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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: Hey guys,

I have $18,000 in an RRSP and I am looking to split up my Money into Canadian Currency ETF's. I am thinking of an S&P 500, TSX 60, Emerging Markets and European ETF's.
What are your recommendations and allocation % for each. Timeline is 25-30 years.

Thanks a bunch
Read Answer Asked by Nick on March 15, 2021
Q: Hi there, would you now give the green light to start purchasing oil stocks? The stars sure seem to be aligned here! For a trade or investment? Short or medium term? Economies are going to start opening up, planes are going to start flying, and old economy cars are going take to the roads again, in droves!!
Also, lets not forget about all those newly purchased RV's hitting the highways again for the summer driving season...

Or, would you be selling into this strength as a contrarian move to whats happening in the market with oil stocks these days?
Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Hussein on March 11, 2021
Q: Hello 5i team,
Before a change in a weather system strong winds pick up with extremes of air pressure close together, then a calm before the storm hits. Over the years it was a big deal to see a holding jump 50 cents either way. NOW, we see the likes of not only growth stocks such as GWG and LSPD moving $5 and $6 at day but also ETF's such as IWO and VGT. Some "staid" stocks such as MSFT also move a chunck at a time. Are these moves indicative of a major change coming or is it smart money rotating or dumb money jumping on the bandwagon? Or is it anybody's guess? Should I be worried but stick to the plan?
Stanley
Read Answer Asked by STANLEY on March 10, 2021
Q: AS Oil stocks were much beatonup and now recovering very well,Which other sector is in similar position.Being A Realtor I think Commecial reits,office and retail US AND
Canadian are but Need your Opinion and advice.
Read Answer Asked by Nizar on March 09, 2021
Q: In one of your recent replies you said that “while the declines are big, we are not so sure we are at capitulation just yet.” I remember similar comments in early 2020. Recognizing it’s tough to predict a bottom, what signs do you look for that suggest we are at or very near the point of capitulation? I believe quick reversals is one, but are there others?

Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Alan on March 09, 2021
Q: In recent years, and especially during Covid, the central banks have effectively been printing money to fund the national fiscal deficits. In theory, governments are to repay the central bank for their bond purchases. However, there is a possibility that governments will choose to write off these debts (as is being recommended now by many economists). Should the governments write off these debts, what investments do you feel will do well in this environment, and which will not do well? Would a write off not have the effect of diluting the currency?

Thank you for this wonderful service!
Read Answer Asked by Dale on March 08, 2021
Q: Apologies in advance if this has already been asked but....
Interest rates up- what sectors/etfs act better in this environment.
Interest rates down- sectors/etfs act better in tis environment.

Many thanks for your help.
Read Answer Asked by Arthur on March 08, 2021
Q: Checking my daily charts, and something seemed to have changed just before 11:30
today. Numerous charts turned up - PLTR SQ CRWD DOCU GNRC FRPT etc.

Do you know of some news report?
Read Answer Asked by claudette on March 05, 2021
Q: There is a lot of nattering now about interest rates rising. When I look at historical charts I see that they are still very low when you take a long term view. Is the concern over done here?
Also wondering what sectors you would favour at this time with a shorter term horizon; i.e. where are we in the rotation?

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Robert on March 05, 2021
Q: Hi 5i
Can you provide me with one or two Stocks or ETFs. for the following sectors: real estate, financials, materials, industrial
I'm retiring in a year. To be held in RRSP.
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Fernando on February 25, 2021
Q: Hi group watching these high growth/high valuation stocks going down..down....down. Is it time to cash out and lock in what profits I have left usually do nothing is the best strategy but i am struggling to make any sense of that as the present environment feels different - your thought on sell or hold would be appreciated
Read Answer Asked by Terence on February 25, 2021
Q: With lots of chatter in the business press about reflation, how likely are we to see a rise in interest rates? Governments worldwide are cranking up their spending and this is adding to their debt burdens. If the central banks are the ones who set interest rates, why would they willingly increase the interest rates since this would have a perhaps catastrophic effect on the ability of governments to repay their debt? Or can interest rates jump simply because lenders demand higher rates because of the risks of default. I can certainly see that in the municipal and provincial /state borrowing. I suppose the answer to my question may require an article rather than just a reply reply, (hint, hint).
Read Answer Asked by Murray on February 25, 2021
Q: In this time of rising yield where is is safest place to find income in a RRIF. I assume corporate bonds better than government, short term better than long. What about preferred and senior loans. Equity sectors negatively affected would be real estate trusts, utilities, consumer discretionary and tech. Financial, industrials and energy are positively affected. What about telecoms? Thanks for your help. Stay safe.

Read Answer Asked by Tom on February 25, 2021
Q: To me, inflation is a super irritating economic phase, it's the neighbours calling the police because everyone was having too much fun at your party. Trillions of (COVID) dollars have been injected into the global economy with more on it's way, rising interest rates are on the distant horizon, I don't want to be caught off guard. What's the best way to position my portfolio to reduce the negative effects of this trend?
Read Answer Asked by Robert on February 23, 2021
Q: Hi Everyone at 5i!! Peter, I would like to thank you for your article in the National Post this weekend! It gave me quite a bit to think about. I am stepping into retirement next month with a very comfortable nest egg. 60/40 stocks and GICs. Stocks are diversified dividend players and growth. It seems though, that any direction you turn, if the stock market develops one kind of an issue or other, we are getting hit. If inflation goes up( which anyone who does the grocery shopping will tell you, it is happening at a goodly pace), and interest payments do not, there goes the purchasing power of your money. Gold could be a portfolio holding...but how much of the stuff is effective to protect the portfolio ? Dividend players may not offer much protection....well there goes that idea. GICs pay piddly amounts. Bitcoin? How could something that technically is based on nothing have so much value??? Real Estate? Stupidly expensive...So, I have a come to two conclusions: 1) start a small hobby farm in my backyard and grow my own vegetables, should things really go egg shaped. 2) Ask for a 5i article, which outlines specific portfolio protection advice considering the times we are living in. Right now, like you, I am trying to stay optimistic,, though sometimes it is hard, and I am staying the course. Thank you for all you do! Cheers, Tamara
Read Answer Asked by Tamara on February 23, 2021
Q: Starting last august I was convinced by my financial advisor to put 50% of my non registered portfolio into bonds so that I would have money available to invest into equities if there was a down turn. (the dry powder part) The funds used for this allocation were:
HAB 46% allocation of bonds at present time.
FID5732 Multi sector bond fund. 30%
HAF. 12%
XBB. 12%
Of these the XBB has fallen quite a bit
The FID5732 is falling now.
No income is needed from this portfolio for five years.

My question is this a good strategy for the dry powder of the portfolio?
Is there a better suggestion for the bond mix? or is cash better?

Your help is greatly appreciated.
By the way during this time period no mention of using any of these funds to reallocate to equities has been made.


Please note that this part of the portfolio has now fallen to be 30% of the portfolio total.
Victoria

Read Answer Asked by Anna on February 22, 2021
Q: Hello

Our US holdings are up 36.25%, where as our Canadian holdings are only up 17.22%.
The five mentioned above are our only real shining stars at this point.
Is one better to have all US holdings and forget Canada?
Thank you
Mike
Read Answer Asked by Mike on February 22, 2021
Q: Hi Peter,
from your article in the Financial Post, could you elaborate on the effects of inflation or deflation on a portfolio?
Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Serge on February 22, 2021
Q: Hi,
This is more a big picture question.
For several decades the concept of "Inter-market Analysis" had high "currency" value. Simplistically summarized thus: Stocks go up and bonds go down. Inflation goes up so does Gold. US goes down and Emerging markets go up etc.,
That idea seems to be dead now. It appears that having a long and short position even within sectors seems to be popular. Or the correlation exists still but with different asset classes. For eg., inflation and Bitcoin are now linearly correlated!
Or Bitcoin and Gold are negatively correlated! (Bitcoin hit another record today>50 k and Gold went down below 1800$!!)
Should one really forget about fundamentals and enroll in classes for Options trading strategy?
Read Answer Asked by Savalai on February 17, 2021