Investment Q&A

Q: My question is on market cap balance / diversification in a portfolio. When I google market cap definitions, I came up with the following from a couple of sources:

Micro: < $300MM
Small: < $2BB
Mid: < $10BB
Large: $10BB+

Using this metric, my portfolio split for Micro-Small-Mid-Large is 10% - 35% - 25% - 30%. Since I am a young investor (30) who doesn’t need cash anytime soon, making regular contributions to my portfolio, long time horizon and higher end of risk threshold, I was ok (prefer!) the small cap bias. Especially with 5i research giving me insights on everything I own.

Having said that, I was going through some old questions in the members forum and found one where 5i defines market caps as, based on Cdn / Us Equity:

Micro: < $50MM / $75MM
Small: < $250MM / $500MM
Mid: < $1BB / $5BB
Large: $1BB+ / $5BB+

Using THIS metric, my portfolio split for Micro-Small-Mid-Large changes dramatically to 1% - 9% - 20% - 70%. This strikes me as very conservative as over 2/3rds of my portfolio is large cap.

My questions are:

1. Is the second breakdown described the correct way we should be looking at market cap definitions?
2. What would you suggest is healthy Micro-Small-Mid-Large cap split for my general investment profile?

As always, thank you for this excellent service!

Q: Hello

I unfortunately own G and ABX bought at higher prices. Together they total 2% of our port. Would you suggest dumping Barrick and buying more Goldcorp?

Q: Good morning!
I’m wondering if there are any relatively solid income stocks that would be correlated to the Canadian housing market. Ideally such a stock would have a reasonable dividend, the higher the better, perhaps in the 4% range as a minimum to at least match mortgage payments. If housing prices went up, it would rise accordingly. In theory, this would be a hedge for someone deciding to rent instead of owning a house, and the renter would then not lose ground against a higher housing market.

Q: Do you have a recommendation/report on CNQ?

Thanks

Q: Hi Peter & Team
Do you consider the oil sector too volatile to be in a RRIF portfolio? I have done well with SU & COS (12% of my RRIF portfolio) and wonder if this is good time to bail out oil and replace them with a few from your income portfolio. Thanks

Q: Good Morning:
I am more fearful on the Northern Gateway Project outcome ... Investor confidence is waning due to First Nations and Kitimat opposition ... I just received notice of a new share offering . ( is this bad timing ? ) . Is this going to be a 5 year legal trap ?
Does your opinion of Enbridge change with these events ? Thanks

Q: What is wrong with Fay.un, First Asset Yield opportunity Trust? It has never missed or reduced it's dividend payment,even during the recession, but still trades near it's 5 year low. What am I missing? Thanks.

Q: I was mere minuted away from purchasing Chemtrade Logistics below $20, but the stock has been up about 6% over the last 2 sessions. Still ok for a long-term hold? I'm interested in the yield as well as some capital appreciation over time.

Thanks,
Jason

Q: I read with interest your US stock recommendations and Ship Finance (SFL.US) caught my eye with a current 9% dividend. What are your thoughts on the company and is the dividend safe or is it a telltale sign that all is not well with the company?

Q: Is it possible for you to post your conversation with Globe & Mail from yesterday on the website?

Q: What are the implications of the Federal Government's proposed "bail-in" legislation for investors? Thanks. Michael

Q: I have yet to put this years TFSA contribution to work. Can you provide a high growth non speculative name to invest, considering I have 20+ yrs before I need to access this money.

Q: I own Direct Cash (DCI) and am thinking about moving on. They seem to have a stretched balanced sheet and I wonder about the long term future of the ATM business. The last quarter showed improvement in their results so what are your thoughts? Am I selling at the bottom of a turn around? THANKS

Q: Bonjour, I hold BPO.PR.J shares and part of my holding was exchanged for BPS.PR.B shares. Do you think that this is a good deal for holders of the initial shares J shares?
Thanks
Ronald

Q: Can you please update TML and TME --both have had a lot of recent insider buying. Thanx Robbie

Q: what is your take on PWF power financial, it has been loosing ground lately and I have a substantial amount of money invested in PWF. also the insurance companies MFC SLF etc havent moved much. Should I take profits? thank you Linda

Q: Hi Peter and gang
Do you have anything new to report on Energizer resources EGZ since your last question in Dcember?

Q: For growth potential which one should I choose; Aston Hill, InterRent, Carfinco, Fiera Capital, First Capital Realty or First Service Corporation? Or some other?

Q: Hello 5i Team,
Re: TBE and BBD.B
I am down 34% on TBE and 19% on BBD.B
My total $ loss will be 10K if I sell both of them.
Is there any point in holding?
Or should I hope that either one or both may climb up anytime soon so I can get out without losing too much?
Thank you for your always great advice.

Q: I have been watching Chicago Bridge and Iron (CBI:US) and Fluor Corporation (FLR:US) for awhile.They seem like interesting plays in the engineering/construction/LNG/energy areas.CBI seems somewhat volatile.I realize they are US stocks but if you have any thoughts on them it would be great.Thanks. Joe