Investment Q&A

Q: Peter and 5iResearch Team,
Can you please provide advice regarding the # of stocks to hold in a portfolio, assuming one would have a cash, RRSP and TFSA and that we are referring to the equity allocation of the portfolio. I have understood that 20-25 names would provide good diversification, yet one of your members recently confirmed he added 15 names to a $35K TFSA portfolio and you suggested he might want to add one more name? You have 20 names in your model portfolio of $135K. Can you clarify??

Q: Re: Financial 15 Split
FSN
How do these people get a 15% yield?
What do they terminate at?
How big is the risk?
Thanks
Ken Beatty

Q: Happy New Year
I was thinking of diversifying into the US and was thinking about using etf's. Can you give me your thoughts on this and which ETF's I should consider at this time?
Thank you

Q: Are you still planning on developing two model portfolios, one with a growth focus and one with an income focus? If so, when do you think you will be posting it? Thanks!

Q: Hi> The time of year to review TFSA. Wondering about cdz. The dividend of 6.9 percent looks great. Is the a fee to own & how is it paid. Other ideas for growth stocks would be appreciated. Thank you. Keith

Q: Hi Peter and Crew, I have set up a 15 stock portfolio with a 5% weighting and a $31400 investment in my TFSA. Could you please tell me if I am diversified enough and if there is anything you would change for something better.My picks are:- ACQ,AVO,BEP.UN,BAD,CVL,ESL,FSV,G,GC,GIL,STN,SYZ,SLF,WPK & BNS Thanks, I do appreciate your input.

Q: Happy New Year Peter,
Some of the recent questions about making new investments to match your model portfolio, have raised my interest regarding this portfolio and whether it would represent the best investments for new money. Many of the holdings have done very well last year, and you may still like them (per your ratings), but there may some that could be holds because of the recent run ups, and other stocks which you have rated, that currently would be of better value for new money. Would it make sense to add a column to your MP, indicating whether any of the positions would be more of a "hold" versus "continue to buy"? Or would it be possible to periodically get a “new money top 10” list"? As an illustration of this, your answer to Rory earlier , you suggested CGX, ACQ, VET, STN, KBL, and T for a $35K TFSA initial allocation; interestingly neither ACQ or VET are in your model portfolio; curious why you chose VET over IPL (which is in your MP) for example? Your service is awesome!! Thx!

Q: Kirkland Lake Gold (KGI.TO):

Announced a strategic review process this morning.
Who do think the possible buyers might be? Goldcorp?, Kinross?
or others?

Q: Please take a second look at SW (Sierra Wireless). Its embedded chip technology has wide usage and stock rise is almost parabolic. Is it a one hit wonder or it has legs. Thank you and Happy New Year.

Q: We hold in our two TFSA's - BBD.B;CSE;ESN;BA;RMM.UN;& SGY. How many and which of these in your opinion deserves to be increased by a portion of our $11,000 2014 contributions? Many thanks in advance for your valued opinion.

Q: Happy New Year ! I'm looking to invest in my TFSA but having a hard time narrowing it down to 2 or 3 stocks. My list of possibilities are DSG, EFN, DHX, MCR, RFC, CFN, DND and ANY. Thank you for your guidance.

Q: I have some new money to put to work in a taxable account and am considering ACQ, CSU and ESL. Would you substitute VRX or Cineplex for any of the three stocks mentioned? I own all of these stocks in several accounts but won't be overweight in any of the stocks mentioned by new purchases. Income is not a requirement. Thank you. Bill Y.

Q: What can you tell about VMS? It's carried to production in 2014 in a joint venture with Hudbay and owns shares in North American Nickel as well as interests in other properties.
Thanks
Joe

Q: Hi Peter I'm starting an RSP portfolio and was debating over BAM.A and BEP.UN one that you like. Is one more favourable over the other and if so why and which would you prefer in an RSP portfolio for growth and dividends. Thanks, Nick

Q: Hi and happy new year. I am a new member and love your service. Just renewed at the discount rate even though I have only been a member for 3 months. I am impressed with your dedication, I recently asked a question at 6:30 AM and you gave a great answer by 7 am. The Early bird gets the worm. Now to the question: The Vanguard corporate bond ETF "VSC". What do you think. Seems like a small fund but mer is only about .18 per cent.I need to rebalance my stocks which have done very well in the past 4 years and buy some bonds. Corporates still seem the only way to go at this point.

Q: Hello,

I have a portion of my savings sitting in savings accounts at Ing direct, would you suggest leaving it there or are there better alternatives which give better returns. Is it always better to have some cash liquidity or can I use my line of credit to replace that? Thanks very much. Shyam

Q: Happy New Year. I hope it's a good one for everybody. I'm looking for companies with preferred stock with good dividends.
I already have SLF.PR.D and would like some diversity. Thank you.

Q: You recommend if allocating a large amount to the 5i model portfolio to do it over time, if its 4 separate purchases of all 20 stock the trading fee would be $800.00 over time at $9.99 per trade instead of $200 one time only. Do you consider this larger amount worth it for dollar cost averaging and is it really worth it over only 4 weeks. Maybe you have another rationale.
Would you suggest parking cash until March when the portfolio is reviewed or if jumping in now is acceptable?

Q: In one of the FAQs today (asked by Cam) he mentioned "I posted this on comments, but then realized you likely don't comment on comments." What are these comments? Where are they on the site? Thank You.

Q: Hi Peter!

If you we're putting together the Model Portfolio today what changes would you consider making to the list? I am looking to use the portfolio myself for a portion of my portfolio however several stocks have had significant gains.

Ian Johnson