Investment Q&A

Q: I just tried Portfolio Analytics and have concluded my portfolio needs some work. I need to increase US and international exposure and I need more weighting in Communication Services, Consumer Defense, Healthcare and Technology. Please recommend US/International stocks for me to consider in these categories for a five year hold. Thank you.

Q: COVID-19 has pushed forward the whole work at home concept. That said, technology supporting this shift in working norms will be sought after. I own a few big tech companys now, yet there are so many more names that have been pushed into the limelight (like Zoom), that are extremely expensive. Would you think it better to buy an ETF or two rather than trying to pick individual stock future winners? Any ETF or otherwise suggestions?
Thanks

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.

Q: I have some U.S. cash to invest. I feel the U.S. market is going a little bit lower over the next few weeks and this will provide a great opportunity to capitalize on. Which of the above would you consider to have the best outlook ( or would you suggest buying a little bit of all four )??
Ed in Montreal

Q: Hi Team:

I think the market would be changing or, already changing due to the virus problem. People will value things in life differently. so, what sector would you recommend, and what 3 companies you would buy either in Canada or USA?

Thank you.

Louisa

Q: I am looking for companies that should do well in the work from Home economy. Im also looking for companies such as $REAL and $DOCU that provide support to businesses.
I currently own $TDOC, $REAL, $ROKU, $VZ, $BCE. I would appreciate a few names that 5I likes in Canada and the US.

Thanks Valter

Q: Hi, first I wanted to thank you for this amazing service, I am so glad I discovered 5i!
I recently sold my business and have 10+ years before retirement. I now want to deploy this cash to build my retirement portfolio, I don't need any income from this portfolio for 10 years.
I carefully reviewed your Balanced and Income portfolios. With much improved valuations for many stocks in these portfolios, what are your suggestions for 10 best (in terms of possible appreciation) individual stocks or ETFs for a non-registered portfolio. Either from your sample portfolios or not, US or CDN.
Thanks again!

Q: Hi group if you were to buy 3 stocks in Canada + 3 in the US today (or would you wait?) regardless of sectors . What stock would you buy /why. Of course it goes without saying that they would be minimally effected by the Covid -19 virus

Q: Could you explain why VGT seems to perform better than QQQ. And why you recommend the latter more often than not.
Thank you.

Q: Hi,

I have a small position in Sangoma and am considering selling and adding to another tech company. Going forward however do you consider the macro space in which Sangoma operates to be a driver for growth or would you see other tech companies with greater potential and if so, a few names would be helpful. I recognize Sangoma is a small company.

Thanks

Q: My 22 year-old is slowly building and has a fully contributed 8 stock TFSA portfolio that includes GSY, KXS, PHO, PBH, SIS, BAM.A, CNR and TOY. Given his long timeframe (ideally, decades) this current market chaos will be far behind him by the time he will want to access the funds. That being the case, can you suggest a couple of names where he can direct this year’s TFSA contribution or are there some of his current holdings that you would add to instead of, or in addition to, any new positions?
Many thanks for your help.
Bruce

Q: What would be your top stock picks for the best returns over the next 2 years? US & CDN.

Q: I realize that in a recovery as you’ve noted, individual stocks will do better than ETF’s. If I’m looking for growth over a three to five year time frame would you suggest buying both SMU and XLK Or a list of individual stocks that could include MSFT JPM V WMT INTC ? I suppose a combination of the two options is also possible. This is for US exposure and it’ll be in my TFSA account which is presently sitting in cash. I believe you’d also suggest buying back in gradually. Thoughts. Thnks

Q: Hello,
I am currently waiting out this deep downturn in the market. At some point the market will start recovering. I have followed your recommendations in the Portfolio Tracking and Analysis tool.

If you had $500,000 sitting in cash which you want to deploy once the market turns around, which sectors would you look towards investing in for the eventual upward trend? Would you be able to provide your favourite stocks /ETFS which you would use to cover the sectors you think will be first to recover?

Thanks for all your help.

Q: Hi 5i team,

I follow the DOW stocks a lot as they are a barometer on the market. They form the core of my portfolio and I add and trim around them. You mentioned in an earlier question that big caps are likely the quickest to recover. Earlier I lightened up on some high beta tech names and have some dry powder. On the Dow, which ones do you see as are the top 3-4 names having the potential for the strongest recovery over the next year or so. I manage my portfolio closely, so I am not concerned about sectors or weightings here. There are a lot of candidates and some have really been beaten up and others not so much. The financials have been beaten up, but I stay in Canada for those anyway, and I have no interest in the oils.

Thanks again for the insight on the DOW stocks. Thanks for your great work, as some days you are turning out answers faster than I can read them.

Dave

Q: thanks as always for your level headed thinking. I have a number of CAN dividend stocks as the core of my holdings. I now have cash that I want to deploy over the next couple of months. what are your top 5-10 US stocks (no regard to sector) that you recommend based on a 5 year hold.
Michele

Q: I've been reading questions lately with the idea of receiving advice on how to deploy the 25% cash position I had pre virus....But thinking about this the world has changed. What looked fine pre virus doesn't look so appetizing during and post virus.... Specifically the mortgage business like my NLY shares don't look that good now...... Though I would be taking a loss would you advise selling and buying something like MSFT ? I could deploy new cash for that but wonder if I should re balance to a certain degree anyway .......

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

Q: Hi Team! As more more and more people are working from home, cloud based software companies, cyber security companies will benefit as I think this will become a new reality as companies realize they can save money. In Internet communication and hardware companies out there that will see an increase of their services and products are there any names you would recommend? I thank you in advance. Sam

Q: Goodmorning 5l team,
Thank you very much for your response to my earlier question regarding selling cocered calls. You mention focusing on dividend paying stocks in your current strategy. Is it possible to have a list of which companies you may be looking at currently for this should strategy?
Thanks