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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: Hello 5i team,
Let’s say the S&P500 decreases by -15% from its high earlier this week over the next few days or weeks for no specific reason other than stretch valuations, COVID, elections and fiscale stimulus uncertainties. By how much would you expect each of the following stocks (DND, DCBO, LSPD, REAL, DSG, WELL, XBC, VEEV, BYD) to go down (a guesstimate for each)? Among other of your favorites, what other stocks could see an even worst correction?
Thank you for your collaboration, Eric
Read Answer Asked by Eric on September 04, 2020
Q: What do you think of Innovation as a new sector? Here is a quote from a white paper published by Ark Funds:

"Based on our analysis presented in this paper, we believe innovation should be considered as a strategic allocation, if not a sub-asset class, in global public equity portfolios, much as emerging markets have evolved during the last 40 years. In our ever-changing world, as industries are disintermediated or displaced, and lifespans of companies shorten, investors should capitalize on alternative sources of growth by rethinking traditional asset allocation. Specifically, we think investors should ask themselves whether they sufficiently have incorporated disruptive innovation into their portfolio construction." From https://arkinv.st/3lJMsrl
Read Answer Asked by Jerry on September 03, 2020
Q: Good day team,

I'd like for you guys to put on your Nostradamus hats and describe to me what you feel/predict will be the major investment trends over the next 10 years. Do you foresee any major paradigm shifts taking place that folks can really capitalize on? This is all assuming you have a crystal ball ;)
Read Answer Asked by Seamus on September 02, 2020
Q: Thoughts on the market that seems to defy gravity? I have to admit I’ve been tempted to sell many times since the rally started and I would have been wrong every time. Would you suggest keep holding?
Read Answer Asked by Mike on September 02, 2020
Q: This is just a big thank you to 5iResearch. I thought I had a nice basket of solid stocks with many dividend payers, including a whole bunch recommended by 5iResearch. My stock portfolio was down 40% in the COVID-19 world and because I'm nearing retirement, I was getting worried and thinking about selling so that I'd least have the 60% left and maybe put it into GICs and try to live off that. But, your team kept advising me and others to hang on, suggesting that selling at that point was the wrong thing to do. I held on. I'm now back up to 100% and more. Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Ed on September 02, 2020
Q: If one anticipates a significant pick up in inflation due to all the extra costs related to Covid-19, what are the sectors likely to benefit? Could you give 3-4 suggestions for Can and US companies which would be expected to do well in that scenario? Thank you for your great insights?
Read Answer Asked by jacques on August 31, 2020
Q: I am trying to find the average returns of the TSX, and the TSX 60 (XIU?), for the last 5, 10 and 20 years - including and excluding dividends. Am I right to use the XIU for the TSX 60, or is there something better? Could you please complete the missing 'including dividend' and let me know where I could find that in the future? Thank you very much.
TSX:
5 year: 5.21% (excluding dividends). 5 year: _____ (including dividends??)
10 year: 4.4% (excluding div.). 10 year: _____ (including div.?)
20 year: 6.1% (excluding div.) 20 year: _____ (including div.?)

TSX60 (XIU ETF):
5 year: 0.094% (excluding div.) 5 year: _____ (including dividends??)
10 year: 4.54% (excluding div.) 10 year: _____ (including div.?)
20 year: 2.38% (excluding div.) 20 year: _____ (including div.?)
Read Answer Asked by Toge on August 28, 2020
Q: Hi, are you willing to comment on a macro issue of the economy? I am perplexed by the housing market where volume of sales and prices seem to be hitting highs in some Canadian urban centers (not Alberta). Lumber companies are doing well. The long term Covid impact on the economy and jobs seems murky at best. Why is there so much confidence in the Canadian housing market? Due to historically low interest rates and some pent up demand? Federal policies designed to prop up the economy? I keep thinking this is all going to end badly if the jobs aren’t there to pay those mortgages. Appreciate your service. You may post this question publicly if you feel it’s Of general interest.
Read Answer Asked by Calvin on August 28, 2020
Q: I have been following a gradual dollar-cost averaging type approach to adding cash into the markets over the past several months.
With the US presidential election coming in the fall and a possibility of substantial political volatility there, would you advise deviating from this general approach? ie, is there a substantial chance of this event causing a market drop, that would merit changing a market approach?
Are there specific events that you are watching for that may act as triggers for coming market movements? The one that is holding my attention is Trump's overtures that he may not cede power if he loses, or if the election decision is unclear.

Thanks for your valued input,

Peter
Read Answer Asked by Peter on August 25, 2020
Q: Hello,

I know they don't ring a bell at the bottom (or the top), but I am wondering whether any of the airlines, hotels, cruise lines or restaurants seem compelling right here. Not really the restaurants that are Covid beneficiaries like the pizza joints or Chipotle, more than the ones that have yet to recover. I am very concerned that with more gov't money being plowed into these industries the pre-restructuring shareholders would be wiped out. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by David on August 24, 2020
Q: Peter and team
I unfortunately jumped (like many others) part way down the crash in March.
I simply cannot believe another correction is not coming.
What do you recommend as a safe place to park cash and earn at least a bit of interest other than a GIC while waiting.
Also I know you don't have a crystal ball, but what are your thoughts on a correction ahead.
Thanks
Phil
Read Answer Asked by Phil on August 24, 2020
Q: What's your opinion on this one? What does the future hold? Got a double and wondering if I should take some profits but still is not an over-weight position. The WE publicity that our finance minister is certainly not helping the the stock. Your pragmatic opinions are so appreciated. Thanks Ron
Read Answer Asked by Ronald on August 17, 2020
Q: Hi i5,

According to "Buffett Indicator", when it's in the 70% to 80% range, it is time to throw cash at the market. When it moves above 100%, it's time to lean toward risk-off. Now Market Cap to GDP Ration > 100% means stocks in bubble territory. Do you think Canadian stocks may also in bubble territory? If US in bear market, do you think the above Canadian stocks which I am holding can be survived? Perhaps, should we start to off load which may be in danger during the bear market into cash, or switch among balance or income portfolio. Any suggestion?
Read Answer Asked by ma on August 14, 2020
Q: Which 5 Canadian and US companies would 5i want to be holding when we get a significant market moving vaccine/treatment announcement? Tech and gold have been powerful during the pandemic but I want to make sure I am considering the right companies to add to provide balance if tech pauses and different sectors are needed for a leg higher. Your favs in each market and how/why you see them reacting to the announcement. Multiple credits are assumed.
Read Answer Asked by Tim on August 11, 2020
Q: I'd like to get your take on a piece in the Globe and Mail yesterday by Scott Barlow related to the Canadian dollar. It's position is that on top of a large rise the loonie has already experienced, we can expect it to go much higher compared to the US$. This obviously doesn't bode well for those with investments in US dollar accounts so I wonder if you think it might be better to shift some of it back to Canada, perhaps into hedged ETFs with US holdings like XMH or VSP.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/markets/inside-the-market/article-the-strongest-force-behind-the-market-rally-could-push-loonie-much/#comments
Read Answer Asked by John on August 11, 2020
Q: Good morning 5i,
I appreciated your recent article, as usual. I find them helpful to understand what is going on in the investing world. You mention that the fang stocks comprise most of the gains over the past few months and that much of the market hasn't kept up. Some people are talking about a rotation out of technology into I suppose, more value oriented stocks. I don't know if this thesis is true. The Fangs seem to keep going up. But, do you think it might be a time to start a switch for a cautious investor? If so, would rsp , an equal weight US market etf, and brk, probably the definition of value, be a good way to approach this change
thanks
Read Answer Asked by joseph on August 07, 2020
Q: Watched Jeffery Gundlach being interviewed by Daniel Martino Booth, his credentials are very impressive, I have always liked to listen to his view of the Worlds Financial System.
According to him the Fed will take drastic measures in Drastic times. example being they have already done so by violating the Federal Reserve Act, with their purchases of Corporate Bonds, Stock purchases will probably come next.
I was confused by his biggest fear that the FED might declare their Liabilities as " Legal Tender"...... could you explain what he means by that Statement. I assumed that their Liabilities where already Legal Tender in the fact that their liabilities are backed by the Tax Payers of America, or did he simply mean he is fearful of the Fed just printing 7 trillion and wiping away all the debt.
thanks Gord
Read Answer Asked by Gordon on August 05, 2020