a security that is negatively correlated to the equities, such as TLT. However with interest rates at historic lows, can there be much more upside to TLT?

Q: Realizing that all the above listed securities differ, they all got battered like everything else. Your opinion would be appreciated as to slowly buying into these positions and your preferred ordering.
Thank you, as always!

Q: What has been proving to be non-correlated to equities in this market? From a quick look, not really the usual suspects such as bonds, gold or even bitcoin. I expect the best answer to this question will come with more hindsight, but appreciate your views. Thanks!

Q: I have held TLT prior to the market mayhem . Is it too late add more or should I be trimming? Educated guess please. Thanks
Tom

Q: Hi, bonds in USA, what time frame would you pick. I have SHY now.

Q: Are there a few stocks or ETF's that will have a low correlation to the balanced portfolio but offer higher returns than bonds(XBB). Any ideas?

Thanks again!

Q: Your thoughts on iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF TLT 9.45% YTD.

Thanks!