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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: A question for the dummies amongst us.
In reading your explanation of “covered call options” what I still don’t understand is who buys the call option and why would they? Who determines the “strike price”, do you? Who determines the other terms of the contract: the expiration date, the “premium” you get for selling the covered call, the price if you “buy back” the call option prior to expiry? Who sets all this up and how do they get paid (your broker)?
What is the downside, aside from missing out on potential gain if the stock is called away?
Perhaps you can recommend other resources that explain all this in relatively simple language.
Supposedly there is no such thing as a stupid question.
Len
Read Answer Asked by Leonard on July 06, 2020
Q: There are a lot of different BAM preferred shares that one could choose from to invest. Some have dived yields as high as 8%? What is the difference in each of the issues? Why would one not just choose the one with the highest dividend yield? Can you please clarify? Is there a drawback of choosing one over the other? If you had to choose one which would you pick?

Regards,

Brendan
Read Answer Asked by Brendan on July 06, 2020
Q: Will the Canadian. Money saver money show be recorded for those who aren’t available during the livestream?
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Karim on July 06, 2020
Q: I am retired. To help me better appreciate what types of stocks to hold in my TFSA, RRSP/RRIF, and unregistered accounts, could you give me a few Canadian and US suggestions for each. Thanks again for your great service.
Read Answer Asked by bill on July 03, 2020
Q: Hi guys,
I am maintaining both rrsp and resp portfolios for my family with time horizons of about 20 years and 10 years, respectively.
The investment strategies have been the same thus far, and I have followed a balanced approach of identifying growth, blue chip and a nominal 15% fixed income in each. I have a combination of ETFs and stocks from your model portfolios.
With the objectives and time horizons in mind, would you deploy the same investment strategies across accounts at this point? Thoughts on what investments you would recommend?

I am also aware of the tax ramifications of the accounts, and am more interested in thoughts on risk and time horizons.

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Peter on July 02, 2020
Q: "Authors of this answer, directors, partners and/or officers of 5i Research have a financial or other interest in AMZN at the time of answering this question."

What other companies does officers have a financial interest in? Don't see this too often on questions? Are you only invested in American names?

Private question but you can answer publically if you wish
Read Answer Asked by Thomas on July 02, 2020
Q: This market is wearing me out! What do you think about partnering with Wealth Simple? Thx James
Read Answer Asked by JAMES on July 02, 2020
Q: Hi, my wife has some cash sitting in a Corporate account and we are looking to invest the funds in stocks. I know you can invest in ETF's, stocks, bonds, etc. but can you tell me what kinds of stocks are best to invest in, considering taxes, withholding taxes, etc. Is it better to invest in growth stocks or dividend stocks, US or CDN stocks? What are some other factors to consider? We are well diversified in our personal accounts and looking for long term growth. Thanks for all your help!
Read Answer Asked by Keith on June 30, 2020
Q: Hello 5i Team
Is there a website where I can download the CUSIP and/or ISIN for Canadian Preferred Shares and/or other securities?
I am trying to analyse the holdings of CPD/RPF/ZPR and each one presents the holdings with different information (CPD has the CUSIP, RPF has neither, ZPR has the ISIN), none of them indicate the underlying TSE stock symbol and the security description is extremely truncated (mostly company name).
Some of the company websites have the CUSIP and/or ISIN, however the majority do not. Short of emailing the investor relations department do you suggest any other means?
How successful are you in receiving answers from investor relations representatives?
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on June 30, 2020
Q: Sean asked on June 26th for a good app to watch stocks. So in the interest of sharing information, I recommend Portfolio Trader available at the App Store. I have used it for years and find it exceptional for tracking stocks, markets and portfolios.
Read Answer Asked by Gerry on June 29, 2020
Q: Hi, In my opinion, right now it's a good time to enter the UK and France markets. I've looked at a few mutual funds, however none target these markets aggressive enough for my liking. I'm now considering purchasing a few blue chip companies that operate out of these countries. From my understanding, in order to do this, I must purchase them through the OTC. Is that correct, and if so, do you consider this an acceptable strategy? Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Brady on June 29, 2020
Q: Sean a subscription to Globe and Mail is very good, covers most of what you’re looking for
Read Answer Asked by Roy on June 29, 2020
Q: Do you ever trade options or use options as part of your trade strategy at 5iresearch? I also get an email from another group in the states called Investment House and they use options along with the stock purchase of the same stock and they get a huge % return on the options when they pick them right. The free newsletter don’t tell ya about the ones they get wrong but a lot of the US stocks they pick are the same ones you always recommend in your questions when someone asks. Just curious. I know options are a larger risk for sure.

Regards,

Brendan
Read Answer Asked by Brendan on June 29, 2020
Q: hello 5i Research team,
Could you clarify the meaning of a phrase you use sometimes: « We would consider it fine to own right now, for a 3 year+ period. »? Do you mean: it is a good company/investment, but : it might be fully valued currently? Or it might be volatile for an ownership over a short period of time? Or something else? Thank you for your collaboration, Eric
Read Answer Asked by Eric on June 29, 2020
Q: I was wondering if you guys know any good apps to watch stocks. I use the apple one and am looking for something better.
Read Answer Asked by sean on June 26, 2020
Q: Would you please explain how Markets work outside normal trading hours. Understand that is an "After Hours" Market, as well as a "Pre-Market"?

Can the individual investor trade in these Markets & how are they accessed?

Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Ross on June 26, 2020
Q: Hi,
Can you tell me if there is a Norberts Gambit alternative using Cryptocurrency? If one wanted to buy $10K US with CAD$ might it be cheaper to buy cryptocurrency (Bitcoin or Ethereum maybe) in Cdn$ first and then sell the Crypto for US$?
Read Answer Asked by Morgan on June 25, 2020
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