Investment Q&A

Q: With many markets currently expensive by historical measures, I wonder whether you could suggest either some regional or country markets that may offer good value at this time. One area that may qualify is emerging markets but I wonder if you may also have other suggestions. I realize this goes outside of your normal field, but I would appreciate any insights that you may have.

Q: I will be spending a significant amount of time travelling for work. I was wondering if you had any podcasts you could recommend relating to financials and investing. Thank you

Q: What is YOUR definition of a momentum stock?
Please name companies in your portfolios that you Currently consider to be momentum stocks.
Thank you

Q: I look at the company profiles you provide (among other things) before purchasing a stock. I sort of like a stock with a low PB ratio. It worries me when I look further and see a low price to tangible book value. I'm not totally sure what it means to have a negative price to tangible book. No real underlying value compared to the value of a bunch of good will or patents? I'm ok paying for patents (I think) but I am less happy paying for good will as I think that is just management paying too much for an acquisition. Is there anyway to distinguish the provenance of the intangible assets? How do you view the intangible value stats? Does this even come into your review of a company? Or do you just consider intangibles "good" if the company performance by other metrics is "good". Could you please recap when price to tangible book value is a stat that is worth considering. It causes me worry sometimes and I hesitate on purchases to my detriment.
Thank you for your excellent service.

Q: Comment on US RIF withdrawal. TD uses the exchange rate at time of withdrawal to calculate the amount.

Q: Not sure if this question is in your bailiwick but here goes. I turned 71 last year and converted my 2 RRSPs to RIFs in October. I now have to make at least minimum withdrawals starting this year. I know how to handle my first (Canadian $) RIF - 5.28% of its Dec 31 2019 value. I cannot however find any information about minimum withdrawal calculation for my second (U.S. $) RIF. For example, what US $ to Can $ conversion rates do I use ?Can you help ?

Q: Many members ask about "green" or sustainable investments. Here's an interesting article from the Toronto Star: (We own Algonquin and used to own Stantec).

https://www.thestar.com/business/2020/01/27/the-global-100-twelve-of-the-worlds-most-sustainable-companies-are-right-here-in-canada.html

Q: Hello .. I would like your opinion on EARK (Emerge ARK Global Disruptive Innovation ETF) for a long term hold in an already well-diversified portfolio... or are there better options for this theme.? Thanks!

Q: I'm thinking of choosing a managed mutual fund for my exposure to the precious metals sector due to all the risks associated with this sector.
What mutual fund would be your favorite for this volatile sector. It seems reasonable to me to pay an MER for a really good manager, when returns can very a much as 40% some years.
Thanks Gord

Q: Hi 5i
A question about reporting to CRA and Form T1135. I believe that If the "specified foreign property" is over $100,000 and is held inside a RRIF, RRSP or TFSA you do not have to report it on the form, is this correct...?

Q: Hello 5i. I use symbol ^TNX:US to track/monitor the 10 year US T note. Is there an equivalent symbol for the Canadian 10 year note that I can use for on-line access. Many thx. Steve

Q: This question is about covered call strategies. I know that your mission is primarily to gibe advice on individual stocks but you are often good enough to share your knowledge on other points, as well. So, i will submit this question. If it doesn't fit into your framework, that's ok, too.

I know thatyou like to sell covered calls a month out. If i don't have any intention of owning the stock, i imagine that it doesn't really matter if i buy the stock one month, collect the option and then buy the same stock back again a month later at a higher price. Because i am only interested in collecting money on the money i have. Right? ( i am doing thisin a tfsa. I have googled it but haven't found a definitive answer on whether I can do this there? Am i ok with that? ). If i am going month by month is it better to take a lower payout, knowing that you are more likely to have to give up the stock, or go a couple of dollars less in the premium payout in order to have a higher possibility of keeping the stock, realising that this is a monthly process? a number of questions here so please feel free to subtract the appropriate number of points, if you decide to answer.
Thanks again for your grat service

Q: What is your opinion on this new issue

Q: I am seeking to understand why it makes sense for an individual investor to limit the number of equities to about 30, when ETFs have well over 100. Due to age I am considering switching more to ETFs.

Thanks for your great service - much appreciated!!!
Cyril

Q: It appears that the corona virus is continuing to affect the world markets...
I realize that it is still very early in the developing story but what kind of affect did previous health situations have on the U.S. and Canadian market place???
Ed in Montreal

Q: Can you please recommend an Active ETF and Momentum ETF that you would consider buying How often Active and Momentum management change their portfolio.

If possible in Canadian dollar.

Thanks for your great service.

Q: Hedging Strategies- With the recent run up of stocks, what are the suggested preferred options to protect ones portfolio gains from significant market correction to the downside? Selling existing stocks will lead to considerable taxation in my current scenario, with most investments being outside RRSP Accounts. Please provide a few ideas.

Q: When evaluating various US listed ETF's for dividend growth and stability )eg: DGRO, VIG, DGRW, SCHD) is there any value or merit in looking at the p/e ratio of the ETF itself to determine value as another metric before a purchase. Many thx. Steve

Q: Like many CDN Investors, I am overweight Canada. Plan to reduce that in 2020. Looking at candidates I find some "Canadian" investments have the majority of their assets outside the country. Example: BGI.UN - only 20% of assets are in Canada, yet it pays quarterly $CDN income. Seems it would meet my objective. Please provide names of other CDN-based candidates that hold a lot of ex-Canada assets and derive much/most of their income from those. Looking for US/International diversity and some $CDN income. I hold some US Pharma stocks directly and a Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF (10% of total portfolio). Thank you.
IslandJohn

Q: Can you please recommend a Canadian stock which also trades on a US exchange and pays dividends in US$ ? My idea is to purchase in my tfsa and transfer to a US$ tsfa so I can collect the dividends in US$. Good dividend yield would be nice too! Thank you.