Investment Q&A

Q: In view of the effect on the market of the unknowns coming up in the next few months - with US election and its aftermath, and good possibility of US bankrate going up in Dec. I am thinking of going defensive. I have quite a few of the stocks listed in both your Balanced and Income portfolios, could you please list for me which of these stocks you would designate as best 'defensive' - (whatever that means). Thanks again, always look forward to hearing your comments.

Q: I've recently moved some RRSP money from a mutual fund company to my own brokerage accounts. My cash accounts and TFSA are in 5i type portfolios but I'm wondering about putting the RRSP money into somewhat "safer" and more diversified areas. I've looked at the Canadian couch potato's model etf portfolios as well as the canadian money saver portfolios. I'm wondering if you could recommend any "ethical" international elf's. I think XEN would fit the bill in Canada. Thanks for your suggestions.

Q: I have just recieved some new money to invest and woukd like to increase my expsosure outside Canada. Im thinking of a US index fund. Can you please tell me the difference between VUN/VUS, HXS and SPY? Which one is better? Do you think this is a good time to invest in the S&P with it at all time highs?
As always your advice is greatly appreciated.
Nancy

Q: Hi !! It is me again. Would you consider it be time to invest in preferred shares again? If you would you recommend straight preferreds or floating rate? Could you also recommend some? Cheers, Tamara

Q: Hi All at 5i! There is a 3:1 stock split coming for this company. Is it better to buy the stock before or after the split? And would the same apply to any stock split? I was under the impression that a stock split dilutes the value of the companies shares.I read that in ADW's case it increases the liquidity of the stock . Is this a good thing? Does it have a liquidity problem? Thank you, Tamara

Q: Hi : what is your opinion now that shareholders approved the split in two, Element Fleet and ECN Capital. The shareholders also approved the issue of ECN shares to buy Infor. how do you see the future of these companies. I own EFN and will receive shares of both. Should I keep both ?, sell one, if so which one, or should I sell both ?
thanks !!

Q: Hi team:
Would you be comfortable with a RY common stock purchase @ its current price?
Thanks: Jerry

Q: Hi good people,

ATD.B has dipped recently, maing me think this may be a good entry point.

But what is the status of the governance issue (sunset of the super voting shares)? Can this issue hurt the stock in the future?

Thx,
Mike

Q: Update your opinion please.

Q: Any comments on if this ETF as a safe place to park money in an income investment that won't get hammered by interest rate hikes in future, and is not locked in like a GIC (i.e. so it can be turned back into cash readily ... e.g. in case a major sell off in markets presented a buying opportunity).

- pays about 2%
- looking at all historical prices, it seems to preserve the capital nicely -- worst dips were only down 2% and came back up shortly thereafter.
- based on floating rate securities so to me, a rise in interest rates would not be negative for this ETF

Q: Can you name a site or sites that I could plug in my portfolio and get the similar type portfolio chart like the balanced equity portfolio chart. Hopefully it would be capable of giving either daily or weekly updates of the chart so I can determine my individual and overall performances.

Q: Please advice on Air Canada. Looking for your fundamental analysis and price action in last couple weeks. I believe it's going to touch $10.50 before end of year. What's your take?

Q: I'd appreciate your opinion/suggestions on a few companies that a GARP (Growth At Reasonable Price) style investor should find particularly attractive currently - ignoring sector diversification.

Thank you

Q: Good Morning: I saw an article in the Globe a few days ago about a firm called "Transcend" which is a program run by Provisus Wealth Management. Looks like the principal player is Chris Ambridge. They are advertising themselves as a "pay for performance" discretionary money manager where you pay a minimal account maintenance fee (25 basis points annually) and then a performance premium of 20% on account profits (or smaller losses). However, the 20% is apparently only on profits that are better than the performance of the appropriate market. So for Cdn. equities I assume that would be the TSX. Wondering if you know anything about this program, know any of the principals at the company, or have an opinion about the merits/demerits of this kind of account. At the moment, I am a self-directed investor using BMO Investorline. As always, thanks.

Q: Hi 5i team,

I am diversified in my portfolio but I need one more stock to round out my TFSA. From the companies listed can you please rank in order based on your highest conviction in the company to be able to execute shareholder value over the next 5 years.

Thanks as always,

Jon

Q: Planning to add 2 of the suggested utilities to a growth portfolio or alternates that you might suggest & the rationale. Thank you.

Q: Recent additions to the 5i portfolios have entered at about 3% weightings, in spite of healthy cash positions in BE and Growth; is this a change in philosophy from the customary 5% or is it your intention to normalize the weights at a more favourable entry point?

I would use the "My Watchlist" feature more if it had View/Edit/Delete functions as there may be some names I do not want to be alerted on forever, only temporarily.

Q: this is a comment not a question, I just read your response on nfi about it's share price drop. last nite i received a notice from td that nfi is issuing a prospectus secondary offering on a bought deal basis at $40.40 expecting to close sept 27. I assume these will be the shares from the said seller. why kick investors in the teeth to the tune of 5% when the stock has been averaging higher prices.

Q: What do you think of Theratechnologies at this time?

best,
linda

Q: Although very different companies in size and industry, which one in your opinion has the better growth profile over the next 3 to 5 years. Thanks.