Investment Q&A

Q: The stock market performance of the TSE for 2017 was poor compared to other world stock markets including the USA. Do you expect more of the same and if so, what major world exchanges would you invest in 2018. With thanks, Bill

Q: Any particular reason the markets fell so much on Monday? Do you think this is the start of a larger trend or market correction?

Q: The TSX has not performed very well this week. I think the weak US $ is putting downward pressure on Canadian stocks. Do you agree?
What other factors may be working against the TSX at present.
Thanks

Q: Hi Gang,

How accurate would this be, its a clip taken from BNN.

We’ve been keeping a keen eye on the yield curve as it’s the best predictor of an impending recession. While the curve is flattening (short end rising while long end not rising as much) we are but two to three rate rises away from inversion. An inverted yield curve generally leads an actual recession by ~12 months. Based on our calculations we are at least ~18 months away from the next recession.

Thanks
Anthony

Q: If the U.S. gov. shuts down. how will this effect the markets..how has it effected the market when it has shut down in the past.

Q: Dear Team:
I have been retired for 5 years now and have been self investing with a return of 13.58% on average. I have reached 60 years and feel that I should have more fixed income as of right now; I have about 12% of fixed income. My portfolio size is over $1M. I have 2 questions for you:
1) Do you think I need more fixed income?
2) If I was to increase my fixed income, I am thinking of an ETF for either Re-set Preferred Shares or Short Term Corp Bonds or Real Return Bonds. Which do you like?
Thanks for your time
Jim

Q: What was the sector rotation in the US you spoke of yesterday?? It was "a fairly strange market day with a giant US stock reversal."

Q: A question about Geographic Diversification.
Percentage of Canada, USA and World Stocks?
What is the recommendation? For 2018?
Thank you.

Q: Hello,

I have been holding TDB902 Mutual Fund which tracks the S&P500 over the last few years. The approx return for TDB902 from Jan 2014 to Jan 2018 is 77%, XSP has been 52% and VFV 78%. However, the one year return for TDB902 has been 16.21%, VFV 16.42%, but XSP has been 22%. XSP is CAD hedged, and I'm looking for the best investment to track the S&P 500. Is it better to have XSP/CAD Hedged ETF? My understanding is that on average CAD to USD has been approx .80 (outside of the few years when CAD was on par with the USD), I think there may be some fluctuation between .75-.81, but will stay around .80 (or decline). Which ETF would have the best returns and track the S&P500 accurately, and should I consider a CAD hedged ETF?

Q: If a company decides to adopt Blockchain where would you look to track the effects? For example would the company look to increase their revenues, or lower costs? Or is the benefit simply one of efficiency in record keeping? How would a company like Kodak be enriched?

Q: Follow up to my question “repatriation of US dollars”.

Should have been more specific: Other things being equal would the repatriation strengthen the USD against the CAD?

Thanks again.

Q: On balance, do you think that if the US 'cancels' NAFTA, it will have an immediate negative hit on the TSX? Do you think that dividend stocks like REITs will take a bigger or smaller hit (if any) and do you think that dividends may be reduced?

Q: You have mentioned on occasion that the Tech sector tends to be the hot sector during the last quarter of the year.
The market is behaving quite well at the moment with a reasonable amount of optimism. Do you expect there to be a shift from investing in the tech sector to other sectors given the current investment climate?
Which sector(s) would you think will most benefit from any possible shift of funds in Canada and the US? Or has it already happened?

Q: I feel like I'm consulting an oracle here but I am wondering what your thoughts are on an impending correction. My concern is with respect to the amount of people chasing up tech and marijuana stocks especially. Everything has risen so much in the last 6-12 months that I can't help but think we are over due for a pullback. Would it be wise to sit on the sidelines and wait? I hate to miss out on the party but I'd rather lose a bit of upside here and be able to take advantage of a possible major pullback than be the last one out the door after the party is over. Thanks in advance.

Q: My portfolio is 50% U.S; 20% Asia; 30% CAN; I was waiting for the NAFTA negotiations to lower the CAN dollar at which time I would repatriate some cash from the U.S. To CAN.....however with the strong commodity market of late the CAN dollar is surging........should I wait or repatriate now? Just looking for another opinion...... Thank you!

Q: Could you tell me what was the TSX total market return (including dividends) in 2017? Thank you for the great service.

Q: Norman Rothery recently wrote an article regarding the CAPE ratio. He indicated that the CAPE was above 32 where as the median value is aprox. 16 implying that a S&P market correction of 50% would be needed to bring the market down to its median value. The article was very convincing as are all his articles, they seem to very well researched and well presented. Could you comment on this CAPE ratio and how much faith would you put it. Thanks Ron

Q: Why the small cap sector has been lagging for the last 6 years. Its been underperforming for a long time. Also, why the millennials are not interested in his sector. I just do not understand why the sector is so unloved.

Last question, what is the difference between the US small cap vs Canada small cap.

Thank you in advance for your comments.

Norwood

Q: Happy New Year,
I have read recent media reports suggesting that the investment world views Canada as the primary listing location for many speculative "Cannabis" and "Blockchain" companies and that this is hurting overall investment in Canada and the TSX/Venture exchanges.

Any views on this perception?

Robert

Q: ...lofty US markets, tax cuts, presumed higher growth, greater chance of more interest rate hikes....would you put new money into the american market and what changes, if any, would you suggest to equity/fixed income allocations for the short to medium term? Thanks.