Investment Q&A

Q: Best wishes to the team for 2017. Your independence and objectivity are always refreshing and welcome.

BTW. How do you estimate US or International exposure for nominally Canadian companies as diverse as TD Bank and Enbridge? Apologies if you have already addressed this.

Q: Hi Peter
There a few gloomy predictors in the US predicting a very serous correction due to the very high margin debt it seems to be getting a bit of ink .
Do you have any comment on the subject of margin debt?
Kind regards
Stan

Q: Is there a way of reviewing the "Member Updates" section -- i.e., the monthly commentary where you make changes in the portfolios, etc.? I'm usually pretty good at keeping those notes, but I didn't for last month, and wanted to review your comments on your portfolio changes. The rationale you provide behind your choices is always of interest. Thanks. (I know what the changes are, just looking at the portfolios, but would want to look at your notes from that time.)

Q: If someone only has a TFSA account and no other investments should they still add a ETF like VEE? They have a long time frame or just invest in the different sectors of the Canadian markets?

Thanks

Q: Topic: interest rates and income stocks, particularly utilities in a "stagflation" scenario.

I understand your message regarding higher interest rates reducing the appeal of income stocks in a growing economy.

But what about stagflation? If interest rates spike, but the economy stagnates (some us remember the 70's) .... would stocks like the utilities still likely "stagnate" or drop as well?

Would anything do well in a stagflation scenario?

Thanks for any information or guidance you can provide.

Q: Hi Fellow Investors!
For those that haven't read the recent 5i blog on averaging down yet I would like to recommend reading it. It is an important topic and well written.
I would just add that averaging down beyond a normal portfolio weighting can put a big dent in one's longterm returns if things go wrong. In my experience you need a very high degree of conviction to average down and by definition such opportunities will only present themselves very rarely. Most investors cpuld do well to avoid the practice entirely, IMHO.
Cheers
John

Q: It seems to me Open Text is one of your top technology stock pick now, and I like it very much too. The only problem for me is that the company seems like to be paying too much to stock price and playing trick with the stock price. It has a split last year, and now it is splitting again. This is in stark contrast with companies like Google, Priceline, Amazon, not to mention Birkshire, etc. Is this a warning sign? I mean two splits in less than a year.

Thanks

Shaun

Q: Re form 1135. Are US ETF holdings exempt when held in RRIF and TFSA accounts when calculating amounts?

Q: If one wanted to shift 10% of one's portfolio exposure from Canada to the U.S. is it better to convert cash from CAD to USD and then purchase stocks on an American Exchange or alternatively use CAD to purchase American Stocks (that also list on the TSX) or ETF's (holding US Stock) that list on the TSX?

Q: 1) I am in the process of making a few changes in my portfolios and was wondering if you expect to be making any adjustments in the 5i portfolios in the next month or so ?

2) Is 5i still doing portfolio reviews ?

Thanks to the whole team for an outstanding service !

Q: I'm in borderline Top 1% Tax Bracket, so I'm looking for a Flow Thro Fund. The Sprott 2016 Short Duration closed early, run by Eric Nutall. Can you recommend another? And, since I'm maxed out in my RRSP & TFSA, is it ok in a Margin/Cash a/c?

Many Thank

Q: Please mention sectors you feel should be over weight in Canadian and US markets. Intuitively, in expanding economy I would pick Consumer Discretionary, Industrial and Technology. You may have different answer for Canada and US.

What proportion of portfolio should be in US stocks.

Thing you

Q: Hi Peter
I am reviewing my so called balanced portfolio.as we head into 2017
Right now this is where its at.
NON STAPLES 10%--STAPLES 9%--FINANCIALS 18%--HEALTH 9%--ENERGY 9%
INDUSTRIALS 11%--TECHNOLOGY 10%--MATERIALS 14%--UTILITIES 4%
TELECOMMUNICATIONS 2%--
AS YOU SEE IT IS OUT OF WHACK--COULD I PLEASE HAVE YOUR COMMENTS ON ANY
SECTOR YOU THINK I SHOULD REDUCE EXPOSURE AND ALSO ANY I SHOULD ADD TO-
IF YOU WANT ME TO ADD ANY STOCKS TO SAY UTILITIES OR TELCOM--WHAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST---I CURRENTLY HAVE AQN-BEP.UN-FTS AND T--I GUESS I COULD ALSO TOP THESE UP----IN THE OTHER SEGMENTS I HAVE AT LEAST 4 OR 5 STOCKS.
THANKS --HAVE A GOOD 2017

PETER

Q: Just wondering if you've read the book "the little book that beats the market" and heard of his magic formula investing? Is it too good to be true? Or does the methods and practices actually hold water for long term investing results?

Thanks!

Q: Can you give me your opinion on analysts or advisors that give their evaluation or opinion on a stock based on their 'model'. You probably know some analysts that appear on BNN Market Call. They talk with confidence about the 'model price' of a stock that is above or below the market. Tell me if I am wrong but, an opinion which is not substantiated by explicit critiria be it technical or fundamental, should be avoided if one does not want to follow an advisor blindly. I know that these guys do not want to give up their recipe and appear on BNN to recruit new clients but it should be clear that when they are on TV looking at their crystal ball, it is actually an 'infomercial'. Unless you intend to purchase, there is no point in following their advice because you do not know on what it is based on.

Q: Hello 5i
My main question is similar to a previous one.
We have 2 RRSP, 2TFSA, 1 non-registered, 1 non-reg. corporate accounts. We are presently with a full service broker(approx. 140 positions), but will be transferring to a discount broker. We are now taking income, mostly from the corporate account.
1)Would you suggest treating them as one when we build our new portfolio?
2)Our intentions are to have 30-35 positions. Is there a point where spreading over too many different accounts can make the portfolio less effective?
Thank you in advance, Bill

Q: is there investments for the Canadian markets that take advantage of volatility ,should the incoming US administration do some things that start to take down the TSX ? Thanks and have a super 2017

Q: If any one is interested in buying U.S. stocks I am going to read THE MAKING OF DONALD TRUMP BY DAVID JOHNSTON to give me added information.

Q: I think that a stock price can increase because:

1. earnings per share increase
2. multiple expansion

I understand #1. Can you please explain #2.

Q: What are your favorite blogs that you read everyday? Trying to increase my market awareness. If you were to devote one hour per day to your investments what would you do to "stay in the loop"?
Thank You Ron