Investment Q&A

Q: Hi 5i Team, If you could only pick one of the 3 above large Tech companies, which would you choose for a 10 +year hold. Could you please provide your reason for your choice.
Thank you

Q: Good Morning

I would like to increase my US position in my RRSP. I currently cover this US exposure through VBAL(core position) VFV approx 4.5%, Legacy positions of ZLU and ZWH approx, 3%, totaling approx. 31% US. My thoughts were to replace ZLU/ZWH and increase VFV and add EQL to gain broader exposure to US market. Would this give me a good exposure without over duplication? I am retired and 65 and would like a balanced plus approach. Your thoughts or other ideas would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Mike

Q: Hello 5i,

I have been retired for 4 years and i am now am about to turn 65. i have a DB pension from my previous employer with a bridge benefit that carries until my 65th birthday in a few months.

I have done some projections on maximizing both income over the course of my retirement. I have determined that in my case it appears that these results are optimized if i defer OAS and CPP until age 70...and i am fortunate that i can afford to do this.

At this point i am in the process of converting a enough of my investments to fixed income products to cover income requirements until age 70 (to avoid short term market volatility and help me sleep better at night). One of the products i am looking at is using laddered USD GICs as they have better returns than CAD GICs at this point. I understand you don't give personal advice but i am wondering if there are other options i should consider? Bonds for example? Other?

Thanks!!

Peter

Q: I hold a small position of CROX in my TFSA and non-registered accounts with a small gain. With slowing growth in the forseable future, I am contemplating selling. Am I too quick to give up on CROX? If I sell what could you recommend I replace it with?Either Canadian or US exchanges. I would be leaning for a suggestion more suitable for TFSA account.
Many thanks

Q: Is it best to wait on the sidelines for the stock to settle? Or initiate a starting position soon?

Q: With Trump demanding the “independent Fed” reduce interest rates….how could this or not affect the stock market?
Thanks
Ben

Q: Would you consider ZIU for inclusion in a growth portfolio?

Q: In reference to my question on BOIL last August I would love an update on your analysis to today's price and ongoing new's feeds?
Would it be worth now of a small investment?
Thanx Gary

Q: Can you recommend some global ETF's in both USD and CAD?

Q: What is your view on gold? would you buy ARTG and OLA ? Thanks

Q: Are these Canadian income ETFs a good place to sidestep potential Trump tariffs? Do you have other recommendations?

Q: As a sector goes, I am so confused by the Canadian "utilities" over the last 5 years.
Why is it so heterogenous in performance, FTS, CU, EMA, ENB,H, TRP ? Why did ENB AND TRP seem to rebound in 2024?

Q: My current portfolio is heavily oriented towards growth and is very high risk. Over the next few to several months I plan on repositioning towards a more balanced approach. I will be looking to add some growing but steady large caps. Toward that end I have the following short list: TR, BN, GOOG, Canadian Banks, SLF, MSFT, NVDA, BEPC. Is there anything in that list that you would not see fitting into that category? Can you please add a half dozen or so of your preferred other names that fit with this idea. Please exclude defense contractors, the Oil and Gas sector and usurious money lenders.
Thank-you.

Q: Hi,

1 )Is there too much overlap between Fix and TT to own both? Which do you prefer long term?
2) Do you think infrastructure under Trump will do well? Which of these (IESC, ROAD, STRL or substitute another choice?) would you go with and why?

Q: Hi Peter and team,

Let me set my question up with some one liners!

1. "Drill baby drill"
2. Services provided to the Americans are exempt from tariffs.
3. Canadians are not just good but excellent in Oil and Gas exploration.

So what are the Canadian companies that can "Drill baby Drill" in the States and benefit from Trumpian mantra!
Precision Drilling? Any other company?
Who are the American or the international competitors?

Q: So what is the big deal that the staff of 5i cannot buy Cdn. stocks, i do not feel you would sway the market by being involved any more than your ownership of US stocks that you hold probably does not move your stock choices on the US market. Seems confusing to me and outdated.
Thanks Again.

Q: It’s now 2025, new Canadian leadership coming and reduced regulations/government in the US. You suggested on a reply today how a 50% US - 40% CAN - 10% Global portfolio mix might be right for today’s environment. Based on this, what is YOUR best ideas for a brand new $1M+ portfolio? Assume average investor, 15 year investment horizon with reasonable risk tolerance and loves when stocks go on sale..aka buy the correction attitude. As always.. you guys rock! Thanks. Don

Q: Hello 5i, I am up quite a bit on MRK, ABBVIE and HHLE. In answer to a question on MRK by Michael on Jan 22 you wrote "We would take a look at AMGN as an alternative to MRK". With the success I have with MRK et al. is MRK a sell to be replaced by AMGN now or is MRK still a keeper for now. Value investor.
Stanley

Q: Hi 5i Team,

I invested in MFC and GWO roughly 2.5 years ago amongst a fairly diverse portfolio. I originally purchased both as a dividend play with potential for modest appreciation, but they have far exceeded my market value appreciation expectations over this time frame. I since purchased a smaller position in Sun Life roughly 3 months ago. For the first two, I likely need to trim for rebalancing / concentration sake.

My question(s) is as follows (and please deduct how many points as necessary):

- At a high level, what is your outlook for the Insurance space over the next 1-3 years and what indicators do you look at when making this assessment?
- Amongst the three companies listed, how would you rank them in terms of expected growth over the next 3 years?

Thanks and really appreciate the advice from 5i.
Erick

Q: Can you give your outlook on NOA for 2025? Any names you’d consider over it?