Investment Q&A

Q: Good morning 5i team
My wife and I are retired, conservative investors with ~ a 45/55 equity to fixed income asset mix. I have an 8-year bond ladder in my RRIF which, along with our CPP/OAS and dividends from blue-chip Canadian stocks cover our expenses. I have some cash to invest in my RRIF. What do you think of investing in a high quality (e.g. Royal Bank) rate reset preferred stock in my RRIF as a bond proxy. I realize this would not have the same protection as a quality bond, but the yield at over 5% looks attractive relative to buying a longer-term quality bond that is yielding ~ 2%.
Thank you 5i for your comments.
Edward

Q: The US deficit is expected to be $3.67 trillion, if no further stimulus comes from the feds. Government revenues will be way down. Other governments, such as in Europe and Canada, have unheard-of deficits as well. This is after government debt was already high.
There's also a belief that interest rates will be lower for longer. This seems the opposite of the early 1980's, when there was a general disbelief that inflation could be tamed, and GIC's regularly paid more than 10%.
To me, inflation has become a necessity, and we are about to see a world-wide focus on making debt more affordable by reducing the value of money (an argument for gold or cryptocurrencies). But what about floating rate debt, and 5 year preferred resets? They're priced as though inflation will never happen.

Q: Clearly high tech and e-commerce companies are doing much better than the general market. What would be your recommendation among cloud computing companies including those in the US. Thank you for your great service.
Peter

Q: Which of these 2 companies do you consider to be the better investment on a long term basis. I am attacked to MFC's Asian business but you seem to recommend SLF frequently. I currently hold MFC but could switch to SLF or add SLF to portfolio.

Q: Hi 5i team, firstly thanks for all the work you do, I’m a new member and am really enjoying the content.

A family member in her early 30’s would like to start investing with a long term time horizon (25-30 years). She has some risk tolerance and is seeking a passive set it and forget it ETF index type of investment strategy. She would make regular contributions and benefit over the long run from dollar cost averaging. Currently she does not have interest in picking individual equities or monitoring market conditions. She has a stable government job that provides a good pension plan and is starting with $10,000 capital.

What are your thoughts on a portfolio starting with the following ETFs; VOO, XIC, VEU, with a weighting of 50% VOO, 40% XIC and 10% VEU for some international exposure? Are there any other ETF’s you would recommend she start with? Do you think the EFTs mentioned provide enough diversity as a starting point? I like the above mentioned ETF's for their low fees and broad exposure.

My thoughts are being that she has many years of investing ahead that ETFs with 100% exposure to equities would provide greater growth potential when compared to ETFs containing a mix of bonds and equities. And that her stable government employer matched pension could be viewed as a bond proxy.

Thanks again for all the great info!

Q: Jumped on Kxs re:March 9th Report, at 99 You guys are Awesome!! Keep up the fantastic work and keep safe. Thank You 5i !!!

Q: Hi Team
I am selling my full holdings in both Gil and NFI to offset the gain with Boyd from January, would you suggest repurchasing both in 30 days or would the funds be better deployed elsewhere at this time, if so could you suggest 2 names, or use the funds to top up existing holdings in the Balanced Equity Portfolio.
Thanks for the great service.

Q: In my view we are facing a volatile market with many ups and downs over the next thee months at least. I am guessing there is a 70% probability of testing the March lows or going even lower. This suggests to me that I should sit tight and wait for the market to drop before investing my cash. Do you agree ?

Q: Can you review this company for me please. This was a speculative stock that I have held for a number of years. They sure seem to be gaining some traction and I am noticing a lot more share activity. With these guys getting involved more and more with infrastructure projects it looks promising. What are your thoughts on this company at this time? I realize its a still a pretty small company but they did an acquisition in 2019 and are looking ahead for more opportunities.

Thanks Guys!

Q: Hello 5i Luminex Corp seems to be quite active with a rising share price could you comment on this company as to why and the company itself. Thanks

Q: Trust me I am not complaining, but what is behind KXS’s amazing run lately?

Q: PBH: a lot of debt. and a high P.R. and hurt Wuhan virus effect. Always thought this company was too expensive based EPS and high P.E.; but, it kept going up. I was thinking of adding a half position until they report in mid May - results should be bad, I would think? With their already high P.R. is the dividend sustainable?

Q: SHOP did an offering at $137US on Feb of 2018.
They also did one at $154US on Dec of 2018 which is 9 months later.
8 months later they also did an offering at $317.50 SEPT of 2019.
Add another 8 months and we get to May of 2020.

Do you think this is a perfect chance for them to do another offering at these high prices? Are we due to have one?
Thanks

Q: I believe the supply chain area will be a strong investment theme in the future due to the rise of nationalism in the world. I know you like kxs and dsg primarily based on this assumption.

Can you give me three names in Canada (excluding the above) and three names in US that you currently favor to play this theme.

Thanks for all the great independent advice that you have provided over the years It is a no-brainer renewing for another year.
Keep up the great work!!!

Q: Hello 5i Team

I have an equal number of shares in both Great-West Lifeco (GWO) and Power Corporation (POW).
My average cost for GWO is $22.00 per share and for POW is $21.90.
Since POW owns 70 % of GWO, should I purchase more shares in POW and sell my GWO position? This would result in a slightly higher yield going forward on the POW shares. Or should I consolidate my position in GWO and sell POW?
I have matching dollar positions in MFC and SLF, so I want to stick with GWO/POW.

Do POW and GWO share price move in tandem (i.e. same percentages) because POW holds 70 % of GWO or is POW restrained by its holding of IGM Financial?

My last purchases of POW/GWO was on April 13 and 15 respectively. Do I have to wait until May 13/15, before I sell either one, if I want to claim the small capital loss?

Thank you for the great service.

Q: Do you think Chorus Aviation will be able to survive this global shutdown?

Q: I have no positions in renewable energy, my watchlist includes the 3 companies in question. Could you rate these 3, add a 4th if you you know of a stronger candidate in terms of balance sheet strength and growth prospects. I’m a long term, buy and hold investor.

Q: Hi there, just catching up on questions. There was a comment a few days back that the first $2,000 from a RRIF is "tax exempt" which is not correct. It is taxable but if you meet the requirements the first $2,000 allows you to claim the $2,000 pension credit which save you a flat 15% Federal credit - there is also a provincial credit which can vary - Ontario only gives credit on the first $1,463 so even someone in the low tax bracket (20% in Ontario) owes some tax on the first $2000 depending on other credits. If you are in a 40% tax bracket from other income you have, then the pension credit does not offset all the tax on the first $2,000 withdrawn. Just wanted to clarify the facts, thanks, Ed

Q: I already have Franco Nevada In my TFSA. I’d like to add one of the above or would you prefer a smaller position of each. We are hanging in there...the 5i team sure helps. Thanks for your guidance,

Q: I have all 5 big banks and the 2 telecoms in my Margin Account for income purposes. I sold FRU and IPL because the dividend was reduced significantly. So I have some cash available to top up.
Given the Banks have Yields and Pay Out Ratios as follows (BMO 6.34% - 46.83%; BNS 5.90% - 44.47%; CM 7.49% - 36.67%; RY 5.25% - 44.84%; TD 5.82% - 44.76%) I am considering CM as the best yield and lowest Pay Out. Would you concur?
Thanks