Investment Q&A

Q: My granddaughter has an individual stock portfolio which I need to change to an ETF portfolio as she does not personally follow or trades stocks and I am no longer able to manage the account.
Would you please suggest a portfolio of ETFs that is diversified as well as recommendations for ETFs that focus on precious metals, base metals and energy?
With appreciation,
Ed

Q: Can you provide your top 5 Canadian stocks, top 5 ETFs available on the TSX and top 3 international ETFs (TSX) and top 3 US stocks that are considered HALO investments. ( Heavy assets low obsolescence) less impacted by AI disruption. Thank you

Q: In response to a question from Pat, you suggested a 10% to 12% weighting in the oil/gas sector instead of the 16.44% in the TSX. If I didn't want to buy individual companies for oil/gas, what ETF/ETFs would you suggest to make up the 10% to 12%? If more than one ETF, what percentage would you have in each?

Q: I was given the above five ETFs from a friend to consider adding to my portfolio. I assume the criteria of ranking the ETFs are the same as stocks, so I would like your recommendation on how you would rank these five. Also which ones amongst them five are the ones that you would strongly recommend that I should/"must" own.

Thank you.

Q: NXF is a covered call EFT. Do you have a recommendation for an energy sector ETF that does not sell covered calls? Within my RRSP, I would like to own two ETF’s, the energy sector, to hold my energy related investments. Is there a rule of thumb to guide the percentage one should put into each (ie: 25% in a covered call ETF; 75% in an ETF which does not sell covered calls)?

Thanks for your help.

Q: I have followed Rick Rule for a couple of decades now and always find him to be a valuable source of insight regarding the natural resources sector. Lately, he has been saying that he sees a big opportunity in the oil and gas sector because it is so "hated." A contrarian, Rick says he "loves hate." However, I am a bit confused--I don't see the "hate." For example, while a barrel of WTIC at $60 is not great, the unit price of XEG is at a 10 year high, and all of my oil and gas stocks are doing well.

Rule believes that the price of oil is bound to increase because of the recent lack of capital expenditure in the sector (he cites $1-2 billion per day of under-investment), and as a result the related equities will do well.

Do you share Rule's belief that the sector is undervalued ("hated") and therefore a good investment given a 5 year time horizon?

Thanks as always for your expertise.

Q: I would like to purchase an energy ETF. XEG is a Capped Energy Index while ZEO is an Equal Weight Index. What do you prefer & why. Thanks … Cal

Q: Hi 5i,

I've noticed a massive divergence in the price of oil and oil companies. Can I please have your analysis of this, and what are your favorite stocks in this sector for a long term position. I'm also looking for shareholder friendly, low debt play.

Thx.

Q: I have been hearing more about the next stage in the commodity cycle is copper and then oil essentially from gold. What is the best way to get exposure to that trade without taking single security risk?

Q: I continue to hear analyst after analyst talk about the Canadian energy sector in a positive light. They recommend companies like CNQ, SU, TOU, WCP etc. over and over again with very little upside ever showing up. The overall index has been virtually flat for 3 years despite all the table pounding from analysts.

I would love to hear 5i's take on the energy sector in Canada in general and when/if you see it breaking out and providing some bigger gains than have been seen in recent years.

Any explanation on what is holding this sector down, what needs to happen to see a breakout, would you be buyers of the sector at these multiples, do you have specific favourites - these are all questions I would love to hear your opinion on.

Thanks for all the great info you provide through this service - it has been a life-changer for me!

Q: I would greatly appreciate your thoughts on the above 5 ETFs proposed for TFSA. Any tweaks? The plan is to tilt towards growth without getting carried away. Your thoughts and suggestions would be most welcome. Thanks again for this super service. Dan

Q: Is NDIV a reasonably good natural resources fund? Only 3 years old, has minimal AUM, and there is no Morningstar rating. Selects dividend paying natural resource companies globally. Could be attractive IF it’s managed by Kevin Simpson , who seems to be a great manager running covered call strategies. I cannot tell if NDIV follows such a strategy. Information on ETF data sites is scanty. Would appreciate very much your insight and comments including whether this ETF is a good diversifier. MER 0.59%.

Q: With energy stocks lower due to this trade war, would this be a good time to look at getting into this sector assuming it would be through an energy ETF? If so, do you have a few names that trade in Canada that provide a decent return, and some safety through a lower payout ratio? Thanks for your insight.

Q: I purchased this to get exposure to energy, get the high dividend (now approx. 13%), and have an ETF focused more on US energy companies (vs. Canadian). I've held it about 15 months now and I'm down 10%. I expect there is some ROC affecting the share price (are you able to confirm?). In general, what are your thoughts on EMAX for stability and as an income play?

Q: Hi Peter and co,
Although Mark Carney has eliminated the *consumer* carbon tax (which leaves industry still paying it I suspect, and the costs will still get passed through to consumers), given his track record and recent comments about commitment to net-zero and "heavy emitters will have to pay", it sounds to me like there will be significant headwinds for Canadian Energy companies if the Liberals are elected. I am considering lightening up on my Canadian energy holdings, given the probability of 4 years of energy-hostile policies. What are your thoughts on this move, for or against?

Q: Which are presently your top picks for Canadian and US ETF's for each sectors ? Which ones would you consider buying now ? Entry prices ?
Please take as many credits to answer this as required.

Gratefully,

Jacques IDS

Q: What would be your 3 top picks in the Canadian oil/gas sector?
Top etf inthe same sector?
Thank you

Q: Happy holidays…. Tax loss selling….. proxy for TLT, VDE, EMXC, OXY, PICK, LLY, NXT, ZBH, AMD, -Thanks

Q: I have several 'Growth' companies which have grown quite large in both Cdn and US markets (Thanks). While I plan to let winners run, I am looking to take some capital out of those, and shift to areas of the market which are trading below their historical averages. Could you suggest some areas of both US and Canada to look for those areas? (Specific companies or ETFs which would target this both welcome)

Q: Can you share your top picks for Canadian and US ETF's that would cover the relevant sectors (e.g. tech, industrials etc.)? Please take as many credits to answer this as required.