Investment Q&A

Q: Can you explain how GPN was better than the newer fintech plays like SQ + PYPL last year?

Is this a trend that will continue?

What's going on in this space?

Thanks as always.

Q: Wajax and Transcontinental have several things in common : mid single digit p/e, moderately high yield, relatively safe pay-out ratio, and a turnaround in earnings seems possible. Can you think of any other companies whose profile hits the 4 previously mentioned criteria. Thank you.

Q: CSW.A I owned this one oncemany years ago for quite a while and sold at nice gain. I am thinking of buying back at the current price? Seems to have minimal debt. - high pay-out ratio of 146%, liquidity ratios are great: dividend sustainable? Place to park money and earn a good dividend & would be a very small % of my portfolio?

Q: I've been listening to Larry Berman for a while now on Bloomberg and I am curious about your opinion of his BMO Tactical Dividend Fund.

Q: Huge volume on this one today on news of a new business strategy. Would appreciate any information you may have on this small cap company.
Thanx Gary

Q: Please share your recent views on this company. Also, can you please provide 5 names for both Canada and US which have very high risk but very high potential. Thanks

Q: Hedging Strategies- With the recent run up of stocks, what are the suggested preferred options to protect ones portfolio gains from significant market correction to the downside? Selling existing stocks will lead to considerable taxation in my current scenario, with most investments being outside RRSP Accounts. Please provide a few ideas.

Q: I am looking to increase my investment in Canada and US/International healthcare. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks

Q: When evaluating various US listed ETF's for dividend growth and stability )eg: DGRO, VIG, DGRW, SCHD) is there any value or merit in looking at the p/e ratio of the ETF itself to determine value as another metric before a purchase. Many thx. Steve

Q: I have very little US exposure and have US$40,000 in my RRSP that I am looking to invest. I have looked at questions and profiles on VIG, VIGI, VYM, VTI and DGRO but I am unsure which of these or others ETFs would be best and am looking for some direction. What low cost, large US $ ETF or ETFs would make the most sense with the goal of maximizing US$ dividend income. This will be a long term holding.
Thank you

Q: Can you recommend a money market fund to park some cash for about a year?

Q: Currently my only international exposure is with VEE and ZWE. Can you please recommend 2 international equity ETF's that would compliment these?
Preferably one low cost index and one high yield.

Thanks

Q: Could you give me an opinion on this stock? Do you think it's a good 5 year hold?

Q: Hi There

I'm needing to add some international exposure (outside NA) to my portfolio and am also under weighted on Financials, Healthcare and Industrials. I'm 38 so growth is the focus in portfolio. Can you recommend 5 top options to fit this mix - ETFs or individual stocks. Some will live in RRSP, some unregistered if that makes a difference in suggestions.

Q: Good morning:
Portfolio Analytics suggests that I boost my Industrial sector. Do you have a Canadian favourite for a longer term hold such as WSP, ARE, or a US stock?

My thanks.

Q: RE: -- Stephen's 2020-01-22 question on VGG & IWO --

Comparing VGG vs IWO over last ~ 7 years (details below), VGG has less risk/volatility (beta), a higher dividend, and a better return (based on risk for the ETF category). As I slowly adjust my portfolio this year to reduce downside risk when a market correction eventually hits, what do you think of moving some or all IWO to VGG. Most interested in your thoughts here.

As always, thanking for you wise advise.

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Ticker IWO VGG
MER 0.24% 0.30%
Dividend 0.70% 1.20%
Beta (Risk) 1.12 0.74
Style Small Cap Growth Large Cap Blend
P/E 25 26
Mkt Cap $9.8B $625M
Risk vs Category Average Risk Average Risk
Return vs Category Average Return Above Average
Morningstar Rating *** ****
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Q: Like many CDN Investors, I am overweight Canada. Plan to reduce that in 2020. Looking at candidates I find some "Canadian" investments have the majority of their assets outside the country. Example: BGI.UN - only 20% of assets are in Canada, yet it pays quarterly $CDN income. Seems it would meet my objective. Please provide names of other CDN-based candidates that hold a lot of ex-Canada assets and derive much/most of their income from those. Looking for US/International diversity and some $CDN income. I hold some US Pharma stocks directly and a Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF (10% of total portfolio). Thank you.
IslandJohn

Q: Hello Team, thanks for providing a wonderful service! Would you have any recommendations for an Emerging Markets or Japan ETF?

Q: I am looking at this stock. Wondering if you had any knowledge of it.

Q: Can you please recommend a Canadian stock which also trades on a US exchange and pays dividends in US$ ? My idea is to purchase in my tfsa and transfer to a US$ tsfa so I can collect the dividends in US$. Good dividend yield would be nice too! Thank you.