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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: 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
Q: I was in my car yesterday listening to CNBC when a chain of events occurred.
3.59PM - We look forward to to the results from Amazon's quarterly report after the bell.
4.01 PM - Interesting but AMZN is up 5% after the close. We await the results.
4.03 PM - We now have the results
4.05 PM - AMZN beats top and bottom line. The stock now up 10% "after hours"
Next morning the G & M reports the results. Stock is up 13% "after hours".
My questions are these . Who are these people that trade "after hours" and how do I get into this club?
Say I placed a $2000 US sale order at the beginning of the week on AMZN, is that only good during "normal" hours. What if I wanted to take that down after seeing the results? Or was it able to be sold at 4.01 PM yesterday?
How were people able to discern they wanted to buy the company at 4.01 PM? My guess, insiders who knew the financials prior to release?
Why does the SEC allow this? It only propagates the notion that the whole system is rigged.
Read Answer Asked by Barry on January 31, 2020
Q: Hi, I am looking to deploy some US dollars I have in cash. My thinking is to focus on US tech - in particular the software, internet and semiconductor industries. Could you recommend names in each industry you feel would be a good choice, considering solid companies with growth prospects that could be held longer term?
Thank you for all your hard work!
Dawn
Read Answer Asked by Dawn on January 27, 2020
Q: Good morning,
I currently hold BABA.US in my RRSP and was considering a switch to AMZN.US. In an effort to further reduce risk while maintaining a tech component in my overall diversified portfolio, I'm now looking at selling my current BABA.US holdings and buying either QQQ.US or XLK.US which both hold some AMZN.US.
What are your thoughts on this potential move and of the two ETFs mentioned, which would you recommend and why?
I thank you and look forward to your response.
Francesco
Read Answer Asked by Francesco on January 27, 2020
Q: It seems Amazon will disrupt the pharmacy business worldwide with the announcement today (Jan.21) of an opening in 3 countries. Stock reacted with a nice pop on heavy volume. PillPack was a $750 mm business when Amazon bought it 18 months ago; how big is it now and what do you think of its potential?
Read Answer Asked by Jeff on January 22, 2020
Q: In my well diversified portfolio, ignoring taxes and cash requirements, which of the above equities would it prudent to be sell or add to currently? Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Harold on January 22, 2020
Q: I started following the 5i balanced equity portfolio in my LIRA a couple of months ago, but to change it up I am thinking about taking a 5% portfolio position in one of these companies. I have a 25-year investment time horizon for my LIRA. If I wanted to replace one of the 5i balanced equity portfolio funds with one of SHOP, APPL, TSLA, GOOG or AMZN, what would you recommend (both the one I would sell and the one to replace it with)?
Read Answer Asked by Keith on January 21, 2020
Q: Hi,

Is there an ETF that focuses on the streaming wars - Disney, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, etc.

Read Answer Asked by Graeme on January 07, 2020
Q: Hello 5i
I own all of the companies noted. I'm wondering if there is excessive overlap here and if I should sell one or more in an effort to reduce overall holdings?
Thanks
Dave
Read Answer Asked by Dave on November 21, 2019
Q: Can you please name a US company best positioned to provide AI, preferably one with a dividend, even a modest one.

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Joanne on November 20, 2019
Q: A first question on this Discovery, which has a fairly stale chart over five years. However, they have some significantly subscribed to channels including Discovery, Animal Planet, TLC and HGTV. With Apple, Amazon, Netflix and Disney vying for space and content, how would you rate DISCK as a takeover target? With a $15B market cap, I know APPL and AMZN could afford it, what about the others?

Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Cameron on November 20, 2019
Q: I've been active in DIY investing for 7 years. Have chosen only CDN listed stocks and, with 5i's help, have been reasonably satisfied with returns over that period. However, despite my stubborn resistance to the US, I cannot continue to ignore that market. So I have 5 forced-choice questions for you. I will invest in 5 of the 11 listed. I'd like your opinion about which one in each group to invest. These are LT holds (5+ years). I'm not expecting a detailed rationale, but would appreciate knowing if your preferences are strong. Or not. Thanks!
GOOG vs. AMZN
HD vs. LOW
AMD vs. NVDA
AAPL vs. MSFT
AYX vs. TTD vs. TEAM
Read Answer Asked by RANDALL on November 11, 2019
Q: For an angreswive investor, where would you put new money. Can you rank them in terms of how compelling they are at their current prices ?
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Karim on November 06, 2019