Investment Q&A

Q: Hi 5i:
I have too many finance stocks in my RIF account and would appreciate your advice on how to reduce. I want to maintain some US banking exposure, but otherwise I am open to your suggestions I have: RY; SLF; JPM; BAC; V. Thanks Roland

Q: Greetings 5i,

I am considering adding a long-term, full position (5%) in V. This addition is attractive to me based on its international brand presence, solid track record, and the rising interest rates that will likely help profits moving forward. I am not concerned about the short-term ramifications of the recent US tax reform on its long-term viability.

My current financial exposure consists of TD.TO and BNS.TO (roughly 3.5% each), as well as full positions in BRK.B and BAM.A (although, due to the breadth of their holdings, I look at BRK and BAM more like diversified "hybrids" than single financial positions).

I am 36 years old, debt-free, conservative (although not totally adverse to risk), and greatly prefer long-term holds that do not require constant monitoring. My investment portfolio is strictly for the purpose of expediting my retirement, and I have no need of its funds for the foreseeable future.

Does the addition of V sound like a reasonable course of action at this time?

Thank you.

Q: I currently hold these 3 in a us tfsa among a few others, and im looking to add to one of the 3 listed. BA recently announced 20% dividend increase and 18b buyback program, which seems very positive. NVDA also seem like a good time to add with recent pull back to sub 200s with no fundamental change. Then V is just doing what its been doing for years and years with slow and steady climb. Which would you preferred to add to and why?

CRA has announced $5500 contribution limit for 2018, when does it take effect? Is it immediate on jan. 1?

Q: Could you consider V and MA as consumer discretionary instead of financials? Would they react more closely to cyclical stocks with economic changes?

Q: The tech meltdown hurt today, but the stocks which cost me the most weren't tech. Any idea why Visa and MasterCard were pummeled today? American Express was actually up on the day. And as long as we're on the subject, do you like the credit card companies?

Q: From what i see in the comments of the last months, these 8 companies seems to be among your US favorite stocks.
1- am I right about those 8?
2- would you like to add a few US names, could be in any sectors
3- I buy companies with a 10 year + timeline. A lot of companies i'm interest in are in the technology sector and I tend to be overweighted in that sector. Its hard for me to imagine technology not directly corrolated to industrial or consumer staples growth for exemple. Does it make senses to you to balance a technology overweight (30-40%) portfolio by diversifying among the technology sub-sectors?
4- I understand that you focus on Canadian companies. I also understand that your are conflicting free and that you mostly invest in US stocks. However, I'm pretty sure that a significant proportions of 5i members would be willing to pay for some form of US stocks advices. Maybe a US portfolio or a US favorise stock list. (maybe with a minimum market cap limit so your decisions would still be conflict free) Your services are unique and are a benediction for small investors. It would be a great opportunity for us to have them for the US market too. I'm sure a survey among members would prove me right.

thanks again for your amazing services

Q: Good morning,
Been looking at a weekly report at RBC on this industry and read this morning that payments world wide where 85% cash and cheque 10 years ago. Today 83% cash and cheque they estimate 7T$ opportunity for growth!?
There is a long list of players sharing the business.
What is your take on it and could you provide 2 of your favorites (each)in the US and Canada.
Thanks again for making your special skills available thru this channel.

Q: Dear 5i
I1m considering investing in the named companies primarily as my US stock allocation. I currently own appl , fb , and nvda along with the etc`s vfv , vgg , and zwh.
Do these stocks seem like a good addition at this time
Thanks
Bill C

Q: I currently own WFC but am thinking of trading it for either of V or BAC. Would you have a preference? Secondly, with earning season coming on, if one is thinking of doing some trading is it best to wait for all the dust to settle to make the trades you were going to make without regard to timing the quarterly report? Any trades I would do would be with a view to holding the stock long term.

Appreciate your insight.

Paul F.

Q: Looking through Visa financial statements for last few years and noticed that they had a 1.5 billion extra tax expense for Q316. It was explained as a non reccuring, non cash and related to visa Europe acquisition. So I calculated the p/e without that 1.5b non cash expense and got 31x, which seems much more reasonable than 39x. Is my assumption correct? And do you consider V better investment long term than MA or SQ(which I am might go half position on)?

Q: I have a position in Visa. Analyzing the historical chart I can see that this stock just doesn't seem to go down. The only extended pull back since 2009 that I can see was in 2014 and it basically went sideways for about 10 months. Since than it has grown at least 25%/year. The yield is small, but with this kind of growth it doesn't really matter. Also, the use of Visa will only expand as tech companies fight for transaction fees, and with inflation their revenues can only go up. It seems to me only an extended recession can effect their growth. For these reasons wouldn't Visa be a good place to go "overweight"?

Q: With more and more companies not accepting cash as payment, would you consider these companies a good bet?
Thank you.
Helen

Q: Based on your previous answers you seem to have a luke-warm response to Visa as a stock and appear to favor U.S. banks for example over Visa. Can you expand on that preference and what your thoughts are on Visa alone. Folding Visa Europe into the company seems to offer a lot of potential. Do you think the risk of different payment alternatives becoming available puts Visa at too much risk given its relatively expensive multiple. Thanks for your input.

Q: Hi Peter and team again
I am looking at my SDRIF.
I have TD and RY in this account. TD has grown to a 10% stake, so I am thinking of selling 50%. What replacement do you recommend? BNS or XCI or other.?
I also have VISA in this account that has been flat all year, also being a 10% stake, I can sell 50% or all. Was thinking of SLF, PWF or STB. I would really like to have high yield investments here. Do you have any other high yield investments to recommend?
I understand this account for two questions. No problems.
Thanks
Margita

Q: hi, i would like to buy btween via or master card for my finacial side . and i am looking for long tearm. thanks. Alnoor

Q: The above group of companies, so called bond proxies medical supply and consumer staples do not seem to be participating in the Trump boost post election. Many have sold off sharply. Do you view this as a buying opportunity?

Q: What's the matter with these very good companies?
Thank you Peter.

Q: Thanks for all the great work and insights you provide.

I would like to buy both of these. I only have enough cash for a full position for one currently. Which would you recommend at this time?

Q: Currently hold RY (4.5%) and V (3%). I want to bring my total financial holdings to 15%. Please recommend two companies that would complement the list. Thanks.

Q: Can you please comment on VISA earnings. Can you please clarify when do I qualify for dividend.
I buy stock on ex-dividend date do i get dividend. If not how many days in advance i need to buy inorder to get dividend.

Thanks for the great service.