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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: According to the experts in seasonal investing, September is statistically the worst time for markets, but then things start to pick up again later in October and into November. Would you let this consideration influence your investment decisions? I have capital to deploy but I'm wondering if I should wait another month or so before I start new positions. Also, are foreign markets (Europe, EM, Japan, etc) subject to the same September curse, on average? Thanks very much.
Read Answer Asked by Brian on September 13, 2017
Q: Hello Team,
I am 71, invest in value blue chips and ETF's 30% fixed, 20% cash, 50% equities. The portfolio is balanced following your portfolio review advice, including part of the income portfolio and part of the ETF portfolio. In our TFSA we have a 5 year GIC ladder with Oaken and some fixed ETF's. For 2018 TFSA ($4500 each)should we go with a growth stock, continue with the GIC plan or extend a fixed ETF? We have a little growth stock as per your income portfolio.
Thank you
Stanley
Read Answer Asked by STANLEY on September 11, 2017
Q: Hi Peter and Associates,

I hear some talk of tax selling as early as August? Some professionals speak of setting up their portfolios to avoid and/or to take advantage of year end tax selling pressures? Some sectors and/or specific stocks have seen modest to significant declines this year and risk seeing above average volumes of yearend tax loss selling?

Many experts do not suggest trying to time the market but also talk of good entry points to initiate a position if not starting with partial ones to begin. Then there are those who factor in seasonality or other technical indicators. Without wanting to sound pessimistic, more than a few guests on business programs express caution, have increased cash weighting to have dry powder in reserve.Markets are not seen as cheap but opinions vary as what to do?

Bottom line, market corrections are part of reality and one has not occurred in some time? What percentage cash might be viewed as a reasonable cushion for a middle of the road risk investor with a 65/35 (Equity/ Fixed Income) objective who would prefer to reduce equity exposure by building up some cash reserves at this time? What suggestions might you have in response to the above and specifically, what reduction in equity exposure might be reasonable and/or sufficient to have substance? Assume a 5% weight in gold forms part of the overall strategy and a sufficiently large portfolio to provide diversification and no over weightings within it.

Fundamentally, are there any specific strategies an investor might use or at least consider in the last months of any year and more specifically this year?

Thank you.

Mike
Read Answer Asked by Michael on September 01, 2017
Q: Dear 5i
I look at the chart of the TSX and see that its been trending downward over the last 6 months or so while the S&P and DOW have been trending upwards over the same time period . My thought is that it might be a good time to invest in the TSX now as that downward trend is most likely to start to reverse upward and not invest in the DOW or S&P as that trend is likely to reverse downward . On the other hand 5i generally advocates investing into strength meaning investing the opposite to what i`m suggesting . The other thought of course is to invest equally amongst them all so diversified across the board . I know predicting the market is impossible but i still like to invest to some degree on probabilities .
Appreciate your thoughts .
Thanks
Bill C.
Read Answer Asked by Bill on August 28, 2017
Q: I presently have no healthcare or tech holdings in either my RRSP, TFSA or cash. Am retired,like dividends, but can take some risk.

Looking at having 10% in each sector with HHL (50%),CSH.UN (25%),GUD(25%)in healthcare and TXF(50%),ABT(25%)PHO(25%) in tech.

What do you think of this approach and the individual holdings?

Where would you put each one ( RRSP,TFSA cash)?

Thanks Derek


Read Answer Asked by Derek on August 14, 2017
Q: I would like to hear your opinion on holding a cash position inside a stock portfolio (not counting any sort of life emergency fund). I read lots of company (Berkshire, Apple, etc) are building up big cash position to better pull the trigger when a market downturn occurs. If it can temporarily be good for a company, is it the same for an individual investor ?

If we take my current situation, I am 27, no debt with a decent job income which I put steadily towards stock investing. I currently hold a 5% cash position as a buffer between my income and my investing. Do you believe it’s enough ? Is my strategy of buying over time with my income without building a larger cash position my best option ? Would you consider building a larger cash position 8 years into a bull run as market timing ?

Thank you !
Read Answer Asked by Julien on August 08, 2017
Q: I have just read a new article with a doomsday comment about another financial crisis being on its way. "The same problems that caused the financial crisis are back". I understand that no one can really predict things but given the strong upward trends that we have seen one could expect some sort of correction. To take a conservation approach how should one adjust their investment distribution. What sectors are less affected? and would ETF's or mutual funds be safer that stocks? What about bonds? This is probably worth a couple of credits. Thank you, Doug
Read Answer Asked by Douglas on August 04, 2017
Q: Just comments.AIF-basing on better than expected Q2 revenue & eps,3 firms(TD,CF & RY) raised target price to $36 & upgraded stock.Reportedly best one day performance since 8/15 PKI-RY & BNS downgraded target price to $31 & $33.75 CGX-6 out of 7 firms downgraded to $46-$52.1st time in the last 3 years that Ellis Jacob is not that upbeat in interview on BNN after release of results. In this strong earnings season,strong results will be handsomely rewarded(eg AIF,SHOP,TOY),& vice versa.
Read Answer Asked by Peter on August 04, 2017
Q: I have seen my investments total value in US stocks and non hedged ETFs going down lately, although individual stock price are doing OK.
I know it is very difficult to predict currency fluctuations, I would like your view and recommendation on how to protect my portfolio. Is buying hedged ETFs is the solution and what about your view on the Canadian dollar against the US $ and the Euro.
I value your opinion
Raouf
Read Answer Asked by Raoul on July 28, 2017
Q: The 8% gain of the Cdn dollar over the past few weeks could have a huge impact on stocks like NFI and others in a negative way.
With the Cdn dollar on a terror lately what sectors if any would stand to gain from this currency move and what would be two individual stocks that you think could gain by the US/Cdn exchange rate moving closer to par.
Always appreciate your perspective.
Thank you
Terry
Read Answer Asked by Terry on July 25, 2017