Investment Q&A

Q: As an experienced portfolio manager and you see :

1)The worst monthly performance on the markets since 1929 (December).
2)Brexit problems.
3)Fed perceived raising interest rate problems.
4)Escalating tensions in the Far East and the Middle East
5)Trade wars with a very uncertain but potentially lethal impact.
6)An economy which is projected to be slowing
7)Slowing corporate earnings with probably revised downward forward looking estimates
8)Very successful investors like Tepper and Cooperman saying cash will outperform over the next year or two.
9)Corporations are leveraged up to the hilt with debt and many are in danger of being downgraded or worse.

What would you do? To be transparent I am currently in 25% cash and fully hedged on the balance of my portfolio.

Please share your thoughts/strategies.

Sheldon

Q: I have a substantial holding percentage wise of my portfolio in AW.UN. What are the factors that are resulting in the dramatic recent slip of share price? I realize interest rates and general investor sediment but is the dividend secure are they facing a debt crisis? Am I missing something? would you buy at these levels?

Q: there was an interesting fast money halftime on cnbc today which i watch daily, mike wilson chief equity strategist was on and he was the only analyst period of all of them out there he predicted this correction back in january and he said now is not the time to be selling, we are bottoming but this process could take 3-4 months not weeks because of the damage done,furthermore he likes energy and banks and then they had a segment with lee cooperman and a guy from the sec talking about quants algorithms and computors causing this extreme volatility, and some feel until the vix hits at least 30 maybe even 40 this is not over, and there is tons of value in the market now but you still have to pick your spots slowly.i think you agree with some of this, just wondering your opinion which i value because lets be honest we all missed the severity of this. i think this is as bad as 2008. and everyone was in complete agreement that jerome powell was and is an idiot who cannot communicate properly. and how much is etf selling which causes the underlying stocks to be sold sonething we never had to contend with in 2008 or not as much. dave

Q: Hello
Can you comment on General Mills quarterly earnings, and can you give me your opinion on the company?

I have some USD fund available to invest in the USA Consumer Staples sector. I own Coke and Mondalez already and am wondering if I should start a new position in Genral Mills or should I just add to Coke and Mondalez. How would you rate General Mills company vs Coke and Mondalez ?


Thank you

Stephane

Q: Recently you are not mentioning Covalon as a growth pick. Has your stance changed on the company. Do you think it can breach it's previous high in the next 6 months or so.

Q: for the person that asked about drips at Computershare. If you have an on-line account, computershare produces a very nice average cost base for tax purposes. It shows every share purchased, when it was purchase, and trades/sells etc, and the purchase price along with a calculated average cost basis. Publish if you feel appropriate.

Q: In addition to the question regarding Brookfield companies structure, I recently learned about the following just want to pass the info along.

We took the option to exchange Enercare shares with Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP shares which turned out to be NOT eligible in registered accounts, there are tax consequences if it is owned in registered accounts.

Our discount brokerage informed us there is an option to exchange Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP shares 1:1 with Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LPU shares which are eligible in registered accounts, however, the exchange triggers deemed disposition.

Owners of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners may want to check.

Happy Holidays to everyone !!

Q: Why the ongoing free fall, particularly today. Hold or sell?
Thanks
Peter.

Q: Thanks for the response to my MEG question. I have some MEG stock, and am unsure how to proceed given that it is trading at a $13 discount to the offer. Is it likely that the discount will narrow as the Jan 16 date approaches? Suggestions on what to do would be most welcome. Thanks for your always good advice. Roland

Q: This stock continues to slowly drift down I asked several months ago if I should sell you advised against . I want to revisit should I sell now on view of the hostile financial Enviroment in the market thanks

Q: I bought this stock at $20.00 this summer and at that time had a great looking chart. It went to $24.00 within a month and since then is falling like a rock. Yesterday the company an acquisition in Italie. Would this be the cause of the 10% drop today? Is there other news that we do not know about? Is the fundamentals still good for this company (PE, debt, PB,etc)?

Thank you and Merry Christmas to all 5i crew.

Paul

Q: Quick comment on tax-loss selling. It is my understanding that if you have a net loss this year, you can also use this on PREVIOUS 5 years where you had gains. Many may now be in this position. And some like me may also have had higher earnings in past years so this could also make an impact. True?

Q: Hi 5i,

How do you feel about GOOS? Would you be a buyer here?

Thanks!

Q: ITC has been be putting together a string of good quarters, positive press releases plus a new distribution deal with Qualcomm announced today. Of all my microcap losers this one looks as though it may actually have some potential to go places. Your thoughts
thanks

Peter

Q: Given the current market conditions, would you consider it prudent to invest in the USA market via Canadian ETF'S. If so, what ETF's would you recommend?

Q: Have there been any estimates as to the current and projected sizes of the two main markets for marijuana i.e. health care vs recreational use? I realize that these stocks are characterized as health stocks which leads me to think most feel that is the area where growth will occur but do any facts currently back that up?

Appreciate your insight.

Paul F.

Q: Good morning 5i,
I should say right away, thanks very much for the heads up on Jnj. I took your advice and got out in the summer!
but, I unfortunatly do have some that are still in loss territory. I am worried that these are probably down at their lowest point and that there may be a rally in the New Year that I would miss if I sell for tax loss.

I wonder what your thoughts are on that? Also, if you think that there isn't much of a chance of them coming back soon, how would you rate them as a sell, ie which one most likely to stay down for 30 days?
thanks

Q: One of my question's response I got was marked as private question. Not sure if it was a mistake since I had posted the question as public question.
Thanks

Q: Continuation of my previous question.

After reading your response my understanding is that 5i portfolios will not build the cash position higher for any major downside risks that the market may have in next few years. What about any new money available for investing Do we hold on to buying any stocks in this kind of unpredictable volatile markets until a clear bottom or direction is indicated by the markets ? MLP are not a good option for canadians because of tax implications. What is your opinion about US CEF (closed end funds) and do they have similar tax impact like MLPs ?

Thanks
Ninad

Q: Hi 5i!

been awhile since a question has been asked about CHRW. I am asking on behalf of my sister because she can enroll in a stock purchasing plan. Stocks will be purchased quarterly at a 15% discount. Having said that, I would like your opinion on the company and would like your thoughts on the balance sheet if it's worthwhile for her to enroll or not.

Thank you,

Rino