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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: Given that most, if not all of your highly rated IT co's are software business solutions co's and diversified across many sectors, is there any need to apply a 'sector' limit to them. I know they may all move with the IT sector during rotations, but not on fundamental issues that affect all co's in some sectors e.g. resources. Applying a sector limit seems to be excluding many fine growth co's from a portfolio, at the expense of including less attractive co's in the quest to diversify sectors, but is this necessary? Why have a sector limit at all when the co's in question are themselves diversified?
Thanks, Peter.
Read Answer Asked by Peter on September 23, 2016
Q: For the most part we (subscribers) seem to ask you questions on the same stocks in some sort of rotation that I have not quite figured out. So it must be time again to ask, what stocks are we not asking about (very frequently perhaps)that we should be considering for our portfolios?

As always, I appreciate your insights - my best performing stocks are generally ideas I've picked up here!
Read Answer Asked by Dave on September 23, 2016
Q: I have been a bit worried about the US market, as measured by cyclic PE it seems quite expensive. I have used the recent strength to sell some of my low conviction stocks and take half positions in what I consider to be better companies. My cash is now up to 10%.

My first question is do you think this cash level is appropriate for the market now? My second question is, given a pullback how would you deploy the cash. Immediately on the day of a big drop, say over 200 points on the Dow?. Or try to time the bottom using technical analysis? Or gradually ease into a position starting the day after a big drop in the market? Any other suggestions gratefully received.
Read Answer Asked by Andrew on September 23, 2016
Q: Do all above companies fall under Industrial? My total weight is 13% Is this too high? I feel that I have too many companies in this sector and may be better to have only 4-5? STN and WSP are similar so would it be better to sell one of these and add to the names that are listed. I am also thinking of selling ET and taking the proceeds to add to the other names now leaving me with 5. Is this a good approach?

Thanks
Dolores
Read Answer Asked on September 22, 2016
Q: I have learned a lot and benefited greatly from 5i advice, and take particular benefit from your diversified portfolio approach. Would you say it is fair to identify any market analyst, including the 5i group, as having a particular specialization being an area of strength and certain market segments being areas of weakness or minimal depth? For example, analysts who are good at identifying software companies but less aware of details required to be successful in healthcare field. If you agree, which areas would you claim are 5i's areas of strength and which are the segments of less depth of knowledge.
In view of constructing a diversified portfolio, I am looking to draw information from a variety of sources. Your comments would help guide the relative importance to assign to difference sources.
Clearly track record is a primary guide to use, but I would also take your self-assessment as very valuable. I don't mean to be hard on you or anyone for identifying strengths vs weaknesses.
Thank you kindly,
Gary

Read Answer Asked by Gary on September 21, 2016
Q: In your answer to my question previously about the two companies, you state the following: "This switch would, in our view, be effectively a trade off between income and potential economic leverage. With NFI owned already, we think it could still be helpful."

I am not sure what you mean when you say it could still be helpful. More helpful to retain TFI or more helpful to make the switch?

Thanks again for your advice.

Paul F.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on September 21, 2016