Investment Q&A

Q: Gentlemen: With Gold, Bonds, Money market funds, CDs, Emerging markets and cash all paying less than inflation, diversifying a portfolio to say 50% non equity as advised with aging, is a joke…. Where do you recommend looking for 2022?

Q: I'm entering retirement and won't be adding much more new capital to savings and so capital preservation is paramount as I look at drawing down phase in the next 6 months. Right now I am still heavily exposed to the markets with about 85% equity exposure. I want to increase the amount of safety but am concerned with the loss of purchasing power and feel the old 60/40 rule isn't adequate anymore. The big dilemma in today's environment is that there really aren't a lot of alternatives to stocks for keeping up with inflation, but this involves capital risk. What balance do you think is more appropriate in this environment? I'm thinking around 75/25 while trying to keep around 12-18 months of expenses in high interest savings so one doesn't have to sell into a down market.

Are you aware of products offered in the market that may provide returns of 5-8% while being "fairly" safe for the capital invested?

Any suggestions on perhaps bond funds that offer returns that will at least keep pace with inflation after fees without undue manageable risk for capital safety?

Looking for any ideas..preferred shares ETF's? (know there is still some capital risk here). Thank you for your help and input.

Q: I am trying to understand bond diversification better. I have a long term portfolio of mostly equity exposures and some XBB. Do you generally recommend further diversifying bond holdings? Eg to an inflation protected fund or more global exposure or specific maturity profile (eg shorter maturities)? If so could you recommend ETFs for diversification purposes?

I don’t want to over complicate things but also want diversification to different market scenarios in the spirit of an « all weather » portfolio. In particular real return bonds seem useful for this compared to XBB. I would be grateful for your thoughts. Thank you very much.

Q: I own 100 shares of STIP in my RRSP. It's expected interest is listed as slightly over 4 percent. But in my TD Waterhouse account, under expected income it shows me getting $739 dollars per year in interest or 61.60 per month. That works out to 7% in interest. Is this right? I've owned the ETF for three months and sure enough I have received the 61.60 for each of those months. If so, it is a really good return for fixed income. I'm just not sure what accounts for the discrepancy.

Q: What is the difference between VTIP and STIP? Is there an advantage of owning one over the other?

Q: Hello 5i,
I’m helping a conservative investor with a tfsa. Vbal makes up half of the account.
In trying to boost monthly income I’ve come up with the above etfs.
Based on 2020 distributions,how would each of the above etfs be taxed if held in a tfsa?
Also, can you please verify the sector exposure of zup (similar to pff - usd) I thought the financial % was underweight.

Q: My question is more about safety and minimizing some risk. Hypothetically, if there was a market correction of say 20%, which of the above would be the safest in terms of net change (dividends and share price) say 6 months and 1 year later? I realize there are many issues with this question (they are all different, the need for crystal ball or time machine, etc) but I really value your thoughts. Thanks again!

Q: I asked a question about XSTH a few days ago. Your main concern was the fact that it was new and very small asset wise. What about if I bought STIP on the Us exchange instead? It has been around since 2010 and has more assets. What would your opinion be on this?

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: 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.

Q: Please recommend Canadian and US ETFs that invest in inflation linked bonds.
Thanks as usual.
LSM

Q: Hi team
looking for an etf for real return bonds (short term) vs XSB which is also short term
what is the main difference in terms of safety and returns between the 2 ? it is meant to be in a RRSP
thanks
Michael

Q: Hello how is this etf from Blackrock as a bond holding for US funds?
Thanks
Deborah