Investment Q&A

Q: I have a $700,000 portfolio 50/50 including a mix of ETF's and stocks - blue chip value /dividend. I also have $60,000 in a GIC ladder with Oaken many at 2.5%-2.75% in TFSA accounts. There is $200,000 in a cash account, $50,000 with Oaken at 1.75%. I am 70.
I am expecting an inheritance of $300,000. Should I put this in more GIC's with Home Bank and Oaken or start a new series with your Income Portfolio or is there another suggestion?

Q: Yesterday I put in a limited price buy for 100 shares of the ETF PEJ. It was filled with one individual stock. When I brought this to the attention of ScotiaItrade using their call centre I was browbeat by the initial answering person and then her supervisor. I did not know what the acronym AON meant and since I did not use the button on the order it was my fault I got a fill of one share. I have been using a discount broker for 19 years, am a fairly active trader and have never encountered this situation. I was told by the supervisor that board lots only apply to the TSX and not the US Markets. I would like to ask you if that is true and I will govern myself accordingly in future. In passing it took 26 minutes or so to resolve this issue. Now to wait till Friday to order 99 shares using AON.

Q: Hi 5I team, your 3 picks in the material sector and why ? Thanks always.

Q: Hello 5i team,
Recently a member asked about core american stocks to hold and you mentionned, amongst others, GE and JNJ, I believe.

I was wondering what would the best mix of American stocks be for a buy and hold investor who has a portfolio of about 30 stocks total.

Here are the ones I hold currently and my question is whether they make a good core holding?

Also, i plan to add JNJ and GE to this mix. Being large cap stocks, is there much advantage in buying these over times in several slices, or better to buy a full complement right away?

Here are the ones I hold, which I mentionned:
3M
Apple
Conagra foods
Ibm
Procter and Gamble
Pepsi
thanks once again for the great service!

Q: I was listening to David Burrows on BN last night, he believes the next 2 years could be quite good in some investment areas and not in others. Because of what he was suggetsing, that utilities, REIT's and Telco may be in the not so good area, I was thinking of selling my Telus, Artis and Dream Industrial.
I would like to rotate those funds into, financials, materials, technology and industrials in Canada in midsize companies. I was wondering if you might be able to suggest some companies with good growth potential that pay dividends in those areas.
If I make the change my core would start with Scotiabank, Royal bank, IPL and PPL, and a little bit of ECN.

Q: Thank you, Alphonse for your question. It was the CRA that I wanted to know about. I wanted to know whether I should eliminate my losses before the federalistas suddenly change the way losses are handled. Is that a concern?

Q: Looking forward to seeing Ryan on Market Call @ 10am PT.so have cancelled my previous appointment

Q: Hello 5i team,
I own all the holdings in the balanced portfolio except AEM and SYZ and own BCE instead of T
Of the growth portfolio, I own DHX, ECN, EFN, GUD, OTC and PLI; do you prefer others
Of the income portfolio, I only own BEP; which other 4 would you consider?
Thanks,
Antoine

Q: When you stated that people are moving out of dividend paying and into growth stocks do you think this is short term investments?I am a long term dividend investor.Should I follow the crowd?

Q: I'm interested in Profit Margin. In layman terms "what does it mean"? Is it the same as Net Margin (TD Webbroker shows Profit Margin, other sites show Net Margin)? Would using a minimum profit margin of 10% or above safely allow for negative events to the balance sheet? Why would I want to invest in companies with low TTM profit margins such as PBH(3.64%), BEP.UN(1.36%), PKI(.97%) etc? Why do companies such as TCN(329.69%), BPF.UN(85.67%) and AW.UN(66.55%) have such high profit margins? Should I consider a 5yr average? Thanks

Q: This is a comment to Ian's question regarding the 1K investment for his son. I was just thinking that 13 stocks for a 1K portfolio is likely working against him.At $7 per trade (avg),he would be paying $91 in fees and starting his portfolio down 9-10%.I would think holding 3 to 4 top picks and building out your portfolio as you add more money would be more efficient.If i'm over stepping feel free to not post. This was only meant as constructive criticism.

Q: Can you presently name three Canadian large cap companies you like long term that you can say are cheap right now? Thanks, Bill

Q: Great job on establishing a stock picking contest for high school students! I think it's a wonderful way to stimulate financial interest in the younger generation.

Q: On Nov.22 James asked you a question about gains of $200,000 vs loses of $50,000. He wondered if he should be concerned with this situation and if the federalistas would ever suddenly surprise him. When you answered you said the feds will not care etc.
When he and you mentioned the feds were you talking the USA or Canada Revenue.

Q: Is it possible to get an email notification each time a new report is posted?

Thanks!

Q: Hi All!

My son put 1K into each of the following names 18 months ago and we are wondering if there are any names we should exit? Perhaps you could identify any possible additions if you have a few sells. The names are as follows:AYA, ATD.B, BAM.A, GIB.A, CXI, DHX.B, DSG, XTC, GWO, GUD, SYZ, SJ, WCN. Thank you!

Q: I would like to invest in 11 ETFs that track the TSX's 11 sectors. Are there individual ETFs for each of the TSX's 11 sectors. If so what ETFs for each sector would you recommend. Thanks ... Cal

Q: hi.. Took a tax loss of considerable and need to reinvest 12,000. where would you go and when. no energy as loaded.. Thax in advance, Cliff

Q: Is there an ETF in the Aerospace sector that is hedged to CDN $

Thanks
David

Q: Good morning...I have $100,000 to utilize in margin account...the interest rate is 6.9%...I am looking at the current market and not sure which way to go...ideally growth with dividend to partial cover interest but just a thought...no financial concerns or tax issues just would like to work my account a bit harder...currently have the majority of stocks you cover except new ones like TOY...any suggestions would be appreciated....Thanks