Investment Q&A

Q: I have a general question on the Energy sector. To state the obvious this has been a very weak sector to invest. More recently, we had Jim Cramer come out and say investing in energy stocks is no longer attractive and fund flows are coming out of them as it does not "look good" to have these stocks in a fund. The extreme opposite is a well known Canadian manager who touts 2020 is the start of a new bull market in energy. However, when looking at performance of this fund it has a negative compound over 10 years and since inception.

I like taking a contrarian view, and can be patient, however, I am going back and forth on this but continue to side more with the view of Cramer as you can almost "feel" the shift in sentiment away from energy.

What are your views, and is it worthwhile to have any exposure here?

Q: hi there, currently own Dollarama and CSH.UN in my TFSA and was thinking of switching out and purchasing XEG for some energy exposure and HMMJ as both ETF's seem to be exhibiting some upside after a down year. What are your thoughts on this switch (based on your examination of where DOL and CSH.UN seem to be going from here)? Note, this only effects approximately 1.5% of my total portfolio so neither will represent a significant weighting. Thank you.

Q: Hello, looking at adding to my energy sector, already in enbridge.
What's your option on these 3, or other recommendations & as it will be in my tfsa, how could it affect tfsa rules.
Thx Tim

Q: I have no oil stocks so I would like to buy an ETF. Can you give me some choices for 3% of my rrsp portfolio that pays a decent yield of 3% or more.

Q: 8 months ago, most people I know owned something in the cannabis sector
and those who didn't told me they missed a generational opportunity. Since then, the sector fell 65%. Many were wrong, including the management of Constellation,
who bought 38% of Canopy. Could market participants be just as wrong with energy right now? Aren't sector bottoms supposed to "feel" like this? In your answer, could you tell us if there has ever been a sector on the Toronto stock exchange that got destroyed similar to the current energy sector, and whether or not fund managers were also selling? A sector that later returned close to its previous highs? (ps: I wish I could find videos showing what was said close to bottoms back in 2001 and 2009).

Q: The Energy sector in general but particularly the Canadian portion is avoided and therefore undervalued. Is it a reasonable place for non speculative investments considering the political and sunset industry climate?

Q: Considering the current situation regarding the disruption in oil supply from the Middle East, it is already too late to take positions? If not, which companies (Canadian or global) would you buy to take advantage of the shortage? I'm looking for a balanced exposure. Thanks as always for your guidance.

Q: For a sideways tax loss position move for 30 days what would you recommend, or is there one?

Q: If we are headed to zero / negative interest rates, I am thinking of playing this thesis by purchasing XLB to capture the capital gain on the interest rate reduction and XGD should do well in a low / negative rate environment. The balance of the portfolio is VBAL and XEG. What do you think? Thank you

Q: Morning..best oil ETF in CDN and US to benefit from increased oil prices...

Thanks

Q: Good morning
I am selling for tax loss selling Suncor. What is the best proxy for Suncor, ? I am thinking of CNQ or XEG. Any suggestions?
Thanks

Q: First year of my subscription. I am single, rent, retired and am 66 years old. Besides CPP and OAS (fully clawed back) have a DB pension which covers my daily living needs so I treat it as my bond portfolio. Have a non-registered account from the proceeds of my house sale and collapsing my RRSP. Account objective is dividend/growth and not to lose money.
Looking at my Oil & Gas holdings I have HSE and XEG, the latter underwater by 20%.
Other energy-related holdings are ALA, BEP.un, ENB, FTS, H, IPL, SPB, and RNW all of which are underwater from -2 to -53% in this market.
I have owned a TFSA since 2009 and made full contributions every year mostly from savings from pension income. It holds AQN and IPL in the energy related sector.
Thinking of switching XEG for OIL or ZEO today in non-reg and booking the tax loss against previous 2015 capital gains. Is it a reasonable switch and are there any tax implications; i.e. trx not subject to 30 day rule?
Bill

Q: I hold both TOU and VET in a taxable account. I would like to sell both to harvest the tax loss and rebuy after 30 days. I would prefer to keep the investment in the sector until repurchase. Can you suggest an appropriate alternative holding.
Thank you

Q: I have a portfolio with most sectors represented except for energy to the exception of PPL and ENB I might want to step in with a half position and wonder if I should go with an etf or rather an integrated oil company or else just a pure producer.

Q: What five ETF’s would be suitable to hold in an RRSP? I am interested in technology, healthcare, financials, energy and industrials. I am a moderately conservative investor, am looking at about a 15 year timeline and am interested in Canadian, US, global and emerging markets. Many thanks for your insights.

Q: I hold mid 236 series f active energy income fund in my son's RDSP. I have purchase this fund when it was closed end and last year it was changed to open ended. Sponsor middlefield has said it would reduce portfolio management to 1%. My broker quote shows MER of 2.2% and yield of 5% is the same except distribution is by way of shares instead of cash. Would you endorse this fund for purchase.
Best Regards,
Harold

Q: Hello, I am looking to increase by Energy sector exposure from 2% to 5%. I was looking at XEG and HEE as possible options. I realize these are Canadian specific ETF's. I would prefer more of a balance between US and Canada. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks for all your great advice.

Q: Do you think the present time is a good time to step into energy stocks, and if so what would be your preference between VDE or XEG? With thanks, Bill

Q: 47% of XEG is made up of Suncor and CNQ. Whereas the top seven holdings of ZEO are equally weighted around 7-9 % among energy companies.
Can you please provide your insight as to which of the two ETF's will rise more if and when the oil prices will rise? As well, which ETF you will recommend?
Thank you

Q: I have to sell some oil and gas companies to generate losses to offset some gains.I will be selling ARX,BNE,CPG,SPE,SU and WCP.
I wish to stay in the sector,so please recommend several companies to replace the above companies for the 30 day period (or perhaps an ETF).
Which of the companies being sold would you recommend buying back after the 30 days?