Investment Q&A

Q: A family member of mine is looking at investing some money that will serve as a retirement fund/as a hedge against inflation. She is also investing some money in GICs as the rates are presently good, while simulatously serving as an insurance policy should markets take a dive at some point. She is approaching 60 years of age and will be retiring within the next 12 months. She has no interest in investments and we believe that ETFs are the answer. This individual is conservative and wants to minimize risk, while definitely wanting to beat the guaranteed interest rate we get of approximately 5%.

One family member suggested the following ETFs (mostly due to the low cost of fees I believe)

VOO, VEQT, QQQ and S&P500 (which I don't know, supposedly has .05% fee)
(and suggested that 20% goes into QQQ)

Looking at your recommendations for ETF's from the questions asked, I have seen XIC, SPY, CDZ, XIC, CDZ, XGRO, QQQ, VGRO, VIG, ZSP, (to name a few).

I think there are more ETF's than there individual stocks. It would be great to have some coverage across Canada and the US.

We have a few questions:
1. Do you think the list provided by the family member is acceptable?
2. Could you provide your recommendation of ETF's (with a short description of the ETF) that fits the risk level of the mentioned individual (while simultanously providing a little risk). What % of each ETF would you recommend (i.e. buy equal amounts of each of the recommended ETFs or ...).
3. Do you believe that it is the right time to buy ETFs. With the recent run up, is it preferable to wait for a pullback and buy on dips or acquire all today or .....

Please deduct as many questions as deemed necessary.

Thanks.

Q: Peter; I just saw this Friday PM- do you have any concerns about this ? Thanks.
Rod TorQuest typically invests in mid-sized companies, seeking to revamp them with changes to governance, strategy and operations, and building them up with injections of capital and acquisitions. Its current investments include Canadian fast food chain A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. and Calgary-based information technology staffing company S.i. Systems.

Q: Greetings:
It has been considerable time since a question has been asked about Timbercreek Financial, formerly Timbercreek Mortgage Investment Corporation. Interest rate now almost 10%-- Was higher in Oct, 23 when price fell badly. I have owned it for years. Apparently they are finishing settling a big bad loan- I have no idea how much they lost and would like to know. Could you please provide as much info about this MIC as possible. Would you buy more or sell? I believe it is back on the road to recovery, or would you buy something like Atrium. or sell both.

Thanks very much for your speedy replies. Wonderful.
Ben.

Q: I was interested in your reply to Ronnie today (14th) on U.S. growth suggestions. As individual securities you suggested IBKR, LPLA, CELH, CROX, DUOL. If I was to add HEI, ADI and ULTA to that list could you rank all 8 for say 5 yr pure growth potential and then re-rank if one was seeking a balance of both growth and safety? Thank you.

Q: Hey guys, thanks for all the great advice.
Would you have any insight to why BCE is struggling while markets seem to be bolstering with prospects of interest rate reductions next year? Paying a 7.0% dividend and last quarter report seemed positive, any detractors you are aware of beyond CRTC ruling on opening its fibre network while exempting BC?
Merry Xmas to all, Ted!

Q: I realize you are not tax experts but I am confused from info obtained from bank and CRA web sites. I am 69 and wife is 59. I would like to split income from RRSP (not RRIF) with her when I withdraw some funds this year to pay for house repairs. Some sites indicate that RRSP withdrawals do not count as pension income. Does this mean that I can’t split it with her? CRA seems to say that RRSP (T4RSP) is eligible. Confusing!

Thoughts from you and members would be helpful.

Q: Dear 5i Team,

As the holiday season approaches, I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for the outstanding service your team has consistently provided. Your expertise and dedication have been invaluable.

Considering the current financial climate where interest rates seem to be stabilizing or decreasing, I'm contemplating whether it's an opportune time to invest in split shares mostly for dividends for 1 to 3 years hold. Do you see any issues? if not would you recommend top 2 split shares in Canada.

Q: Can you comment on EDR, OSK, LGO, I noticed these 3 stocks have not gone up lately while other silver, gold and materials stocks have risen. What is their cash positions and cash flow? Do any of the 3 need financing soon? Thanks, and deduct whatever credits you feel is appropriate.

Q: Would you prefer KXS of DCBO today for a long term hold?

Q: FM

That is a big mine 5 % on worlds copper production Why did government take this approach towards FM and take over the mine.

Who will now operate the mine ??The Government. ?? How many employees work at the mine.

What will Govt have to pay FM ? 10 Billion or more. ??

Will govt come to its senses and allow FM to continue. What impact to FNV Royalty. FNV is down 45 % .. Is it a BUY ? Is FM a BUY ?

Panama Canal is low on water and not many ships can pass through on a daily basis. Does this cost the government

What kind of Government runs Panama. Should one not invest in Panama at all. ?

RAK

Q: Hi Peter,

With interest rates projected to go downwards, what are your top three picks in the U.S. and Canada for bond ETFs for the next five years?

Thanks

George

Q: A few days ago you were talking that you were replacing some of Sun Life with IFC. I acted on this, but so far I wish I had not have made the move. IFC has been selling some of their animal products to a UK firm from what I have read and I get the impression that does not sit well with investors. Is there anything you know about this situation that I am unaware of? Thank you.

Q: What do you think of this company as a recovery stock? The price seems to have come down on slowing China economy and is at a 52 week low. Do you think the reaction has been overdone on the downside given it is fast food which could experience an increase in sales in a recession, it is a US company operating in China so reporting is reliable, and it is likely not a US company which would experience retaliation by US government or the public. Can you go over recent results in your answer. Thank you.

Q: Can you give an update on TLO? It has been on a steady decline for the past year. Could you speculate on the reasons for the fall? They have had some recent positive news. You had previously mentioned it had some big backers, so I wonder if those backers are still holding. Wondering if it is time to cut this loose or wait for a rebound when central banks cut rates.

Q: I bought them all last April and the draw down got as low as 15%--they have all made a comeback now except BNS still down 8%----Do you think this resurgence is sustainable and a good time to add to my holdings?
Thanks
Peter

Q: The magnificent 7 have had a nice run in 2023. Assuming that the market is broadening out, can you suggest around 5 to 10 US stocks and/or ETFs where money is rotating to. Medium risk stocks. Also what sectors should benefit in the next phase of the economic cycle?

Q: Am I to assume that if Empire’s sales rose 2% for the year and with inflation, say at 4% , that their actual volume of sales really declined ?
Thanks. Derek.

Q: Happy Holidays 5i!
Can you please tell me the last day I can sell Costco and still get the special dividend? Thank you.

Q: Please comment on latyest Q4 results and going forward..Is it on the tax loss selling list?.Txs for U usual great services & views

Q: can i sell a stock in my nonregistered acccount for a tax loss if I have a capital gain for this stock in another account such as a TFSA or RRSP or if my spouse has a capital gain for this stock in a nonregistered account?