Investment Q&A

Q: Hi guys,

Just wanted to know your thoughts about EMH and active investing. We all know that fees are a huge drag on performance; but interestingly, an old Globe article by George Athanassakos argues institutional factors like hugging the index are the main factor for underperformance.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/investor-education/real-active-management-is-worth-the-price/article26874608/

Would there be an advantage in returns (not including fees or commissions) with following a disciplined 100k model portfolio versus investing 100k in a traditional 300mil fund with the same holdings? I suppose inflows and outflows would be a major factor as well.

Thanks for your opinion.

Q: In reference to a question from Peter concerning Enghouse and Boyd, when or how do you determine winners(former?) are no longer winners? I have a few positions in which I have done quite well and despite nothing materially changing in the company, the stock price has stagnated or has been range bound for months.
I am reluctant to change companies just for the sake of change or to try to chase returns but often I am enticed by companies that seem to have momentum But this often throws off sector weighting?

Q: Hello! Do you think it's better this year to put new money in US or in Canada ?
Thanks for the great service !
Martin

Q: I know its just a short time into the new government in US, and we are so closely affected by US economy, I wonder if you can recommend sectors for buy sell or hold yet. Should I hold my cash for more tranparency?
Thanks

Q: Gary's question regarding the border adjustment tax 9BAT) on oil reflected my concern, as well. Presently, Canada ships 3.5 boe and Mexico is at about 800,000 so energy independence seems well down the road. If there is a BAT, some have said gasoline prices in the US will rise proportionately. I don't understand that conclusion. Canada only gets $40/barrel and Mexico $46. They can't raise the price to cover the tax so does that mean US recipients will get less and then raise prices to consumers?
Thanks.

Q: Does Mattel's financial results release offer any insight into Spin Master Toys? Mattel says they were impacted by a significant US toy category slowdown. How would one know if these poor results were specific to a company or an industry? Spin Master is a long term hold regardless as I have confidence with their strategy, especially using evergreen entertainment properties as a setup to sell children toys and branded products. I don't think Mattel has developed this strength.

Q: What is your call on CAD in 3 years from now? I meant long term(in 2020) where CAD would go?

Q: Good day!

I am a little concerned over how the markets have gone up over the last year. Especially since November.

Can you comment on general market corrections? Specifically: What is the average time period before we see a 5% and 20% pull back and where we are in relation to a significant correction. Are they over due according to the average time periods?

I know your preference is to invest long term and I agree with this, but "pigs get slaughtered" and I think there is too much exuberance in the markets for such slow growth. Currently I believe Berkshire Hathaway is sitting on 10%+ cash, should we take this as an indicator of things to come?

I did very well last year due to your service and am currently sitting on 20% cash after taking profits and am thinking of selling somemore to increase my cash position waiting for a better point to get back in.

I do not like to try and time the market, but it seems to me that right now might not be the best time to be fully invested.

Thank you so very much for your service!

Gerald

Q: Hi, I plan to create a small portfolio by combining both global momentum and global value stock etfs in equal proportion. For the etfs, i plan to use vanguard momentum etf(VMO) and vangurd value factor etf (VVL). My time horizon is 12 years. My aim is to get better result than the bench marks while getting global exposure. Is this a sound strategy? Thanks

Q: Good Afternoon,
How much would you advocate an average 40 year old working Canadian invest in the US and Global using the Mawer Funds for example. Something along the lines of 75% CAD, 15% US and 10% Global? Thanks

Q: I saw a report today that the Republican GOP is planning to introduce a bill to reform (lower) US corporate taxes that includes a so called "border tax" on all imports. Some talking heads have commented that if it becomes law as currently written the US dollar will see a big increase (as much as 25%). Have you heard about this and do you have any comments? Is it time to overweight US holdings to hedge against a currency increase?

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: 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: I have bought XUS to benefit from stock growth and to hedge against a drop in the Canadian dollar. It has worked on both counts. I am becoming a little more conservative and wonder if there any similar ETFs on the bond side that are available in Canadian dollars but invest in US bonds.

Q: Happy New Year Everyone.
How do you feel supply/demand will be in 2017 for the precious metals and lead,zinc,copper,aluminum,nickel and lithium? Have they turned the corner and will the global economy not be disrupted by treats of trade barriers being created and other factors? Thank you, Bob

Q: Hello! I have received a decent sized amount of gifted funds (decent sized relative to my existing portfolio). I plan to spread it across my holdings which are almost entirely made up of the BE Portfolio. I know that usually January can be volatile. Would you 1) hold onto the gifted amount in cash for now and deploy later when the markets calm (February for example), 2) deploy now, knowing January can be volatile? Or if there is a better method you would recommend? Thanks!!

Q: When I hear money managers,people calling into business shows........ and they use the phrase " time to take profit" would that mean to sell part or all of the position?

For example I have a diversified portfolio to produce income. About 7% in BMO with its recent run up and appears to be peaking, so if BMO continues to drift down would one sell it all and wait for the down trend to stop then buy back the same amount of shares at this lower price? Or sell enough to reduce weighting to 4-5 %?

Thanks in advance and for the great service.

Q: I have the above investments in my TFSA, TOY and MX being new. This account has been flat all year, so I am trying to make some changes. FB and AQN the worst, so I am looking to exchange those.
Now, looking at FB it is a strong buy/ buy. Are you expecting any growth this year, or should I sell. I have been looking at something with high yield like STB and PWF. Are they safe enough. I am going to use some of this money in one year.
Thanks for your opinion
Margita

Q: Bad day on the market. Virtually every sector is down but one. Real estate. I'm baffled by this. Almost every single REIT is up today, and REITs are performing well in New York as well. All the 'pros' have been saying that this is exactly the wrong sector to be holding now, that REITs will suffer more than any other sector in a rising interest rate market. Yet on the last day of trading it seems like everyone is tossing tech and everything else overboard and gobbling up REITs. Does this say something about the market going forward in 2017, that perhaps people are hedging their bets a lot and don't believe the "Trump Rally" will lift all the cyclical stocks after all?

Q: My question is there any ETF like the "ProShare Short Dow 30 (DOG)" for TSX.
I am try to hedge on some of my Canadian holdings.
Thanks
Happy Holidays.
Tak