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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: 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 .......
Read Answer Asked by Garth on March 31, 2020
Q: Hi, Could I get your thoughts on these companies? Im thinking about starting positions in all 4. Please take as many credits as needed, I just put these all in one question since its easier than doing 4 separate.
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by david on March 31, 2020
Q: Dear 5i,

In a recent post you cautioned against the use of Stop Loss orders and suggested alerts and limit orders. Can you please help explain your reasoning behind these recommendations. I have used all of these including Trailing Stop Loss with Limits and often struggle with which one to use when I wish to buy and sell.
Knowing pros and cons of each type of order type would be helpful to myself and your subscribers.

thanks
Read Answer Asked by Ian on March 30, 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: Looks like Xerox is attempting a takeover of HP. Is this what is referred to as a hostile take-over? I get lots of air mail telling me the Xerox position and other from HP saying its a bad deal. How does a person evaluate such an offer? Are you familiar? I hold HPQ currently.

Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Marilou on March 30, 2020
Q: Hope everyone at 5i is doing well in these times!

I have been sitting on mostly cash in my RRSP/LIRA and would like your recommendations on the best ETFs to consider for my full US and International exposure. All of these would need to be listed on the TSX as I am purchasing in CAD $. While I know you prefer non-hedged, I’d greatly appreciate if you could explain benefits/workings of hedged vs. non-hedged considering the current environment. And provide ETF recommendations for each.

I am looking to achieve a balance of diversification, reasonable MER, minimizing any withholding tax while optimizing the potential in market recovery. For US, I would like to have a technology ETF, health care ETF and a broader spectrum ETF – but also open to ideas. Also, looking for recommendations on International – one broad ETF or perhaps that and a mix of ETFs. I recognize there can be overlap (e.g. between a tech and broad sector fund), so if you can give me a sense of the degree of duplication that may be present in your recommendations. Perhaps going heavier on tech right now could be a good thing.

While I started off thinking ETF selections would be relatively simple, in reading various Q&A there seem to be many important considerations - your assistance is appreciated. Again, all of these are being purchased in RRSP/LIRA accounts with the goal of optimizing my returns over a 10 year window.
Read Answer Asked by Loretta on March 30, 2020
Q: In response to the question concerning risks to Storage Vault, you stated in your answer: "We see no particular reason why consumers would suddenly pull items out of storage in a corona world, though."

It seems reasonable to me that people whose incomes are threatened will be looking to reduce expenses. Even if their jobs are still secure, caution may prod them to review all costs and cut where feasible. A storage rental unit can cost $1,500 per year to $5,000 per year or more. People forced to stay at home may be spending some of their time reducing their stuff and possibly making room for things currently in their storage unit. Keep in mind, too, that there are calls out to support non-profits, charities, etc. with donations.

This is what I'm currently doing. Granted, this is purely anecdotal based on a sample size of one. But it merits consideration.
Read Answer Asked by Marc on March 30, 2020
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