skip to content
  1. Home
  2. >
  3. Investment Q&A
You can view 3 more answers this month. Sign up for a free trial for unlimited access.

Investment Q&A

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

Q: What are some of your favorite US growth names right now? I am a younger investor with some money to deploy. I have a 20+ year time horizon. I am not too worried about sector allocation due to having a defined benefits pension when I eventually retire (20+ years).

I am also wondering what US stocks 5i staff are currently buying and why.

Thanks for all your advice. I read the questions daily. Your support through these tough times (my first as an investor) has been beyond insightful and finding I am getting my financial education through your words of wisdom and advice. I keep speaking highly of you to my friends looking to get into investing and am encouraging they subscribe to your service as it is beyond exceptional.

Thanks for all that you all do! Hope you and yours are safe and healthy during these tough times.

Read Answer Asked by Justin on April 15, 2020
Q: Good morning,

I have some cash to add to 3 new US technology positions. I am looking for growth, and I am comfortable with volatility. Looking out 5 years what would be your favourites from the list above at current valuations. Any concerns with the list above? I already own MSFT, SQ, RPD, DOCU, AYX. If you have other suggestions please do share. Thanks in advance.
Read Answer Asked by Brian on April 15, 2020
Q: What would be your top stock picks for the best returns over the next 2 years? US & CDN.
Read Answer Asked by Larry M. on April 01, 2020
Q: hello 5i:
this is a currency question. My watchlist is made up of US stocks that we have partial positions in and which I want to add to. The Canadian dollar is, as we speak, in the .708 range. My expectation is lower, but not dramatically lower equity (lets us the S&P 500 as a proxy) prices. I need to convert Canadian dollars to US dollars if I want the currency diversification. What to do? Waiting will see (probably) a higher Canadian dollar at the price of higher US equities. Please help me make this decision: I'm stumped. Put another way, what would YOU do in this situation, realizing what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another.
Paul L
Read Answer Asked by Paul on March 30, 2020
Q: hi, dear team
i just got some money for longterm investment. how about this list ?
can you tell me at which price i can buy?appreciate!
best regard
Jacky
Read Answer Asked by liang on March 30, 2020
Q: Hello 5i, if you had to choose 10 companies out of the USA or Canada for a 5 year hold what would you choose?

There is no need for additional comments, the money isn’t needed in 5 years that’s just a timeframe that should hopefully allow for success vs the virus and recovery economically and adapting to the changed world ( going cashless, online shopping, deliveries, remote work etc) Risk is not an issue and neither is sector diversification. thank you !
Read Answer Asked by Michael on March 27, 2020
Q: Hi, my respected 5i team
I'm looking for some US stocks to buy in order to take advantage of the current market dip. Could you please recommend 4 or 5 solid names that worth buying now in the order of the most attractive to the least if possible? My time zone is about 3 to 5 years. Could you also comment the reasons of recommending?

By the way, I bought GOOG and NVDA last year upon your suggestion, only half position. Do you think it is a good idea to add more now?

Thanks in advance!
Jane
Read Answer Asked by Jane on March 17, 2020
Q: In light of current market actions and the now widely anticipated economic recession, I am looking for your thoughts on stocks you would buy for long term (10 plus years) and/or forever holds -- Canadian and U.S. names please. I am investing for retirement (within 5 years) but also for our heirs. We have built a portfolio of sleep at night holdings over the past 25 years and just looking to tweak the portfolio. Although we do not like to see these kinds of volatile markets, we also do not get freaked out by them. We have ample cash or near cash always in hand to combat such actions -- something you learn through experience! Thanking you in advance for your answer.
Read Answer Asked by Mary Ann on March 16, 2020
Q: Hi 5i,
I am not 100% clear on stock and ETF's allocations for investment plans. Take as many points as needed to answer the questions below. I apologize in advance for the length of the question.

As a Canadian investing through a Canadian site (RBC in this case), split into CDN and US sections (moved CDN funds to USD and paid the exchange), which stocks and ETF's should be allocated to RRSP (CDN or US sections), TFSA, & Non-Registered accounts?

As an example, an RBC RRSP account is split into CAD and USD segments. If I purchase VWO in USD on the US segment instead of VEE on the CDN segment do I retain the 15% withholding tax? If I purchase VWO in CDN funds on the CDN side of the RRSP, what happens to the 15% withholding tax?

Is there a tax difference when filing a CRA 1135 form. e.g if VWO or VEE are 100+k CDN value: VWO on the USD segment or VEE on the CDN segment or VWO on the CDN segment.

If a US stock has a dividend, should this ever be purchased on the CDN side of the RRSP or in a TFSA? .. e.g. CRM with a small dividend or AMGN with a larger dividend

Can you please assign the best allocations (RRSP, TFSA, Non-Registered) to examples a the bottom of the question.
e.g. Non-dividend Growth US stocks (Googl, AMZN): TFSA, RRSP
This tells me that AMZN is best in the TFSA for growth, and in an RRSP purchased in CDN or US funds is the same effect other than currency at the time of purchase.
If a stock or ETF should be in CDN or US sections can you note that as well? e.g. RRSP(CDN or US).
It is a lot to ask so limited examples below will hopefully reduce the effort.

5i recommendations
Non-dividend Growth US stocks (e.g. Googl, AMZN):
US small Dividend Growth (e.g. IWO):
US Foreign ETF (e.g. VWO):
CDN ETF with US stocks and other int'l stocks (e.g. VEE):
CDN High Dividend (e.g. CDN Utilities/Reits/ETF's):
US High Dividend (e.g. US Utilities/Reits/Medical/ETF's)
All World ETF (VT):
All World ETF (XAW):

I very much appreciate your service and time to answer questions.

Jerry
Read Answer Asked by Jerry on March 16, 2020
Q: Hi 5i Team,
In this crazy market, your opinion is very appreciated. I listed my holdings in both US and CA. Are you seeing any stock in the list concerning ( fundamentals changed or poor balance sheet etc) with SELL recommendation even with a loss. These are hold in 2 tfsa and the investments are 5+ years. These companies are hold with 4 diversified etfs and follow the markets and nothing to do about them and i'm always with 6 to 8% cash with "see and wait mode".
USA: MSFT,V,CRM,AMZN,ADBE,TTD,GH,AYX,DXCM,ISRG,AVLR
CANADA: ATD-B.TO,BAM-A.TO,TRI.TO,LSPD.TO,ECN.TO, REAL.TO, CAE.TO
TFII.TO,SHOP.TO, WSP.TO, PBH.TO, DSG.TO, KXS.TO, PLC.TO,GSY.TO
BYD.TO, CSU.TO, PEO.VN

Thanks for help with this"Knocking Out market"
Read Answer Asked by Ben on March 16, 2020
Q: Hello Peter and Co,
My 20 year old grandson has opened a TFSA with $22000 in cash, and is asking for advice how to start investing. Our suggestion is that he put a fairly large amount into an index fund ETF, such as VFV, and then buy several individual stocks with the rest. They would be small positions (~$2500 per stock) but a good way for him to start learning, and with markets down, the timing seems quite fortuitous.
He is considering the following:
100 shares VFV: ~$7500
40 shares GSY: ~$2500
35 shares BEP.UN: ~$2500
1 share AMZN: ~$2500 (CAD)
7 shares NVDA: ~$2500 (CAD)
200 shares VET: ~$2500
-------------------------------
TOTAL: ~$20000

We had also suggested CSU, SHOP, KXS, PKI, TTD, GOOG, AAPL, ROKU, FB

What do you think of the above approach, and what changes might you suggest? I realize VET stands out as quite risky, but should probably do well long term.
Are there any sectors or stocks or ETF that you would suggest adding/replacing? Obviously he has a multi-decade time horizon.
Thanks for your sage advice!
Read Answer Asked by Ed on March 09, 2020
Q: I started picking away at these names a week ago and bought half positions in each (I'm always too early!!). I'll probably look to buy the other half in each this week if we get more spikes to the downside. I'm a relatively longer term holder (say next 5-10 years at least). With respect to IHI I usually stick to individual stocks but took a look at the top 10 holdings and decided they were all good companies so just bought the ETF. Do you see any issue holding these names?
Read Answer Asked by Richard on March 09, 2020
Q: hi Ryan,
today market is 900points down again. at this stage which five stocks in US you prefer to jump in without any sector taking in consideration?
which sector you like the most?
Thank you,
KT
Read Answer Asked by kaushikbhai on March 05, 2020
Q: Hello Peter,
Convention says do nothing in a sharp downturn, although this has the potential to be more like 2008, deep recession included.
What would you say if i were to sell some or all of AFN, MX,FLIR, BAC, GH (US),GIL,TD,CCL and SIS? And buy COST, MSFT, AMZN(GOOGL), DSG(add) and NVDA(orQCOM).? The thesis being, that these would do better from where they are now, over the next 2 quarters. Or just sit tight.
Thanks for your advice.
Regards.
P.S. Which would you prefer- AMZN or GOOGL? NVDA or QCOM
Read Answer Asked by Rajiv on February 28, 2020
Q: In response to the question by Satish, your suggestion was to look at tech growth stocks for a faster recovery. I had been considering TTD, NVDA, MSFT, GOOGL ,AMZN, COST and UTX before the correction; waiting for pullback. While UTX and COST have held up the others have dropped by varying degrees.
Could you please suggest your order of preference to buy in this volatile period.
As always, value your opinion.
Regards
Read Answer Asked by Rajiv on February 25, 2020
Q: Hi, Can you name a few companies say 3 Us and 3 canadian companies who have been prolific in creating value for their shareholders either by buying back shares/not increasing their share count while growing consistently. A small dividend if applicable but leaning more towards growth in earnings. Preferably with some sort of monopoly or advantage in their field. Thank you.

Shyam
Read Answer Asked by Shyam on February 19, 2020
Q: Hi,
Just a quick comment on after hours trading from the question from Barry on AMZN. Publish if you think it night be helpful. TD allows this for all. There is no club. Day orders only. On the order entry screen, you just tick a box for a day order and after hours. I tried it once with a small order just out of curiosity really. It is essential you place a limit order to protect yourself. Never enter a market order. There are wide swings with thin trading. My bid was off the normal range. It did get filled and I felt pretty good. Then the CEO said something negative on the conference call. The next morning the stock opened lower than my fill and I did not feel as good then. I never did it again. You want a market with full liquidity and all the public information disclosed.
Dave
Read Answer Asked by Dave on February 01, 2020