Investment Q&A

Q: Good afternoon,

I feel that I have constructed a well balanced equity portfolio of between 20-25 stocks, thanks in large part to you and your team.

I have identified the following as core positions, where each one represents between a 3-5% weighting:

RY
GWL
ENB
FTS
AEM
BN
NVDA
GOOG
AMZN

I know that there could be many additions to this list. But assuming I hold my "top picks" to these names, do you have any immediate concerns?

Thanks as always.

Q: As a retired investor I am looking for dividend income. Please rank the buying order you would have for the above stocks with the emphasis on rising dividends, dividend stability, and safety of dividend. My holding period is 10 years plus

Q: I am a buy-and-hold total return value investor. I have a concentrated portfolio of eleven stocks. I don't worry about asset diversification. I hold FFH and BN in the financial space right now, but I'm considering selling BN and replacing it with a Canadian bank (not an ETF). What do you think of that plan? Which Canadian bank would you think would best fit my strategy? Could you please list three banks, in order of preference?

Thanks.

Q: I’m doing a fairly major portfolio clean-up and account optimization exercise.
Specifically, I’m removing dividend-oriented and income-generating stocks from my TFSA and RRSP that are better suited to a non-registered account, and reallocating TFSA/RRSP capital to assets that benefit most from tax sheltering.

At a broad level, I’d appreciate your perspective on:

• Which CAD and USD names are best suited to an RRSP (e.g., U.S. dividend payers, global compounders, cyclicals, etc.)
• Which CAD and USD names are best suited to a TFSA (long-term growth, compounding, low income leakage)

I’m less interested in yield optimization and more focused on long-term after-tax efficiency and proper account placement.

If helpful, feel free to answer at a category level (e.g., “U.S. dividend aristocrats,” “Canadian compounders,” etc.) or with specific examples you think are particularly well-suited.

Thanks — looking forward to your thoughts.

Q: We are looking to inject more growth into our TFSAs - can accept reasonable degree of risk. Looking for concentrated list 10 stocks for 3-5 year hold.

Q: Good morning,

If one wanted 15% exposure to Canadian banks, would you buy TD and RY for 7.5% each, or would you buy TD, RY and ZEB for 5% each?

Thanks as always.

Q: These stocks are held in my wife's RRIF - just turned 71 - start withdrawing 2026. QSR, NTR ,GSY & GRT.UN small positions. GSY added this year. Thinking of selling GRT.UN - stock has not done much & very small dividend increaser, QSR (500 shs) small position - not big dividend grower - thinking of selling, NTR held fora while - up a fair bit 44%, 500 shs - sell? Comments if you agree with my analysis and if so, what should buy or add to this account?

Q: How would you define a "core holding" in a portfolio? The above listed companies I consider to be core holdings. Does this list broadly match your definition of what type of companies should make up core holdings in a portfolio? Are there names in that list that you would NOT consider to be "core holdings"?
Thank you for your work and please deduct as many credits as you see fit.

Q: For a leveraged account could you suggest 1 or 2 additional Canadian dividend stocks to add.
With the ROC distribution on VEQT is it best to re invest in more shares of the ETF with the funds or does it need to be transferred back against the loan to keep it fully tax deductible.

Thank you!

Q: Any comments for the earning report. Do you think now is overprice?

Q: The Big 5( now 6) have always benefitted from an oligopoly with minimal competition. Now that CWB, HSBC and Laurentian have been absorbed does this change the competitive landscape enough to justify even higher valuations for these juggernauts? Or could AI opportunities also justify higher valuations? Interesting how in a week where dismal numbers from the housing market, car market and employment market don't affect current or projected results for the banks.

Q: I have owned all the Canadian banks at one time or another, and currently own shares in Royal Bank.
All of the banks seem to have done quite well just recently, but the dividend on the Royal Bank is not as high as the TD for example.
Is it time to change? Which do you think looks best going forward for a total ROI?

Q: Good morning,

I'm trying to help my daughter (who is in her late 20s) with her portfolio which is a bit difficult because she is morally opposed to several lines of business (crypto, oil/gas, AI, defence to name a few) however I did notice she doesn't have any major CA bank equities at the moment. Some of my co-workers use a different research company who I think recently advised their clients to sell TD. I didn't see any recent questions on here about the CA banks lately so could you please tell me what your preferred bank is at this time (regardless whether I listed it or not.) It will be for a long term hold in her FHSA.

Cheerio,
Zara in BC

Q: Hi. I have tried a couple times to submit this question now...

My kids have a family RESP. Oldest child will be starting post-secondary in 9 years.

Currently have GLXY, BN, SIS and T.
What will be good holdings to add to this? If sector diversification is not taken into consideration, what will be good to add?

Thank you.

Q: I do not have any Energy Stocks. I currently have one Utility stock {FTS} and one Bank stock {RY}.

I have few other Dividend stocks, except for $BAM.

Please recommend 2 Energy stocks with some yield. If TOU is a Fav, I would

accept a lower Yield. Thanks Valter

Q: What is your outlook for RY in terms of increased stock price for the next 5 years? Thank you!

Q: Hello 5i,

I am looking to add one name to my income portfolio and the names mentioned above come to mind.
I own TD, ENB and FTS, so have a representation in the sectors. I would like a high dividend (who doesn't) and a dividend grower too.
Would you have a favorite amongst these or would prefer another name?
Regards
Rajiv

Q: BAM vs. RY—both are solid picks for income and long-term capital gains, and I currently hold both. I already have substantial exposure to bank stocks and the HCAL ETF. Since BAM falls under your strong-rated names, I’m considering increasing my position in BAM and trimming RY. Do you think that’s a smart move?

Q: Could you please rate the Canadian stocks below for total return over the next 5 years.

Perhaps these ratings would work (or other ratings you think are better) ...
F for fair
A for average
G for good
VG for very good
E for excellent

The stocks are:

BAM
BEP.UN
BIP.UN
EMA
FTS
NA
POW
RY
SLF
TD

Thanks.

Q: I have been asked by a 23 year old to provide suggestions for when she initiates her FHSA.

I immediately thought of the banks , which I believe is the premium Canadian sector for long term growth, growing dividends , and safety. I would also recommend a more Canadian diversified security (UMAX ) for her next purchase. Of the above banking securities ( all owned between my cash, tax free, and registered accounts ), which would you start with ? Would you be comfortable with UMAX as second pick ( admittedly hasn’t done much but provides diversification into large cap companies and a good distribution yield). I am only interested in Canadian securities at this point. Should I be comfortable with this approach? Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks. Derek .
Any