Investment Q&A

Q: Back on June 3, this question was asked. Would you make any changes now?
"If you were starting a new account with 100k with a portfolio of 10 US equities, with a 10 year time frame, which 10 would you currently choose?"
5I RESEARCH ANSWER:
TEAM, DOCU, ROKU, AMZN, GOOG, APPL, CRWD, QCOM, GH, FLIR

Q: Hi 5i,

I am Canadian and I have purchased BRK.B around few months ago around US$180. However, it doesn't move up much and seem like underperform.
Do you think BRK.B is undervalued stock and it will catch up better performance in 2020 since APPL just released an outstanding report. The reason I asked because I am thinking to sell some of them to buy APPL. However, I don't want to change back to Canadian dollar, the Canadian dollar was lowest ever during the time I purchased BRK.B. Now I am facing the currency risk and slow moving up price for BRK.B. In your opinion, should I keep it and wait for long time until it offset the currency risk, or any suggestion. Would you please kindly advise.

Q: Could you please comment on Apple splitting their shares. What would you think of starting a position in todays market?

Q: If you could only buy one today for a long term hold which one would you choose and why? Microsoft or Apple
Thank you

Q: With the stock split, would this be an opportune time to enter this stock?
Thank you. Peter

Q: Hello Peter,
After these companies reported this evening, which one would you buy first? I would appreciate if you could give your buy ranking starting with the best first.
Thanks a lot.

Q: I have only one US Tech stock QCOM and have done well with it. However, I would like to reduce or replace it with a couple of other US Tech stocks. What do you suggest? I already have CSU and KXS in my CDN portfolio.

Q: I currently hold MSFT and AAPL in all of my portfolios - I am thinking about adding GOOG to each as well - would you suggest I top up MSFT and AAPL or add a new position with GOOG - your opinion is greatly appreciated.

thanks

Q: I have these 7 stocks, they comprise about 30% of the equities I own, in part because the their stellar performance in recent months. Two parts to my question: first, though they are all categorized as "tech" ( well, maybe not Goog), I am trying to get a sense of how different they might be from each other so that 30% is better diversified than the label they fall under might suggest? Can you briefly describe the underlying businesses of the 3 Cdn ones and indicate if you see all 7 as diversified. Second, if the stock market should hit another significant pull back (like March or otherwise), would these 7 be resilient enough to avoid major losses, and are some better than others in this regard? Thank you for your excellent service.

Q: Good morning,
I own a small house in Ottawa that is free and clear with a current market value of approximately $350,000.
A recent discussion with my trusted mortgage broker confirmed that a 5 year term (Closed & Fixed) term mortgage can be obtained at a rate of 2.29%. This mortgage is said to be:
a. insured through CMHC,
b. portable, and
c. transferable.
At that rate of 2.29% and given that the interest paid would be tax deductible if I use the funds for investment purposes, I'm seriously considering borrowing around $200,000 and investing this amount for an initial 5 year period with an expected net rate of return on investment of 4.5% .
Q1. With $200,000, what are your thoughts of splitting this amount in 5 different chunks of $40K in the following instruments:
a. Mawer Tax Effective Balanced Fund,
b. Mawer Global Balanced ETF Fund,
c. Vanguard Balanced ETF Portfolio,
d. IShares Core Balanced ETF Portfolio, and
e. BMO Balanced ETF

Q2. As an alternative to the above and given the 5 year time frame, would your preference be to invest the $200,000 in a selection of best in class individual stocks split between different sectors and if so, would you be so kind as to provide me with ya listing of your best ideas at this time.

I thank you and look forward to hearing your thoughts on both of these investment strategies.
Francesco

Q: I would appreciate 10 US and/or Canadian small cap growth stocks to invest in for the next two to five years.
Clayton

Q: Harry asked an interesting question about investing in US Tech stocks and wanted an ETF. I did a 52-week comparison of the performance of the 4 mentioned Tech stocks with the ZQQ ETF. If my rough calculations are correct, one would have almost doubled their money with these 4 stocks compared to the putting the same money in ZQQ over the last 52 weeks. Past performance is no indication of the future, but I would like your thoughts on buying these 4 now versus the ETF. In my situation I would put 5% of my investments in these four and currently well diversified and a good chuck of fixed income (>30%). For me maybe okay (your thoughts please) but in general would this also apply to most investors. Please respond to my situation and the general situation if you can please. Thanks so much. Dan C.

Q: Good morning 5i, I am piggy backing off a recent question by James, but if you can disregard sector diversification and risk is also not an issue and main goal of course is capital appreciation.

"If you were starting a new account with 100k with a portfolio of 10 US equities, with a 10 year time frame, which 10 would you currently choose?"

Q: Hi 5i, With CHINA-US trade war scalating, what are the chances of apple-manufacturing returning back to the USA, and is it a good time to switch from apple to one of : TESLA, GOOGL
Thanks

Q: Hi 5i.
Thanks in advance love you guys! Recommend you to everyone I know. :) For RRSP if youcould buy one US stock which would it be?
I am well diversified, just have cash to dispence.
THansk P

Q: Hi 5i - I have been thinking of starting a half position in Apple, looking at a 3-5 year hold. Do you think the timing is OK or would I be better to add to my current holding in Alphabet which is only a quarter position. Or should I hold off and wait for another market dip. Thanks,

Q: I have $9000 US to add to a US margin account. I have 4 names in mind as noted above which one you think has more share price appreciation, could you please rank them? Thanks.

Q: Hi 5i,

I'm concerned with all the sabre rattling leading to a US/China trade war. Of particular concern are American companies that are needing China as the engine for growth. 1. Do you think this is a valid concern? 2. Would you position your portfolio more domestically/defensively for a trade war? 3. What would be some good alternatives to these three companies that are more domestic (or Western) centric for growth?

TIA!

Q: Hi, I'm looking to add to the fintech world. I'm sure online purchases and contact-less (cash less) payments only continue to increase.

What is your favorite growth stock in this category (1) overall, and (2) one that is well positioned to succeed in both the physical space (contact less at stores) and online (web payments).

C.

Q: I have these equities in my US Margin Account. I would like to raise some additional cash ... just in case. Which of above would you trim first. Are there any which should be sold for a tax loss if possible such as CRM and ISRG, where I am slightly negativ.
Thanks for your answer
Albert