Investment Q&A

Q: I have a friend, retired as I am, who's entire LIF is invested in one mutual fund with RBC. The fund code is RBF461with an MER of 1.84%. From the research that I have done, this fund is rated as low risk with below average returns. When I look at a chart history of this fund, it does not even achieve the category average over the last 5 years at least. I own MAW104 or105 in this category but these would be unavailable to my friend as RBC does not offer Mawer funds for sale. Could you suggest any alternative mutual funds, ETF's or any other low risk strategy you demm appropriate. Thank you for your service.

Q: I have recently taken over my parent’s investment account management because of health reasons. I found that my parent’s financial advisor had their money tied up and mutual funds with heavy fees, as well as GICs that were locked in for a long period of time. The money is now available for investing. They are retired and in their 80s. I will be keeping most of the money in HISA, GIC, and some short term bonds if the yields ever go above GICs. I would like to include a couple of stocks that are quite secure and pay decent dividends. And suggestions? I was thinking of RY, CM, BNS, PWF, BCE, CU, TRP, and ENB. Do these sound good, and do you have other suggestions?

Q: Hell 5i Team,
I am planning to cash out mutual fund and invest it in stocks in my wife's RRSP account (75K) which will be around 1/3 od my existing portfolio (150K). I have my TFSA and RRSP invested in stocks (mostly from Balanced Equity portfolio). I am considering these names, which I don't have in my existing portfolio. Do you see any concern with any name? Please suggest a couple of names for growth potential, but not too risky.
Thanks for the great service.
Kuldip

Q: Trimming the herd to pay off the mortgage. Any compelling reason not to sell the above names. I have a few others on the maybe trim list if you make a compelling case to keep any of the above. Balanced growth follower.

I am heavy financial ( thus ditching rbc and mfc), wjx is one of my dogs ( offsets some of my gain on financials) and rus- tpk -wpm have gone sideways so no gain-loss on them. Gets me out pretty cap gain neutral and cleans out a bit of dead weight not in your balanced portfolio

Q: Hi guys, love the service thanks!
Looking at a long term hold of 15-20 years , growth and dividend , but not really risky. I suspect all 3 are good, do you have a particular favourite? Or perhaps a better recomendation?
Thanks again!

Q: My question is about allocation of Canadian Banks in 5i Portfolios and what would be a reasonable weighting in a broad portfolio of 30-35 holdings which looks 80% like a Balanced with 20% Growth. BNS is the only Canadian Bank held in 5i Balanced Portfolio (4%) and Income Portfolio (6%). Historically, Canadian Banks have provided substantial returns through dividends and capital appreciation. But, I like 5i approach of finding companies with value/growth potential in small/mid cap universe and structuring portfolios. By association, my portfolio weight in Canadian Banks has grown to about 15%, CM,TD and RY, in order of 10.5%. 3% and 1.5%, respectively.
Would it make sense to reduce these holdings to align more along the line of 5i approach ?

Thanks.

Q: I am already overweight in tech, fintech, consumer staples and healthcare (which includes SIS) and underweight in industrial and financial sectors. Do you have any industrial or financial suggestions in either Canadian or USA growth stocks to help even out my portfolio please?

Q: 11:10 AM 5/16/2018
I very much appreciated the geographic distribution of business exposure to different countries for BNS that you provided this morning to Ron.

It would be very helpful to me and likely to many other members if you could provide a similar geographic breakdown of activities for the other 5 Canadian banks. It would help us to calculate our exposure outside of Canada.

Thank you............. Paul K.

Q: I have recently inherited a portfolio of stocks heavily weighted towards the Canadian banks (RY, BNS, TD, BMO, NA, CM). About 30% of the portfolio is made up of these six banks and I am uncomfortable with the lack of diversity and high correlation.

Which two or three banks do you feel are the least attractive and therefore the best sell candidates?

Q: Hi 5i Team,
Is it safe to assume that holding RY in US$ doesn’t make it 'foreign property' for tax reporting purposes?
Thanks as usual for your help.
Molly

Q: I am heavy financials at about 20%, I should probably trim the herd....All but CHW will generate a large capital gain as I have held most for a long time. I hate to sell CHW as it pays a crazy div right now at almost 8%.

I am leaning towards holding all but taking the dividends and putting into other sectors (stock from the your balance portfolio following your balanced equity portfolio) and not adding any new financials to my holding.

Can you provide a compelling argument for selling 1 or 2 of the above for the sole purpose pf rebalancing out of financial. Or is my slow but steady approach with lower tax implications a reasonable compromise knowing I will be heavy financial for several years.

Q: Why are the bank stocks so weak lately. Is this a good time to add or do they have more room to fall. Thank you.

Q: My weighting in the financial sector is 12% and I am wondering if it is time to increase it to 15%. I already own BNS,RY and SLF. I was wondering if ECN and FCR would be good choices to add to the mix or if you have any better suggestions.

Q: 11:56 AM 4/3/2018
I own RY, CM, BNS, and some TD, and they comprise nearly 20% of my income-oriented portfolio. It is often suggested that I should own shares in one or more insurance companies, but I think the big banks are already in the insurance business so I believe I am already am invested in the insurance sector.
Would you think I need to buy some SLF?
Could you please give me an estimate of what proportion is in insurance business in each of the big banks.
Thank you............. Paul K

Q: Of the top 6 Canadian Banks, can you rank their exposure to the US from the least to the most exposure?

Q: hello 5i:
clarification please. "Chris" asked about the big 5 Canadian banks, but I only see 4 listed. Where does BMO fit in this mix?
thanks
Paul L

Q: I need to unload one of the 5 big banks. How do you rate the 5 on a scale from best (keep) down to "worst" (sell)? Thanks for the continuing great service!

Q: Can you tell me if RY is as diversified as TD or is it more of a "Canada" only bank.
Thank You
Craig

Q: Hi Peter and Team
I am retired and have only "passive" income in my company investment portfolio but hold an overweight in financials (>35%) such as GWO
With the new budget proposals, I am considering reducing my high dividend financials and purchasing non dividend companies that have a better growth profile, especially after last month's downturn.
Can you suggest 3 positions that I might consider after trimming the positions in my banks and financials??
Your advice as always appreciated
Peter

Q: I own BNS, and TD, and would like to add one more Canadian Bank. Which other bank has the highest US exposure. Which other bank has the best dividend growth, and lastly which one would you recommend for a 3rd position.
Thanks