Two ETFs may be the better way to buy bonds

The Bank of Canada increased interest rates in July 2017 for the first time since 2010. It then raised its key interest rate again in September 2017, from 0.75% to 1.00%. However, it decided to hold off on further increases in December.

We continue to caution against investing… Read More

These bond funds offer steady income

The Bank of Canada increased interest rates in July 2017 for the first time since 2010. It then raised its key interest rate again in September 2017, from 0.75% to 1.00%. But it appears unlikely that it will raise it again this year.

That’s because the… Read More

Buy these bond funds for stable income

The Bank of Canada increased interest rates in July 2017 for the first time since 2010. Its key interest rate rose from 0.50% to 0.75%. The bank’s next opportunity to raise rates is in September 2017. Whether it will do so is uncertain.
The Canadian economy… Read More

Buy these bond ETFs for stable income

Buy these bond ETFs for stable income

These two bond ETFs offer exposure to quality holdings with low-fees, but they’re best left to investors who need stable income and really want to hold bonds.
The Bank of Canada will likely hold interest rates steady for all of 2017. That’s because low prices for… Read More

Buy these bond ETFs for stable income

The Bank of Canada will likely hold interest rates steady for all of 2017. That’s because low prices for oil should continue to offset government stimulus spending as well as stronger exports due to the weak Canadian dollar. The federal government’s tighter mortgage rules should… Read More

These bond funds offer top-quality holdings

These bond funds offer top-quality holdings

For investors who need stable income and want to hold bonds, these two bond funds offer exposure to quality holdings with low-fees.
The Bank of Canada is unlikely to raise interest rates any time soon. That’s because low prices for oil should continue to offset government… Read More

These bond funds offer top quality holdings

The Bank of Canada is unlikely to raise interest rates any time soon. That’s because low prices for oil should continue to offset government stimulus spending as well as increased exports due to the weak Canadian dollar. The federal government’s tighter mortgage rules should also… Read More

Q: Pat: My portfolio is 90% Canadian equities (all dividend payers, mainly finance and utilities). At my age (67) all advice seems to say I should be at least 70% in fixed income. I have been considering the following ETFs and would appreciate your take on them: the iShares 1-5 Yr Laddered Corporate Bond Index ETF; and the BMO Discount Bond Index ETF.

A: The iShares 1-5 Yr Laddered Corporate Bond Index ETF, $18.98, symbol CBO on Toronto (Units outstanding: 106.9 million; Market cap: $2.0 billion; www.blackrock.com/ca), invests in a portfolio of short-term and medium-term corporate bonds. They’re drawn from the FTSE (Financial Times Stock Exchange) TMX Canada… Read More