Investment Q&A

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: Comments on earnings and if buy, sell or hold. What is happening with medical devices in the current economic environment? Thank you!

Q: Greetings…I’ve taken a 10% haircut on this ETF held for healthcare exposure. I could book the loss, but if I replace with another healthcare ETF inside of 30 days in your experience does the CRA have a problem with that? Also, some of the other ETF’s on the TSX look like they have fared even worse. Any ideas? (Trying to avoid holding one or two US companies individually)

Q: Your thoughts on keeping three out of 5 pharma names: ETF IHI, Gilead Sciences, Bristol Meyers, Abbvie and just bought Pfeizer few weeks ago - hopeful on the Seagen purchase in 2023. I have room only for 3,

Thank you!

Q: Would like to hear your opinion of 2 health care sector ETFs, IHI for medical devices, and ZUH for general health care. The IHI has outperformed the ZUH. Would you hold both, or sell the ZUH and put the proceeds into an increased position in IHI?

Q: My son moved to the USA a few years ago and has opened a Roth IRA upon which I am advising him. He holds the ETFs listed above. I have two questions upon which I would appreciate your advice. In which order of preference would you add to the existing holdings? And can you suggest two additional ETFs to complement the current holdings?

Q: Hi Peter, Ryan, and Team,

We need to raise some cash in our non-registered account. Please rank in order of which stock/ETF to sell a partial position first: BYD, CNR, IHI, and TRI . All four of these holdings have done very well, thanks to the continued good recommendations from 5i.

Q: My health sector holdings consist of ABBV and IHI, both in a non-registered account. Neither have been stellar performers lately, but both are still up (ABBV by 28%, IHI by 50%). I have my eye on LLY, but the tax consequences of trimming or selling either ABBV or IHI are making me think twice. What would you do in my position? Thank you.

Q: I am underwhelmed with my health sector holdings - ABBV and IHI - both of which have been recently underperforming the market. I have held each for several years in a cash account and they are up 20% and 50%, respectively. I would appreciate your go forward recommendation on both, balancing future prospects, tax consequences and alternative (i.e. faster growing) investments in this sector. Hold or sell? And if sell, replace with what? Thank you.

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: May I have your current thoughts on the iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF (IHI). After a tough three months and today's 5% dip would you consider it an opportune time to add for medium to long term investors, or is it better to let it find its feet first?

Q: Hi,
I would like to put some money in US healthcare. What do you think of these ideas?Would you pick one or a couple?

Q: Good Morning
Would like your opinion on the Harvest Health Care ETFs? Need to increase health care in portfolio. Is there another way to invest in health care that you would be preferable?
Would it be advisable to be Hedged or Un-Hedged?
Thank you.

Q: the above are my healthcare holdings in my RRIF. I need to add but am wondering about eliminating individual stocks for an ETF with a higher income component. Any suggestions both on the move and the ETFS

Thanks

Q: I bought IHI in early 2021 in the belief that there was a big backlog of surgeries during the pandemic. Do you know if that backlog still exists?
Thank you.

Q: Hi
I am down quite a bit on SNN? I am temped to sell for a tax loss and replace with xlv or IHI but am concerned that xlv or ihi as etfs do not have the same bounce potential as snn. is there another healthcare stock you can recommend or would you replace with xlv or ihi?
thanks

Q: Can you recommend one or more etf's that would provide exposure to the health industry including medical devices, genomics, biotech, big pharma etc. Covered call etf's in these sectors would also be of interest. Thanks

Q: What would be your number one pick in the health field.

Q: Could you please rate the following stocks and ETFs for total return over the next 5 years:

BAM.A
BEP.UN
CWW
SMH
V
IHI

How about E (excellent), VG (very good), G (good), F (forget it)?!

Thanks.