Investment Q&A

Q: Good day team,

First things first, thanks for your steady advice during this downturn. A calming voice is very much appreciated.

My portfolio so far is adequately diversified. Believe it or not it is still up on the year. I have some play money which Im planning on using to make a bet against commodities, in particular copper and/or oil and gas. One idea comes to mind is buying puts against TECK. Any other suggestions? Either stocks or ETFs?

Q: Hi Ryan,
Several years ago I engaged with 5i for a portfolio analysis. I'm a recently retired investor. 5i strongly encouraged me to include a fixed income component to stabilize portfolio fluctuations and lower volatility.

With that advice and for tax purposes I purchased XBB, CLF, and PMIF into my RRSP. Now that the interest rates are marching steadily upwards I'm in a significant capital loss situation on my portfolio's bond allocation.

At this point do you suggest I just hold through the cycle and absorb the loss or should I sell and reallocate funds? Perhaps into some solid Canadian dividend payers? (eg. GWO?)

As always, much appreciate your advice and guidance in these unprecedented times. Thank-you.

Q: Everyone, well the feds raised rates and will raise again next meeting. Are the rates increases what the market was looking for? Clayton

Q: These large behemoths have been decimated in varying degrees. Would you please rank them and would you buy now for a long hold on what seems like a huge sale on quality leaders? Thanks.

Q: I was listening to Ross Healy on BNN Market Call this morning, and he thinks the NASDAQ composite could drop by 75-80% off its peak. I also saw a headline on the same show whereby a Manulife survey indicated that 25% of homeowners would sell their homes if interest rates continue to climb upwards. Can you comment on the historical relationship between stock prices and house prices? For example, if stocks tank, will house prices follow downwards? Or if house prices drop significantly, can we expect a major market sell off?

Q: Hi there, I hold a large amount of my portfolio in these broad based ETFs. I have about 30% in cash. At these levels, would you be adding to these indexes for a long term hold? How likely do you think it is that we would see SPY at 3300 to 3400 range? What would your strategy be to deploy my cash position into equities? Thank you!

Q: Peter and His Wonder Team
Please give your assessment of this company going forward. The price is cheap and I am thinking it might be a good long term contrarian play...even with inflation we have to eat. How risky would a buy be...better to wait for a lower price...I see we are now officially in a bear market...are we getting near the bottom? Thanks as always...your opinions are always valued.

Q: I have been hearing a lot of negative views on the stock market lately because of rising inflation/interest rates. I had a look at the US 10 year bond rates, compared to the S & P 500 level over the last 60 years. The 10 year moved up over 8% in roughly the 1978/1979 period and basically stayed there until roughly 1991, with a peak of over 15%. During that time, the S & P 500 went from roughly the 400 level to around 850, so the market more than doubled. Inflation was also very high then, and unemployment was much higher than it is now. It seems curious to me that so many people are so negative about the stock market, citing rising rates/inflation as the reason, when the market performed quite well during an extended period of much higher rates. Wondering if you had any comments about this.

Q: In the current market environment with high inflation, lower growth, risk of recession and war, if you were building a portfolio today for income/growth what sectors would you avoid entirely, if any? And, if one was building the portfolio today what percent would you allocate to each area that you are suggesting? Thank you!

Q: Hi 5i extremely informative staff! I have been holding these four stocks in my cash portfolio with long term intentions(5 years) for diversification contrary to my desire to have 4plus dividend % performers
They are also down substantially in the last 6 months

Can you please comment or recommend holding for long term or replacing them with suitable high dividend replacements in the same sector if possible
Please deduct the credits that you deem appropriate
Thank you

Q: 2 weeks ago Jamie Dimon, chairman of JP Morgan commented that he was expecting a challenging environment ahead. Then last week he revised his outlook to Hurricane conditions which JP Morgan is preparing for, partly to do with current conditions and the commencement of deleveraging. Pretty strong words from such a prominent figure. Any thoughts/comments/advise from you guys?

Q: I would like to get your expert opinion on where you see interest rates headed over the next 5 years? And have your view on stop loss orders changed?
Thanks

Q: I'm hearing more and more about a looming global food crisis, largely due to the unfortunate situation in Ukraine and its impact on grain shipments. Apart from fertilizer companies, what other options do you feel would be good expressions for a global food shortage investment thesis?

Q: Could you comment on the lift we see this week on whether it is sustainable or if it's a bear market bounce? And why?

Thank you

Q: Since the market has no appetite for growth companies driven by acquisition, should we sell and invest in something else and wait for it to return.

Q: Bonds are usually a safety haven when markets are in turmoil
In this present market environment bonds have lost value instead of being a stabilizer
What is the reason for this and is there likely to be a turnaround for bonds and if so when could that happen ?
Thanks

Q: With the ongoing markets volatility which markets sectors would be a reasonably safe to invest at this time? Thank you.

Q: I read where the Chinese gov't has approved a digital yuan through Yuan Pay Group. They talk about having a fixed price and have someone immediately call you to put money in. They seem pretty pushy and articles say that once the digital yuan is adopted by others it could take off. Appreciate your thoughts

Q: What do you think of Harry Dent and his 86% market crash prediction for later this year.

Q: there's a big percentage of Canadas population that are between 57 and 64 in the work force that don't have pensions and soon will have to depend on CPP and OAS. Both of which don't amount too much monthly. People will probably have to live in poverty and cash in RRSPs ,if they have any. What affect could all of this have on the stock market in the near future ? Thanks