Investment Q&A

Q: HR.UN is down 7.23%, AX.UN down 5.84%, DRG.UN down 5.47%. We do like the dividends but wonder if we should be concerned. We also have positions in HOT, BPY, BIP, BPF and MST and would appreciate any comments you may have on these.

Q: What European ETF's do you like that are denominated in U.S. dollars.

Many thanks

Paul

Q: Hi Peter & team, what is the difference between the Consumer Defensive sector and the Consumer Cyclical sector? Is Consumer Defensive another word for Consumer Staples (such as loblaw or Procter & Gamble)? Is Consumer Cyclical another word for Consumer Discretionary (such as Canadian Tire or A&W)? Thanks, Gervais

Q: I am wondering how safe Money Market funds are. It is my understanding that they invest in financial instruments and could possibly tank if for example those instruments (and perhaps the financial system) collapses, so your cash out would not equal cash in. Is cash truly the king in terms of certainty? In this case, would there be any insurance coverage (referencing your earlier response to another person asking about Money Market funds)?

Q: Hi
I have held Qcom for almost 3 years and during that time it has lost 1/3 of its value. (Just slightly underwater with exchange consideration) Your opinion on this company would be appreciated as well as any suggestion as to a preferable US tech. Thank you

Q: Hi...currently in my wife's TFSA she has the following equities:(percent of portfolio is beside symbol)
AYA 31%
GUD 14%
TA 6%
MFC 18%
QST 2%
PRW 1%
PPY 5%
DHX 15%
With this years $5500.00 contribution, what would you add to this portfolio? I am thinking at least 2-3 year time frame with growth. CXI? PHM? ALA? XTC? A bank stock? etc.

Thanks.

Q: Hello

Su extends the bid, they need another 25% of COS shareholder votes - should we expect an increased bid with the extended offer to end of january? has the oil world become permanently unhinged or are we just at the low of the cycle? many thx

Q: You indicated in the December 21, 2015 report on CXI that dollar volumes declined because of the 20% appreciation of the US dollar. How does the value of the US dollar have an effect on the volume of currency transactions? If there is such a connection, are we to assume that CXI will be in the doldrums as long as the US dollar remains strong in relation to other currencies?

Q: I have a position in this name and no need to mention that I am down a lot. Is it still a good company in your opinion and can we expect a lot of upside when or if oil recover. Thank you.

Q: I parked money in PSA in order to get a 1% retune while I decide what to do with the cash. I notice on the Purpose Investment website the following disclaimer
"Fund securities are not covered by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation or by any other government deposit insurer"

Can you comment. I was under the impression that 100K is insured under CDIC

Thanks! Nice to have a go to service to ask these type of questions

Q: Please clarify, is MDA info tech or industrial...

Q: In response to the question re "not withdrawing capital" if one is retired, I am in the same situation. However, my portfolio is set up to produce enough dividends, so that we can "not withdraw capital". My assumption is that if the banks and telcos have to reduce dividends, we are all in big trouble! Before retiring, I also made sure we had the biggest line of credit the bank would give us, on our house, so I could draw on the line of credit if we need extra cash, and pay it back when stocks recover. If interest rates were 6%, my portfolio would be a more classic 60/40 split.
The bottom line is that living off your investments in retirement is complicated (but I enjoy the challenge), nerve racking at times and something I should have thought about more 10 years before retiring.
PS Probably belongs in forums

Q: Hi Peter, our RESP needed in 5 years has BNS, T, GUD (bought today), and TCN (bought today) @ $6k each = $24k plus $18k in cash. What would you do with the remaining cash at this time ? Thank you, Paul

Q: I do not own any gold stocks. Rather than trying to pick two or three for 5 percent of my portfolio what etf woukd
you recommend to give me diversification and less risk.

Q: Hello Peter & 5i team,
I digested Ryan's blog on changes in currency regime and I kept my cool in the first few days of 2016. It is now time to get your opinion on my portfolio; these holdings served me well in 2015 with a 14.1% total return but are they still valid for 2016)
Consumer 22.2% of portfolio (ATD,BYD.CCL,CGX,DOL,LNR,MG; thinking of adding WPK and XTC)
Energy 4.6% (TOU,VET,WCP)
Energy Infra (4.8% (ENB,KEY)
Financials 11.5% (BNS,CXI,EFN,SLF,TD0
Health 6.6% (CRH,CXR,GUD,PHM,RX)
Industrials/Infra 8.6% (BIN,BIP,BOS,CNR; will exit BIN)
Materials 5.8% (CHE,SJ; thinking of adding IFP/WEF)
Tech 23.7% (CSU,DSG,ESL,GIB,MDA,OTC; thinking of adding KXS)
RE,Telco,Util 12.3% (BCE,BEP,CIG,FSV,TCN)
Your guidance is most welcome; I don't mind that you deduct more than one credit.
Happy New Year,
Antoine

Q: Hi, Peter
For the ETF investor, do you see the current market drop as a buying time? Are there Canadian and US ETFs that you would recommend now? VDU? CDZ?
Thanks,
Robert

Q: What would be your recommendations for investment vehicles (with low MER) to hold cash at this time?

Q: I own OCX, TD, and T and thinking of adding to all three as long term. What do you suggest?
John

Q: Hi,
Can you give me your thoughts on the price weakness? Bip.un has been a strong and consistent performer in my portfolio. Is it a good time / price to buy here? Do you expect anticipate good upside over the next 12-18 months / longer or is there reason to be more cautious/sell?

Thank you

Q: If holding so called high interest saving vehicles (like TDB8150) in an investment account are subject to bail in legislation, where could one hold cash to avoid bail ins? Depositors in banks are considered "investors" under current laws and subject to confiscation in bail ins, but would you be exempt if you held cash in an investment account. You earn zero interest if you hold cash in an investment account so it would be hard to say you are an investor with that cash.
Thanks