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: Good morning,
I own a small house in Ottawa that is free and clear with a current market value of approximately $350,000.
A recent discussion with my trusted mortgage broker confirmed that a 5 year term (Closed & Fixed) term mortgage can be obtained at a rate of 2.29%. This mortgage is said to be:
a. insured through CMHC,
b. portable, and
c. transferable.
At that rate of 2.29% and given that the interest paid would be tax deductible if I use the funds for investment purposes, I'm seriously considering borrowing around $200,000 and investing this amount for an initial 5 year period with an expected net rate of return on investment of 4.5% .
Q1. With $200,000, what are your thoughts of splitting this amount in 5 different chunks of $40K in the following instruments:
a. Mawer Tax Effective Balanced Fund,
b. Mawer Global Balanced ETF Fund,
c. Vanguard Balanced ETF Portfolio,
d. IShares Core Balanced ETF Portfolio, and
e. BMO Balanced ETF

Q2. As an alternative to the above and given the 5 year time frame, would your preference be to invest the $200,000 in a selection of best in class individual stocks split between different sectors and if so, would you be so kind as to provide me with ya listing of your best ideas at this time.

I thank you and look forward to hearing your thoughts on both of these investment strategies.
Francesco
Read Answer Asked by Francesco on June 15, 2020
Q: SOME Stocks fluctuate lot daily such as BYD,CSU,SHOP,PKI makes me feel better to trade in this market,what is your opinion.
For safer long term low risk hold which stocks you would recommend in US &CAD,
low growth is OK.
Read Answer Asked by Nizar on June 05, 2020
Q: I recently asked a question regarding switching strategy from etf to individual stocks and i appreciate your answer very much. My question was generated by the response that you gave to James regarding investing in a diversified portfolio. At that time you gave him the follwoing names: TEAM, MSFT, GOOG, ROP, PG, BIIB, VZ, SBUX, COST, JPM.

Just a followup clarification on that suggestion. I wonder, because of the tax advantage for Canadian dividends and the predominance in the TSX of Banks and Telecoms, whether one might be better to replace VZ and JPM by Canadian names? I know that the question asked, I think, specifically for US names. But, just wondering if one held both Canadian and US, whether this might be better? Also, do you think that say, ten like this, is enough diversification on the US side?
thanks
Read Answer Asked by joseph on June 04, 2020
Q: HI Team, I currently hold CMG and has performed well lately, do you see much more upside/growth? Do I continue to hold, or sell . If I were to sell, between DPZ or SBUX , which has the better growth profile? I know Mr. Cramer loves DPZ but it has had a good run-up and wonder about it. I thank-you in advance! Sam
Read Answer Asked by sam on June 04, 2020
Q: Can you give me names of 10 companies - CDN and U.S - that you feel have:
* strong balance sheets,
* a strong likelihood to survive or thrive in the current environment
* appear to be of good current value with an eye on a potentially strong rebound given a bit of time.
Your opinion is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by JOHN on June 02, 2020
Q: Hello Peter,
If you were starting a new account with 100k and wanted to build a somewhat balanced portfolio of 10 US equities, with a 10 year timeframe, which 10 would you currently choose, including considering current price?
Read Answer Asked by James on June 01, 2020
Q: I would like your opinion on VIAC given that it aims to build on its CBS All Access platform to launch a major new streaming service. It is well priced right now. can you suggest a few other US stocks that are oversold and would be a good entry point.
thanks
Read Answer Asked by Mary on May 19, 2020
Q: Hi 5i,

I'm concerned with all the sabre rattling leading to a US/China trade war. Of particular concern are American companies that are needing China as the engine for growth. 1. Do you think this is a valid concern? 2. Would you position your portfolio more domestically/defensively for a trade war? 3. What would be some good alternatives to these three companies that are more domestic (or Western) centric for growth?

TIA!
Read Answer Asked by Wayne on May 19, 2020
Q: Your top 5 consumer stocks for long-term hold? US would be ok.
Read Answer Asked by Greg on May 19, 2020
Q: Which sector, consumer discretionary or staples do you believe will be a better bet currently.
Please name 3 stocks on the Can + US side that should work in this thesis and why.
As always, keep up the great work.
Mark
Read Answer Asked by Mark on May 06, 2020
Q: Hey 5i,

Incredible stuff here. Thank you.
Looking for some confirmation.
With relative balance between growth and dividend stocks.
US listed inside an RRSP. Longterm holding. Looking to buy slowly on this wild ride or if and when it plummets.
Could you recommend a starter bundle 8-10 stocks.

Thanks again!
Read Answer Asked by Adam on May 01, 2020
Q: I have held IVE for many years and to sell I would have capital gains taxes to consider though not what they would have been a couple of months ago. Are there 3 - 5 dividend stocks that you think are solid bets to out perform the index coming out of the downturn over the medium term? (2-3 years)
Thanks Hugh
Read Answer Asked by Hugh on April 21, 2020
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.
Read Answer Asked by Mauro on April 01, 2020
Q: I managed to do well during this down market. I got out early and have put 83% in DOG, 15% in cash and have 2% in TSLA with and avg price of 189.

I am going to slowly start selling some DOG and deploying some cash. Can you recommend 3 to 5 stocks that I can start small positions in. I have a high risk tolerance and a time frame of 10 years or longer.

Thanks in advance.
Read Answer Asked by Richard on March 24, 2020
Q: SBUX: closing stores for 2 weeks. May be longer depending on how this COVID-19 pans out, I realize. On my buy list at some point. According to CIBC Investors Edge they have no debt. - is that right? Low P.R. and ROE of 22%. Buying back an additional 40M shares in addition to remaining 16M, for a total of 56M.

Do I have the right data going forward. Additional analysis appreciated.
Read Answer Asked by James on March 23, 2020
Q: Assuming this downtrend will bottom at some point, and eventually recover, in your opinion, which three sectors offer the best chance of minimum damage in any downturn, and the best chance to recover sooner rather than later in an upturn. Could you name and rank (best first), 3 dividend stocks in each sector that you feel will survive the downturn and lead the way in recovering in each of the three sectors. Thank you. Warren
Read Answer Asked by Will on March 23, 2020