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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: Hi Peter

To follow up on my earlier question, I forgot to mention that both my wife and I are planning to retire in 5 years. So, I am slowly changing my investments to be income focused and less on capital growth

Greyhair
Read Answer Asked by Greyhair on December 09, 2020
Q: I am an experienced investor and for years have been selling short strangles, in the money puts and out of the money calls around some of my core position stocks, such MSFT, UNH, SRPT etc with good success.
Last week, I sold naked positions around NFLX, picking Jan 15/2021 expiration, which is before they report earnings and expecting NFLX to be substantially range bound until then.

Sold  NFLX 01/15/21 455 PUT at 15.10
Sold  NFLX 01/15/21 515 CALL at 16.10

The trade is profitable between $424 and $546 and in an unlimited loss position outside the range (a risk I am prepared to accept).

My question is, do you have any stock recommendations, for stocks whose prices are not likely to fluctuate a great deal over a a defined period of time, or any screening methods to identify such stocks, so as to trade puts and calls as I described?

Thanks in advance for your insights.
Read Answer Asked by Andrew on November 30, 2020
Q: Hello 5i,
I have two questions pertaining to the spin-out:
1. Would I be correct in assuming that if held in an RRSP, there would be NO tax implications at all?
2. When typing in VTRS, I see a second option showing up: VTRSV. What, if any, is the difference? My broker recorded the transaction as VTRS and so that is what I use.
Many thanks, as always!!
Stay safe and well!!
Cheers,
Mike
Read Answer Asked by Mike on November 23, 2020
Q: Hi 5I team.
My question is about healthcare and diversification in the space. I have been attempting to keep my position around the 16% portfolio weighting and currently hold ABBV, AMD, AMGN(4.8%), LLY(3%), PFE, MRNA, and WELL positions. Although I do not want to abandon the PFE/MRNA freight trains, I am looking at adding/shifting to what may be a longer term/higher dividend return avenue with the use of GILD(attractive entry and solid div), CRISPR(awaiting a pull back to $90 if it comes), and even MDT(under $103 if it comes)

How do you feel about this strategy and the switch out of AMGN/LLY to GILD/MDT?

Thank you

Peter
Read Answer Asked by Peter on November 23, 2020
Q: This week Pfizer spun-out Viatris as a Reverse Morris Trust Transaction. I understand the purpose of this type of transaction is to make it non-taxable. Are there income tax consequences for a Canadian citizen who owned Pfizer at the time of the spin-out?
Are Viatris shares worth holding?
Read Answer Asked by Ken on November 20, 2020
Q: I am looking to add more healthcare to my portfolio - thinking about adding Pfizer plus an ETF. Given the recent vaccine news I am surprised that the price of PFE has not really soared. Can you shed some light on this? Do you feel PFE has upside growth potential - is it a good buy at the current prices? Patrick
Read Answer Asked by Patrick on November 12, 2020
Q: My portfolio is a little out of balance when it comes to healthcare stocks.

I am considering: WELL.CA, VEEV.US, GH:US, SYK.US, BIIB.US, ABBV:US, AMGN:US. (I already own IHI and BAX)
Are there others that you would add to the list?
Is there an ETF that you would recommend?
Could you please rank the above stocks with regards to 3-5 year hold?
I sold my position in GUD about a year ago.

Thanks!!
Read Answer Asked by Brian on November 10, 2020
Q: With the sector rotation taking place I'm interested in buying or adding dividend paying companies that could benefit from the change taking place. With that in mind, and hoping for some growth and relatively secure dividends, could you please suggest what you consider to be your top 5 Canadian and 5 American companies that could benefit from this sector rotation.
Read Answer Asked by Les on November 09, 2020
Q: Can I get your thoughts on the valuation of the healthcare industry? Could you provide a few picks on dividend paying healthcare stocks?

Thanks,

Joe
Read Answer Asked by Joe on October 20, 2020
Q: When we are facing the specter of the federal government spending without regard to the future and the Governor of the Bank of Canada saying negative interest rates are back on the table, how could investors reposition their portfolios to mitigate the negative aspects of these events? Can you provide a few examples across the various sectors where one could start to reposition a portfolio?
Thank you...
Read Answer Asked by Ronald on October 14, 2020
Q: Hi 5i,
I'm not happy about the performance of GSK, what do you think about the performance going forward, also what else could you recommend for international exposure. Currently own Merk and Pfizer.
Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Mark on October 09, 2020
Q: I currently have PFE, GILD, MDT and ABBV in my Healthcare sector. I am looking to add a couple of names - I have been looking at MRK and BMY - your opinion please on these AND can you provide some other US healthcare companies that might be of interest to you at this time. Greatly appreciate your comments.
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by JOHN on October 06, 2020
Q: Back in July 2020, I purchased ABBV, in a non-registered account, to get exposure to the healthcare sector and to continue to diversify my portfolio outside Canada. Since that time, I am down 16% on ABBV. Knowing 5i recommends ABBV, would you suggest I purchase more ABBV (average down)? Perhaps it would make more sense to sell it, take the tax loss, and purchase another healthcare company based outside of Canada. If your recommendation is to sell, what other healthcare sector companies would you suggest?
Read Answer Asked by Sean on October 05, 2020
Q: I've learned recently that mRNA-based vaccines require extra cold storage (-70C; dry ice temperature). This will be a logistical challenge if such vaccines are approved. Two-part question:

1. Your thoughts on the impact of this logistical challenge on PFE/BNTX and MRNA?

2. Dry ice (solid CO2) lasts only about 3 days in insulated packages. Widespread mRNA vaccine distribution might depend on having a lot more dry ice produced at facilities near airports, shipping hubs, and smaller distribution centers. Any ideas for a play on dry ice via companies selling dry ice production equipment?

Many thanks! New subscriber this year and very satisfied!
Read Answer Asked by Mark on September 28, 2020
Q: My powder keg is dry waiting for the covid 2nd wave and in my opinion anticipated second market adjustment. The recent jitters made me realize I haven't made my buy plan for my cash...I am pleased with my portfolio and don't have any huge gaps, I am slowly switching from growth to income so am looking more toward your income portfolio for inspiration. In Canada ENB and H looked like good buy options and I already own Suncor so would top up on that as well to a full position. In the USA I am leaning towards P&G and Coke. These complement my current holdings and I feel these additions will do OK in a possible extended covid induced economic slowdown as well as be good long term income holdings.

Any names you wished you had added on the last drop or names you are watching with interest?
Read Answer Asked by Tom on September 23, 2020
Q: I just retired with no pension and living off my portfolio. I’m sitting on a lot of cash right now with very little US investments. I would like to start buying slowly. What would you suggest. Preferably ETF’s listed on the TSX with the odd US stock. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by HEATH on September 21, 2020