Investment Q&A

Q: Peter and Team, I want to choose some ETFs for my mother in-laws RRIF and LIF. My approach is to be well diversified, looking for some dividend and a little growth to achieve btwn 5 to 10% annually. I plan to select Equal weights using ZLB,ZWB, ZDV FOR Canadian content and ZLH, ZWH, ZHY, and ZGI FOR US Content. Your opinion and any pitfalls or suggestions would be apprecuated.
Thanks, Steve.

Q: Do you think I would be wise to switch from CPX to RRX?
Jim

Q: Please help me understand the growing professional advice that we avoid 'defensive' dividend payers ( REITS, Utilities, Telcos etc).
I understand there might be downward pressure on share prices if investors switch to debt instruments. But we buy 'defensive' payers because they have sustainable, and usually
growing dividends...right? If there is downward pressure on the share prices we buy more.
What is it that I am not getting?

Q: In terms of valuation,which of the aforementioned 4 companies is the best buy.Please list your preference in order of 1 to 4 with 1 being the best.Appreciate your normal great services & views

Q: I wish to have exposure to the clean technology sector. Do you have any preferences? Small or microcaps would be acceptable.

Q: Good afternoon. I trust everyone is well. I purchased a partial position in this stock after the consolidation and dividend announcement. It seems to be stabilizing here and I am considering purchasing the remainder of my position. Have your opinions changed since September? An update would be appreciated. Thank you, and my best wishes to all.

Q: Can I have your thoughts on ZDI or an alternative you suggest. Yield and holdings look good. Also, what do you suggest as a foreign stock holding percentage for a portfolio not including US stocks. Looking to add foreign dividends and exposure with existing incoming Canadian dividends from portfolio. Does ZDI hold the stocks directly or through another ETF, I want to get as close as I can to the ownership of the stocks through the ETF avoiding any unnecessary extra fees.

Q: can you account for the weakness OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS in SLF, when MFC (MANULiFE) IS UP A SLIGHTLY.

A buying opportunity?

Q: I'm planning to replace Power Corp in my RRSP with a combination of BIP.UN and BEP.UN. Would you recommend an equal split between both Brookfield stocks at this time, or lean more towards one vs the other?

Q: I wonder if the drop in BIP.UN today may be the result of people thinking the offering is $32.00 CDN and not US funds?
Thanks.
Bryan

Q: Comments on Emera's bought deal. Seemed like a really small discount to the previous closing price and the stock is trading below that today. $300 million dollar proceeds are going to be used for general corporate purposes. I don't generally like when companies dilute shareholders for no specific purpose. Is this to reduce debt or just to cover themselves in case their share price decreases substantially in the current environment?

Thanks,
Jason

Q: Hi 5i: I have two questions - please charge as appropriate.
(1) I have been holding CU in a dividend reinvestment account for about three years. The account focusses on stocks that provide a good dividend that is increased regularly (the usual Canadian suspects). CU has consistently underperformed the other stocks, and I'm wondering what the future holds, in particular given the changes in Alberta's approach to coal-based electricity generation.
(2) Could you give me data on dividend growth rates for EMA and BEP.UN?
Many thanks for your great advice and service.

Q: Hello 5i:
looking for "best" ideas for an income stock or stocks, to stay away from bonds. Growth is not a factor; I'm looking for real stability, both of price and dividend. I hold some ET, AD and could add to them. Have no preferreds and have thought about this space. Your take and ideas please
thanks
Paul L

Q: TA-tsx is popping the last few days. Up ~13% today.

They announce today the signing of a deal with the Albert gov't.
+ The earlier this week's announcement of the government's change to the way electricity producers will be paid (via how much the can provide, not by how much they deliver).

Both appear good for TA.

Insiders per usual must have know this and started buying it upward a few days ago, per usual. Legal or not. LOL.

Have a great day!

Q: Hello 5i,
My wife is concerned that our exposure to bonds is far too high, so I thought I would turn to the experts for advice.
Fixed Income is 31.1% of our total, combined portfolio broken down as follows:
CBO 4.8%
EMB 6.9%
VEE 1.0%
XHY 5.0%
XIG 4.7%
XPF 2.4%
XTR 3.0%
RBF 461A 3.30%
Note: these percentages reflect only the Bond or Fixed Income component of these ETF's, not the equity or other holdings.
We each have modest private pension as well as CPP and (1) OAS.
Our total portfolio income will soon be required to help cover living expenses - and presently looks to be able to do so for the most part.
So, my question is: given the foregoing do you see any areas of concern or any compelling changes that would be required?
I know this might sound a lot like a mini portfolio review, but I have added a lot of detail so that it might assist others who read the Q&A as I know asset allocation is an area of concern and interest for many members.
Please feel free to deduct as many questions as you deem appropriate.
Many thanks,
Cheers,
Mike

Q: 5I Team, please indicate your preference between: LNR/MRE & POW/PWF.

Many Thanks!

Q: Held BCE for several years & the 4%+ Div. However, it's now down about 10% this year & notwithstanding their size, they have many internal problems & much more competition each year. Would appreciate 1-2 alternatives.
Thank you.

Q: Which do you prefer, pza or Boston pizza

Q: Hi,

I have 1/2 positions in FTS & AQN now. I'm considering adding another 1/2 position to utilities. I could get a 1/2 position in BEP.un or add to FTS and/or AQN.

Your thoughts?

Thanks,

Gord

Q: HI Peter and team. AM I better off investing in an ETF such as VDY or the top 10 - 15 holdings? WIth a 0.22 mer and a $100,000 investment it appears I would still be ahead based on 10 or 15 trades per year given $10 cost per trade. I would also realize a higher avg Yield vs the ETF yield. Also where can I find a list of the complete holdings of an ETF vs just the top 10 that most sites list. I very much appreciate your expertise and advice. I'm