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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: I have very little invested in the Materials Sector.I am currently a growth investor. What stocks and/or ETF would you recommend in this sector?

Thanks again.
Read Answer Asked by Dan on March 21, 2016
Q: I own some of each of these Pfd's...one has the symbol BM in it's name, the other BK...would you be kind enough to make the distinction for me , please and thank you...also if you would comment on their credit quality ...and whether the reset rates in 5 yrs time is the minimum rate or whether the rate is reduced if we have negative interest rates...many thanks ...cheers
Read Answer Asked by Cam on March 17, 2016
Q: I have limited exposure to Europe / Emerging Markets. Do you think it is a good time to invest in either of them and if so how would you do it? What are the best ETFs? Would you use a CAD hedged ETF/am I correct in understanding that buying a CAD hedged ETF would protect against the CAD appreciating?
Thank you as always.
Read Answer Asked by Arthur on March 14, 2016
Q: On Feb 26 Tamara submitted a concern about the doom and gloomers and her positive approach to investing in spite of their opinions. We too remain invested: 50% in farm land and 50% in stocks (of this 75% is in blue chip dividend stocks and 25% in higher risk stocks that we are transitioning out of and adding to the blue chip category as we near retirement age). Your guidance on sector allocation has been invaluable.
Of concern to me is this:
1. on a scale of 1-10 where do you rate the potential for a world wide currency collapse. I have read it is not if but when.
2. I cannot get my head around what this would look like. For the average person what would be the impact to daily living. It seems in Canada we remain fairly "sheltered " from physical harm.
3. I have read it is advisable to hold gold for safety in economic uncertainty. So gold stocks or the commodity - actual physical gold? How would one use it to buy what we need daily? That is another thing I can't get my head around. It just seems impractical. How does one buy gold?
4. Which is the better option in this uncertain economic climate: to be fully invested, to hold cash, to hold gold, to hold a combination of these and in what ratio.

We remain positive in the future and fully invested but are we on the right track? Is there something we and other readers should be doing to weather what the world economic factors may send our way. Your comments would be appreciated.
Lou
Read Answer Asked by Louise on March 10, 2016
Q: i just want solid dividend paying companies. id like your take on the economy. are the policy makers playing games with the value of our currency ?id like to hold stocks for long term and let the drips accumalte is this an ok stategy or do i constantly have to have cash and buy gold etc if gold is the next best area what do you recommend
Read Answer Asked by cliff on March 10, 2016
Q: Could you please provide a percentage sector allocation recommendation for a growth portfolio with a time frame of 5 to 10 years.
Read Answer Asked by Vineet on March 03, 2016
Q: Good morning...I currently have CDN100,000 to deploy.. about 10% of portfolio...I have the majority of your favorites...I always get anxious with cash and like to be in the market 100%...its hard o have it "parked" when you can get some decent yields...what would be your top 5 income stocks or beaten down others and a good buy/add to...in addition, should i just wait it out for another 30 to 60 days and keep cash? no tax issues whatsoever...Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Matthew on March 02, 2016
Q: Would you prefer the Xhy bond etf over the us Bond etf because of hedging currency? Or because the yield is higher for income investors? Would pimcos bond etc be more stable?
Read Answer Asked by Kim on February 24, 2016
Q: Hi Team:
Interesting article in Saturday`s Globe about negative interest rates. I have held a # of Cdn
bank stocks for years & have benefited from their dividends & rarely check their stock prices. It is interesting to note the conflicting views in the article concerning the ramifications of going negative. If Canada joins the sub zero fraternity, what effect would this have on the shares of my Cdn Banks?
Thanks: Jerry

Read Answer Asked by Jerry on February 22, 2016
Q: If you believe the news reports indicating that the big oil countries appear to be coming close to an agreed production cap, this could mean the Canadian dollar has hit bottom and is due to rebound to some extent (probably a little, not a lot). With that in mind any US equities held would be exposed to currency risk. I have made some decent returns on US equities in the past year or so with a good portion of such gains attributable to the Canadian dollar decline. Would you consider selling US equities now if you thought the Canadian dollar could appreciate in value say 10% over the next year or so?
Read Answer Asked by Mark on February 18, 2016
Q: just did a deal with suimitomo for $1 billion for a 13 %interest in a US copper mine.(morenci).
according to the talking heads this deal values copper at a minimum $3 per pound and has moved FCX stock nicely.
my question is with FM. this announcement seems to have moved the stock.would a small position be advisable 1 or 2% As I have learned these stocks move quickly in both directions.If you believe the sky is not falling ,there should be a bid for copper as this deal indicates.
Thx Blake

Read Answer Asked by blake on February 17, 2016
Q: will you please advice if this is a safe buy? whats with the dividend

thanks donald.
Read Answer Asked by donald on February 12, 2016
Q: just need assurance not to sell stocks when market drops out and stay long
Read Answer Asked by dale on February 12, 2016
Q: Hello 5i team,
I have learned that, with a positively sloping yield curve, lending institutions provide much needed liquidity into the economy; but the current situation seems, to me, to defy all logic. Mind you, compared to the rest of the world with negative yields across the spectrum, the US yield curve seems OK despite the fact that it is dangerously flattening. How does all this affect liquidity? and is this a precursor of an eventual recession?
Given the uncertainty, 20% of my equity RRIF portfolio is in cash.
Thanks,
Antoine
Read Answer Asked by Antoine on February 11, 2016
Q: Would you comment on articles on Bloomberg and CNBC websites, among others, indicating China's potential banking crisis could be 5 times worse than the US subprime crisis? Very daunting article! Thanks.
Steven
Read Answer Asked by Steven on February 11, 2016
Q: Hi Peter!

What broad market and sector specific ETF's that are currency hedged would you recommend for the US market for a 2 year hold?

Ian
Read Answer Asked by Ian on February 08, 2016