Investment Q&A

Q: My question is about utilities but we could extend it to any enterprise - it really deals with governments not letting the (often painful) market forces of capitalism take over. I'm not some kind of anti-government fanatic but I know true (unfortunately painful-now) market forces are being and will be suppressed more by cash-strapped governments facing a popular backlash.

I've come across a story where the British government may turn to forcing regulated utilities to accept lower profitability and thus lower dividend payouts to help keep utility bills down for the consumer.

Utilities may argue they can't provide reliable services without higher rates but it seems any company delivering 4-8%+ dividends wouldn't get much sympathy from cash-starved governments in a sub 1% interest rate environment.

With rising political pressure from financially strapped consumers would governments view regulating profits of utilities, banks and others as a great way to boost their popularity?

Q: Hi Guys,

Delighted to be a member of this community. Your advice and thinking has been invaluable.

I've been on a long search with what to do with the conservative part of my (and my elderly mother's) portfolio.

The prevailing sentiment seems to be that cash and bonds are safe, and anything touching on equities are higher risk.

I question the bonds though. They go up and down quite a bit during normal times and went down quite a lot during the crash.

Meanwhile, big low volatility companies like Microsoft, CNR and many of the stocks you've recommend as defensive stocks seems to steadily grow during normal times and, when there is a shock, recover quickly.

In short, the defensive stocks seem less risky than the bonds and seem a better option for the conservative money. Am I mistaken in my thinking? Is the industry just stuck in a paradigm of thinking that bonds are the safest thing next to cash?

In that frame, I'd also like to ask where low volatility, dividend and preferred share ETFs sit on that spectrum of safety.

Thanks, as always, for your wisdom.

Kevin

Q: I am looking at buying some ETF 's from the balanced ETF portfolio as and just wanted to know if starting at a 2% position is good for now and increase later or should I buy up to 3% as I do have the funds to buy up to a 3% weight.

Thanks

Q: I'd like to adjust the split between the Canadian and US equities in my employer-sponsored RRSP. Currently the portfolio is 81% in a Canadian equity fund and only 3% in a US equity fund (the remaining 16% in an international fund). What would you consider a more appropriate Canada-US split than 81% vs 3%? Also, ongoing contributions are being made 100% to the Canadian equity fund. As with the existing portfolio, what would you suggest as a more appropriate Canada-US split for future plan contributions going forward? Looking at a 3-5 year timeline and more potential opportunities and growth on the US side of things. Thanks.

Q: Hi 5i Team - I have been reading an article in the Globe and Mail about the resurgence of investor interest in the biotech sector with a number of IPO's either recent or planned. Would you be able to recommend a few Canadian companies in this sector based on the following criteria: solid management, cash reserves for at least one year and preferably more, manageable debt, good growth prospects, any size capitalization but small to mid cap preferred, any risk level but not something that is purely speculative. These companies do not have to be on the forefront of Coronavirus research but could have innovative research into any health platforms. I am also interested in the U.S. side of this but will do this in another question. Thanks.
Rob

Q: I have heard comments from diverse sources that there will be a massive movement of investment from bonds into equities at some point. Would you comment on this topic as to what catalysts could cause such a move. Does 5I agree with the concept? Has such a shift happened in the past?

Thank You
Clarence

Q: Hi,
This is about parking one's cash.

I know I have "slightly" less cash than Mr. Warren Buffet :))

But whenever I read that people like him have 134 BILLION dollars in cash or other Mega rich people sitting on the sidelines with literally hundreds of Millions of dollars, I have always wondered where these ultra rich people park their money?!
We the ordinary folks are struggling to get 0.65%. The same for them too?

Your answers have always suggested GICs, High Interest Savings Account and ETFs like PSA and very rarely Income ETFS/Mutual funds.

Any new suggestions?

Q: Large firms have outperformed small firms for a number of years. What conditions will need to occur for this trend to reverse, and for small firms to start outperforming large firms?

Many thanks for your insightful advice.

Q: Growth stocks have outperformed value stocks for a number of years. My understanding is that growth stocks are currently at an all time high relative to value stocks. Presumably, at some point, this trend will reverse and value stocks will begin to outperform growth stocks.

Do you have any thoughts as to how much longer the growth outperformance will continue? What conditions should an investor watch for, to be able to detect the switch when it occurs, to outperformance by value stocks?

Many thanks for your insightful advice.

Q: I have been following the cirque du soleil story in the news.
I was surprised to see how much say the existing shareholders seem to have in the restructuring process. I thought the lenders were always in the driver seat in case of insolvency. Can you please provide your comments and clarify what s going on there. I understand it is not a public company. I just find the topic interesting. Thank you!

Q: What's the reason that tech stocks are down across the board today (e.g., KXS, LSPD, etc.)?

Q: Peter,

Do you or any members know of reputable firms that sell financial planning software for the individual user? This would involve when to draw down RRIF, when to start CPP, clawback of OAS etc.

Thank you

Paul

Q: I look at the Fair Value published by Mornngstar for stocks. I noticed that the published values almost change daily. Why? What triggers the volatility of the values? Thanks.

Q: What % is technology in the S& P 500, the Tsx index and what % do you reccomend in a portfolio for a 5 to 10 year hold?

Q: On a scale of 1 - 10 (1 low 10 high) what do you think are the probabilities of the Canadian major banks cutting dividends within the next year ?

Q: I am trying to access an article that 5i wrote I think in late March or early April about the 10 or 20 stocks to buy in the midst of the pandemic? Thanks for all your excellent advice?

Q: I'm retired with a defined benefit pension and enough investment income to live comfortably at the moment. What do you consider to be the best protection against a stock market crash followed inflation or hyperinflation?

Q: What are your thoughts on WFH ETF
Can you please give me MER. Is it expensive OR fairly price

Thanks for the great service.

Q: Hi Guys
I own shares in Tobias Carlisles " The Aquires Fund" the symbol is ZIG
This is a Value ETF, small in size and has an MER of around 0.9%
My concern is that it doesn't pay a dividend, I imagine he re invests the dividend proceeds back into the fund?
I was thinking of selling it and replacing it with VVL, this actively managed ETF has an MER of 0.37% and a Dividend of 3.41%
Is it not really compelling Value here on the fundamentals?
I think it trades on a P/E of less than 10x. There might be risk though in some of his Holdings.
If there is a move back into value..this might return 30% or so, or would you still sell it and replace it with XWD.
Thanks!
Gord

Q: Please provide a list of Canadian companies whose return on equity is a constant 15% or more over the last 5 years.
Thank you