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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: Dear 5i team,
NA, CM and RY have seen recovery to an encouraging extent.
BNS, TD and BMO much less so.

I do bear in mind that not all banks were/are uniformly exposed to risks precipitated by the virus; those that needed to increase reserves against losses have done so I believe. I’ve not sourced reports indicating any bank is not prudently shored up with loss provisions.

Would it be too soon to start a monthly purchase of BNS, TD, and/or BMO - small amounts, say $1k?
If it is too soon, what are you looking to hear, read about, or see happen that would tell you buying can begin?

Thank you so much!
Read Answer Asked by Hilary on October 05, 2020
Q: A respected analyst stated: DO NOT BUY THE BANKS!!!
Here are his reasons:
- Not only are they facing pressure from a flat yield curve but every aspect of their business is being disrupted by digital-first competitors.
- FinTech companies (both public and private) are disrupting every single one of the revenue channels at the banks.
- There isn't a single reason to own bank stocks other than the dividends however I’d argue if their businesses decline as much as I think they will those dividends might not be safe.
- There are better industries to find dividends where the companies are growing earnings and increasing their dividends. Personally I don’t see any of the banks increasing their earnings for a long time especially if these VC backed FinTech companies continue to crush them.
- If you want exposure to the financial industry I’d suggest going with the digital payment companies: $V $MA $PYPL $SQ

What are your thoughts re: only focus on fintech and digital payment companies in your portfolio?
I note that your top pick for banks in your income portfolio is BNS.TO, which you constantly recommend as it appears "undervalued", however BNS.TO has made 0% capital appreciation over 5 years. Is it time to switch to fintech?
Read Answer Asked by Curtis on October 05, 2020
Q: i have noticed that 5i prefers JPMorgan as an American bank. I read recently that Warren Buffett has bought more of an already large component, of Bank of America., while selling other banks, like Wells Fargo. i imagine you can't go wrong on either of these two banks, but it would be interesting to know why you would prefer JPM over bac, and since you like to look at the other side of the trade, why Buffer would seem to prefer bac.
thanks as always for the great service
Read Answer Asked by joseph on October 02, 2020
Q: hello
What are your thoughts on MIC's these days? For income of course.
Could you please rank them in order of "distribution" safety?
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Carlo on September 29, 2020
Q: My daughter is selling BNS for a tax loss. For a replacement would you favor a US bank like JPM at this time or another Canadian bank like TD or RY? Her other financials are BAM and GSY.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on September 28, 2020
Q: Hi 5i:
The quote about Latin America below is from today's Washington Post. Given that dire analysis, can you advise how you think the situation in Latin America will affect BNS's overall business, its share price and ability to cover its dividend for the foreseeable future.
"In Latin America, the economic disaster may be just as acute, if not more so [than in other hard hit places such as India]. Leading U.N. officials warn of a “lost decade” in the region, with spiking poverty and entrenched recessions. The ILO [International Labor Organization] pointed to a “stimulus gap” between rich and poorer countries. “Just as we need to redouble our efforts to beat the virus, so we need to act urgently and at scale to overcome its economic, social and employment impacts,” Guy Ryder, the ILO secretary general, said in a statement. “That includes sustaining support for jobs, businesses and incomes.”
Thanks,
Peter
Read Answer Asked by Peter on September 28, 2020
Q: With the devastation of the fires on the west coast with extreme property loss
do you think insurance companies are stretched??

tia pat
Read Answer Asked by Pat on September 17, 2020
Q: Howdy - Why didn't Warren buy some Stanley instead of Bank of America? Too small? So for exposure to US financials in the form of a sorta bank isn't MS better positioned than most with no loan default concerns and great exposure to wealth management (high net worth concentration?) Decent divi too. Why no 5i love for MS - is it the symbol of the stock matching what most associate with something horrible? Bothers me. Fondly, Ken
Read Answer Asked by Ken on September 14, 2020
Q: Hello,
I have been holding Laurentien Bank for a few years thinking it was 'cheap' as it was trading below book value. It's done terribly should I hold/sell any recommendations on an alternative holding for the long term.
Read Answer Asked by sundeep on September 14, 2020
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