Investment Q&A

Q: I think the U.S. is going into a recession as some have predicted and much of the data supports. Ones overall view of the big picture should be paramount, not the buy the dip mentality which has been pervasive view and correct over the last few years, prior to 2015. Things have changed and the markets are forcasting the change. Cash will be safe but until the change for the better starts to happen, I recommend stay in cash. Not for everyone, but if you invest or trade, you have to sleep at night. just one point of view and this makes a market go up and down. Watch all the data. not good at the moment imhop.

Q: I am interested in some balancing to my overwhelming Canadian holdings.
1. Can you suggest some low MER ETFs to provide US and World (excluding North America)?
2. What do you think of 'fundamental' ETFs compared to those based on 'market cap'? Any suggested names for further research?
The complexity of the expanding ETF field seems self defeating to their intended purpose. Thank you for your guidance.

Q: I have built up about 60% cash. I held onto RY TD and BNS. With blood in the streets I am considering deploying some cash (gradually). What sectors should I look at and in what order. Any individual stocks that look compelling at this time. Thank you in advance

Q: Hello.
Been watching and looking for an entry point for GUD. In a recent answer you indicated this would be a good time to buy. I don't understand how an investor would choose this as an entry point. The stock price seems to be diving through support values.......would you please comment on what makes this a good time to enter and take up a new position?
Thanks
Dave

Q: It looks like a lot of people are taking that RBS advise to "sell everything " to heart today. Wouldn't selling now just lock in loses? Do you advise the best course is do nothing and just ride it out for those who don't need the cash?

Q: Hi 5i

Does this company have a future or is it just a small fish in a big pond waiting to be eaten up by the sharks fanduel or draftkings?

thanks Paul

Q: I have a fairly diversified portfolio with stocks and etfs in different sectors. But I am seeing a majority of my holdings are down. Practically, anything which was bought within the last couple of years is down especially anything in the last couple of months (which was when I invested a majority of holdings) is down. I have a fairly long time frame but what should I do at times like these? What should I learn from this? Even those stocks which seemed like a good buy at that time seem overvalued..On top of this the drop in Canadian $ was a big hit.

Q: hi folks:

I own important, yet relatively small amounts of these energy related service co's

canyon (frc); Gibson (gei); McCoy (mcb); strad (sdy)

is there any obvious reason to sell any of them?

fairly sure they are all well run and simply affected by the obvious oil decline

what are your concerns on each one, and what order would you
buy more?

thanks in advance

Q: Can you please comment on the S&P500 valuation at the moment and going forward in this environment ? We keep hearing about the strong dollar which affects earning but it appears the index remains very high at close to 2000 (vs the last 5-10 yrs). Also, do you think the tsx will be closely correlated with the US index in the next 2-3 years. Thank you.

Q: Hello 5i!
I have the following O&G related stocks: BAD(-20%), BNK (-87%), CVX.us(-12%), ENB(-15%), EPD.us(+12%), HWO(-9%), MCR(-43%), PEY (-30%), PRW(-68%), RRX(-26%), SGY(-74%), TOG(+4%), TOU(-58%), VET(-51%) & WCP(-40%).

I am thinking cutting down the number of positions to about 6, or whatever makes sense to have a good balance with a growth profile. I understand some of the above offer services, and BAD is not 100% tied to the energy sector, you may put these aside for the exercise if required.

Biggest losers by $ are BNK, SGY, TOU & VET and I can claim tax loss for each of them.

Based on your knowledge, which one should I keep in the list?
Also, what are your thoughts on selling everything I can claim tax loss and wait a month before getting back into the market based on the current market outlook?
I recently started to average down and it seems I could be doing that for a few months! I am setting up things for the long term and can handle risk.
Thank you so much for your usual great services!

Q: Which would you prefer in the refining space, Holly Frontier (HFC.US) or Valero (VLO.US) and why?

Q: I hold XIT in both my RRSP and Cash accounts as my tech exposure, which is roughly 10%. 77% of the ETF is made up of 5 stocks = CGI-24%, CSU-21%, OTC-15%, BB-11% and DH-6%. It has performed reasonably well, even beating out it's USA cousin XLK (7.8% vs 1.3% total return over the last year).

I am reasonably positive on CGI, OTC and DH, neutral on BB and thought quite highly of CSU until recently. It appears to be rolling over. I suspect it might be some profit taking due to these ugly markets.

Is XIT still a reasonable holding for tech exposure? It really comes down to CGI and CSU, in my opinion...thanks for your guidance.

Q: Is this a good environment to invest in Gold Stocks. What is your view? How would you rank these gold/silver stocks in terms of growth:
G,AEM,THO,SEA,OSK,DGC

Also which ones have a higher probability of a takeover. Thanks

Q: I am thinking of buying more gold stocks .What is your feeling
About Pershing gold us .
thanks.

Q: SWC is at a multi-year low. Given net cash, lower costs and the relative strength of the auto industry, at what point does it become 'interesting'?

Q: DDD and SSYS have taken a beating. Do you think these are worth investing in hoping for a rebound. Or is there better value in another company in the 3D printing sector?

Q: Any information on why Agt is reaching new highs. Would you buy it now and if so what would be your exit strategy.

Q: Short term placement for $150,000 US in todays very volatile market 3 - 6 months. Growth only!
As always, thank you for your expertize.

Q: Which stocks will benefit most from the low Canadian dollar. I had thought that exporters like Magna would, but the market has not been any kinder to it. Can you suggest a few names to consider?

Q: BDI reduced their dividend from 8 cents to 5 cents a few months ago. Do you believe the 5 cents dividend is safe. I don't mind holding the stock for the long term if its dividend is safe.