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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: Can you recommend a good ETF probably US based, which has companies in the forefront of corona vaccine development/demonstration, as well as corona related testing and diagnosis.
Read Answer Asked by Vinod on April 06, 2020
Q: The company said in its last release that they will get their new product tested on live covid-19. Once this is done they will re-release the results for clarification. Assuming it works, should we see another good bump in the stock price. Is it highly likely a larger company will make a deal with them sooner than later because of its urgency or the company themselves could start mass producing it.

Thanks Steve
Read Answer Asked by Steve on April 03, 2020
Q: Apologies for repeating. Take credits freely. Two quick follow-ups to my Covalon querry. 1. I had assumed that the Saudi problems coincided with a Canadian government comment that the Saudis got offended and defensive about, not that it was a problem with COV, but with Saudis. If I remember correctly, the Saudis cancelled all contracts with Canada because of an innocent statement by a government minister. And 2, from what I have read Covid-19 is here to stay, and will return probably each year, and will need to be controlled with a vaccine, somewhat akin to flu (but more serious). We will still need Purell and anything else in the market to stay safe. I'm not trying to defend the company, but just trying to dig a bit deeper in why you don't trust the management anymore, aside from the Saudi issue. Also, the shares are in my TFSA so no tax loss benefit. The volume on the stock has always been very low, so perhaps I should let it go gradually? Again, any further insight would be much appreciated.
Read Answer Asked by Gordon on April 01, 2020
Q: For those of us who still have Covalon shares, should we hold on to see if their product does have some promise? Or should we sell into strength. At one point, back pre-Saudi problems, you seemed to be very positive on the company: I had assumed you had a feeling for management and financial strength. Now, reading between the lines, you seem to be implying it is somewhat akin to a VSE mining stock promotion. (Maybe that's not a fair statement.) When I look at the product Covalon originally had regarding anti-infection of wounds, it makes some sense that they could pivot to something that might kill a virus. I understand that it would include sufficient alcohol to do the job, so is comparable to Purell. But they claim to have made something that would last longer than a simple alcohol wipe. I hear you say it is interesting, but I'm not quite sure how to take the fact that they were asked to re-write a somewhat promotional news release. Should we sell and then return when the product is more developed, or just hold for now?
Read Answer Asked by Gordon on April 01, 2020
Q: Thinking about investment implications of this crisis. In a recent investigation by Assoiated Press it was reported that " The critical shortage of medical supplies across the U.S. (Canada?), including testing swabs, protective masks,surgical gowns and hand sanitizer, can be tied to a sudden drop in imports, mostly from China". Do you think there will now be a new emphasis on domestic manufacture and if so where might one find the companies that would benefit?
Thanks
Mike
Read Answer Asked by michael on April 01, 2020
Q: Looking for big pharma ETF`s when the pandemic is over to invest, which would be most tax efficient in a non registered account. I guess this limits them to the USA.
Any Canadian ones.
Thanks
Jeff
Read Answer Asked by JEFF on March 31, 2020
Q: I have a hefty loss on IIF held in a cash account, I am thinking of selling it to harvest the loss and use part of it to add to a small position of MRNA and/or some other health related stock that may benefit from work on COVID-19 vaccine that you may suggest.
Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Carlos on March 31, 2020
Q: I hold a position in BIIB in a diversified US portfolio. BIIB is included in the buyback ETF SPYB that includes many airlines. Airlines have been hard hit related to COVID-19 and are now to get bailouts.....like they bought back shares rather than reduce debt or keep cash on hand. My question is does BIIB have sufficient cash to get through this difficult period? And part two, should I continue to hold or sell BIIB?..........Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Tom on March 31, 2020
Q: Hope everyone at 5i is doing well in these times!

I have been sitting on mostly cash in my RRSP/LIRA and would like your recommendations on the best ETFs to consider for my full US and International exposure. All of these would need to be listed on the TSX as I am purchasing in CAD $. While I know you prefer non-hedged, I’d greatly appreciate if you could explain benefits/workings of hedged vs. non-hedged considering the current environment. And provide ETF recommendations for each.

I am looking to achieve a balance of diversification, reasonable MER, minimizing any withholding tax while optimizing the potential in market recovery. For US, I would like to have a technology ETF, health care ETF and a broader spectrum ETF – but also open to ideas. Also, looking for recommendations on International – one broad ETF or perhaps that and a mix of ETFs. I recognize there can be overlap (e.g. between a tech and broad sector fund), so if you can give me a sense of the degree of duplication that may be present in your recommendations. Perhaps going heavier on tech right now could be a good thing.

While I started off thinking ETF selections would be relatively simple, in reading various Q&A there seem to be many important considerations - your assistance is appreciated. Again, all of these are being purchased in RRSP/LIRA accounts with the goal of optimizing my returns over a 10 year window.
Read Answer Asked by Loretta on March 30, 2020
Q: Any concern on their dividend? Looking at their annual report for 2019, payout ratio is close to 70%. If this is correct, doesn’t leave much room to increase the dividend or re-invest back into the business for growth.... I would hate to see an equity raise in the near future or see then use their cash balance for a dividend increase. Your thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Chris on March 30, 2020
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