Investment Q&A

Q: I want to increase my holding in Photon Control considerably. It has an amazing balance sheet and it seems cheap given technology valuations. However, can you help me understand Photon's market and customer base? For example, i read that Apple has begun creating their own semiconductors for optimal hardware/software synergy. Will Photon's clients eventually do this, too?

Best,
Jacob.

Q: Hello 5i Team

1 – Who decides on what Sector/Industry/Sub-Industry is assigned to a company?

Two companies for which the Sector/Industry/Sub-Industry changed were Altagas (ALA) which changed from Energy/Oil&Gas/Midstream to Utilities/Utilities-Regulated/Utilities-Natural Gas and Mullen Group (MTL) which changed from Energy/Oil&Gas/Oil&Gas Services to Industrial/Transportation/Trucking

2 – I have noticed different providers (TMX and RBC Direct Investing) appear to provide different Sector/Industry/Sub-Industry for the same company – is there not a standard that all data providers are to follow?

3 – TMX used to provide the “Sub-Industry” for companies, but with their revamp of their stock screener, they are no longer providing it. Does your data service provide this information and can it be added to your company information page?

Thank you for the great service you provide.

Q: Hi there,
I see I have quite a backlog of question credits so, I thought I should put some of that to work. I have a general question about rate reset bonds. I have been thinking about reset bonds in etf form if there is such a thing. This would be for using new money to start a small quarter of a position over the coming year. I am closing in on retirement within the next few years and would be interested in hearing your thoughts when compared to preferred shares or laddered bonds. Maybe resets are similar to taking a laddered bond etf - but I am not sure of the merits given the paltry income for bonds. My concern is this market cannot keep up this parabolic growth much longer and the market appears to be pretty frothy right now. As a survivor of the tech wreck, I am worried about what I see as a significant correction (up to 20%) within the next 24 months or so. I am not afraid of risk but I do want to explore a variety of hedging options out there without exiting some of my growth stock positions. Cake and eat it too I expect. I still have about 6 or 7 years in the market. Thanks as always for your thoughts.

Q: Hi Everyone at 5i! I am looking to invest in a bank. Could you please rank our five as well as National bank, for future growth and prospects. Cheers, Tamara

Q: If the hoped-for consumer spending rebound happens in say the second half of 2021, which companies ( us or cdn) should benefit the most? Are there ETF's that would cover the category that you would suggest? Many thanks

al

Q: Good Morning 5i Team,

Can you please give me your thoughts on Digital Turbine going forward. I have done very well on this stock (unlike a couple of other high-risk plays!), as my purchase price was under $9. I know you used to own it, but I believe you have moved on. APPs is only a 2% position in my portfolio, but I'm wondering if it's time to jump on the next elevator going up. I know you don't like to sell your winners, but do you think there are a few other names out there with high-flyer potential. Would CELH be a replacement or possibly SPT? Thsnk you!

Brad

Q: TIH or TRI or WSP or Finning for growth?
CSU or KXS or SHOP for growth?

Q: It seems commodities have risen and many are hopping aboard this train.
However at some point, will we not reach a limit to the amount of appreciation from demand destruction? Not many people have rising incomes which would boost demand.
I speculate that rising commodity prices without rising demand and incomes is a currency play only on a weakening $USD and one that could reverse.
What is an investment strategy that benefits from deflation of a commodity trade not including short-based approaches?
TIA

Q: Peter have you read the article from The Beacon Newsletter re battery storage in California . At location of Moss Power Plant.
Looks like it might provide some investment opportunities in this growing space.
Might not be too many in Canadian market.
Worth a look.

Q: Hey 5i,
Just looking for some clarification. When you reference your favourite growth companies like XBC, WELL, and LSPD in general or against larger cap stocks you usually say they are “higher risk”.

I understand that smaller, younger businesses are higher risk but when you say this- is this more as a “volatility risk”, “default/failure risk”, “downside risk”, “explicitly relative risk against larger caps but you remain very comfortable with the stock outlook”, etc.?

I’m asking since I am in my late twenties and holding these for long term. I actually enjoy volatility since I’m able to swing in and out of the stocks. I just want to make sure that I have this captured correctly.

Q: do you think telus spinning out telus international will give telus shareholders shares in new company or at the least a discount.

Q: Good afternoon 5i. At the moment I am invested only in Canada and need some international exposure. Could you suggest a couple of ETF's with a decent dividend, around 5%.
Thank you

Q: Hello Peter,
Constellation Software will give existing shareholders Topicus shares (based on their formula) as part of the spinoff but it does not look like Telus will be doing the same(give existing shares the international arm shares in the form of dividend).. What are the plus and minuses of what both companies are treating the spin offs? I was expecting XBC to surge slightly going to TSX as it the stock would attract more institutional buyers but looks like the stock is taking a pause.. . Well seems to be doing the same.. Any comments on this? Thanks very much.

Q: I picked up a small lot of this in the sell off last year on a spec..
It seems to have come alive this year and having a nice move today. Nearly back to IPO price!
What do you think of it today? Worth buying more?

Q: Hi 5i,
In answer to Dan's question on 6 tech stocks this morning (Jan. 11) you rated DCBO second last as a candidate for a long term hold.
I also wonder about DCBO. I'm currently up 50% and I wonder if you think it still has runway - like you think about LSPD for example - or if you would conclude it may well be at or near the top of its ascent? Without a dividend I have no reason to continue holding DCBO if it's given me all or most of what it's got to give but, frankly, I don't know how to set a target price for a tech stock with either its metrics or its momentum.
I'm cognizant of your oft-given advice to guard against selling winners too soon (which I've done my share of and which I'm trying to avoid) but I also think there must be times when one has to conclude a stock has met its potential, or nearly so, and it's time to realize the profit and deploy the funds elsewhere. Could you advise what you think about DCBO in this regard?
Thanks for this, and for all the rest of your very helpful guidance that I benefit from.
Peter

Q: looks like an interesting company in the entertainment business no debt huge insider ownership clients include Netflix PBS CBC. etc.prominent shows they have produced include Kims convenience highway to hell. your thoughts. please thanks Richard

Q: Despite central banks committing to not raising short term rates in the near term, 10 year yields have gone up a fair amount lately. Is it true that with the 10 year yield rising on its own, commercial banks will begin to raise their mortgage and other lending rates? And if so, why? Thanks.

Q: To follow up on your answer on GSG and DBC
Would you prefer these to ETF like XBM?

Q: Can you comment on this company? Apparently, they are a lithium ion battery recycling company.

Q: Hello 5i team
As a front line (nearly retired) physician, I recently received a Covid 19 immunization. It's difficult to express the REMARKABLE sense of gratitude and euphoria that I observed among everyone involved . Suddenly, we felt liberated from the danger of this scourge that we face daily. Our next exciting job is to immunize our fellow citizens as fast as humanly possible and as we do, this euphoria will spread to society at large.
After my immunization I bought a new car and we're booking our fall and winter travel plans. This manic behaviour, I believe, represents the tip of the iceberg for pent up demand which will be unleashed upon the world.
At the risk of being labelled a mercenary can you identify some sectors which are still beaten up and likely to surge-I'm thinking energy but other suggestions welcome (prefer etf's with a dividend to keep me invested until the recovery occurs-would supplement with high conviction stocks)
Thank you. As always, I value your opinions, Regards gary