Investment Q&A

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.

Q: Long-term rates in the US are reaching above-average highs. Am I wrong to think that these rates are unsustainable in the long run and therefore they have to eventually come down? If this thesis is correct, doesn't that make TLT an excellent buy now? You are paid to wait and know that you will get your money back someday.

Appreciate your insight.

Paul F.

Q: Hi there,

I own this (not a lot in a diversified portfolio but enough for this situation to be annoying lol.

it’s suffering right now and keeps dropping owing to the varies worries of US debt, latest tax cut bill and concern of countries unloading their US debt holdings.

Should one just get out? Or should one sell some and add another short term US Bond ETF?

Always thought Bonds were safe but not right now!

Ok thanks.

Q: Hi Peter and 5i Team,

Can you recommend a few ETFs that are focused on 20+ Treasury bonds, and also one that is focused on 7-10 year Treasury bonds?

Thanks for all the work that you do.

Q: I am looking to increase my fixed income percentage but this current market has me bamboozled. Major markets are basically even YTD despite Trump's tariffs still being on the books. There was a significant rally the other day because the US is “only” going to levy 30% tariffs and China will drop theirs to “only”20%! But while the markets go up, long term bonds continue to drop which I thought was a negative market indicator. So are things as mixed up and incoherent as I think? And with this background is now a good time to buy long bonds, short bonds or equal amounts of both?

Appreciate your insight.

Paul F.

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

Q: Thoughts on ZROZ vs TLT right now given the run up in yields.

Q: Hi There,

I see this ETF is very volatile in the current environment. Are these short or longer term gyrations with the sell off in US Bonds?

I bought this as a “calm from the storm” holding with a decent yield but not sure if it’s the right choice.

Thanks a lot!

Q: With inflation in Canada edging up, and concerns that tarriffs are inflationary, is it a good time to move to shorter duration bonds? The counter is that if a recession hits interst rates may decrease. What is your take on the timing of all this, and how best to position a bond portfolio?

Q: Hello. David Rosenberg’s latest per a Globe article today:

“Best to hide in cash, bonds (Treasuries, Ginnie Mae mortgages, high-quality corporates), gold and the miners (silver too), defensive bond-proxies in the stock market that have decent yields and consistent dividend payout growth (stable dividend stocks are up +5% year-to-date), Japanese money market funds (ride the most undervalued currency on the planet and a BoJ set to raise short-term interest rates sooner rather than later), and diversify into the European Defense and Capital Goods sectors which now have more fiscal-related visibility.”

Can you provide some specific ideas (stocks and or ETFs) that match up with his recommended areas to ride this out?

Thanks!

Q: I have a lot of cash and am planning to trim some tech stocks.
I have no ETF.s or bonds in my portfolio. Can you recommend some safe and growth bonds.

Q: What are your go to bond ETF's denominated in US dollars?

Q: In my US fixed income I have a half a position in TLT. Im down 10% and looking to add to this position or buy another stock with yield and some capital gain. I believe the US bond market is selling another round of bonds today and tomorrow without much interest in long term bonds.

Thanks Greg

Q: Happy holidays…. Tax loss selling….. proxy for TLT, VDE, EMXC, OXY, PICK, LLY, NXT, ZBH, AMD, -Thanks

Q: This is the bond portion of my portfolio. Would you recommend adding or swapping ETFs to enhance diversification and allocate funds to markets with optimal returns?

Q: I am currently at loss with TLT in my cash account. I want to sell it as tax loss. I am thinking buying HYPT in margin account with interest rate of 7.95%. HPYT has yield of 17.27%. So, theocratically I can make 9.32% if I do not sell it. I want to hold it for a medium term 3-5 years. Does it make sense? Will it be more risky than investing in TLT?

Q: Good afternoon - the recent runup in equities has me looking to re-balance and add more bond exposure. I currently have positions in XLB, XBB and HYG. Can you suggest bond positions ( likely ETF's) in Canada and the US, please? Just add to the existing Canadian positions? What about HYG? Time to move?

Many thanks

al

Q: Thoughts on starting a position? Thank you!

Q: I have recently read that actively managed bond funds or etfs, unlike equities or the same, have a better outperformance history. Can you please comment on this? Would you recommend buying into any and if so could you recommend some?
Also do you think there is more room to run from dropping rates?
Those referenced here are general passive funds.
Thanks

Peter

Q: I’m considering whether I should invest in TLT, HPYT, or a combination of both. I understand that HPYT has a much higher yield, but I’m struggling to fully understand why. TLT, which makes up around 70% of HPYT’s holdings, only has a yield of about 4.3%, which makes me wonder how HPYT can achieve such a significantly higher yield. I understand the basics of covered call ETFs, but what kind of options are they trading to generate this yield? There seems to be something I’m missing here—could you also explain the additional risks that come with HPYT's elevated yield?