Investment Q&A

Q: About 1 year ago we created an equal-weighted 'balanced' portfolio of 30 Canadian companies in a non-registered account. Most were chosen from companies either covered by a 5i research report or included in a 5i model portfolio. The remainder were chosen, based on the 5i Q&A section, from what appear to be 5i sector favourites. All purchases are made with the intent to be long-term holds (10+ years). As well, we intend to increase our investments over the next 2-3 years, and then adjust over time as needed. Currently the amount invested represents ~40% of the eventual total.

Although a goal is to keep the portfolio roughly equal weighted, of the 30 companies, the following 14 were acquired in 3 purchases (full position) and currently have weights in the 2.31% (SHOP) to 5.00% (ATA) range for an average of 3.71%: CSU, MG, GSY, WSP, LNF, ATD, ATA, SLF, BAM.A, BIPC, FTS, DOO, SHOP and TFII. The remainder were acquired in 2 purchases (2/3 position) and currently have weights in the 1.98% (BEPC) to 3.17% (TCN) range for an average of 2.56%. So, overall, the weightings currently range from ~2% to ~5%.

Over the next 6 months we will invest another ~25% of the eventual total. As we make additional purchases, we need to strike a balance between keeping the weights roughly equal while taking advantage of market opportunities. Please provide some broad guidance/wisdom.

Of the 30 companies in the portfolio, which 10 would you have the highest conviction in today? Please rank them.

Are there any of the 30 that you might consider as candidates to be replaced because there are better options, and if so, what replacements would you suggest and why (disregard tax considerations)?

What additional 3 Canadian companies might you consider adding to the portfolio and why?

As always, thanks for the great service!

Q: I'm going to make RSP contributions (for myself and husband) in kind this year from a margin/cash account. Looking for the best candidates. I'd have to report a CG on GSY (376%)or ATD.b (394%) or KXS (210%).
Alternatively, CG on PBH and MG are 18% and 65% respectively.

What stocks (in order of preference) would be good to transfer to RSP? in your wise opinion

Thanks!!!

Q: Retired, dividend-income investor who usually has ALL of my cash at work. I am currrently sitting on roughly 2.5% cash and am considering topping up the above holdings to achieve my asset allocation targets.

Q#1 = Assuming a diversified portfolio, if I wanted to deploy my remaining minor amount of cash, in what order would you spend it and why?

My view is as follows:
First = PBH and WSP (good value right now = fundamentals and technicals look good, if you ignore the death crosses).
Second = ZRE (should do ok in a rising rate environment?).
Third = XIT (wait until at least the first interest rate increase has happened?).
Last = ADW.A (may need another quarter or two to get past the Covid impact).

Q#2 = or should I continue to sit on this cash if you think there are better opportunities coming in the future. It's not as if this minor amount of $ is going to make a huge impact on future performance.

Thanks...Steve

Q: Of the above mentioned stocks, would you please list in order of first to last which would you recommend today. Also a brief explanation as to why you chose the first and the last. Thanks … Cal

Q: I hold these 8 equities in one part of my portfolio. I am not sure if it makes a difference, I am up on some and down on others.

The approximate weight and the gain / loss is shown for each. ATZ (3%, +17%); CNR (4%, -7%); CM (4%, +8%); Acuity Ads (0.5%, - 37%); MG (4%; - 11%) RY (6% + 5.5%).

I wish to free up about 2% of the portfolio for a cash requirement. Taxes are not an issue.

Two questions: First, if you were me, which / what would you sell to free up some cash? Second, is there anything here that should be let go because it is time to move on from it? I know AT is too small to make much impact but I am inclined to continue to hold it, for a potential bounce. Many thanks

Q: Can I please have your top 5 US and Cdn consumer non cyclical stock choices ?

Q: Hi...do you put much stock in the "death cross"? I see the 50mda has dropped below the 200mda for each of PBH, WSP and XIT (ya, I know technicals aren't as reliable when applied to ETFs). What is your opinion on both the "golden cross" and the "death cross"? Are either or both reliable?

I trimmed all three on the way up (in keeping with my asset allocation target ranges). I have already added a bit to XIT, with more planned next month. I was considering adding to PBH and WSP once things settle down in a week or two.

Your thoughts?

Thanks...Steve

Q: I held PBH for years, and sold a few months ago when it was just over $130, buying ATD with the proceeds, as I felt ATD was a bargain at the time (around $47 or so). The trade ended up working out, even though I don't often attempt to buy and sell equities based exclusively upon momentum and other non-income-related metrics: I tell everyone I am a lousy trader, but somewhat decent investor.

In any event, PBH has retreated to just under $122 as I am composing this query, while ATD has performed decently (up about 10% from purchase price). I would like to know your thoughts on which company you think will perform better over the next two years or so, and if it would make sense to pivot back towards PBH, or stay with ATD, if that company can be expected to work out better between the two options. If these two companies can be reasonably expected to perform similarly, I would deem standing pat to probably be the more prudent option.

As always, I appreciate your insights and I look foreard to your reply.

Q: What are currently your two favourite consumer staple companies (either US or Can)?

Thx as always for terrific service

Q: These companies are in my husband’s TFSA.
They were chosen from your Balanced and Income Model Portfolios.
Would you suggest adding any other companies to this portfolio?
Thank you,

Q: Which of the above names would you be comfortable adding to today? Of those, what would be the priority order for additions? Finally, are there a couple of other names you would see as strong buy candidates to throw into this mix that are trading at attractive levels today?

Thank you!

Q: I see PBH is in the Balanced Portfolio. Its share price has been falling since November 2021, just after the last earnings release. To my mind, those results seemed reasonably favourable, except for a small miss on estimates for per share earnings. What was your view of those results? You have often commented that one quarter is not an appropriate time to assess, but where do you see things going for the company from here? When do they next report? and what are the expected results? Last, the P/E is reported at 45 - has been that high historically and if not, why has it become so high? Thank you for your excellent service.

Q: As with many of your members, im considering some portfolio adjustments and deployment of TFSA contributions to start the year.

What names in Canada and the US are you most excited about in 2022/2023 that you view as meriting consideration?

Q: I have a 1/2 position in Stella Jones... One of the few of my holdings in the red...You have a good rating on the company but it isn't in any of the portfolios. Is it time to move on....Thinking of selling and moving to PBH, TCL or BYD all of which I currently hold full positions in an un-registered account. Thoughts on hold or move on, open to other suggestions in balanced or income portfolios for good buy opportunities.

Q: If you were to pick 2 0r 3 sectors that might outperform this year in the Canadian Market, what would they be ? Could you suggest 2 or 3 dividend payer in each of those sectors. Thanks so much. Don

Q: I am putting together a list of stocks to purchase in my TFSA for a 10 year hold. I am a very conservative investor and want income and some growth from my TFSA.
What companies would you add or delete from this list? Should I include a few US names?

Thank you.

Q: In my dividend portfolio, I have half positions in these stocks. Can you put them in order of which you would bring up to a full position first to last in light of their current value? Thanks!

Q: Hi Peter, Ryan, and Team,

For my wife's 2022 TFSA contribution, and my contribution, and wishing to add to existing positions only, as well as noting that both sectors are low (according to Portfolio Analysis), would you be okay with adding the 6K to PBH for one account, and 6K to ENB for the other?

Thanks as always for your valued advice.

Q: I'm lacking in Consumer Defensive, Industrials, and Basic Materials. Please provide some names you like in each of those sectors.

I'd prefer safe income stocks but I'm open to hear a couple growth suggestions.

Q: Hi Peter,

In this downtrend market could you please give your three best stocks to buy for 3 to 5 years hold in each sector in canada and US as well ?
Thank you for your best advise on this platform.

KT