Investment Q&A

Q: I am coming into a $50,000 gift from aging parents, and would like to invest for my 10 month old son’s education. I want long term growth until he needs the money (probably 18 years or so). Would you recommend 100% ZSP or some other ETF? Also, should I buy in one shot as soon as I have the money ?

Q: Health care as a sector has me puzzled. I was adding to my positions in XLV and IHI during 2023-2024. I was prompted to keep investing thinking demographics would favor growth; that elective medical procedures postponed would come roaring back in the years following Covid. Mostly good companies were held in the above ETFs, and I was comfortable investing also because of familiarity with products and services. Markets have proven me wrong. My cost base is markedly higher than valuations today. XLV is down ~5.25% over the past 12 months (year-to-date return is flat —down -0.05%).IHI, although slightly up ~4.28% YTD, has still not recovered from a 20% drop in 2022. (Losses I show are much greater and are not useable for tax).
Current officials in the US admin have no clue on how to go about drug price reforms. Worse: they don’t know that they have no clue. Reforms are necessary; and PBMs are rightly under scrutiny for opaque pricing practices. I say this notwithstanding that UNH has produced the largest dollar loss I have had in several years.
The science and med professionals who DO know how to implement sensible and substantial changes are fired and replaced by sycophantic, subservient ignorant types. Is it therefore prudent now to sell one or both of XLV and IHI and redeploy cash in other areas? OR, would one be giving up at possibly the exact wrong time? Is now finally the time that patience with XLV and IHI has a greater chance of paying off?

Q: There was an article in the Globe and Mail today by David Rosenberg about the aging population and he suggested health care related investments such as health care REITS, pharma, devices, and services. What do you think of this idea and can you give me a few recommendations in canada and the US for each of the 4 categories (health reits, pharma, devices, sefrvices)? A mix of ETFS and individual stocks would be great.

Q: Can you provide any insight on US healthcare Select SPDR fund,?
Thanks

Q: Hello, can you please provide your opinion of IXJ and whether you think it is a buy at its current price.

Also, if there is a different US healthcare ETF that you think is better please provide advise why and what you think a good entry price is.

Thanks as always for the advice.
Paula

Q: I own the following in the health care field. Are there any other suggestions? My first choice is an ETF. I am considering IHI.

XLV, Stryker, JNJ, P & G

Thank you

Paul

Q: Which sector ETFs would you recommend. Please give 1-2 for each sector and reasons why you would like them.

Thanks.

Q: I currently just have ABBV in my portfolio so was thinking about adding an Healthcare ETF. You often mention IYH and XLV in your QandA; do you have any others that you would recommend with a higher dividend as I am an income investor who want some growth? IYH has a 3% div on 5i site, but 1% on most other sites - could you explain that? Was also thinking about adding MRK. Can you comment for a longer term hold. Thank you.

Q: Morning. As always your analysis is greatly appreciated.

Are there any generalizations you have on what sectors would benefit from a Harris win in the US election and what sectors would not benefit from a Harris win. I assume the answers would be opposite for a Trump win.

Q: My portfolio analytics says to increase health care holdings. For a 3-5 year hold what are your top 3 companies or etfs to have. Not too risky but with growth in mind.
thxs Michele

Q: What 5 market industry sectors do you recommend for investing in now, ranked in descending order, in the USA, for ETFs that will yield 10% per year including both dividends and capital appreciation please? Same question for ETFs in Canada please?

Q: Were I to invest in a Growth/Income pairing of healthcare stocks, would you recommend XLV/THQ or XLV/LIFE? I am currently very happy with my XLV/LIFE combination but would appreciate your input re: the use of THQ...
Best regards,
David

Q: What would be your top thee picks for US Market ETFs today and why? (10+ year hold)

Q: Good morning;

I own the 4 stocks referenced at a 4.5% weight in my portfolio. ILMN was purchased as a turnaround candidate so I wish to keep it. XLV to hedge. UNH I have my initial investment out; it has bounced around quite a bit lately with no clear path but a target +/$75 above current price. May 1st you commented CVS is not one you would add to and it could be a value trap. I've owned it since prior to COVID and missed my opportunity to sell it off.

I want to stay exposed and grow my exposure a bit to the US (and maybe Canadian) health care sector. Other than a very occasional flare of positive results this sector has not been very beneficial to my portfolio other than a bit of modest income. I could part with (in order) CVS, UNH, XLV to build better growth exposure. I would appreciate your top 5 recommended options along with why you would put them on the list.

Thanks very much.

Dave

Q: Can you account for the recent drop in TMO and possibly also for its quick recovery.

Portfolio analytics call for more in my healthcare sector. Do you prefer ETFs or individual companies here?

Please recommend a few of your favourite quality long-term holds for both (more American than Canadian, but both if possible).

Thanks as always.

Q: Hi Peter, Ryan, and Team,

We hold IHI in our non-registered investment account, and I recently looked at US News (https://money.usnews.com/investing/articles/best-health-care-etfs-to-buy-now) which stated:

“The main issue holding weight-loss drugs back is their exorbitant price tag, with Ozempic clocking in at $980 per month and Wegovy at up to $1,300 per month. If weight-loss prices fall or if insurers and employers start covering their costs for consumers, that could negatively impact medical device-oriented funds like IHI.”

Do you concur with this view? I note that XLV has surpassed IHI in four out of seven periods from one month to ten years. Alternatively, since Portfolio Analytics indicates that we need to increase Healthcare exposure, would starting a new position in XLV at this time be prudent?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Q: Please recommend a few health care investments.

Q: Hi Group can you make me a list of 10 best (sleep at night)ETFs (one for each sector) c/w 5 year dividend % . I want to buy them and forget about trading or sell foe the next 10 yrs. Can be US or Cad ...Thanks

Q: Which sector will perform the best in 2024 ? Based on this answer , which fund should be purchased among the ones mentioned (or a fund representing another sector not mentioned in my question) ?

Q: I have been holding this for 2 years and it has not done much and is still down 20% even with the recent upswing in the market. Can I have your opinion on this stock and on healthcare in general (minus Canada)? if I decide to sell for a loss, what do you think about replacing it with a healthcare etf such as XLV- would XLV have the same upside potential as SNN? if not, can you recommend a replacement?
thanks