Investment Q&A

Q: I previously asked you about the rule of 40 for SaaS companies here:
https://www.5iresearch.ca/questions/text/rule+of+40#answer163822. Could you explain further why this model doesn't seem to work for companies in other industries?

For example, ATD has a low single digit free cash flow margin and would not meet the rule of 40 threshold, but it has proven to be a consistently good investment over the years despite that fact. Why doesn't its poor profitability hold it back and what other criteria would you consider important in lieu of the rule of 40 that help you identify it as a good investment?

Q: I hope you all had a great holiday. This is for when you get a chance.
I am planning trigger a loss by selling DG to help offset all the capital gains that I will have in 2024. Wanting to replace it with WMT, Cost, L, MRU or EMP.A. Looking for net return. Your thoughts please.
Happy New Year.
Ian

Q: Good morning, Which Stocks do you guys believe should benefit the most with the rising cost of living and many people having to turn to cheaper retail and grocery stores for example. Would stores like Costco and Dollarama be a couple of obvious examples, thanks?

Q: Retired, dividend-income investor. Sorry...this is a market timing question.

I am in the process of building a position in ZUT. I'm about 70% there. Most of the remaining funds to attain my full position will be sourced over time (3-5 months). However, with the recent run up in NWC and its subsequent impact on my asset allocation, I will be trimming a bit of it (NWC) and plan to direct it towards ZUT.

Q#1 = In the past you have indicated not to worry about market timing, especially when it comes to ETFs. However, with the rise in interest rates and the negative impact on ZUT, roughly when do you think is a reasonable time to start the process of adding (again) to the utilities sector (specifically ZUT)? While the general consensus is that rates have peaked, when do you think the utility sector to start to recover its losses...do rates actually have to decrease or just plateau? Also, you have usually answered this type of question with spread your money out over a number of months and get on with it (my paraphrase). Same answer?

Q#2 = Tied in with this a question => relative valuation of ZUT? Where does it's current valuation compare to its historical range? Is it cheap now or pricey?

Thanks for your help...Steve

Q: Hi group please indicate in what order and at what entry price would you add to the above stocks. Only comment on the top 10 out of above list (i have a 100k to spend would you go all in now or wait until markets settle Thanks for your help with this decision

Q: It has been over a year since you were asked for an opinion on Vail Resorts, please provide us an update on its future prospects and whether you view it as a buy, hold or sell. Am thinking of swapping this for something in US consumer defensive or healthcare, such as Walmart, Costco or Pfizer, a RRIF portfolio so income and stability with steady growth are important. What do you think of this change? Which would be your first choice of the listed options? Thank you.

Q: Can you suggest public traded companies that focus on restoration after environmental events (i.e. fires, hurricanes and floods)?

Q: Can I please have your opinion on whether these two businesses have long term growth potential? Have been losers in my portfolio and wondering if it’s time to move on or if patience is needed. Thanks

Q: Hi 5i,

I want to add 1 of the following consumer related US companies to an income portfolio with some growth:

COST (good growth, very small dividend)
WMT (good growth, small dividend)
AMZN (Good growth, No dividend)
KVUE (good products, good dividend, not as much growth)

Please review them, rank them in order of preference for a long term hold. If you have a better alternative, please include it.

Please deduct 5 credits, 1 for each company and 1 for the other possibility.

I look forward to your review.
John

Q: please identify top consumer discretionary stocks that meet criterion you recently identified for industrials - strong competitive advantage, growth runway, strong management, value creation and high ROE that are currently buyable

Q: Is there any estimate with respect to a percentage of income derived from Walmart for this REIT ?
Do you think the REIT is a risky investment if there is a great dependence on one key tenant such as Walmart ?
I always appreciate your insight.

Q: I'd be curious to hear your opinion on $SYM. For a high growth high risk account.

Q: hi, portfolio analytics says I am underweight basic materials, consumer defensive, healthcare and industrials. can you provide a few Canadian and US equities in each category, that you would consider for medium to long term investment.
cheers, chris ( take as many credits as you need ).
further, I am overweight in utilities ( 18.6% of total holdings ) and financials ( 25.5 %). do you recommend trimming these 2 sectors? and in financials I own BN and BAM ( which I would suspect actually have cross-over with other sectors? )??
cheers, chris

Q: Good morning 5i:
Next year I will be retiring, and currently I have the outlined stocks in my RRSP, I'm happy with all of them, I think I would like to sell some of them (or trim down, slowly -no rush) and buy stocks/etf that will provide resilience , some yield, and perhaps some growth , can you please provide me with some ideas, 3 or more , I was thinking BN, add more to VFV.
Please use as many credits as required.

THANK YOU for all your help.

Q: If one is looking for recession plays would Costco be a good stock(or etf)?

Do you have other ideas?

Q: Please suggest a list of 10 US stocks that would be suitable to implement a covered call income portfolio. I plan to use one month options. Thank you!

Q: Which company to buy at this time for near term price appreciation. Any other suggestions in consumer staples. Your PA suggests I should increase consumer staples (no staples in my portfolio at this time).
Thanks

Q: I did reorganise my portfolios in 2022 for a majority of diversified dividend ETFs and a minority of selected excellent dividend stocks.This strategy was satisfactory ,and I shall not sell this content in 2023.My strategy in 2023 will consider the possibility of a bear market,I shall only " add-on" some stocks on weakness .Could you list 10 canadian+10 us stocks ( not ETFs), among the safest in a bear market in your opinion,including 7 dividend stocks+3 growth stocks for each list,and rank them for safety if possible,many thanks,JY

Q: Hi Everyone!! Peter, I always enjoy your article in the National Post. In this past one” Five things I wish I knew when I started out”…. You mentioned as one of your points , that companies that don’t need any money at all are the best investments . Could you please list a few Canadian and US companies that are in that situation?
Cheers,
Tamara

Q: Hello 5i
Could I have your assessment Symbiotic (SYM)please?
Thank you
Dave