Investment Q&A

Q: It feels like the end of 2018 was simply a perfect storm of conditions suited to create an impressive (and painful) but not overly unusual pull back on the TSX. Yet there is talk of recession and looming bear markets (I suppose there always is).

What's your take on this? Would you be buying the many apparent opportunities (like mx, cnr, ctc.a) or would you be cautious still?

Q: Regarding Bob's question on moving stocks in kind from an RRSP to a TFSA , there would be a tax implication when the stocks come out of the RRSP would there not?

Q: I am in my 70s and my focus is on capital preservation, income and, hopefully, a bit of growth. Would you recommend the income portfolio with a sprinkle of equities from the B.E portfolio? Have you ever given thought to developing a portfolio for seniors?

Q: I was watching BNN today and the CEO for Gevo was on discussing the company.
I would love to hear your comments on this company.
Thanks
Paul

Q: Hi there, it seems like the VIX is creeping up over the last few weeks. At one point in the VIX do you think will signal a reversal? Thanks!

Q: Wishing you and your subscribers a happy and healthy 2019.
Thanking you for excellent service.
Ebrahim

Q: What companies do you think have the best prospects heading into 2019? Are there any recently discounted names you would suggest adding to?

Q: there was an interesting fast money halftime on cnbc today which i watch daily, mike wilson chief equity strategist was on and he was the only analyst period of all of them out there he predicted this correction back in january and he said now is not the time to be selling, we are bottoming but this process could take 3-4 months not weeks because of the damage done,furthermore he likes energy and banks and then they had a segment with lee cooperman and a guy from the sec talking about quants algorithms and computors causing this extreme volatility, and some feel until the vix hits at least 30 maybe even 40 this is not over, and there is tons of value in the market now but you still have to pick your spots slowly.i think you agree with some of this, just wondering your opinion which i value because lets be honest we all missed the severity of this. i think this is as bad as 2008. and everyone was in complete agreement that jerome powell was and is an idiot who cannot communicate properly. and how much is etf selling which causes the underlying stocks to be sold sonething we never had to contend with in 2008 or not as much. dave

Q: Continuation of my previous question.

After reading your response my understanding is that 5i portfolios will not build the cash position higher for any major downside risks that the market may have in next few years. What about any new money available for investing Do we hold on to buying any stocks in this kind of unpredictable volatile markets until a clear bottom or direction is indicated by the markets ? MLP are not a good option for canadians because of tax implications. What is your opinion about US CEF (closed end funds) and do they have similar tax impact like MLPs ?

Thanks
Ninad

Q: To confirm my numbers/thinking around tax loss selling could you please confirm if the following is accurate: If I have a capital loss of $5000 and my marginal tax rate is 40%, I can now or in the future use that to offset a capital gain of $5000. 50% of this capital gain is taxable, so I am in essence saving $1000 spendable cash for myself (40% of $2500). Thanks!

Q: Do you consider these stocks long term buy and hold ? : CCL, PLC, SIS, BNS, MG, MX, PBH, TOY, DOL, SJ, NFI, SLF.

Which are your favorites ? Would you sell any ?
Thank you !

Q: Today, Bill made a comment about Alan Greenspan. As a former US Federal Reserve Chairman, he has admitted that his policy was wrong when he said the banks do not need regulations and then reduced regulations which led to the great financial crisis. I liked your answer to the question.
You can share this comment or delete it if you want.

Q: Is there somewhere that investors can look to find up-to-date information on who the largest shareholders in a company are?
e.g. - If I want to know who the largest shareholder of Amazon is as of today (assume it's Jeff Bezos?), Is there somewhere to find that information?

Q: Allan Greenspan made the comment of CNN today "Prepare for the worst and run for cover". Do you have any comments regarding this statement. I am getting a bit spooked out about the market and wonder if I should get out. Thanks, Bill

Q: Everyone is feeling the pain nowadays ,some more than others. With no where to run to and keep holding on to our holdings, can you please give us three levels on the downside that we should look for?...best.medium.worse case scenarios please and thanks....pertains to the level of the Dow on a technical basis

Q: Hi peter
5 months ago I went to 50% cash I am. Ow regretting I did not go all cash .
This market appears not to have a bottom this are probably the worst I have seen ,
Do you see any catlysts out there that can cause this to bottom?
Eg I sold vet ar 36 and am looking to grit back in only to see it fall daily
Kind regards
Stan

Q: I have not fundamentally changed my portfolio this year, have 25 % in cash and lately have just been reading and waiting for opportunities that are surely to come in the next six to nine months. What else should I be doing?

Q: Could you tell me how the market reacted during the time of
Clinton's impeachment? About how long did the confusion last?

Q: this is a market beatdown of epic proportions, furthermore the speed with which it happened was astonishing.
every stock you guys like gsy, tsgi, cov, lgo, doo,toy, dol, pho,mx,cjt,pho, have been decimated some as much as 50% from their highs and i could go on and on.
its true if the fed does not raise wed at 2pm or raises but gives a very dovish statement the market could rally 1500 points until year end,MAYBE.
my question were you a little too optimistic at the beginning at the end of september, yes or no—personally i think so,in your answers too questions the last 10 days you seem to be getting much more cautious, and really why enter any stock right now, just wait until a direction is established, better to pay a couple dollars more. dave

Q: This is just a share. There is a short TED talk that 5 I members and staff might enjoy. It is titled "Psychopaths in the C-suite" by Fred Kiel.
I wonder if 5-I could rate some management of 5-I covered companies that fit the: Empathy, Others First and I Screwed Up habits of virtuoso CEO's . I'm sure they are a rare breed. Perhaps a new valuation metric may come of this.