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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: Would you throw some light on “ provision for credit losses “ ( PCL ) that the banks use in their financial statements. It seems to have a significant impact on earnings. How is it determined ? Analysts take it as a poor contributor to earnings. If a bank lowers its PCL how does this actually increase its profitability ? Is there a formula to determine its PCL and how trustworthy is this ? Seems to me that a bank could alter the PCL number to better their numbers. Thanks. Derek.
Read Answer Asked by Derek on August 29, 2025
Q: I am a 79 years old, retired with a portfolio of stocks (~40%), ETF's (30%) and Cash (30%).
I have good pension income so I don't need monthly income.
I am thinking of moving ~ 15% of my cash back into the market, considering either more VGRO and/or VEQT. Your comment please..
Read Answer Asked by William on August 29, 2025
Q: Checking into where to park some cash and looking into TD Cash ETF TCSH. Assuming this is invested in capital safe investments for interest income why does the price chart show its been on a decline, small amount but was expecting up and down based on distribution payouts but neutral, the chart shows an overall decline. Why?
Read Answer Asked by Tim on August 29, 2025
Q: I continue to hear analyst after analyst talk about the Canadian energy sector in a positive light. They recommend companies like CNQ, SU, TOU, WCP etc. over and over again with very little upside ever showing up. The overall index has been virtually flat for 3 years despite all the table pounding from analysts.

I would love to hear 5i's take on the energy sector in Canada in general and when/if you see it breaking out and providing some bigger gains than have been seen in recent years.

Any explanation on what is holding this sector down, what needs to happen to see a breakout, would you be buyers of the sector at these multiples, do you have specific favourites - these are all questions I would love to hear your opinion on.

Thanks for all the great info you provide through this service - it has been a life-changer for me!
Read Answer Asked by Josh on August 28, 2025
Q: I’m looking for safer areas to park money in each of our tsfa’s ,rrsp’s and non registered accounts. Can you suggest a few of your favourites for each. We are semi retired and won’t need the funds for at least 10-20 yrs but would like a little more protection in a downturn.Currently 80 equities ,20% cash (CBIL and BIL )and no bonds. If there are safe bond ETFs that you prefer in certain accounts please recommend them as well. Take as many credits as needed. Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Randall on August 28, 2025
Q: Hello 5i,

Our USD funds are fully invested so we are looking at CDR's.

If the CDN dollar declines, will this negatively or positively impact the overall value of the CDR in Canadian funds?

Thank you for your help.

D&J

Read Answer Asked by Jerry on August 28, 2025
Q: For a 5-10 year hold within a TFSA could you please provide your top 10 Canadian stocks or CDR’s ranked by total return/compounding potential? For a non-registered account with a 3-5 year timeframe could you also do a top 10 list including both Canadian or US equities (no CDR’s), again ranked by total return/compounding potential? Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Bruce on August 28, 2025
Q: I currently hold these 4 ETF's in a RRSP account. Is there any other ETF that you would add to this list?
Read Answer Asked on August 28, 2025
Q: I currently hold these ETF's in a RESP. I have only XIC ,ZNQ and IWO at a 11% weight , would you be comfortable bringing them up to 15-20% each ?

Is there any other ETF you would add ?I am looking at XAW.

Thanks
Read Answer Asked on August 28, 2025
Q: Good morning 5i
I have held sis for quite awhile, hopeful that its emphasis on the demographic situation would pay off. It does seem to be getting better but as a small cap it doesn’t have the umph that i was hoping for. I have lately been reconsidering my portfolio, anyway and wondering whether i should abandon that hope sell sis and buy something like wsp global or adt, which is down. That way i am leaving behind the risk of a small cap stock, getting possibly more stability in my portfolio and with these two stocks, the possibility of a decent gain. I have a well balanced portfolio, so difference in sector is not a problem
Thanks for your great service for us all
Read Answer Asked by joseph on August 28, 2025