Investment Q&A

Q: HI Gentlemen,

I, like most on this board, tend to buy stocks that you put then into your portfolios and sell the stocks when you remove them.
You also seem to instill in us the investment practice not to panic in crazy markets when there is no bid for the equities, for this too shall pass.
So, I was rather surprised in your March 17th email to us suggesting you were going to take MX and CSH.un out of the portfolios.
On march 17th MX was approx 65% lower than it was in the prior month, and the lowest its been in the past 10 years.
On March 17th CSH.UN was approximately 50% lower than it was the prior week.
My question is two fold.
Why did you sell at decade lows when there was ample warning that things were going poorly for these companies? MX was been plummeting more or less since 2018 when it was $100. What took you so long to sell and why at the multi year low?
If you waited this long and the stock had been performing so poorly why did you not revert back to your philosophy on how selling stocks in this type of market might not be the most rational idea.
MX is +30% since it was removed from the portfolio and
CSH.un is +18% approx.
I'm not using 20/20 vision here I am talking about investment philosophy on these 2 issues.

Thanks

Sheldon

Sheldon

Q: Hi, I was wondering what the simplest way to calculate a companies debt (or what ratio you like using) and what you would consider too much debt, and OK debt for a company.

Q: What do you make of the Leagold merger?
Do they have enough money to significantly further their two development projects and two expansion projects.
I hear that Mexico and Brazil have obtained "swap status", whereby Investment in Brazil and Mexico are now, like Canada, considered to be in safe jurisdictions.
If this is accurate, will the "risky-jurisdiction" discount be eliminated and replaced with a safe jurisdiction premium.
Finally, does Frank Giustra hold an interest in the new company.
Thank you

Q: Hello 5i Team,
Thank you for all your guidance throughout this type of market. I'm sure all the Canadians are greatly appreciating your impeccable work for us DIY investors.

If you have ~$20k of cash today and your goal is to appreciate this into a much larger amount not too long after coming out of the other side of this market (i.e. after a recession), which 10-15 Canadian equities would you go after with a good sector diversification?

Since I am younger and my nest egg is still small, I'm not too concerned or rely on dividends. I'd much rather have stocks whose valuations may appreciate greatly rather than going for the slow and steady dividend aristocrats and blue-chips.

I have been eyeing the large discounts on Canadian equities such as the following: AC, CAE, SLF, GSY, LSPD, PLC, GIL.

Q: I sold some VBAL:CA at a loss to realize some tax losses and would like to repurchase this ETF at a lower entry point. Can I purchase a comparable ETF from another company like XBAL prior to 30 days, or would that be considered a superficial loss for tax purposes? Similarly, would purchasing a different asset mix product from the same company e.g. VGRO:CA or VCNS:CA be considered a superficial loss?

Q: Hi Team:

I think the market would be changing or, already changing due to the virus problem. People will value things in life differently. so, what sector would you recommend, and what 3 companies you would buy either in Canada or USA?

Thank you.

Louisa

Q: Good Evening
Two of Canada’s largest private debt funds, Bridging Finance Inc. and Romspen Investment Corp., froze investor redemptions today, the latest sign of COVID-19-related stress in a sector popular with wealthy, income-seeking investors.

Do you see a similar action followed by mutual fund/ ETF companies freezing redemptions if things get worse with respect to COVID -19 ?

Thanks

Q: Which of these 3 energy companies would be the best to start a position with at this time

Trevor

Q: Hi,
If one believes the Canadian dollar will depreciate vs USD, what products/strategies available to hedge ? For example could you suggest unhedged ETF with less volatility tracking some US/International markets ? Thanks a lot

Q: I have a small gain in Corning and have no need to sell at this time. You were not very enthusiastic about the company last August and I wonder if you feel otherwise about its prospects in the next few years. It seems to me that they sell products in both tech and consumer areas which may do well going forward.
Thank you, I really appreciate 5i Research advice.

Q: I would appreciate your thoughts on purchasing some shares of ALC now that the unit price is below $10. I only own 100 shares bought at $15.92 six years ago in a TFSA account. The dividend has increased. Buying a few more shares would help bring down my book value and if sustainable, the dividend yield would be helped. As a transportation company is it worth holding for the long term? Buy, hold or sell? Thank you so much.

Q: Hello 5i,

Imagine that you already have a diversified portfolio you are happy with and plan to keep intact with no changes over a 10+ year investment horizon.

Now, you've watched the recent few months of meltdown sitting with $50,000 of cash that you're considering putting to work, representing maybe 6-7% of your total overall portfolio value/net worth.

Give absolutely no consideration to sector/position weightings, geography (CDN or US or gloabl), or risk tolerance. The only consideration is a 10+ year time frame. You're investing in things for the long term. No trading.

Imagine this was YOUR $50,000. You show up to the office on Monday, April 13. What do you buy today, if anything?

Thanks for all your advice. Read the questions daily. Your takes on this current meltdown I have found to be quite insightful and of far more value than most financial news out there. For this alone I consider my subscription to be money well spent.

Keep yourselves and your families safe!

Ryan

Q: How do you rank these stocks for an investor starting a position in Canadian banks (minimum 5 year horizon)? Thanks.

Q: Hi, I was thinking of putting $500 on ACB and wait 10 years. I figured if it ever makes it to $10 again I will make 10times my money. Do you think it will ever go back to what it was.

Q: HI 5i ... at this time with Norbord's price at approximately 18$ would you consider it a good time to buy? [ for a young longterm investor] .. thx!

Q: High yield funds have had a nice run up. Would you consider it too late or too risky to buy either of these funds at today’s prices? Wait for a drop?

Is there another etf that you could suggest in this area?

Thanks.

Q: Hello,
Is it a good time to buy TD and SLF?
Thanks

Q: Of the 3 major Telcos what would be your long term pick.
Does the Telehealth division of Telus appear to be growing and does it have a meaningful impact on the Revenue and Earnings?

Thanks Valter

Q: If I am enrolled in a drip, is the stock purchased at a discounted rate or the market price of a stock. I own the listed companies; are any of those are eligible for a discounted drip purchase price? or do you need to buy them directly from the company to qualify for the discount.

Q: My two largest holdings are BEP and AQN ... with dramatically reduced power consumption, should I be looking to pare down these positions ?