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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: Hi team

I seldom invest in healthcare stocks as they are a political football in the U.S. and often have binary outcomes with drug trials. It seems you either hit a home run or strike out. I saw a question earlier on BIIB. It is on my pharma/healthcare watch list. I am not sure why I even keep this list as I never buy anything off it. BIIB is now taking a 2nd look at trial data on an Alzheimer drug it dismissed as not promising six months ago. Now they view it as promising. It makes no sense to me. Did they hire a new scientist or sharpen the font on their computer screen? Others that I put on my list include AMRN and GH that to me also depend on binary outcomes on drug trials. My question is a general one. How does one develop a strategy for investing in health care stocks when it seems like they can jump or drop 30-50% overnight with the success or failure of a drug trial or the boss saying let’s take another look at this old data we dismissed earlier? Risk management seems very difficult in this sector.

Thanks again for the insight.
Dave
Read Answer Asked by Dave on October 24, 2019
Q: Just finished portfolio analytics. Very underweight healthcare with only BIIB in my US holdings. Also learned the following make up less than 1% positions. Which would you add to and which could be let go. Have significant tech exposure. Can you suggest another US helathcare company or should I just add to BIIB to a reasonable weight.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on April 16, 2019
Q: I keep about 10% of RRSP for what I call " opportunity buy". I bought GOOG in December 2018 when it dropped to 987 and last week sold it to buy Biogen dropped 29% in one day due the the cancellation of phrase 3 R&D on amyloid based Alzheimer drugs. Now it up almost 9% in one week and GOOG is back to the exact price that I sold it.
What is your thought: Hold on to BIIB - more rrom to run or get back to GOOG?

Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Nhung on April 05, 2019
Q: yes, BIIB made a disappointing announcement yesterday and the stock price dropped like heavy rock, down 30%....sure it is a growth company...but going forward, I am not sure why I should remain with a position in it......what is your take now for the future?.......and should I hold for now until it settles down, if I decide to sell.........thanks.....Tom
Read Answer Asked by Tom on March 22, 2019
Q: Hi

I currently own GILD. Should I sell it and switch to BIIB or any other biotech. What are your thoughts about medical distribution companies (ABC, CAH, MCK) Which one would you recommend and any threat from Amazon. Should healthcare plans companies be part of healthcare portfolio and which one do you recommend.

Great service
Thanks
Ninad
Read Answer Asked by Ninad on February 26, 2019
Q: Hi 5i,

What would be your top 10 names for a U.S. growthy balanced portfolio?

TIA
Read Answer Asked by Wayne on January 28, 2019
Q: I have some US funds I'd like to put to work in one or two of the mentioned names taking them from a half weight to a full 5% position. Regardless of sector weightings, which 2 do you like the most at current market valuations for capital appreciation over the next 5 to 8 years in a growth oriented portfolio? Thanks!
Greg
Read Answer Asked by Greg on December 27, 2018
Q: I own OHI (2% weighting) in my RRSP and over the past year have seen a decent run up in the stock. The dividend is now 8%. Can I get your thoughts on the company, short position and if you feel a move out of OHI to either BIIB or PFE would be advisable. Or just add a 2% position in these other two companies? 15+ year investment horizon.

D
Read Answer Asked by Don on November 08, 2018
Q: I have set 8% sector target and have invested 50% - GUD 15% of total target, TD Health Sciences 11%, and 9% each to ISRG, ILMN, and COV.
If I drop TD Fund, then 60% available to reinvest - what names and allocations do you advise?
Thx for your excellent advice,
Sam
Read Answer Asked by sam on September 19, 2018
Q: It seems to me that when 5i members seek guidance regarding possible investments in American healthcare companies, Pfizer seems to be a common recommendation by your team. If I'm correct that you consider it to be a good investment at this time, what exactly are the reasons you believe this to be the case. If I'm wrong, what other American Companies do you favour currently. I'm willing to accept some risk but I'm really looking for a company that can balance off some of the Canadian small caps that I have in my portfolio that I'm purchased with your guidance. i.e. Knight, Covalon and Reliq. Again, thank-you for your invaluable guidance.
Read Answer Asked by Les on September 13, 2018
Q: I hold the above and they all had favorable comments from 5i on growth at one point. Is growth still intact? Do you see anything that's changed in the companies or the environment that would affect any of these? They are inside an RSP for long term growth. TIA!
Read Answer Asked by Wayne on August 17, 2018
Q: Hi 5i,

I own all the above in the healthcare sector. After reading many comments on JNJ, I am getting a bit concerned. Would you continue to hold on or would you replace it with something else in the same sector? It is inside an RSP so no tax for selling and it is a long term hold as I do t need the money for over a decade.

TIA!
Read Answer Asked by Wayne on August 09, 2018
Q: Good morning Peter n your wonderful team,
I sold my J&J shares recently due to the outstanding lawsuits against the company, I think of replacing it with Pfizer. What is your opinion on future of Pfizer’s earnings, growth n dividends, cash flow, pipelines of drugs, balance sheet etc. Or can you please suggest one or two drug companies that will provide some growth plus dividend income?

Thank again for your insight! Asked by Rossana.
Read Answer Asked by Rossana on August 02, 2018
Q: Good Morning,

I'm looking to add a few more US stocks to my portfolio. I'm adequately represented in tech and financial sectors. Could you give me 4 or 5 names in other sectors where above average growth might be expected.

Thanks for your help,

Dennis
Read Answer Asked by Dennis on July 30, 2018