Investment Q&A

Q: How worried should we be?
The current government seems determined to bankrupt Canada
The latest headlines:
Parliamentary Budget Officer States, "The federal government has no more than one or two years to rein in the hundreds of billions of dollars in deficits it is wracking up through coronavirus spending, or risk the debt being “unsustainable.”
- And there have been recent reports of plans to increase spending, with CBC News citing one Liberal insider as saying the government plans on spending “on a scale we haven’t seen before.”
- Trudeau plans to roll out an “ambitious green agenda”. He said the country needs to focus on a green economic recovery to climb out from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Trudeau has also touted the need for expanded employment supports, including new child care and social spending.

This is very disturbing and seems to confirm a government that is completely out of touch with reality and economics, and leading Canada down a path of debt that our grandchildren will be paying for.

What are you thoughts? How badly could this play out? How concerned should we be?

Q: Good afternoon,

The technology portion of my portfolio has grown too large (about 37%) and I’m trying to figure out how to get it back to about 25%? My issue is that I’m interested in too many tech options (I.e., the ones that I own plus others I’d like to buy). I’m looking for suggestions on which I should sell, add to or replace by buying a better option. Some were initiated with half positions that went down and some full positions grew so the proportions all over the place. I have a long time horizon and many are held in a registered account (except SHOP and NVDA). I own: KXS (3.5%), CSU (3.8%), SHOP (2.7%), PHO (<1%), ZS (3.3%), TEAM (1%), NVDA (6.1%), AAPL (11%), MSFT (4.6%) and I’m interested in buying REAL, DOCU and GOOG. I’d like to own what are viewed as solid tech companies for future innovation and growth and I’m willing to add, remove or replace any of these companies.

I also need to add materials and REITs to my portfolio since I currently have no holdings in these. I’ll use my tech trimmings to add to these sectors. Suggestions of top companies for these two sectors would also be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks for all the great work and suggestions you provide,
Lisa

Q: For the above technology companies there has been a huge pullback even though some have beaten nicely on earnings. Is this a buying opportunity for them or wait and see where the NASDAQ settles out before putting new money in. What is the reason for the pullback. Typical profit taking before Labour Day? Of the above Can you rank which you would put new money into first?

Q: What was stock symbol for Amaya Inc back in 2016 Canadian TSX. Received notice of settlement from Scotiabank and trying to trace my buy and sell from that period. Tks 5i

Q: I think we were due for today's pullback. What are your favourite names to add to here for a long term hold?

Q: I am overweight BAM.A, and investors seem to love this company. BAM invests in utility like companies which are rate sensitive. So the thesis for investing heavily in this company has to be low rate/free money environment for considerable period (at least a decade for the long term holders). What are your thoughts? Thanks.

Q: What’s your thoughts on the most recent earnings report?

Q: Good morning 5i staff
I have been waiting for the turn towards esg etf's. Looking at something like ESGV, do you think it could be seen, say, as an equivalent to voo? there was an artcle in Barron's recently saying that they recently have done as well, or better than regular funds. I believe the managment excpense ratio is .12 Not bad. I hold VOO and have been thinking of selling call options on it and then buying something like esgv, if I am called away. I suppose that approach could not be called radically green maybe more like patiently green:).
thanks

Q: I’ve been considering a position in one of the above stocks. Could you give me your opinion on which you would prefer. What are the pros and cons of each. Do you have a preference for another stock instead of one of these.
Thanks John

Q: You proposed that Warren Buffet's investment in five Japanese commodities traders is motivated by their commodities exposure, rather than by growth and/or multiple expansion prospects for Japan as a region. Okay, but suppose we ignore Buffet's specific interest; is it plausible that Japan's markets have priced-in its disadvantages (such as age-related lower productivity) to the degree that its country-specific ETFs (for example, BBJP) are now 'interesting'? Or should the apparent permanence of such structural constraints drive us away, indefinitely?

Q: I always avoided HXS because I thought it didn't hold stocks and just had an agreement with NA to deliver the total returns equivalent to S&P500 so there was a significant counterparty risk. The risk may not be much but didn't want to tolerate this risk just to avoid 15% Dividend Tax Withholding. Recently I got to know that HXS has changed its structure from Total Returns Swap to Corporate Class. Does it mean that it now holds stocks (like ZSP or SPY) .. is HXS still any more risky than ZSP or SPY.

Q: I would like to invest into the future health care in North America. What do you think of LIFE ETF?

Q: I have some US GIC's that have matured and my advisor at RBC is recommending the RBC US Short-term Corporate Bond Fund as interest rates have declined so much for GIC's.
Would you consider this to be a good move or is there something else I should be considering.

Q: Hi, I have sold CSH and would like to buy some industrial real estate. What do you like better between WIR and DIR and why? Are they similar in price and growth/what are the metrics you would use?

Q: Hi 5i,
Ciena released earnings today and stock has dropped -28% ( so far) ..can you explain what’s happening and is price drop warranted.
Would you continue to hold here or sell and why?
Thx

Q: Is there any point in holding on to American Hotel Income Properties or take the loss and move on?

Q: Good morning, how do you see the potential Cogeco takeover playing out.
I see it could go in a few different directions. Would you buy the stock today?
Thanks Rob

Q: What’s advice on these stocks. Sale or hold ?

Q: Hello 5I
In your opinion, if one is negative or expecting volatility in the market short term, and you want to insulate yourself from this possibility, what needs to happen in a portfolio? Do nothing as this might be emotional and historically a bad move, invest in an inverse ETF, Move a little more towards Gold, consumer staple or low beta stocks? What type of news would make you personally shift focus? Of course, I am asking for your opinion but is there any proof for the answer? Thank you

Q: Considering a new investment in the technology sector in a TFSA account, would the semiconductor space be investable now and would your preference be to one or two specific companies or an ETF such as SMH or SOXX. Your comments and ideas always appreciated. Brian