Investment Q&A

Q: Markets are very high. Do you anticipate a crash like last year? And how should we position ourselves at this time? Thank You.

Q: Hello 5i team
As a front line (nearly retired) physician, I recently received a Covid 19 immunization. It's difficult to express the REMARKABLE sense of gratitude and euphoria that I observed among everyone involved . Suddenly, we felt liberated from the danger of this scourge that we face daily. Our next exciting job is to immunize our fellow citizens as fast as humanly possible and as we do, this euphoria will spread to society at large.
After my immunization I bought a new car and we're booking our fall and winter travel plans. This manic behaviour, I believe, represents the tip of the iceberg for pent up demand which will be unleashed upon the world.
At the risk of being labelled a mercenary can you identify some sectors which are still beaten up and likely to surge-I'm thinking energy but other suggestions welcome (prefer etf's with a dividend to keep me invested until the recovery occurs-would supplement with high conviction stocks)
Thank you. As always, I value your opinions, Regards gary

Q: I'm now seeing many many people on different social media platforms, including very young people, talking about day trading, leverage, how much money they made on this or another stock. It reminds me very much of the tech bubble when, overnight, everyone became a stock market investor and guru. Are you seeing any of this and is it going to float prices higher do you think?

Q: What would be the top 5 trends you see for 2021 and what 2-3 stocks would you recommend for growth in those areas? (US or Canada)
Take as many credits as needed.
Thanks!

Q: I currently have 4% of my overall portfolio in Consumer stocks (DOO and GOOS). Having a difficult time trying to talk myself into increasing my overall percentage of Consumer stocks but have noticed you were up to 20% Consumer in a recent suggested sector distribution you made. Why so high for Consumer?
thanks, John

Q: Hello and thank you in advance for your reply!
We are hearing more and more talk about a disconnect between the stock market and underlying economies. How sustainable in your view is the current market surge (ie: is this typical of any January), or should we be concerned about another significant correction like last March? If the latter, any recommendations you'd make with regards to less volatile or more defensive sectors, or a more balanced portfolio distribution? With best regards, Aaron

Q: With a Democrat Senate, higher government spending, rising inflation and an expanding 10 yr yield, what would be your fixed income allocation for the next five years? Do any of the above choices make sense? Thanks.

Q: Good morning - I was reading an interesting GS report which is calling for a structural bull market for commodities, starting in 2021. Let's say GS is correct. Assuming that, what would you suggest for a Canadian investor, both at home and in the US. Also, is there an ETF or two that you would suggest to address this assumed trend. Finally, do you think GS is on or off target here?
Thanks

al

Q: Hi guys,

Should the Democrats hold all 3 houses, what is your prediction for the North American markets. Drastic sell off or same as before.

Thanks

Jim

Q: Which sectors do you expect to perform best in 2021?

Q: Hi 5i team,
Peter, I enjoyed your last FP column and your fearless 2021 predictions. In your predictions a year earlier for 2020, you predicted the U.S markets would beat Canada, and they crushed Canada. For 2021, you did not make one for Canada vs the U.S, although you said technology would outperform, where the U.S. has a big edge. While I have a growth and U.S. bias, I did move a chunk of funds back to Canada in 2020 to pick up some value names and some newer tech names. Hence, my question. Who will be the big winner in 2021 – the U.S. with its big tech, healthcare and consumer names (the favourite) or Canada with its financials, energy and materials names (the perennial underdog)?
Thanks again for your insight over the years.
Dave

Q: Are we approaching a point where we should be cautious about putting new funds to work in the Balanced Equity 5iPortfolio? Valuations are high and for some reason one of the world’s best investors is sitting on mountains of cash?

Q: As an answer I'm looking for a general discussion (not a treatise) on sector allocation.
Have you or would you produce a recommended weighting of sectors, and where applicable, sub-sectors.
Are the traditional sectors still relevant? Should we be trying to fit all the emerging technologies (SEMI CONDUCTORS, CONSUMER PRODUCTS, 5G, GAMING, EV, AI, AUTONOMOUS DRIVING, SAAS, GREEN ENERGY, RENEWABLES, GENOMICS to name a few) into either INFO-TECH or one of the traditional sectors. What percentage of a portfolio should be in emerging technologies regardless of sector etc?
thanks, Hugh
p.s. you answer many questions that involve sector allocation - you may want to create a category for this in your searches.

Q: On December 23 of last year, you suggested an asset allocation for 11 sectors for a retired dividend-income investor. I found it helpful.
For 2021, what would you suggest the allocation for 11 sectors be for a balanced portfolio with the focus tilted more to capital gains?.
....Thanks.....Tom

Q: Question regarding the Canadian dollar. Do you think it will continue to gain on the USD and your best guess at a timeline regarding a peak if you see one? Also, what do you think a peak might be ($.90)? I realize this is speculative but appreciate your best guess.

Q: I am a snowbird and require income in US funds. With the recent weakening in the US dollar is now a good time to convert some Canadian currency assets into US currency assets. What are your thoughts on the Canada USA exchange rate has it peaked or will the Canadian dollar stronger?


Thank you


Steve

Q: Peter; If the Georgia election is “ overwhelming “ in the Democrats favour - basically rejecting the Trumpaffoon - is this a market changer and possibly the end of the clown politics? Crystal ball question I realize. Thanks . Rod

Q: What sectors would decline if inflation and/or interest rates were to rise.

Q: Hi, thanks for the work that you do for the average Joe.

I am about 8-10 years from retirement. Earlier this year, when good Cdn blue-chip dividend payers were "on sale", I started creating an income portfolio in my non-registered account. The idea is that these stocks would form the basis of my income in my retirement as I don't have a DB pension.

I am currently in the highest tax bracket so will pay significant taxes on the dividends that I receive until I retire, in 8-10 years.

I also have funds in my TFSA where I focus more on Growth.

Am I too young to start creating a dividend account when I'll be paying significant taxes? Should I instead focus on Growth stocks now, and convert those to dividend paying stocks when I retire?

Or does it really matter that much?

This is a non-urgent question and can wait until the NY.

Thanks
Robert

Q: Happy New Year and thanks for everything you do. This year has been by far my best year in the markets thanks to the patience i have learned through the daily Questions and Answers. Just a general question re the markets. I get asked by alot of people who can't get their head around that so many people have been out of work and the gov't continuously dishing out money, but the markets keep on chugging along like everything is good or going to be good in the near future in the world. In other words there seems to be alot of disconnect, thanks?