Investment Q&A

Q: Happy New Year to the 5i crew. A question regarding EXLS, it's had a very nice climb since early 2020 and has more than tripled. The PB and PS look reasonable for a growth company but the PCF looks quite high. Is there more gas in the tank over the next 1-2 years?

Q: Hi 5i,

Can you explain how the “VIX” is related to the “VXX” ETF? I would have thought they should trade in tandem but they don’t even come close on some days (Example: Jan 3/23 VIX up $1.23 VXX down 8 cents).

Thanks
John

Q: Can you please provide two Emerging Markets ETFs ex. China that you would recommend to an investor seeking exposure to those markets?

Thanks as always for your expertise.

Q: TFSA top up for 2023. I hold all IWO in the account currently. My crystal ball doesn't like the current USD:CAD outlook so buying USD with CAD to get IWO at the moment doesn't feel like a good move. Does anything in the balance or growth portfolio look particularly attractive as a buy? I hold OTEX and ENGH as tech stocks, both have been adequately beaten up to be buys but I hate owning the same stock in multiple accounts so would consider a different CAD stock for the TFSA account if you can think of one. So long way to ask: just suck it up and buy, IWO, buy ENGH, buy OTEX or buy ??? as it is your top pick right now. 5 year hold.

Q: Hi Team,
My thoughts are on what to do with a portfolio that was caught "tech heavy" before the recent fallout. My opinion is...that if the holdings were "winners" in the previous environment, and will survive until the next cycle up for the sector happens, then at this point it is best to just hold on to the positions, as opposed to try to sell for big losses and diversify at this point when the entire portfolio fell 50% in 2022. My hopes are to wait for a big recovery in my holdings at least somewhat...then after that diversify to more appropriate levels. Am I wrong in this thinking? Tough call I know...but what do the odds point to here? Thanks!

Q: If held in a TFSA, I believe RSP would be exposed to an American withholding tax. If this is the case, can you recommend a Canadian based equivalen that wouild not?

Q: Hi Everyone at 5i!! If you had to chose between CGY or DOO for future growth, which one would be your choice and why?

Cheers,
Tamara

Q: Thoughts on Mara as an investment? Crypto could be poised for a bounce here. I’m not thinking Long term with this company though.
Have insiders been buying/selling?

Q: with reference to my previous question on converge and dentalcorp, in your opinion what is a fair price for both companies , for both buyer and seller in a takeover or privatization. dave

Q: Good day,

Can you please rank the following for me in terms of personal preference - ENB, KEY, PPL, T, BCE, SLF, TRP. I own them all, but just want to see how closely calibrated my weightings are compared to your relative rankings.

Thank you.

Q: Good Day Team,

Is this a good time to go into cash and if so do you favor any of these listed?

Thank you,
John G.

Q: A recent Financial Post article stated larger-cap, profitable and good cash flow stocks will be the place to invest in 2023. Would you please suggest 5 Canadian & 5 U.S companies that meet those conditions. Thanks … Cal

Q: Hi Peter,
I have a general question about Canadian energy markets. Yesterday, January 3rd Canadian energy names (oil and gas) tanked to the tune of between 6 and 12%. WTI oil and natural gas were down a bit, but not to the extent the stock prices fell. In your opinion, was there any news that would precipitate such a price drop. Or is it possible that the big players decided to re-position on the first trading day of the year? Much appreciate your views!

Q: Hello Peter,

When the market has been trending up and with positive returns for the year one puts further investment money in what has been working. However when the market has been trending down and with a negative return, it makes sense to put money in sectors and markets that have been battered?
In ball park terms the TSX returned a negative 8.5 % S&P negative 19 and Nasdaq negative 33.
What would you think of rebalancing a portfolio that started 2022 50% Canada and 50% USA (mostly Nasdaq) to now go 25% Canada and 75% US markets with a bias towards nasdaq, s&p in the ratio 4:1? Or somewhere in that territory?

Also what % would you consider prudent to allocate to speculative stocks (for a tech/growth oriented investor) now that high valuations are no longer what they used to be.

Looking forward to your thoughts on the subject.
Regards
Rajiv

Q: I know these companies vary a lot on the risk spectrum (CNQ likely being the safest and PXT the riskiest due to geopolitical risk), but if oil prices stay relatively high for the next couple years (let's say averaging at least $70), how would you rank the following stocks at current prices for potential total return: CNQ, TVE, IPCO, PXT?

Q: May I have your analysis and opinion on PBF Energy?
With appreciation,
Ed

Q: Hi, for an income portfolio, I am looking to add either HTA or TXF. Just not sure which one to choose (in a cash account). TXF is a larger fund and has more liquidity, a higher distribution % as well as a lower MER. On the other hand, HTA had double the return of TXF in 2021 and 5% more in return in 2022. Their portfolios is not exactly the same but similar. Can the difference in their respective portfolio explain the outperformance of HTA since 2021? Which one should offer the better total return in the next few years? Thanks.

Q: With the strength of the US$ and problems China has been having ZEM has been on a downward slide. I hold it in my RRSP along with ZSP and PID and some laddered GICs. Am wondering if it’s time to move on from emerging markets and add to PID or another Intn’l ETF.

Q: Hello. Can you let us know what you think are the best stocks to play if one is anticipating strength in platinum? Same question for palladium? Thank you and Happy New Year.

Q: Hi there,

What are your thoughts on lithium going forward based on the shift towards EV and hybrid vehicles? Do you have any names in the lithium space that you'd recommend and what do you think of the ones listed?

Thanks!