Investment Q&A

Q: Retired, dividend-income investor. I am normally a buy-and-hold investor for the very long term (RBC = blue chip, hold forever; while in a higher risk and associated lower weighting category, I hold Alaris forever). I currently hold SLF but have been reviewing/comparing its performance with BMO. The 10 year, 5 year and 3 year charts favor Sunlife, but the 1 year and shorter duration charts favor BMO. There appears to be a significant inflection point starting in November 2020.

Can you explain what occurred around that time? Is it simply the reflation of the economy favoring BMO relative to SLF? Do you see this continuing for the next period of time or do you see SLF playing catch-up?

Thanks for your help...Steve

Q: I’m considering dipping my toe in the cannabis market. Which of these three would you recommend? Also would any of them benefit from American legalization? Thanks

Q: Hi. I'm considering investing in Strauss Group Ltd [TD Webbroker: Grey Market: SGLJF].
1. What is your opinion of investing in a Grey market holding. Risks or gotchas?
2. I know not a 5i focus, but do you have an opinions on SGLFJ?
Thank you.

Q: What is 5i's take on the seemingly downward spiral of U.S/China and Canada/China geopolitical relationship and the risk this implies to north american markets. Are there any defensive strategies you could recommend?

Q: Hi - I'm wondering if you could share some thoughts on this new ETF. Thanks.

Q: Ocean rates have gained significantly in recents month. Coming out the pandemic with a robust global economy it is anticipated that global shipping demand will continue to be bullish. Are you able to recommend 3 names(ocean related)that would be a way to participate in this anticipated upswing.

Q: QST has been dropping consistently. Any hope of a recovery. Do we hold or sell.
Thanks

Thomas

Q: It has been announced that NextEra Energy Partners is acquiring a portfolio of four operating wind assets from Brookfield Renewable.

How do you think BEP shareholders should react to this sale? The price of BEPC has dropped. Do you think the drop is reasonable?

Q: Generally speaking what percentage of one's portfolio do you believe should be allocated to US dollar investments for diversification?

Thanks,

Joe

Q: What is your opinion on PRIM:US. Would you recommend it? If not, please provide me with a better alternative in relation to infracture.

Thank you.

Q: What is your view on commodity prices relative to the recovery from the pandemic and/or the global efforts to curb carbon omissions? Is the demand outpacing supply and if so what are the companies or ETF's to hold over the coming years? Is there any particular metals that one should focus on?

Q: Looking at a future copper play with strong assets and projected shareholder value creation. Can you please provide your perspective on these two flounderers.

Q: Should I hold on to my MRC and wait for the turn or reinvest it in MRG.UN?
Thanks Bob Rose

Q: Good afternoon, I understand this is an active, concentrated ETF. The past performance looks good and it looks like the fund managed through the March 2020 downturn quite well. David Fingold from Dynamic is the portfolio manager. I've seen him numerous times on BNN and he seems insightful and level headed. I was wondering if you had any perspectives or insights on him as a portfolio manager as well as the mandate of the fund itself. I am thinking of making this ETF a core part of my portfolio (about 33% weighting). Thank you!

Q: I own the following tech positions. I am at retirement age and don't anticipate a larger investment except by gains.
SHOP ~ 2.5%
LSPD ~3.5 %
KXS ~ 3 %
I have done very well with all of these and have sold down a good portion of shop for excellent gains. (Thank you.)
From my view of questions would switching SHOP to CRWD give a better balance or would you recommend a different mix.?
I thank you in advance.

Q: The management team has not changed, the company strategy has not changed and the company still has net cash to buy more POS companies to continue with their acquisition strategy. The only thing that has changed is people’s perception on what price they will pay for the price of owing LSPD shares. Am I missing anything?
Clayton

Q: JEPI is a fairly new actively managed ETF (it is not in your data base). In its description of that JEPI ETF.com says JEPI “... is invests in large-cap US stocks and.... ” .

1. What are equity-linked notes and what do ELNs do risk vs. reward?
2. Would you agree with the following statements:
(a) If any investors are uneasy about current valuations, the covered call strategy the manager uses would likely be acceptable.
(b) JEPI would not be good to have in a major draw down, but...
( c) JEPI would not necessarily be a safety net in a major draw down, but would likely be something of a net in routine dips of up to 15%.

If you have other ETFs that you consider better, I would appreciate if you gave some symbols that one could do further research on.

Q: Having been horribly burned by investments in oil and gas companies , I have been much too shy to even glance at any (scared is a more honest word, but shy is more polite— and sounds better). Since energy is a sector that is too stubborn to exit markets, please suggest an ETF that would cover the pesky allocation thing. I would prefer , if possible , companies that are primarily refining and distribution , not so much exploration. Also prefer US or Euro listed ETFs.

If you think one decent energy company would likely be better than the diluted results ETFs give, please suggest two names that would be one can buy and just forget— company listed in Canada or anywhere I developed Europe.

Q: In your answer dated April 19, 2021 to a question on CRM vs. PINS you write
“ ...[we] and would see PINS as having more potential [than CRM] today”. That is a rather odd thing to say, and you have me baffled. SO baffled that I started to make enquiries about what might have been added to your water supply.
I would be thankful if you would confirm—or correct me— on the following:
1. CRM has a wider moat.
2. CRM’s customer base is much bigger and customers are better able to pay CRM (and certainly less fickle).
3. CRM’s business model is sturdier (superior, stronger) and customers tend to be sticky.
4. CRM has a MUCH LARGER total addressable market.

A concern I do have is if CRM is able to close its proposed acquisition of Slack , integration is costly and will be a risk. AND CRM is unlikely to compete well with MSFT post-acquisition of SLACK.

Although CRM has been trading in a flat range and has been underperforming for almost a year, I was thinking of adding to my position in CRM . I would be happy if you corrected me, so I do not make one of my unfortunate and classic mistakes .

Q: There are a lot of prices outside of Tech, that are higher today than 2 - 5 Yrs ago. The ratings on a lot of these individual stocks, can also vary from "strong buy" to "overvalued". Given what we are going through with Covid, this has me concerned.
I really just want the dividend's and the original investment back, in say 15 Years. How ill advised would I be, to drop down to the above and maybe a few more like them. I will not out live hydrocarbons.
Thanks