Investment Q&A

Q: Can you compare the dividend growth at CN and CP over time? It looks to me that CP hasn’t increased the dividend since Oct. 2020. The longest previous period with no increase in the recent past seems to be July 2012 to July 2016. In contrast, CN seems to increase their dividend every year. But has the rate of increase for both been similar over the long run despite the choppiness at CP? Also, the rate of increase seems to be slowing more recently at CN, it was often double digit increases prior to 2020. Any insights appreciated, thanks.

Q: I currently own some VGCX as a market volatility hedge and due to my perception of its upward growth potentiality. Which of UVIX or UVXY would best complement VGCX as a volatility hedge in an otherwise sector and geographically diverse portfolio?

Q: I have part of my portolio in a self-managed account and another part in wealthsimple's roboadvisor. My fee only Financial planner said that he does not like the bonds in the roboadvisor which has an equal amount of ZFL (long bond) and WSGB (average duration of 5 years). It is not possible to change the percentage of ZFL to WSGB in a roboadvisor. Although I have really appreciated the service from the roboadvisor (I can have phone calls with a wealthsimple advisor) and love their platform, I am considering moving out of the roboadvisor because it is impossible to change the distribution of long to short bonds. In my self-directed account I hold ZAG - an aggregate bond. My question is: how does an equal distribution of ZFL and WSGB compare to an aggregate bond such as ZAG? Am I exposing myself to much longer duration in the roboadvisor compared to the self-directed account?

Q: Interested in a pick in US building materials as a play on infrastructure spend but equities like Martin Marietta, Vulcan Materials, Granite Construction and Quanta seem expensive. However Eagle Materials appears cheaper. Of these 5 are there two you would comfortably buy today with greatest growth potential. Secondly which two seem to you to be least risky. Finally is there another building material equity you would prefer more than any of these and if so what would be your reasoning for that pick. Thanks as always.

Q: Thoughts on quarter please. Have owned for just over 5 years and sitting at a loss, losing patience. Thx

Q: Hi group what do you think about loading up on Natural gas producers (assuming the changes in being able to export LNG to Europe will drive much higher top line growth? I like and own... ARX + TOU what do you think? please list in order of preference ... 6 stocks that will or should benefit from the changes in LNG/ when would you expect the change to occur is it late this year or? Thanks

Q: My question is what to do with my legacy fixed-income holdings.

I've been holding the above ETFs after being advised by 5i's portfolio analysis services to increase fixed-income holdings. Holdings are in registered accounts at a 25% weight combined.

They have all lost capital value over the past 5 years, however with distributions, they have returned approximately zero or flat over the last 5 years, I view this as a loss due to the inflation over this time.

What would 5i suggest I do with these fixed-income holdings moving forward? Should I hold for ballast or sell and move funds into dividend growers like Utilities or Pipelines eg. FTS, ALA, GEI, TRP, etc.)? The bond investments have put a drag on my investment returns.

Please advise your thoughts and wisdom, Thank you.

Q: Hello, I am aware of norberts gambit. Would another alternative to getting US dollars be journaling over CDN shares in TD, BNS or others like it to the USD listing. What are the pros and cons of doing this?

Q: I would like your opinion. Since the market cap is similar which of these 2 companies(CPG, WCP) would you add to a portfolio and why. Thanks

Q: As a follow up, I believe SSRM has had a big landslide. Is it still OK to hold or would you swap it for ABX or PAAS?

Q: These 3 names get a lot of very positive comments from investment mangers, portfolio managers, etc. 5i included. But unless I am missing something I just do not get it. Take BN , for example.which is touted as a growth stock, yet is about the same price as it was about 4 years ago. Not much growth there. BIP..un is the same price as it was around 5 years ago. So many positive comments. Yet the moment stocks see a set back as we have just had, these stocks get hit hard even though most money mangers ‘love, the companies. There has to be rationale for this disconnect, but it escapes me.

Q: With Nat Gas around $1.70, I'm wondering about the sustainability PEY's dividend? The stock seems to be holding up relatively well so I'm wondering if this is a opportunity to add to my position.

Q: Our savings are in Cdn HISA’s should we decide to move to the lower mainland this Fall. What are your thoughts on moving 1/2 of the money to Horizons or Purpose Investments US cash ETF’s as a hedge. Would you use Norberts Gambit to do this. Something I’ve never done before. Thank you

Q: Good afternoon 5i
I am thinking of selling Park Lawn for a tax loss. I believe you mentioned that it would likely need interest rate cuts to find some traction. I plan to buy it back. But, i was wondering whether you see any catalysts that might resurrect it within thirty days?
Thanks as always for this excellent service.

Q: My allotment to precious metals is now down below my target of 5%. I need to add to bring up this part of my portfolio. I have a full position in AEM. Which of PAAS, SSRM, BTO, KRR or FNV should I add to at this time? Or do you have another precious metal company that would be appropriate at this time?

Q: What would you consider a good entry point for these companies?

Q: Can you tell me the approximate P/E of ZEM? The fact sheet dated Dec 31/23 gives a P/E of 20.66 for ZEM. But can that be right, when for the same date VEE lists a P/E of 7.8x and XEC 12.39x?
Thanks!

Q: Recent news reports talk about “The Granolas”. European companies powering markets like The Magnificent Seven are doing. Any comments and are there ETF’S for them? Term coined by Goldman-Sachs, I believe.

Q: I am holding WEF for years in registered accounts. Looks like it cut the dividend but this was not easy to find a report on. It reports tomorrow after close.
It looks grim for this company going forward. What do you think about getting out before earnings report? Of course no tax loss to lessen the blow. Any thoughts whether this might ever be bought out?
Thanks so much for this opportunity to pose questions!

Q: Could you shed some light on the class action lawsuit against PAYS that appears to have been settled recently. I have just received a notice from my broker advising investors to check to see if they had purchased shares within the indicated timeframe. Is it even worth submitting a claim? Thanks!