Harvest ETFs FAQs
We receive a regular influx of questions from unitholders and prospective investors about our ETFs. These ETF FAQs cover a wide range of topics, from distribution timing to the composition of our ETF portfolios. Below you can see a list of commonly received questions answered by Harvest ETFs.
For more information, contact us here.
GENERAL
INCOME INVESTING
INVESTMENT MECHANICS
What do you mean by “Leading” businesses?
Harvest ETFs investment philosophy holds that owning the leading businesses of a sector or area of the market for the long-term is one of the best ways to build and preserve wealth over time.
We select those leading businesses based on their market capitalization, their market shares, their brand presence, and a range of sector-specific or ETF-specific factors such as dividend history, free cashflow, global exposure, and many others.
In short – we use a variety of quantitative and qualitative metrics to find out which businesses really are leaders.
What is an ETF and how are they traded?
An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a basket of securities built by an ETF issuer to achieve a specific objective. Unlike Mutual Funds, ETFs are traded on exchanges and their price fluctuates throughout the day, much like stocks.
Unlike stocks, new ETF units can be created or redeemed based on changes in demand. This article explains in detail how ETFs are made and how they trade.
What’s the difference between active & passive management?
In general terms a passively managed ETF or investment fund will follow a strict set of rules—such as tracking an index—which means it does not require active portfolio changes and just imitates the index holdings.. These strategies can capture a segment of the market in a cost-effective way but cannot act quickly to capture specific opportunities as they arise.
In an actively managed ETF portfolio managers make decisions related to the ETF on a daily basis. These can still come with rules, but the managers have more flexibility to capture opportunities as they see fit.
In the case of covered call option ETFs, a passive strategy would write call options at the same level each month. An active covered call option strategy allows portfolio managers to change the level of options the ETF sells.
This means the ETF can potentially generate more income or capture more upside opportunity based on the changing price of call options.
What’s the difference between an ESG ETF and a Clean Energy ETF?
Investments with an ESG (environmental, social, governance) label have become very popular among investors who want their money to match their social values. The rise of ESG has meant that other forms of values-based investing have been labelled as ESG, perhaps incorrectly.
ESG, put simply, is an investment screening process. Securities are selected with consideration to their environmental, social, and governance scores. This creates a basket of securities which are considered to either be ‘doing good’ or not ‘doing bad.’ This process is applied to the Harvest ESG Equity Income Index ETF.
A clean energy ETF, such as the Harvest Clean Energy ETF, is focused on companies related to the clean or renewable energy industry. Because these companies are considered to be doing good for the environment, these investments could be perceived as ESG. However, clean energy ETFs are considered hybrid or thematic, built to capture a business theme rather than focus on a set of social values.
What is Equity Income?
Equity income is, put simply, income generated from holding equities (stocks). That income can come in the form of dividends paid by those equities. It can also be generated by selling covered call options on equity holdings.
Harvest Equity Income ETFs earn their income from a combination of dividends and our actively managed covered call option strategy. They pay that income as monthly cashflow to ETF unitholders.
That cashflow can be particularly attractive to retirees. It can be used to finance their retirement lifestyles and goals, offset mandatory RRIF withdrawals, or ensure the costs of long term care aren’t passed on to the next generation.
I see other investments on the market with higher yields, why should I consider Harvest ETFs?
Even for investors focused primarily on income, yield alone should not be the sole consideration. Some investments in Canada might offer yields upwards of 20%, but a range of factors go behind that number which investors should be aware of.
While yield is important, investors may want to consider the underlying securities in an investment, as well as the risk-return rating, past performance, and the frequency and means of that investment’s income distribution. Learn more about factors to consider here.
What do you mean by “tax efficient”?
At Harvest ETFs, we generally use the term “tax efficient” to describe the income generated through our active & flexible covered call options strategy. Because premiums earned in the sale of call options is considered a capital gain and not income, the portion of our Equity Income ETFs’ cash distributions earned from call options is taxed at a more favourable rate than fixed income and non-Canadian dividends. Learn more here.
How often do monthly Equity Income ETF distribution rates change and what would cause a change?
Harvest Equity Income ETFs are constructed to provide a reasonable and sustainable distribution yield for unitholders. All Harvest Equity Income ETFs have paid a monthly distribution since their inceptions. Sometimes the underlying options market for a sector will become much stronger or weaker, which can result in a positive or negative change in the distribution.
Nevertheless, Harvest Equity Income ETFs are constructed and managed to provide a reasonable and sustainable distribution yield for unitholders on a monthly basis.
Why do some of the underlying holdings within the ETFs pay NO dividends at all?
Using a covered call strategy to deliver income gives us more freedom to select companies held by our ETFs based on criteria other than dividends. Therefore, if a holding in a particular Harvest Equity Income ETF does not pay a dividend, it does not necessarily mean it is excluded from a portfolio. A dividend requirement in the underlying holdings is not a necessity across all Harvest Equity Income ETFs. There are select holdings that do not pay dividends included in select ETFs because they meet the objectives of opportunity for capital appreciation or diversification.
In HDIF, for example, a portion of the underlying individual stocks currently (ie. the stocks held in all of the underlying ETFs) do not pay dividends. They are predominately held in HTA, given the growth-sector bias within that ETF, however select positions in other ETFs also do not pay dividends.
What is Dollar Cost Averaging?
Dollar-cost averaging is an investment technique designed to limit the uncertainty caused by market timing. An investor will put the same amount of money in a specific security at regular intervals over a specific period of time.
While the value of that security may change, the amount invested at each interval stays the same. This can lower the average cost of the security for that investor, reduces the impact of volatility, and encourages consistent investment.
Can I hold Harvest ETFs in my RRSP, RRIF, TFSA or other registered account?
All Harvest ETFs are registered account eligible. They can be held in RRSPs, RRIFs, TFSAs, RESPs and others. Learn more about how these ETFs fit in registered and non-registered accounts.
Can I switch from one ETF Class to another?
Because ETF classes trade independently on the TSX, investors are unable to switch from one class to another directly. Different classes of Harvest ETFs can be bought and sold on the TSX via your brokerage or investment advisor.
Can I purchase Harvest ETFs directly from Harvest?
Harvest Portfolios Group Inc. is an investment fund manager and an ETF Issuer, not a securities dealer, which means that retail investors must use a brokerage or financial advisor to buy and sell Harvest ETFs. Harvest cannot open investment accounts, accept any trading orders or provide investment advice.
I am a U.S. resident, can I buy Harvest ETFs in my US investment account?
Harvest ETFs all trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange, which is an internationally recognized exchange. Our ETFs can be bought or sold on the TSX from any global location that allows international transactions. However, your ability to buy a Harvest ETF from your US investment account will depend on your dealer or facilitator’s ability to access the TSX for trading.
How do I enroll in the Harvest DRIP plan?
All Harvest Equity Income ETFs are eligible for the Harvest Distribution Reinvestment Program (DRIP). If you hold units of one of those ETFs, you may opt into the DRIP program through your financial advisor or by contacting your brokerage firm, provided your investment dealer supports participation in the Harvest DRIP program. You can see the list of Harvest DRIP eligible ETFs and learn more about the program here.
What is a notional non-cash distribution?
A notional non-cash distribution is a special annual distribution that may be paid by Harvest ETFs at the end of the tax year which raises the Adjusted Cost Base (ACB) of the units of an ETF held in a non-registered account. There is no impact on the Net Asset Value of the ETF. You can learn more about a notional non-cash distribution here.
When is the monthly ETF cash distribution deposited in my investment account?
Harvest Equity Income ETFs pay their distributions on a monthly basis. Each month Harvest announces the monthly distributions of these ETFs via a press release and on the TSX website. That press release includes the ex-dividend date for each month’s distributions as well as the payment date set for “on or about” a certain date, typically the 9th day after month end. The funds are available for brokerages to process as of that date and may arrive in a unitholder’s account on a different date.
How often do you update the current holdings data on your website?
We post updated equity holdings for all our ETFs on a monthly basis on our website under the Portfolio tab which notes the individual holding and percentage. Full portfolios will be published semi-annually in their respective financial statements.
How much of an impact does your foreign currency hedging have on the performance of the A series?
Currency-hedged Harvest ETFs will substantially hedge all of the value of their portfolios attributable to the Class A Units’ non-Canadian currency exposure back to the Canadian dollar at all times. As it is substantially—but not 100%—hedged at all times, the impact from currency market fluctuations is generally immaterial. You can learn more about currency hedged ETFs here.
What are the differences between A, B, and U classes of your ETFs?
Canadian-listed ETFs that trade in US securities can be subject to some currency risk in addition to market risk, meaning the ETF is exposed to movements in the value of a currency as well as movements in the value of the stock held in a portfolio. Certain Harvest ETFs offer Class A units which use currency forwards to hedge their value to the Canadian dollar, limiting currency risk.
Class B units are un-hedged. You can learn more about currency hedged ETFs here.
Class U units trade and pay their distributions in US dollars. This class is useful for investors who want to receive their income in US dollars. You can learn about class U ETF units here.
For more on Harvest Equity Income ETFs click here.
Disclaimer
For Information purposes only. The information contained herein should not be considered as advice and/or a recommendation to purchase or sell any securities or used to engage in personal investment strategies.
You will usually pay brokerage fees to your dealer if you purchase or sell units of the Fund(s) on the TSX. If the units are purchased or sold on the TSX, investors may pay more than the current net asset value when buying units of the Fund(s) and may receive less than the current net asset value when selling them. There are ongoing fees and expenses associated with owning units of an investment fund. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. An investment fund must prepare disclosure documents that contain key information about the fund. You can find more detailed information about the fund in these documents.
Certain statements in the Harvest Blog are forward looking Forward-looking statements (“FLS”) are statements that are predictive in nature, depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or that include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” or “estimate,” or other similar expressions. Statements that look forward in time or include anything other than historical information are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results, actions or events could differ materially from those set forth in the FLS.
FLS are not guarantees of future performance and are by their nature based on numerous assumptions, which include, amongst other things, that (i) the Fund can attract and maintain investors and have sufficient capital under management to effect their investment strategies, (ii) the investment strategies will produce the results intended by the portfolio managers, and (iii) the markets will react and perform in a manner consistent with the investment strategies. Although the FLS contained herein are based upon what the portfolio manager believe to be reasonable assumptions, the portfolio manager cannot assure that actual results will be consistent with these FLS.
Unless required by applicable law, Harvest Portfolios Group Inc. does not undertake, and specifically disclaim, any intention or obligation to update or revise any FLS, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.