Investment Q&A

Q: ZOMD's share price has exploded upwards in the past month, aided considerably by blow out Q1 earnings late last week. Its market cap has also doubled to more than $100M so perhaps it's time for an analyst or two to sit up and take notice. Appreciate your views as always.

Q: Here is a part of the Globe and Mail article

"On Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Republican legislation, titled the One, Big, Beautiful Bill, with a narrow vote of 215-214. If it becomes law, it will override the Canadian-U.S. tax treaty that has been in place since 1942.
The 1,100-page document includes section 899, a tax proposal created as a retaliatory measure against what the U.S calls “discriminatory or unfair taxes” of foreign countries, including Canada’s digital services tax (DST), which was introduced in 2024.

The U.S legislation is still required to be passed by the Senate and receive presidential approval before it can become law. The White House expects the President to sign the final bill by July 4.
Canadian corporations that receive dividends from U.S. subsidiaries are currently subject to a 5-per-cent withholding rate under the tax treaty between the U.S. and Canada, much lower than the statutory rate of 30 per cent.
But under section 899, Canadian companies would see their tax rate increase by five percentage points each year until it reaches 20 percentage points above the statutory rate, or 50 per cent. It would remain in place until the “unfair tax” is removed.
Similarly, Canadian individuals who own U.S. securities directly are subject to a 15-per-cent withholding tax rate under the current treaty, reduced from the statutory rate of 30 per cent. Under section 899, the withholding rate could ultimately rise to 50 per cent."

July 04 is not far from today. If US government impose such taxes and the Mark Carney Government failed to address it, it will impact my portfolio which is heavily dominated by shares of US corporations. Such bill may also tank US market as Candian have the largest share of foreign investment in USA. What would advise in such situation, wait to see whether Senate approved it and then President signs it or take action and encash a part of the portfolio?

Q: There is an article in today's G&M "trump's new bill threatens major tax increases for Canadian companies". Could you comment generally on how this may play out in various ways and sectors. And specifically to PRL, SLF, BAM, CSU, CLS and ENB.
Thank You and please deduct accordingly.
Tim

Q: Your opinion as to the future prospects for BTQ Technologies Corp

Q: Is TD as sell at this moment???.....Tom

Q: Just read this in Globe and Mail - Canadian individuals who own U.S. securities directly are subject to a 15 per cent withholding tax rate under the current treaty. Under the new bill the withholding rate could ultimately rise to 50 per cent.
If you were me, what would you do???......tom

Q: Hi
How is Section 899 of the proposed U.S. 2025 tax reform expected to impact Lumine Group (LMN) in the short and medium term, particularly in terms of tax liabilities and profitability, given that it is a Canadian company operating in the U.S.? Do these potential impacts make LMN less attractive as an investment at this time?

Q: What do you make of the news that QIPT has an offer to be taken private by Forager for $3.10 USD. What are your thoughts on its trading at $1.80USD..... the market clearly does not think this is going to happen or that a competing offer is likely. What is Qipt worth and does it make sense to hang on to see how this plays out?

A long suffering stock holder

Q: Long-term rates in the US are reaching above-average highs. Am I wrong to think that these rates are unsustainable in the long run and therefore they have to eventually come down? If this thesis is correct, doesn't that make TLT an excellent buy now? You are paid to wait and know that you will get your money back someday.

Appreciate your insight.

Paul F.

Q: hi,
does 5i have any thoughts on why one would sell all NVDA holdings on May 22 (or 23), 2025? could there be too much risk re earnings coming out soon, and possible poor forward guidance vis a vis tariffs? any other issues?
cheers, Chris

Q: Hi 5i, thanks for the Market Update report today. It would be great to redo this employment analysis breaking out public (government) vs private (taxpayers) jobs. Thx.

Q: Hi Peter and 5i Team,

Just a followup to my question about ETFs that focus on long term and mid term Treasury bonds, are there any ETFs that focus on Canadian Treasury bonds, or are the ones that you suggested (TLT, SPTL, VGLT, IEF), the best options?

Thanks again for your great work!

Q: What are your thoughts about the stock price at this time? Will a meaningful re-org. will take place?

Q: I purchased these with a view to moving away from equities. I am retired and interested in dividend income. While capital appreciation would be nice, ensuring limited capital losses is more critical. I'm getting a healthy monthly income from all 3 but based on recent adjustment by RBC Direct it seems some of that is ROC ... so it's an inflated dividend percentage as it is clear capital is eroding. Seems like I may have made a mistake ... down about 7% as I sit today since I purchased. When you consider ROC I'm down over 10% on my original purchase price. Not the end of the world, but what is it going to take to get the share price moving back up for these 3? Would you continue to hold ?

Q: Good morning. I currently own the above 4 ETFs in the following shares of my portfolio:
ZDI: 9.56%
The combination of ZDY, EQL and EQLI: 15.9%
I have some other US positions while ZDI is currently my only ex North American position.
ZDI has been performing very well YTD with +13% total return (per my purchase cost) while The US EYFs are lower than 0% total returns.
Do you currently see the European momentum building or continuing ? And if so woul it be worth it to flip some of the US ETFs over to ZDI or any other ex-North America ETF ? THank you.

Q: General question about Microsoft. Historical data looks great, at least for the past number of years (when one looks at FCF, EPS, Share buybacks, Revenue growth, ROE, Debt - all appears to be great). Looking forward, what are your thoughts re investing in this company for the long term? My main concern is with valuation. It is trading at the high end of its average high P/E of the last number of years. What do you think are the plus, minuses and risk.
And as a secondary question, do you think there are better FAANG stocks, than MS (if yes, with a possible one sentence explanation)?

Thank You!

Q: How compelling of a buy is this one ? I read your most recent response to a reader after their drop on earnings? Would you buy here given the drop? If other large cap tech is more attractive (mag 7 already owned) please offer some names that you would rank above ANET. Thank you

Q: Some say this is the best service station food in the USA, what is so yummy about this company growth and should i put it on the menu for a buy today?

Q: Hello 5i,

With the USA facing a Trumponomic meltdown, do see an advantage of purchasing CDR's for US stocks today?

What is the recommended % of a portfolio for Canada, USA, Europe, International, and Emerging markets. It looks like a little more global diversity may temporarily dent impacts from USA rhetoric and threats.

Thank you
D&J

Q: Would you be a buyer of ISRG at this time? If not, what price would you consider it to be buyable?