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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: Peter, I almost fell off my chair reading the business section this morning. It was reporting about the big banks' employee bonuses for the 2020 fiscal year. For example, RBC earned a total of about $11.5 billion - but the article reported that the bank's bonus pool was over $6 billion!! (up much more than inflation, 5.9%, compared to last year). If I've got this straight, the bank is choosing to pay out bonuses (not salaries; just bonuses) of more than half of the entire amount of the profit that is left to the entire shareholder base of the company. This strikes me as .... "inappropriate", if not insane. I know the excuse "We're just being competitive with other banks". But I've seen this rigged game before, as a way that public co managements have increased their compensation quite drastically over the years (e.g., hiring consultants to continually recommend higher and higher comp levels). Just wondering if you had any comment. Also, if you know of companies you like where management's comp is more fairly aligned with mine as a small investor, I'd love to hear of them.
Read Answer Asked by James on December 07, 2020
Q: The ability to 'buy now, pay later' appears to be a growing trend. I note that Affirm just purchased the Canadian company PayBright this week, and that Affirm has filed for an IPO. Are there any publicly listed Canadian or US companies that focus on that are high growth investment opportunities that you would recommend? Can I assume that any firms that do have this as their core product have a very small 'moat' - that if the banks sense an opportunity here, they will eventually dominate this space?
Read Answer Asked by Glenn on December 07, 2020
Q: Hello Peter and Team,

Looking to for an inflation hedge for my Son's mother in law. She just sold her house and has all her money in cash. She isn't very comfortable with investing so gold won't work. We are slowly putting her TSFA contribution in VBAL as we need some growth for the future (approx. 25% of the cash), but that is all she is comfortable with investing. What are your thoughts on ZRR? Is there any other product you would recommend as an inflation hedge?
Read Answer Asked by Wes on December 04, 2020
Q: good morning. with most of the banks reporting now for year end and most of the majors making a ton of money again this year can you see that dividends will be allowed to be raised again starting next year or do you see problems in the future.
i noticed bank of nova scotia did not raise at all this year and hoping that they can restart again next year.
Read Answer Asked by hans on December 04, 2020
Q: Good morning,
Looking to add TSU to my TFSA. It is more expensive than other insurers but seems to be more of a growth story than the others that I consider more as income stocks. They have had good results and the outlook still indicates further growth. Can you provide a few more details on this company? Do you know management or background?
Hard to find growth that is not TECH.
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Rudy on December 02, 2020
Q: Hi there,

What is the best way to invest in BTC and ETH, without directly investing in the crypto itself? Please suggest US and Canadian funds if possible.

Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Michael on December 01, 2020
Q: Hi, looking to adjust my financial sector exposure, currently holding SLF, V, JPM, GSY, and BAM. I hold ZBK, JPM and GSY at a low weighting in my portfolio and could top up any of these right now. Thinking of selling ZBK and buying more JPM for US financial exposure. Currently don't own any Cdn banks, except through broad Cdn ETF. Should I add more to my JPM position or buy one of the Cdn banks (was thinking of TD) or add to GSY? I see you added to BNS, quickly, why do you favor BNS over TD? Looking for growth 10+ yrs. Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Keith on November 30, 2020
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