Investment Q&A

Q: Good morning Peter,

Thank you for your thoughtful-as-usual, prompt answer to my recent question.

You feel that over the long term, a 50/50 portfolio (50% US Market Index ETF/50% US Money Market Fund) would return about half or less than one that is fully invested in the US Market Index ETF.

Writing in San Francisco's MarketWatch on Sept. 2, 2010, Jonathan Burton showed that such a portfolio "...has made almost as much money as the more aggressive, stock-heavy strategy over the past 25 years and topped it over the past decade."

Why would investors not reasonably expect a similar future performances?

Thank you.

Milan

Q: Yesterday the stock price of CIGI was down over 7% and WSP was down well over 3%. Do you know of any news that would have caused this?

Q: a bit of granurality for the benefit of your readers following your response on Fairfax.
The last time I checked they had I think no more than 5 positions, one of them is an important position in the BANGALORE AIRPORT growing ''exponentially''.
On the bad side :
1 it trades in US dollars and I have no hedge
2 It has I think a pretty hefty MER similar to a hedge fund, I have a call wainting to be answered but nobody answers as I want to know how the MER is calculated.
All and all seems not bad and signifantly better than ZID so far
Print at will
CDJ

Q: What do you think about VNTV and it's purchase of WorldPay as a two to three year hold. I note the P/E is very high. Thanks.

Q: good day...I am looking for a mutual fund that has no load and a small mer that my son and his wife can use in their rrsp for the next year or two ...I only want an mutual fund because of the trading costs incurred by buying individual stocks until they have a larger balance in this account...if you could recommend a good fund here I would greatly appreciate it...gene

Q: I'm taking over my retired uncle's portfolio, he has about 40k all invested in cominar. He withdraw about 350$ of dividends each month. I would like to diversify his investment and he want his monthly 350$, what's your advice?

Cheers

Q: My interest is dividends....this was top pick on BNN so had a look because of 6.0 percent div...2016 year shows significant loss in sales ..profit...first qtr 2017 shows more loss.....confused by recomdation...what am I missing....I would not consider this ...but would like your comments

Q: I would like to know if there are some mid cap gold Companies that may have some seasonal summer time upside that you guys think may have a pop in the next month or so . Thanks.

Q: My financials consist of the above two stocks and a full position in GSY. AIF has been week and I am down 9%. AIF is 1.85% of my portfolio. ECN has done well and is up 12%. It makes up 2.25% of my portfolio. Which would you top up to a full position at this time. I also have a managed account that holds the usual canadian banks so I have narrowed my choice to the above two.

Q: Could you please provide your opinion on your 2 best stock ideas for the near term {6-12 mths}. Thanks Valter

Q: Hi 5i Team:
What are 5 pure Canadian growth companies that you will recommend for TFSA. Risk is not a factor. No need for dividends. 3 to 5 year horizon. Plan to add future contributions to this list in the next few years. Of course I will be reading your reports to see if there are any sudden changes in these companies and adjust accordingly.

Q: What are your thoughts on this company as an energy holding in the USA. What % does ENB hold? The dividend certainly looks good. I also hold TRGP.
Thanks
Don

Q: Hi Peter and Team,
Please share your thoughts on NFI's earring result. How is the outlook and valuation?

Thanks

Q: My tech portfolio includes the above plus full positions of SHOP, KXS and CSU. I am looking at topping up one of the above. At current prices which would you choose and why? The aim of this portfolio is growth with moderate stabiliy.

Q: Is it possible that CRH sees competition to their roll up plan so they opt to buy controlling interest in a number of clinics to ensure a good market share and then over time pick up the NCI as the NCI partners sell out or move on. It would be nice to know what their game plan is. When did they make the switch from buying the complete business to just buying controlling interest?

Thank You
Clarence

Q: Lost 54% of CRH investments since starting 3 months ago. Do you suggest to claim my losses or stay in. Where do you think this is going?

Q: I have a question about CXI. Any ideas of why the big move down over the past couple of days?

Thanks.

Q: Given past seasonal weakness trends in the markets, do you think taking a 20 percent position in gold and the vxx from now to Sept/Oct is a good idea? Thanks.

Q: I bought ATD.B earlier this month in my TFSA and it was doing well so I added it to our joint account. But in the last few days it had dropped considerably and is now in the red. Any reason? Hold or sell? - Ted

Q: Hello again. I’m interested to know how to consider currency when deciding between hedged, unhedged, and US dollar ETFs. In your answer to my last question, you mentioned that you prefer VPL over VAH; how was currency a factor in your judgment? Also wondering if you would approach European ETFs similarly, with respect to fluctuations between the Euro, USD and CAD (e.g. VEH, VE, VGK). Are there separate currency considerations I should take into account for each region, including EM? (e.g. VEE vs VWO)

When I hear professionals recommend CAD-hedged ETFs when the USD is falling, it sounds tactical but what if an investor has a long time horizon in mind? I’ve heard that unhedged ETFs yield better returns over time, say for a period of 15 years, but I’m wondering if US dollar ETFs are even more preferable, considering that I’ve already got some US cash ready to deploy.

Thanks for clearing up my confusion!