Investment Q&A

Q: A question regarding portfolio construction.
Currently, my RSP portfolio includes 25% CAD financials, including (in roughly equal amounts) BAM, BNS, CIBC, GSY, POW, and SLF.
The balance of my portfolio is pretty well diversified and includes both CAD and US equities and ETFs, with no one sector accounting for more than 15% of the total and no one holding being worth more than 5%.
My question ... would you consider my financial sector concentration too high (even though it consists of a variety of types of companies) and, if so, in what order would you reduce holdings?
What general guidelines can you recommend?
Thanks for the help. Rick

Q: Hi,
You’ve mentioned a lot of small caps that have already had significant growth in share price. What are some small cap names that have not yet landed on everyone’s radar?

Q: Dear 5i
If i was to buy 10k worth of a US stock with CD dollars , would the Fx conversion costs be significantly more then if i bought the same US stock as a CDR considering a CDRs embedded fee`s ?
Thanks Bill C

Q: Undervalued sectors, I think the CAD banks are on the high side now, thinking of rebalancing with the gains I had, but looking into what sectors are now undervalued. Any suggestions.

Q: What does your crystal ball say about US inflation heading into 2026? With equities looking vulnerable as they bouncing along the top, bonds also seemed poised to drop if prices rise more. In a conservative portfolio, what would be your equity/fixed income mix...and I assume you would stay short on most bonds.

Q: Looking ahead to next year’s CUSMA negotiations, could you provide best- and worst-case scenarios and how each might affect markets?

Q: For an income seeking investor who has built up a modest portfolio and wealth using institute financial advisors considering doing investing on their to save fees to create more wealth and income, how many hours/ week would one have to spend to monitor, research and buy/sell investments for their portfolio?

Second question/questions what basic investing knowledge should one have or perhaps a better way to ask this question is can you name a few investing courses one could take to be more comfortable investing without the assistance of a financial advisor?

Thanks and seasons greetings to all.

Q: Would appreciate your advice for RRSP - 15 to 20 concentrated ETF/stocks quality plus growth Portfolio for 3-5 years hold.

Q: I believe last April U.S markets entered a corrective phase. Do you think we are entering one now?
How often do they normally occur during a year?

Q: Dear Peter et al:

I enjoyed your article , "This December, free up some time by ignoring these investing issues". A timely article. Well written. As a long term subscriber, I know that you live by these "principles" even when we pepper you with questions on target prices! :)

You didn't mention about what would make you "sell"! In other words, what are your exit strategies other than trimming your position sizes in those multi baggers!

I ask this b/c of my experience with Knight therapeutics, Payfare and a few others. Do you look at "opportunity costs" in your portfolio construction?

I value your words of wisdom, always!

Q: We're approaching January, many of which have a lot of turbulence as fund managers sell winning stocks/sectors from this year to buy into what they think will be the winning stocks/sectors for 2026. Do you have any insight on what we should expect from them this time around? Canadian banking has been insanely good this year. Will they bet on that continuing or sell off to buy tech? Or will they go for gold or the long neglected healthcare or real estate sectors?

I presume there will also be a lot of retail selling of winners this year from people who put it off so the taxes would be delayed. Though I'm not sure how much retail moves the needle compared to funds.

Q: Hi 5i team,

I would like to hear your take on these three points:

1. AI is a low margin business like energy/manufacturing

The idea is that, unlike software, AI has high marginal costs per query. Serving 100M queries costs roughly 2x as much as 50M. So as models get more complex, computing costs (electricity and water)scale up linearly. Doesn't this trap AI companies in a CAPEX-heavy, OPEX-intensive, and low-margin game instead of the high-margin SaaS story everyone's betting on?

2. Anthropic has a better business model than OpenAI

OpenAI relies heavily on consumer subscriptions (ChatGPT Plus), which are volatile. Anthropic gets 80+% revenue from enterprise/API deals much stickier. So Anthropic's actually in a stronger position long term?

3. $1 trillion OpenAI IPO doesn't make sense

Above reasons plus they're burning $14B+ annually by 2027, mostly going to Microsoft for cloud credits. Plus, the circular logic of their investors funding startups that buy OpenAI credits. Sounds like WeWork all over again?

Best,
Matt

Q: I came across SMX stock. It shows 52 week from 3 to 66k. Is this worth investing. Can you please give your opinion.

Thanks for the excellent service

Q: Which website would you suggest to look at RSI?

Q: A young gas attendant was admiring my brand new Harley, he said he would never have enough money to buy one. I told him how I did, investing in stocks. He asked where is a good place for a guy that knows nothing about stocks to start learning?

Q: Dear Peter:

Given your long experience working with some giants like Sprott and running funds, given the current market conditions, do you think Fund managers will sell and lock in their profits for year end performance figures or buy into weaknesses for a better performance figure next few quarters? Won't their buying and selling behavior affect the volatility?

From whatever I read, it seems that year end performance bonuses are important for many in the industry!!

I am not asking to "time the market" but to withdraw money from my Registered account for living expenses:)

Q: How major of a roll do algorithms and AI play in the direction of the market today? Will the future be unkind to active managers?

Q: What would be your recommendations if one is looking for ''safety'' both in Canada and US markets.? Am anticipating important correction.
Please deduct as needed
Tks
Sherrill

Q: Hi team,
Any predictions on when the irrational selling in our favourite growth names will stop? The US government SD ends and the market wants to plummet in what it seems almost all growth stocks, quality names or not. The prediction of the bull continuing to play out does not seem correct lately. Seems like we are in free fall mode. What if any catalysts will bring calm to the markets ?

Q: Hello,

Is there a good source for earnings call transcripts? I can usually find the larger ones through various YouTube sources but the smaller cap companies usually it's posted on the website but not always and I struggle to find the transcripts.

Any good sites?