Investment Q&A

Q: I am mostly content with my health care stocks with the exception of MDT. It has been essentially flat since about 2016 except for the dividend. It did peak around 2022 but has fallen down to previous levels.
What do you think of the longer term for MDT?
Would you make any other changes for slow but reliable growth and higher end of dividends.
As always, thank you for the great service.

Q: Thoughts on the current overall market and going forward 1-2 years? I just read Howard Marks latest memo and he is cautious at these levels based on over valuation and many other speculative factors that are often discussed here. I have a very growth weighted portfolio and high embedded gains. I am a long term investor but would like to mitigate any large drawdowns when a correction comes to preserve gains. Currently my more defensive holdings are COST, DOL, ATD, IFC. Currently holding no utilities. I also hold large anchor names such as CSU, LMN, BN, BKNG, AXON, and WSP. What are your top defensive names?

If I trim my tech, I assume adding to DOL, ATD, COST, IFC be more defensive. I know you've mentioned these names as other good defensive names as well, COST, PG, ABBV, L, ATD, FTS, H, ENB, FTS, BEPC, H, SLF, RY, TD, GRT.UN, T, L, BAM.

Or would buying some covered call ETF's that offer some good yield reduce the drawdown.
Which are your top covered call ETF's? Or adding to some of these defensive ETF's would be good too? Defensive US etf'S: VDC, VPU, VHT

Thanks!

Q: I have been reviewing my health care holdings and I am disappointed in the whole sector. Their percentage of my holdings has dropped, and if I rebalance I should be adding another 50% to these holdings. I am unhappy with IHI and UNH, even ISRG is in the doldrums. Your thoughts on adding to the health care sector and these companies/ETFs at this time. Are there other companies much better suited that I am missing. I am tempted to remove the whole sector from my portfolio, as I am comfortable with risk.

Q: I sold a portion of my NVO holdings a while ago, and am not inclined to buy it back just now. What would you see as the best buy in the US healthcare sector these days; possibly as a compliment to NVO, but not necessarily?

Q: Amgen beat on earnings and revenues, quite handily, and yet the stock is down 5% today. Personally, I think Amgen is a best-in-class biotech and will continue to be a long-term holder, but I would like your take on the market reaction.

Q: Given the potential for a market down-turn, do you see any of these as a good buy for a long-term investment?

Q: I currently only own AMGN is the biotech/medical sector. I am considering re-entring NOVO after the hit it is taking. Would you recommend 'catching the falling knife', purchasing LLY which appears to be suffering in sympathy with NOVO or an alternate to these two?
With appreciation,
Ed

Q: Hi there,

Do you think AMGN is a good buy right now for future growth and income? What are the pros and cons?

Ok thank you!

Q: Do you have any suggestions re the Pharma companies which would be a good time to purchase now, either in a partial or full position? Thanks

Q: Hello 5i, I am up quite a bit on MRK, ABBVIE and HHLE. In answer to a question on MRK by Michael on Jan 22 you wrote "We would take a look at AMGN as an alternative to MRK". With the success I have with MRK et al. is MRK a sell to be replaced by AMGN now or is MRK still a keeper for now. Value investor.
Stanley

Q: Hi,

May I please have your take on the Gardasil vaccine lawsuit against Merck. Does this affect the fundamental investment thesis of Merck as a conservative, inexpensive stock with a decent dividend. I note the share price is down about 16% in the last year.

Would you be able to provide a couple of better options in the US healthcare space? I already own ISRG and LLY.

Thank you, Michael

Q: Hi,
Could I please have you take on the stock performance of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals over the last year or so and its future prospects?
Thank you, Michael

Q: Hi, would you continue to hold this stock?

Thanks
Paul

Q: Which drug companies would you suggest if arriving late to the GLP-1 party? For a 5-10 year hold.
Thanks

Q: According to Portfolio Analytics, my current allocation to Health Care sector is too low. Here are the names of 12 major US pharmaceutical companies. How would you rank them? If possible, please provide a short comment on each of them: Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson, AbbVie, Amgen, Gilead Sciences, Eli Lilly, Merck, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Abbott, Biogen, Bristol Myers Squibbs. Thank you

Q: I own shares in these health care products. I'm down on some of them and OK on others. Please list your order of preference. Best first. Would you sell any of them ?
List any others you would recommend in this field . Thanks.

Q: Hello 5i,

Wondering if you have any recommendations in the Biometrics category, either ETF or stock? And any particular thoughts regarding current valuations and future prospects versus other opportunities?

Thanks for your feedback.

Ralph

Q: Aside from LLY and NVO, what other healthcare companies might enjoy success with weight loss drugs or products related to them? I’ve heard good things about ABT., AMGN, PFE, AZN, RHHBY and others in this regard, but I was wondering how you might rank them and/or others (most promising names first). I’m quite interested in Roche which has been showing strength after a long period of weakness (it’s now $35.69 as of Friday July 12).

Q: I have some nice gains on above listed companies. I am thinking of selling a few shares and use the proceeds to invest into related companies for diversification purposes.
What do you think of this strategy and what would be one or two suggestions for companies related to my list.
Thank you!
Albert

Q: WELL was $3.50 in August 2020 and its $3.55 today.

Reminds me a lot of GUD. IMHO 5i tends to be overly patient on some failed investments whereby selling them and moving on could make for a much better return.

So I have been as patient as I want to be with WELL. When I sell my shares of WELL, which I intend to do, what would be a good replacement that is well managed and has good potential growth in its future outlook?

And of course, has a proven management team.

Thanks


Sheldon