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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: I am new to this forum but have been 'investing' faithfully for over 30 years (what that really means is that I have been funding both mutual funds and the investment advisor buying them - last year that was $9,000 for the investor for me and my husband combined for the mutual funds to earn net 4.4% (the SandP/TSX was at 17.51). I'm tired of the high anxiety fear factor he generates for 4.4%. For the fee, he can earn us between 2 and 4% in coming years and insists this is a good thing.
Why wouldn't I buy Berkshire Hathaway A with the money currently invested in mutual funds and the advisor and invest on my own using a couple of your portfolio models with the money I have stashed? At this stage I am 56 years old so not a big risk taker and want to preserve what I/we have. With thanks, Wendy
Read Answer Asked by Wendy on October 06, 2017
Q: Hi there

Really appreciate what you guys do! I am a bit overweight to oil infrastructure and maybe Alberta centred companies. Do you think that given the oil majors seem to be selling their oil sand assets that is a sign that the future does not look too rosy in regard o more projects and more oil output in the oil sands going forward? A 2nd question: I hold equal weights of Inter Pipeline and Gibson energy and was going to sell one of these to reduce my oily assets. Looking at a 2 year time frame which stock would you keep?

Thanks

Stuart
Read Answer Asked by Stuart on October 06, 2017
Q: Hi 5i team,

I trimmed a couple of stocks recently from gains (thank you for that) and was wondering if you could give me a couple stocks to buy now for a 5-10+ year hold with medium to high risk? Thanks!!

My portfolio is as follows with pretty balanced positions:
ATB, BNS, KXS, CSU, BYD, SIS, PHO, TOY, DOO, SHOP, NFI, CSH.UN, GUD, SLF, PBH, GSY, SJ, RRX, and CRH.
Read Answer Asked by Andrew on October 06, 2017
Q: Do you think REIT's should be owned in ones portfolio? Does a 10% weighting seem to much? Also can you rate the following from best to worst as I am looking to get rid of one. GRT, REI and CRT.
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by sean on October 06, 2017
Q: I am considering a cyber security ETF. There seem to two based in the US (HACK & CIBR)and one Canadian that can be hedged or not hedged (CYBR & CYBR.B).

The Canadian listed ones don't seem to have much volume but are also pretty new.

Would you have a preference or one that you would recommend?
Read Answer Asked by David on October 05, 2017
Q: SHOP has had a very high valuation for the longest time on every metrics using comparables with similar stocks.
Even though the short sellers thesis is wrong, would a report like this make the stock correct naturally to a more reasonable valuation?
Meaning, maybe the real value of SHOP should be $100CAN instead of the present $130 and this report will be an EXCUSE to correct the price of SHOP and lower its NEW valuation for once and for all?
Is this what is happening right before our eyes?
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Herm on October 05, 2017
Q: BNN.ca Thursday October 5, 2017

Shopify responds to short-seller, ‘vigorously’ defends business model
Ian Vandaelle, Chase Producer, BNN

Shopify has responded to allegations levelled against the company by short-seller Andrew Left of Citron Research.

In a statement released early Thursday, Shopify defended its business model, which Left said relies on pitching a “get rich quick scheme” comparable to Herbalife.
“We vigorously defend our business model and stand resolutely behind our mission and the success of our merchants,” Shopify said in the press release.

“Shopify has always strived to take the path that leads to more entrepreneurs by designing its platform to remove the technical, operational, and financial barriers to enable anyone, anywhere, to build, grow, and scale a business.”
Read Answer Asked by rajeev on October 05, 2017
Q: greetings, looking to top up one of my reits - i have 1/2 positions in all three. If you were to add to one which one do you believe is the best value today assuming the alberta market continues to recover. Looking for a modest stable dividend as i am nearing retirement.
Read Answer Asked by kelly on October 05, 2017
Q: I am a retired, conservative dividend-income investor with a company pension, CPP, annuities, Fisgard Capital and the following equities:
1. 17% Mutual funds (RBC Cdn Equity Income, Sentry Cdn Income, Sentry REIT)
2. 10% ETFs (ZLB, XIT, ZWE)
3. 41% stocks (listed above)
4. 32% fixed income (annuities, Fisgard, but not including my pension nor CPP).

I plan to reduce my Sentry Cdn Income holding from 9% to 5% and purchase ZWC. The benefits would be a) saving $1k in hidden MER fees, b) receiving an extra $1k in dividends and c) a better asset allocation. I like the covered call strategy that ZWC provides, as well as the 30 companies inside the ETF.

Question = is this the right ETF product? Are there other Canadian Covered Call ETF choices that offer this diversified asset mix that I should consider? Are their other ETFs that have slightly less financials, less utilities, and more industrials that would result in a better asset allocation for me?

Thanks for your help...Steve
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on October 05, 2017
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