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Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: About 1 year ago we created an equal-weighted 'balanced' portfolio of 30 Canadian companies in a non-registered account. Most were chosen from companies either covered by a 5i research report or included in a 5i model portfolio. The remainder were chosen, based on the 5i Q&A section, from what appear to be 5i sector favourites. All purchases are made with the intent to be long-term holds (10+ years). As well, we intend to increase our investments over the next 2-3 years, and then adjust over time as needed. Currently the amount invested represents ~40% of the eventual total.

Although a goal is to keep the portfolio roughly equal weighted, of the 30 companies, the following 14 were acquired in 3 purchases (full position) and currently have weights in the 2.31% (SHOP) to 5.00% (ATA) range for an average of 3.71%: CSU, MG, GSY, WSP, LNF, ATD, ATA, SLF, BAM.A, BIPC, FTS, DOO, SHOP and TFII. The remainder were acquired in 2 purchases (2/3 position) and currently have weights in the 1.98% (BEPC) to 3.17% (TCN) range for an average of 2.56%. So, overall, the weightings currently range from ~2% to ~5%.

Over the next 6 months we will invest another ~25% of the eventual total. As we make additional purchases, we need to strike a balance between keeping the weights roughly equal while taking advantage of market opportunities. Please provide some broad guidance/wisdom.

Of the 30 companies in the portfolio, which 10 would you have the highest conviction in today? Please rank them.

Are there any of the 30 that you might consider as candidates to be replaced because there are better options, and if so, what replacements would you suggest and why (disregard tax considerations)?

What additional 3 Canadian companies might you consider adding to the portfolio and why?

As always, thanks for the great service!
Read Answer Asked by Peter on February 01, 2022
Q: Countering inflation, can you recommend your favourite 6 companies in Canada and the US with pricing power (dividend payers would be appreciated) Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Michael on January 27, 2022
Q: I am light on materials. Please provide a recommendation for best 3 'materials' stocks in US and Canada at this time. What is a good materials ETF for reference. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Patrick on January 26, 2022
Q: Am now retired and will be spending considerably more time in the US and as such would like to purchase some dividend stocks that pay in USD.

Thoughts?
Thanks
W
Read Answer Asked by Warren on January 18, 2022
Q: Question about Disruptors:

I am concerned about disruptors negatively affecting the future safety of my Canadian dividend portfolio that I have built for retirement - mainly blue chips. I have a long term view, and invest accordingly. Here are my concerns:

Banks (their high fees vs Fintech)
Utilities (eg. Tesla Energy Ventures)
Energy, Pipelines (EV's)
Insurance (Autonomous Vehicle reliability, companies increasing Human Longevity)
Telecoms (Cable-cutting)
Railroads (Autonomous Trucking)

Telecoms seem to be jacking up the cost to the customer for their internet service substantially to compensate for lost cable revenue, so maybe less to worry about there.
I know that it will take time for some of this to play out, but I read articles on disruptors daily, and some of this seems to be evolving quite quickly.

I am looking for portfolio diversifiers. Besides some disruptor ETF's I also own NTR and TECK.B which seem to be less apt to be impacted. I also own ATD, assuming that their change-over to charging stations will be successful. Other than Canadian Tech, what other solid Canadian companies would be good picks that perhaps may be "less impacted" ? FSV for instance ?

Also, if you have an alternative view on this, I certainly welcome your opinion.
Read Answer Asked by James on January 18, 2022
Q: These companies are in my husband’s TFSA.
They were chosen from your Balanced and Income Model Portfolios.
Would you suggest adding any other companies to this portfolio?
Thank you,
Read Answer Asked by Donna on January 17, 2022
Q: The company issued guidance for 2022 and 2023. This stock seems undervalued and I don't see any analyst coverage. What company would be a good comparable company?
Read Answer Asked by Murray on January 12, 2022
Q: I have some extra USD money from a small US pension that is used for going to Florida in the winters. Since we have not gone in the last two years, I would like to put some of it in our TFSA. My questions are, if I buy say TD on the NY stock exchange would the dividend in US dollars be subject to 15% withholding tax. Could you please give me several companies I could buy into if this is true. Could you also give me several US companies or ETF's that would give me a dividend and hopefully growth for a long term hold. Thank you for all the help I get for being a member. Gary
Read Answer Asked by Gary on January 06, 2022
Q: I see your answer today re: Gregory's question on Nutrien. At what level would you step in to add to a position. Looking at the technicals, I think the next level of support is in the $89-90 range, so we are close. Would you step in now or let it ride for a bit?

Thanks...Steve
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on January 05, 2022
Q: Hi 5i!

Which high quality stocks would you look at to take profit of the recent dip?

Many thanks,

Frank
Read Answer Asked by Francois on January 05, 2022
Q: I am putting together a list of stocks to purchase in my TFSA for a 10 year hold. I am a very conservative investor and want income and some growth from my TFSA.
What companies would you add or delete from this list? Should I include a few US names?

Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Donna on December 21, 2021
Q: Good Morning, I am under weight in base material and Consumer defensive. My list of current holding is below. I am looking to put some money in these sectors to bring my sector allocation as suggested by your Portfolio Analytics.
The time period to hold is long term 5 year plus. Growth stocks preferred. Kindly recommend

1. Should I add to current position or if there are better opportunities kindly recommend them
2. If some of these needs to be replaced with better growth stocks , kindly suggest the same

Coca-Cola Company (The)
Dollarama Inc.
Nutrien Ltd.
Primo Water Corporation
Procter & Gamble Company (The)
Sherritt International Corporation
Sherritt International Corporation
The Kraft Heinz Company
Walmart Inc.


Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Nimish on December 20, 2021
Q: Hi Peter & 5i,
Wishing you and the staff a joyous holiday season!
Would you see any red flags in this portfolio for a conservative investor needing the dividends for cash flow. The portfolio would be 50% equities and 50% fixed income - 5 year laddered GIC's.
Here are the stocks and their proposed weightings:
Financial Royal Bank RY 5.7%
TD Bank TD 3.6%
Sun Life SLF 4.4%
Power Corp POW 4.0%
Utility Fortis FTS 5.7%
Brookfield Renewable BEPC 4.2%
Algonquin Power AQN 2.2%
Comm TELUS T 4.7%
Bell BCE 4.1%
Cons Staple Costco COST 4.3%
Loblaws L 4.0%
Cons Discr. Magna MG 3.8%
Restaurant Brands QSR 2.4%
Industrial CN Rail CNR 5.2%
Savaria SIS 3.6%
Energy Enbridge ENB 4.6%
Suncor SU 2.9%
Materials Nutrien NTR 4.3%
Real Estate BMO-Equal Weight ZRE 4.2%
Tech Thomson Reuters TRI 4.8%
Health Evolve Global Health LIFE 3.8%
ETF BMO-Low Volatility US ZLU 8.7%
iShares-US Equity-Hedge XSP 4.8%
Thanks so much for the fantastic service.
Read Answer Asked by Dennis on December 16, 2021
Q: Hello,

We are light on consumer cyclical and basic material
Would you be comfortable buying CCL.A and NTR for long term hold and income? Or is there a better combo that you would suggest?
Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Josette on December 13, 2021