Q: I’ve recently subscribed to 5i, and appreciate all the good information that you have on your website.

A question: how do you choose which stocks to research and which to not research? In your model portfolios, you have included a number of big-name stocks (BCE, L, TD, BN, amongst others) that aren’t rated. I understand they are included in your model portfolios to provide sector diversification, but would I be correct to infer that if you rated them they wouldn’t likely be “A” stocks?

A somewhat related question: your Income Model Portfolio includes BCE, CNQ, FTS, H and TD (amongst others), all non-rated, but your Balanced Equity Model Portfolio does not. Does this mean that although you view these stocks as being good dividend-payers, you also think they have limited upside?

Thanks

Q: I hold both L and EMP.A in a balanced portfolio. Any need to hold both? Divest myself of one or both due to losses? Any bright lights for the sector in the future?

Q: I am constructing a dividend growth portfolio with the intention of holding all positions for the longterm, holding the following equities in equal weight (likely only one of MRU or L - or should I include both?), with 80% of the portfolio consisting of these individual equities and 20% in the ETF VGG.

Would there be any in this list you would not include, and are there other Canadian equities you would consider for this list? Is this the appropriate number of positions for such a portfolio. Please deduct multiple credits as required, thank you.