Investment Q&A

Q: Which of JNJ and GILD do you think is the better quality company for a long term investment? In response to other readers questions, you seem to like GILD, but I worry about its dependence on HIV drugs. Is it diversified enough? JNJ seems more diversified, but I worry about its talc liabilities and slow growth. Will JNJ be a stronger company after the Kenvue spin-off?

Q: Coyld you comnent on the year over year deposit outflows from Canadian banks vs US banks?
The impression I get is the monopoly situation in Canada will let the banks carry on as usual

Thank you

Q: I just read Peter's blog entitled "5 Market Bubbles Including One That is Just Starting to Blow Up Now". In the Artificial Intelligence (AI) section, it says "Also remember that AI has the ability to destroy sectors and other companies, or at least lower their valuations. Investors need to be careful about what they buy in the AI field, but also about what they own elsewhere in case it is negatively impacted by AI."

Can you please elaborate on what sectors you think might be impacted (or destroyed) or have their valuations lowered. Are there any 5i model portfolio companies or some of 5i US favorite companies that fall into this category.

Thanks so much for the constant excellence advice!

Q: Retired dividend-income investor. We hold AQN in my wife's RRSP...held it since 2011...bought it at $5.60 and trimmed it several times over the years.

I am debating whether to flush it and take the proceeds and buy ZUT. I also own FTS, TRP and other utility-energy equities contained within ZLB and CDZ.

For the "keep AQN" argument = a) good momentum YTD = +27%, b) great chart, especially with the 50 mda overlay, c) if there is a take-over of AQN, there is a probable premium of "who knows "% (30%?).

For the "flush AQN" argument = a) with other planned cash injections throughout 2023, this would improve my overall sector allocations, b) minor point, but it would simplify my portfolio, by the elimination of a holding (I hold a reasonably concentrated portfolio of 12 blue chip stocks and 10 ETF's, plus fixed income), c) I thought I read that AQN is not expected to have a high rate of growth this year, d) the holdings inside ZUT look appealing, containing both renewable and non-renewable.

I am ok letting it ride for a while longer, but also ok flushing it. Your thoughts? Am I missing anything? I know you can't compare a single stock to a diversified ETF.

Thanks for your help...much appreciated...Steve

Q: I'm 83 and have income stocks in my non-registered portfolio. There are many preferreds with 6% or 7% payouts, tax advantages. (I(I notice at least half of the new lows on several Saturdays, as reported in the Globe, are preferreds. I've also heard preferreds may be taxed differently. Are the feds thinking about not letting the corporations use preferreds in a tax-effective way, or might they no longer allow us to gross up the interest payments, which in effect gives us an even higher payout. There must be some reason why there are so many pref bargains.
John

Q: What are your 10 top momentum plays?

Q: Why is cap reit performing better than minto and Interrent. Please compare and contrast the three companies.

Q: Please provide an update on POOL.

I am holding it at a 25 % loss in my TFSA.
What are its prospects? Do you still like it?

I understand you love CROX currently, of
Which I currently own a 1/2 position.

Would it make sense to sell POOL, take a loss (with no possibility of harvesting the loss to offset other gains) and consolidate it into CROX?

Please advise.
Thank you.

Q: I think POW owns Wealhsimple. If true, what percentage of their business is it?
Also, Is this where the growth in the company lies?

Q: Do you have any thoughts on the company and their earnings?

Q: Re CGI; do you know the reason for the very large spike in volume on May 31 and if it has significance? I saw the recent question regarding Helsinki University. There was subsequent news regarding the company successfully accessing Azure on behalf of the US Marine Corps. These sound very positive.
Thanks for your insight.
Ian

Q: Is there still room for stock price growth for ATD and where do you think it will be in 1 year?

Q: Hi, Could you please comment on NA earnings. Thank you

Q: Hi

I am currently holding the above 3 ETF and it shows zero value, Just want to know can we expect any returns from this or those are write off (No value) going forward. Appreciate your comments

Q: Are preferred shares ETFs a good buy? They keep sinking lower. Buy the dip on ZPR.TO?

Q: Hi, how much of BN's business is roughly in the real estate part of the corp? Can you provide a breakdown of how much of each business line makes up BN?

Also, is it correct that BN invests alongside investors in their funds? Or are they making private investments with just their own capital? If so how do they balance that ?

Q: I hold both of these and have some new money to deploy. Which one of these (or both) would you suggest?

Many thanks, as always, for your great service.

Q: Hi 5i,

I've been eyeing CROX for a while, but their debt seems quite high compared to their market cap. How much should I be worried about their debt load?

TIA

Q: Your response to my question on ROIC would be very difficult for me to calculate. You mention that very few paid sites would provide this which would imply that some do. Can you give me some paid sites? Thanks

Q: Is now a good time to buy POW stock and why?