Investment Q&A

Q: Hi 5i Team,
I just read Peter column in the National Post and recognize myself with a few small positions each representing a very small portion of my portfolio (ex: 0.36%, 0.54%, 0.64% etc).

I would like to know at what percentage of a Portfolio do you decide to close a position because you consider it too small.

On the other end what would you consider the minimum "meaningful" percentage of a new position in a portfolio.

Thanks in advance!

Q: Hello 5i Team,

Wondering if you can give me your thoughts on the future potential of Brick Brewing, as they announced their 2018 year-end results last week. They currently do a significant business in co-bottling, and management says they plan on being part of the future cannabis-infused drink business when it becomes legal.

I read, however, that there will be strict rules for cannabis-infused drink bottlers, in that they will not be allowed to use the same bottling facilities as they do for alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks, due to cross-contamination risks. This will certainly add significant extra costs to all beverage companies that want to get in the cannabis game.

Thanks.

Brad

Q: Have found the recommendations about investing outside of Canada to be very helpful.
I do cringe when looking at possibilities for adding bonds or fixed income as all of the etf's I have seen suggested have very poor performance, why not just stay in cash? I realize the desire to minimize loss in equities, but have a hard time committing money when the products perform poorly. Any other suggestions?

Q: ADN has been on a down trend as of late. What do you think is the cause for it and could I get your view on the stock

Thanks
Tova

Q: Thanks for the above. I have a problem with your allotment of both PPL and ENB under energy.I have these co. for over 10 years and have very well with both divide and capital appreciation and don't wish to sell them.I have kept my PPL as utilities which kept my allotment reasonable.Now I should sell most of them to get down to your recommendations.Your comments please.

Q: What do you think about the pipeline companies at this time?
They have had a nice recovery from Dec 2018 until now.
Good time to get in ?

Q: Thomson trades in both the US and Canada and, even if I hold TRI in the US, the Asset Allocator allocates it as Canadian.
TRI's average daily volume is higher in the US than Canada.
From a business point of view, TRI's sales in the US are greater than Canada.

When thinking about portfolio diversification, on a geographic basis, should TRI not be considered a US equity, whether held in the US or Can?

Could your online tool be adjusted to allow the user to manually make that change?

Thanks

Q: I almost only read questions related to my specific companies. So may be I have not look in the right place. My question is at this time in the Market cycle, would you recommend allocation changes and also increase cash somewhat?

Q: Further to the question about Riocan on April 12.

An article in the Globe and Mail on April 8 listed Riocan as one of the "thirteen TSX stocks whose dividends appear unsustainable".

An article in the Globe on April 12 had Riocan in a list with the headline "Seeking top-performing REITs that are still well valued".

How sustainable is the distribution? How will Riocan compare to some other REITs (such as CAR or CSH) for total return over the very long-term?

Q: I have held AltaGas in a registered account for many years. I recently received an Information Circular to vote in a meeting May 2. One item to be voted is a 'reduction of stated capital'. I carefully read the description provided but am no wiser about what is proposed. Is this something I should be concerned about? It seems to be an entry on the financial statements to satisfy the Canada Business Corporations Act.
Thanks,
J

Q: As a follow up question...... Looking for good growth in US mid cap industrial sector
Thanks

Q: Relatively balanced portfolio....Analytics shows heavy Canadian financial and need to add US communication and Industrials. Have
BAM 6.25% AD 2.82% FSZ 2.2% GSY 1.9% BNS 1.5% SLF 1.4% ZBK 1.4% ECN .87%
VB .8%. Which would you trim/eliminate and which US communication and industrial would you add. 5 years to retirement.
Thanks

Q: I have tried asking this question at Questrade but still haven't got a straight answer. It's about DRIP and cost base. My example: I buy 100 shares @ $10 and then I get $40 of dividends, which DRIP turns into 4 more shares. I have to declare and pay tax on the $40 of dividends I got, so my take is that I have "purchased" 4 more shares. When I go to sell, is my book price then $1040 for 104 shares?

Q: I'm looking at DOW and it looks like a dividend yield of almost 4.8% is this correct? with this yield for a solid blue chip like Dow looks very tempting, your thoughts?

Q: As suggested in Portfolio Analytics I need to add Fixed Income to family portfolio. It suggested ZAG or XBB; Defensive CBO or FLOT, Aggressive CPD or ZPR. Which of the three would you suggest to invest in? Also researching them they refer to Dividend Yield. Is it actually dividend yield or interest income? The reason I am asking should the fixed income be in RRSP (I know it is preferable for US$) or would a non-registered corporation account be fine also?
Heather

Q: I have 30% of my money in diversified CDN equities and don't need the money for 20 years.
I am not interested in bonds or REITs. I was considering putting the other 70% in the following ETF's.
45% VFV
18% VUN
18% XQQ
11% XEF
8% VEE
This would put around 57% of the total money in the USA. I am fine with that.
The MER would be around 0.18% based on the blend. I know this breaks your rule of keeping less than 25% in one fund. It also places a lot of money in Vanguard - which has been around since 1975, but nothing is for sure. Wondering what you think of this set up and also maybe I could sub out VUN for XUU. This would make 53% Vanguard and 47% iShares. Trading VUN for XUU would lower the MER a little as VUN is 0.16% and XUU is 0.07%

Q: Hi Gang,
After doing my PA, it says I am short in US holdings and the following sectors; consumer defensive, consumer cyclical, health care and industrials.
Suggestions of your favorite US stocks within each would be great. I don't need the $ for more than 5 yrs, reasonable risk ok. Looking at my portfolio as a whole, I plan on holding these in my RRSP. does that make sense re US tax with holding?
thanks
Michele

Q: Hi Ryan i note that you hold nwc in your income portfolio as do I .
My research is starting to indicate a value trap.
Then amount of volume of business that amazon is doing in the high North is increasing ten fold year over year to the point that post office are looking more like grocery warehouse.
Nwc return and sales are dropping faster than once thought.
I have reduced my position my half and am currently considering exiting in full.
It is further exasperated further when grocers in the south start getting government handouts .The competitiveness edge of the high north is disappearing
Kind regards
Stan

Q: I have the answer to the failed buyout. Another company has made a better offer to purchase Versum. The revised question would be would you favour increasing my existing entg or deploy ROK?

Q: I have owned this company for a few years and right now I am under water on it. Should I continue to hold, buy more or sell?
Sean