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Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: Hello 5i Team

Further the many questions on HISA ETF (i.e. CASH, HSAVE, PSA etc.)

The Globe and Mail on February 09, 2023 a summary of the brokers services including availability to purchase HISA ETF; HISA Mutual Funds; and GIC.

Link (may be behind a pay wall) - https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/article-canadas-top-digital-broker-is-td-direct-investing-with-an-assist-from/

Essentially the three brokerages which do NOT allow HISA ETF are:

BMO Investor Line
RBC Direct Investing
TD Direct Investing

Regardless most brokers allow access to HISA mutual funds, however you may be restricted to the particular brokerages affiliated products (i.e. Royal Bank at RBC Direct Investing TD Bank at TD Direct Investing).

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on March 16, 2023
Q: I am interested in both of these ETFs to replace PSA as my savings account. My understanding is that rather than the distributions being taxed as interest as in the PSA the earnings are reinvested and NAV increases accordingly and when I need money sales of units at higher prices are taxed as Capital Gains.
When reading the Horizons website both of these ETFs have suspended sales of new subscriptions. As these ETFs continue to trade am I correct that this will result in market prices being increasingly inflated over NAV. The website also goes on to say that it does not recommend purchasing units when price exceeds NAV.
Can u clarify what this all means and am I ok to purchase these ETFs to use as a savings account to place temporary excess funds.
Read Answer Asked by Bruce on March 15, 2023
Q: My sister needs to park around $90,000 which she intend to put on a house down-payment next February.

She can get around 4.5% for a 9-month GIC.

From reading your website over the years, I know that the above funds are also an option. However, I don't know how to judge the return that can be expected.

Which of the two options (GIC or one of these funds) would you recommend?

Thanks as always.
Read Answer Asked by Kevin on March 13, 2023
Q: In a follow-up to my question earlier, if I understand correctly the fund should go down another 1 1/5% as per your answer:
''HSAV has suspended new units, so investors can only buy in the market. Thus, it has traded at a premium to its asset value, and the premium is slowly decaying towards true asset value. The units are about $1.50 above asset value currently. But it can still move higher with any big buy orders coming in.'' unless a white knight comes in to buy a large order...

What happens with the yield that the fund collect with the high yield savings account it's invested in? Does time invested in the fund add value? In other words how is one supposed to make money or even hold on to one's money beeing invested in that fund? In your January 9th answer to a question asking for stability and income you put HSAV at the top of the list.
Frutrated investor...
Stll thankfull for your service.
Yves
Read Answer Asked by Yves on March 06, 2023
Q: I deal with CIBC Investors Edge and was wondering if there is a good ETF for buying GICs for my registered account. GIC are paying 6%, I believe? maybe some other instrument?
Read Answer Asked by James on February 07, 2023
Q: Good Day Team,

Is this a good time to go into cash and if so do you favor any of these listed?

Thank you,
John G.
Read Answer Asked by John on January 05, 2023
Q: Strategy Question

If I had 200 - 300 000 in savings meant for a home purchase down payment in the next 1-3 years. I would be in the highest tax bracket. Besides GIC's what do you suggest parking this money in, what are safe and tax efficient alternatives.
Read Answer Asked by Ernest on January 03, 2023
Q: Further to your reply to Gord on November 02, 2022, please explain why I should not simply select the ETF with the best historical "total return" if no tax implications (RSP or TFSA). My Koyfin Watchlist tells me that HSAV offered 0.32% more than the next best ETF over the past year (HSAV 2.40%; CASH 2.08%; PSA 2.02%; CSAV 2.01%). Are there liquidity issues with any of these ETFs? Or will their values move in different directions in rising rate or decreasing rate environments? I'm just trying to understand the different offerings, and unlike historical equity returns, can I just select the ETF that is offering the best historical total return - Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by David on December 08, 2022
Q: Looking to park some US cash and some Cdn cash with a reasonable assurance of safety (CDIC aside) while avoiding interest income in favour of capital appreciation via Horizons corporate class structure using these 2 ETFs. Do you see these as a reasonable means of achieving the goal? Both ETFs have substantial amounts invested and seem to use a similar approach to generating returns yet HSAV has more erratic up and down performance. Why? Any cautions or concerns? Whatcha think - does this plan make sense? Thanks as always for your generous thoughts.
Read Answer Asked by Ken on December 06, 2022