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Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: Good morning, stay safe and keep up the good work.
My question is on hedged vs unhedged funds.
My son is 27 and his time horizon for any investment is long term.
Now that our Canadian dollar trades at an all time low against the USD, (last time we hit similar lows was in 2016/2017) and the chances that our CAD trades lower are relatively slim, wouldn't it be preferable to invest in a hedged fund version of the Nasdaq-100 indexed ETF. The reason being is that the return of an investment in a USD equity (when converted back to CAD) decreases in a strengthening CAD environment. On the flip side, in a weakening CAD environment, the same USD investment's return, when converted back to CAD, would be increased.
To recap: My assumption (might not be a valid one) is that our CAD can only increase in value against the USD. In this strengthening environment, isn't it better to purchase a hedged ETF ?
Read Answer Asked by Elaine on April 01, 2020
Q: What would be your top stock picks for the best returns over the next 2 years? US & CDN.
Read Answer Asked by Larry M. on April 01, 2020
Q: Haven't seen an analysis of this newish millennial based finance concern lately. They say they have a million plus clients and their advertising seems to be on target in this new financial world. How does their latest $ #'s release stand up to your fiscally grounded scrutiny??
Read Answer Asked by Ryczard on April 01, 2020
Q: I realize that in a recovery as you’ve noted, individual stocks will do better than ETF’s. If I’m looking for growth over a three to five year time frame would you suggest buying both SMU and XLK Or a list of individual stocks that could include MSFT JPM V WMT INTC ? I suppose a combination of the two options is also possible. This is for US exposure and it’ll be in my TFSA account which is presently sitting in cash. I believe you’d also suggest buying back in gradually. Thoughts. Thnks
Read Answer Asked by Dennis on April 01, 2020
Q: Hi Peter and Team,
Hope you're all staying safe!
I believe there is a secular push for clean energy around the globe and I also want to expand the global exposure relative to Canadian markets in the portfolio so I'm thinking of adding some ETFs like ICLN to help me in both these regards. How do you feel about this for new purchases for planned long term holding.
Read Answer Asked by Marc on April 01, 2020
Q: Hello 5i,
Interesting times. Thank you for the backup.

I am trying to help my sister rebalance her portfolio and to get it retirement ready. She does not want to watch the portfolio but is open to rebalancing a couple of times a year. She is in the 40:60 to 50:50 bond:equity range for comfort (although this market is a great test about that assertion). She will live 3 - 4 months in the us during retirement.

I’ve been playing with the above mentioned etfs, keeping in mind that USD are already held (25% of portfolio), to find the proper mix of etfs to get to a 40:60 mix of bond to equity, with an equity exposure 25:50:25 Canada, US, International.

Please feel free to suggest other etfs as necessary if the above are not appropriate. Can you suggest an appropriate etf composition/ collection to satisfy the above criteria?

Tia
Read Answer Asked by Kat on April 01, 2020
Q: With all the money printing and endless QE, what do you think will happen to inflation and the price of gold?

With QE last time it resulted only in asset price inflation... but this time it is so much bigger and in america giving money directly to the people.

What are your thoughts? Would you buy gold to hedge against it?
Read Answer Asked by Max on April 01, 2020
Q: It seems that if a company had a backlog of orders, it was an asset....however in the current mkt these backlogs are now a major liability as orders begin to evaporate, the future earnings and valuations of these types of companies gets hammered until a new batch of orders reappears which with today's environment is pushing far beyond the horizon. CAE and NFI come to mind. your thoughts please..
Read Answer Asked by adam on April 01, 2020
Q: Hello friends,

Is it possible to run a screen on all 4 major NA markets TSX, S&P 500, DOW and NASDAQ for the top 10 companies of which stock prices have appreciated in the past (dreadful) month? Perhaps make this another blog subject? It should be interesting.

All the best.

PS Kudos to Peter for his astounding patience with everyone! It's something I'm trying hard to achieve every day, but Peter leaves me in the dust. Much to learn from his example.
Read Answer Asked by Iulian on April 01, 2020
Q: With today’s PR, do you think the dividend is safer. If they were going to cut they would have done so today. I know they can still change their their mind, but what are the odds.?
Also, do you think methanol prices recover faster than oil in the next say 1 year.
Lastly would you average down ?
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Luc on April 01, 2020
Q: RE: Asked by Terence on March 30, 2020 - $1.3 million in stocks presently sitting with $800K (90 % cash).

Hi. I'm (60 & retired) in similar situation; understand everyone's different. Planning a similar strategy to what 5i suggested, but starting with a more conservative ETF (i.e. VCNS or even VCIP) for a period (i.e. 3 months), transitioning (on a strict schedule or market declines %) to VBAL once market volatility declines. I used to be a VGRO-type investor, but after -15% YTD, I've seen the light & am now a converted VBAL-type.
>> What is 5i's opinion of this transition strategy? <<

Also plan to add some Gold [PHYS] soon, and carefully/slowly add a few choice solid stocks (i.e. CSU, BAM.A, MSFT),
maintaining asset mix, over next 6 months.
>> What to do you thing of this Hybrid (ETFs + Stocks) approach? <<
>> My schedule was over 6 months; 5i is suggesting 12 months; can you explain rational of 5i's 'extend' period? <<

As always, thank you for your sound advice.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on April 01, 2020
Q: What are your growth favourite companies with no debt and/or strong balance sheets that have low PEG ratios in CAD and USD? I understand there is minimal earnings visibility going forward so best guess is appreciated using companies that you expect to survive and eventually thrive. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Angus on April 01, 2020
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