Investment Q&A

Q: As a sector goes, I am so confused by the Canadian "utilities" over the last 5 years.
Why is it so heterogenous in performance, FTS, CU, EMA, ENB,H, TRP ? Why did ENB AND TRP seem to rebound in 2024?

Q: My current portfolio is heavily oriented towards growth and is very high risk. Over the next few to several months I plan on repositioning towards a more balanced approach. I will be looking to add some growing but steady large caps. Toward that end I have the following short list: TR, BN, GOOG, Canadian Banks, SLF, MSFT, NVDA, BEPC. Is there anything in that list that you would not see fitting into that category? Can you please add a half dozen or so of your preferred other names that fit with this idea. Please exclude defense contractors, the Oil and Gas sector and usurious money lenders.
Thank-you.

Q: Hi,

1 )Is there too much overlap between Fix and TT to own both? Which do you prefer long term?
2) Do you think infrastructure under Trump will do well? Which of these (IESC, ROAD, STRL or substitute another choice?) would you go with and why?

Q: Hi Peter and team,

Let me set my question up with some one liners!

1. "Drill baby drill"
2. Services provided to the Americans are exempt from tariffs.
3. Canadians are not just good but excellent in Oil and Gas exploration.

So what are the Canadian companies that can "Drill baby Drill" in the States and benefit from Trumpian mantra!
Precision Drilling? Any other company?
Who are the American or the international competitors?

Q: So what is the big deal that the staff of 5i cannot buy Cdn. stocks, i do not feel you would sway the market by being involved any more than your ownership of US stocks that you hold probably does not move your stock choices on the US market. Seems confusing to me and outdated.
Thanks Again.

Q: It’s now 2025, new Canadian leadership coming and reduced regulations/government in the US. You suggested on a reply today how a 50% US - 40% CAN - 10% Global portfolio mix might be right for today’s environment. Based on this, what is YOUR best ideas for a brand new $1M+ portfolio? Assume average investor, 15 year investment horizon with reasonable risk tolerance and loves when stocks go on sale..aka buy the correction attitude. As always.. you guys rock! Thanks. Don

Q: Hello 5i, I am up quite a bit on MRK, ABBVIE and HHLE. In answer to a question on MRK by Michael on Jan 22 you wrote "We would take a look at AMGN as an alternative to MRK". With the success I have with MRK et al. is MRK a sell to be replaced by AMGN now or is MRK still a keeper for now. Value investor.
Stanley

Q: Hi 5i Team,

I invested in MFC and GWO roughly 2.5 years ago amongst a fairly diverse portfolio. I originally purchased both as a dividend play with potential for modest appreciation, but they have far exceeded my market value appreciation expectations over this time frame. I since purchased a smaller position in Sun Life roughly 3 months ago. For the first two, I likely need to trim for rebalancing / concentration sake.

My question(s) is as follows (and please deduct how many points as necessary):

- At a high level, what is your outlook for the Insurance space over the next 1-3 years and what indicators do you look at when making this assessment?
- Amongst the three companies listed, how would you rank them in terms of expected growth over the next 3 years?

Thanks and really appreciate the advice from 5i.
Erick

Q: Can you give your outlook on NOA for 2025? Any names you’d consider over it?

Q: Any info on DNG would be appreciated.

Q: Hi 5i,

Currently have a large portion of my investments in equities and I am looking to invest in Bonds for the sake of diversification.

Could you provide your best ideas for Bond ETFs or any similar investment products that I should consider? This is for non-registered account.

Thank you.

Greg C.

Q: Hello team,

It is still January, so Happy New Year!

Would you swap PINs with 45% loss in an RRSP account for a new investment in AMTM.

AMTM is in a few areas that may become a main focus for Trump Administration. The stock has gained 20% in the past month. Would you say that there is a cup formation in the chart as the sellers may be done? Is the current price a good entry point?

What do you think of their debt level and lack of profitability? Will the situation improve meaningfully in the next couple of years. As you can guess, I hold the stocks for a long period. Often way too long!

Wishing everyone at 5i a healthy and happy 2025!

Q: Good morning.

Please provide your assessment of AGF.B.

Is it timely to invest in this company now?

Grazzia

Q: Hi Team,
At the time of this question PRL is up approx 6% and GSY 3%. Just wondering if there is anything sector related to account for the positive move today being that both these names are moving up together today? GSY is finally starting to build some steam...any comments? Perhaps share buybacks at GSY?

Thanks,
Shane.

Q: Hello, I have held Northland for 20 years, gradually building a full position, but it is now coming back to my average cost. I understand renewables are not trendy these days, so should I 1) hold on to it, 2) add to it (no longer a full position now) or 3) let it go. FYI, I also have BEPC in renewables and EMA and FTS as utilities as well. It is part of a dividend portfolio and the div is good…Thanks!

Q: Hi everyone,

I have a hard time using the MARKET DATA to compare similar companies. For example, which ratios would you use for NVDA, AMD, MU, and others in the same space if you wish. It would be nice to have the same info for other industries, so we might be a bit more self-reliant . P/E are sky-high these days and seem not to matter anymore. Thanks.

Q: Dear 5i
Do you prefer PWR or POWL and why ?
Also VHI seems to be one of your top picks for small cap growth stocks but the valuation ie P/E seems quite high . Does its growth rate justify the valuation ?
Thanks
Bill C

Q: In the last 12 months, the canadian dollar has fallen on average about 72 cents to now under 70 cents approximately, therefore if I understood the hedge vs unhedged issue correctly, VSP should have outperformed VFV. it looks like the complete opposite in 1 year returns. Why is that ?

Q: Hello 5i Team,

Looking into your crystal ball for 2025, is this the year for AMD to finally show some stock price appreciation? I have held it for several years now, and am still underwater by over 12%.

I’m losing some patience, considering the relative growth in NVIDIA (which I’ve done exceptionally well with and still hold, thanks to 5i). I notice that in recent questions, some 5i members also hold AMD, and I’m wondering if you guys are not losing patience, as well?

Do you have three other tech or AI-related picks (any cap size) that you have a much stronger conviction in than AMD, for a three-year hold? Or, is there a potential catalyst on the horizon that might indicate staying the course with AMD?

Thanks very much,

Brad

Q: Would you consider Revenue Growth the leading indicator of a companies liklihood to succeed and grow its share price provided properly managed?

Seems todays most successful stock market darlings have all had tremendous revenue growth albeit not necessarily Profitable during their early days of rapid Revenue growth.

If I were to look for 2 or 3 US and Canadian Mid Cap companies most likely to lead the rest of the market with staggering Revenue growth over the next 2-5 years which do you think these might likely be?