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Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: If I may be permitted a comment on Dave's question when he asks "...how to create an investment portfolio that gains from where the capital is going instead of holding investments seeing capital retreating," I have had spectacular results (in my mind) by emulating the Balanced Equity 5i portfolio, gaining over 16% in 2017 (my weighting was different and I hold several international ETFs for diversification outside Canada). Trying to go where the capital is going comes awfully close to timing the market, a losing strategy for most investors. As a contrarian by nature, where most of the market is going is a pretty good indication of turnaround soon.

I re-balanced my entire portfolio in mid-January to very closely align the weightings with the 5i Balanced Equity portfolio.

Read Answer Asked by Fred on February 08, 2018
Q: Hi 5i, I do know you guys are focusing on Canadian Equity. However, I would like to get your opinions on short-vol ETFs like XIV and SVXY since this topic is so popular right now. We all know after today's trade, these products lost most of their values due to the spike of volatility. But in the past 2 year, short-vol has been a money-printing trade that is crazily profitable. I think since the market fundamentals did not change and the volatility will go low eventually, these products are insanely cheap now and looks like they will go up like before? One thing I am worrying is that Credit Suisse announce to liquidate their XIV soon. Will you say this will happen to similar products like SVXY or HVI.TO? Will you recommend to but this "super dip" now? Sorry this question is long, but I bet a lot of people are looking forward to hear your thoughts about this issue right now.
Read Answer Asked by Tao on February 08, 2018
Q: Just as the financial crisis has resulted in identification of banks which are "too big to fail", what, in your opinion would be the consequences if a computer trading program were to be identified as one that is either "market moving or trend prolongation". Would the average retail investor not be on a more equal trading position if those computer were made to make public those events which trigger their buy and sell? If we all decided to jump on the exact same trade, there would be no winners and losers . If AI computer trading accounts for more and more of the trades then, short of the individual investor pulling completely out of the stock market, how does one have any confidence in their own investment thesis?
Read Answer Asked by Phil on February 08, 2018
Q: Good Morning 5i Team,
I am trying to switch from the following managed funds to 5i recommended investments:
TDB2760 TD RETIREMENT BALANCED PORTFOL
TDB331 TD MANAGED INCOME & MODERATE G
TDB622 TD MONTHLY INCOME FUND - INV
IGI467 IG FRK BIS C/E-A /D'FRAC
IGI348 IG FI CDNEQTF A /D'FRAC
RBF461 Select Conservative Portfolio fund NL
Please evaluate and advise. I am targeting to allocate 65% for conservative and 45% equity investments). I have already small 5i portfolios with most of companies from 5i recommended Balanced and Income models (started in October - Dec 2017). Please advise. Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Hali on February 08, 2018
Q: Today in a question from John he asked about spreadsheets, I too was looking but in fact Action Direct can provide the info he is looking for. Under the My Portfolio tab, click on Analyze and Rebalance, in there you can create a group of all your accounts. Once you have a Group, sector weightings and position size is one click of the mouse. I wouldnt waste my time or yours with this submission except for the fact this knowledge has been a bit of a game changer managing my portfolio - keeping sector weights and position size in line.
Read Answer Asked by Charles on February 08, 2018
Q: I would like to setup a spreadsheet to track our stocks. I would like it to be easy to update and be able to track my sector weighting’s and gains and losses. I use the Royal Bank Direct Investing to keep track of our holdings.
Are there any templates for setting this up?
We have separate accounts for 2 TFSAs, one RIF and one Cash account. Some equities are in several accounts. Should they be consolidated into one account when setting up a spreadsheet so that I can determine our sector allocations?

Your direction and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I realized that this is more than one question. Thanks.

John
Read Answer Asked by John on February 08, 2018
Q: Hi All,
I have been receiving a pending approval status on my Investorline account, most recently on a buy order for BYL this morning. For the 5i team what is happening and should I have to wait for approval on a do it yourself platform. For 5i readers have you experienced this as well. Given the quick price movements such as this morning it is difficult to buy at the lows when this happens, can anyone recommend a platform where this does not happen.

Thank you,
Mike
Read Answer Asked by Michael on February 07, 2018
Q: Hi Peter, Ryan, and Team,

In your recent answer to Cyril, (Feb. 2, 2018) in which he asked about your recommended sector weightings for 2018, you suggested the following:
"For a general, growth focused investor: Real estate 5%. Financial 10%. Healthcare 5%. Info Tech 20% . Materials 10%. Utilities 5%. Energy 5%. Cons. Disc. 10% Cons. Staples 5%. Industrial 20%. Telecom 5%."

In general, how often should one balance sector weightings? Specifically, in my case, I find that, as an example, I'm quite a bit overweight in Financials, but am reluctant to sell any when they've recently declined (although I'm in the black with all of them except for AIF). On the other hand, there seems to be some "bargains" in some of my underweight sectors such as consumer cyclicals, industrials, information technology, and materials. Unfortunately, I only have a little excess cash to invest, so I'd really appreciate your guidance on what to do with my dilemma.

Your advice is very valuable. Thanks in advance.
Read Answer Asked by Jerry on February 07, 2018
Q: Some context please to a common expression you hear on BNN.
When advisor/analysts on BNN say they will buy a stock on a "dip" or a "pullback", what do they mean? A 1% drop, a 5% drop, a 10% drop.
I am retired and looking for dividend payers as my source of income. Of course everyone wants to only buy LOW, but not always possible. I like to add to strong positions but wonder when that is advised.
Cheers.
PS I submitted this question early yesterday before the market drop so my question seems even more timely....for some reason it didn't show up in your question section
Read Answer Asked by Peter on February 07, 2018
Q: Hi,
I see in some questions you recommend a 90/10 split between equities/fixed income for long term investors. I’m 32 with good income and a full tfsa etc. Right now my accounts are 85% equities/etfs and 15% cash, just watching for good pullbacks to deploy. Do you think it’s better with the pullback the last few days to use the cash to add to long term safe stocks I currently hold (bns, bep, vfv, vgg, vee) or should it go to some fixed income? Could you make specific recommendations either way please?
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by david on February 05, 2018