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: We have one 2 year old grandchild, and one on the way. I want to set up a small $1000 investment account for each of them, and add to it each year on their birthday. Because of the small initial amount, I plan to cover the trade commissions. Who knows if it will work, but the object is over 20 years, to show them how buying a good company, with a solid, growing dividend, and adding funds regularly, will reap long term benefits. They will be able to follow the first $1000, and hopefully at least cause them to have some thoughts/questions about investing.
Realizing potential risk/reward, I am looking for stock ideas for low and medium, risk.
Can you recommend 3 companies that you would recommend in each risk level, for this type of idea,

I will probably add trading companies along the way, but I do want one low risk, and one medium risk, long term hold, to start.
Thank you.
Grant
Read Answer Asked by Grant on March 22, 2021
Q: In my US account, I hold Berkshire, Disney and MasterCard. I was thinking of selling one of these to free up some USD to purchase CRWD for more growth. Which one would you suggest selling if you were in this position?

Or, if it were possible, would you suggest converting some CAD to USD to purchase CRWD, and keep the US stocks that I have already?
Thanks
Robert
Read Answer Asked by Robert on February 19, 2021
Q: Hi 5i,
In a US dollar account (non-reg) I have about 1.25% of my overall portfolio sitting in cash.
My approach with this account is to buy stocks that I don't have to sell for a long period of time and therefore have capital gains.

In my overall portfolio I already own Alphabet (4%),Apple (4%), Amazon (2.5%), Disney (2%), Facebook (1.5%), Microsoft (2.5%), Paypal (0.5%), Tesla (7% soon to be trimmed) Visa (4%).
Given what I already own (and that I would like a stock that is a long term 5-10 year hold) would you add to anything from the above list? Or would you invest in something else such as Costco or Pinterest?

A suggested order of preference would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Read Answer Asked by Brian on January 05, 2021
Q: DIS: bought (300shs)in April @ $106.13 in my USD non-registered account: up to all time high $179.89 US - should I hold or sell as the PE is not supported by fundamentals - or, is this because of growth in streaming business and a hold? Theme parks are probably still closed. Crazy!! Very small part of total portfolios.
Read Answer Asked by James on December 31, 2020
Q: Hi Folks,
I currently have the above companies in my Non-Registered account. I am looking to add some money - can you tell me what company you would add to OR can you recommend another that I can take a look at. Appreciate your comments.
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by JOHN on December 18, 2020
Q: Good afternoon and Happy Friday,

I would like to discus 4 stocks. Feel free to take four credits if you like. First of all I have 4 main drivers of my account now propelling it to new all time highs. They are SBUX, DIS, ABBV, and MEOH. As for AD.UN I simply am just wondering if you know when they may announce their next dividend?

Starbucks for the next 3 to 5 years out looks like an amazing investment. It represents 11.57 % of all my accounts. I am comfortable with the large weighting considering the outlook. My cost is $18.27 and I have been told to trim and sell but have never done so. What is your outlook for Starbucks and do you see a split in the near future?

As for Disney the outlook looks great as well. It is hard not to want to sell a stock that has risen so much so quickly but its only 6.75 % of my accounts. With the latest streaming developments and once the parks get back to normal I cant help but think there is a ton of more runway to go. What is your outlook on DIS and do you think they will bring back the dividend anytime soon? I bought the stock for dividends but I am very happy with the share price.

What is your opinion of ABBV for a long term hold?

I bought MEOH at $45.00 a share. Considering I watched it go all the way to approximately $9.00 and back I am tempted to sell now considering I am almost back to even. But considering methanol prices and the future of the company maybe I should hold for the long term and watch the economy recover.

Thanks
Jimmy
Read Answer Asked by Jimmy on December 14, 2020
Q: Hi, current in my portfolio of 13 stocks + 2 ETF I have some good performing stocks that are > 5% position, TXN is 10.3%, DIS is 8.40%, EWZS is 9.37% and ADM is 8.54%. 25% of my holdings are in TECH (3 stocks + 1 etf). Do you feel comfortable with keeping these stocks with current positions or could I trim it to reduce risk ? I don't have many exposure to financials and consumer cyclical sectors. Can you suggest me growth stocks in these 2 sectors in US and CAN ? In healthcare I have only ABBV, I would like to have other good options here for growth and medium risk. I have +20 years horizon.
Read Answer Asked by Clayton on November 27, 2020
Q: Interesting question/answer on Oct 1 "I would like to have a little fun with this question. Imagine a boxing match between Canadian companies and American companies". Can you please answer the winners among Netflix/Disney; Amazon/Shopify; Union Pacific/CP; AirCanada/delta. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Naren on October 06, 2020
Q: Hi all, I'm concerned about some of my holdings based on the rising US Covid19 cases. As such would like to raise my cash position for the eventual pullback in USA market. Please select from my list the first to last to sell or reduce in order. Thanks for all you do.
Read Answer Asked by Peter on June 30, 2020
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: I am about to triple the size of my investment in the portfolio above and give equal weighting to all. Virtually all of this new money will be in non-registered accounts. In total, this self-directed portfolio will represent 20% of my holdings; I also have 40% in a growth-focused pension fund, and 40% in a mix of ETFs through a robo-advisor.
Do you have any suggested changes to the list of names? I am primarily focused on growth, with a 3-5 year horizon.
Do you recommend a different weighting e.g. heavier on some, lighter on others?
What are your thoughts regarding timing? I am tempted to put all of the new money in now, betting on the sustainability of the recent recovery. But I understand that a phased approach will reduce risk.
Thanks for your help.
Read Answer Asked by Ben on May 12, 2020
Q: I would appreciate your thoughts about IDHD - Invesco S and P International developed High Dividend Low Volatility ETF. Thinking of selling and replacing with Corning or what?
Also your thoughts on PBH?
with thanks,
Connie
Read Answer Asked by Constance on April 23, 2020
Q: Hello you Guys,
My question is as follows :
A number of years ago (3 or 4?) on a portfolio review it was suggested I buy VOX as I had no telecommunications exposure. It has been up and down and currently down. Would it make sense for me to sell the VOX and swing into either Telus, Bell or any other holding you would suggest at this time? And while I have you, is there 1 particular stock you would say is a diamond in the ruff? I'm pretty well diversified so sector stuff not so important, just a really great company that you guys really like. Bet you hate these questions but you never disappoint!
many thanks.
Read Answer Asked by ralph on April 06, 2020