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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: Peter and His Wonder Team
How are annual portfolio returns calculated? I thought I knew but now am not sure. I thought Dec 31 was the date that everyone did there mathematics...measuring the difference that occurred during that year. Are there other ways? For example can you just use any day during the year that your portfolio hit its high and use that number? In other words is there accounting consistency between the financial institutions and retail investors or is there a little manipulation for marketing purposes? Thanks for the clarification.
Dr.Ernest Rivait
Read Answer Asked by Ernest on December 22, 2017
Q: Hi,
I have many of my stocks enlisted in DRIP. I am a long term investor and don't need to draw on any of the dividends right now and have a well diversified portfolio. What types of stocks would be ideal or better to enlist as DRIP? Growth stocks don't really pay dividends so we can probably ignore those. Comparing stocks such as AQN, GSY, SIS, ECI, SGY, etc..how would you rank them for DRIP or would they all be fine?? I have many stocks that pay decent dividends but I'm trying not to continue to drip in losing stocks where I can invest those dividends elsewhere.

Thanks, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!
Read Answer Asked by Keith on December 22, 2017
Q: Hi 5i,

I'm a younger guy (mid 30s) who's fortunate enough to have saved hard and basically paid off my primary residence. I'm now looking to redeploy that equity through a credit line, which comes at a cost of prime + 0.5%. Our TFSAs are maxed (aligned with model BE/growth portfolios) and RRSP contributions are healthy, so I'm comfortable with our total equity exposure, but I would like a low-risk income-oriented holding in a new non-registered account that yields enough after tax to offset the cost of capital on the credit segment. Is there anything that comes to mind? Maybe a series of Prefs (neutralizes rate risk assiciated with this strategy) with a few high-yielding equities to bump up the overall yield?

Thanks for your help!
Read Answer Asked by Michael on December 21, 2017
Q: If we are to believe that history is our best teacher, what in your opinion, were the major factors that contributed to the Dow Jones Sell off in Aug 2015 and Jan 2016? Was it mainly global financial events re Greece and China? What are the best tools to monitor the events that could lead to a similar correction? Thanks for your wisdom. Use as many credits as required, as I have 143 left. :)
Read Answer Asked by Allan on December 21, 2017
Q: Hi 5i team!
I want you to know how much I appreciate the excellent service you provided for us. As a small and first time investor ( I joined you service a year ago and it took me some months to deploy both my wife and mine- very very hard earned TFSA savings -). With the help of you guys via the wonderful client base who are quick to hit button to ask questions and they didn’t give me a chance to as ask one (mark me down for one question for reading this), I’m investing with confidence. Our consolidated portfolio is performing very well with a lots of ++ and less --) including a good move with PUR.TO with 120% gain since I bought it. Merry Christmas and happy holidays,
Sincerely,
hb. Ottawa
Read Answer Asked by Ben on December 20, 2017
Q: For new money being invested in 2018 and assuming the US passes tax cuts/reform what percentage of one's portfolio would you allot to 1)Canada, 2)US and 3)Global/International?
Also considering roughly 10 sectors what 3-4 sectors would you focus on and could you give a large, mid-small cap stock for each.
Thanks kindly - Merry Christmas 5i and the best in 2018!
Read Answer Asked by George on December 20, 2017
Q: Milan's question and comments about Warren Buffet's advice to his wife for investing after he passes away makes me wonder: Since DAY 1 (or there abouts) can you tell if he has beaten the market and if he has by how much?

Thank you for your answer; and thank you for a very good year $$$; and best wishes for a merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year ... in every way.
Read Answer Asked by Donald on December 20, 2017
Q: Good morning Peter and company,

In his will, for his wife's benefits, Warren Buffett has instructed the trustee to put 10% of the money in short-term government bonds and 90% in a very low-cost S&P 500 index fund such as Vanguard’s.

Would that be a good practice for all retired individuals living off their stock portfolios by withdrawing 4% annually, if they are prepared to live with the market's fluctuations?

Bond values have nowhere to go but down as central banks raise interest rates. Would 10% cash be better than 10% bonds today?

Thank you for your considerate answers to my questions.

Milan
Read Answer Asked by Milan on December 19, 2017
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