Investment Q&A

Q: What banks were the best performers and worst performers in 2019?

Q: Happy New Year gentlemen.
I know it is an apples to oranges comparison, but where would you deploy an infusion of cash for a 10 year hold? Already hold both, looking more at growth than income at this point.
Thanks

Q: I asked a couple weeks ago, but I was too early at that point. My question is on short positions on the Canadian banks: have they moved up measurably since they reported, both on the Canadian and U.S. sides? I'm wondering if the shorts will be out in full force in January again this year, and possibly they're building up positions before they announce.

Q: How seriously should we take the Canadian banks when they all increase their year-end loan loss provisions significantly? Is this really a harbinger of a slowing economy or am I being too cynical to think that this is a good way for management to build in some "wiggle room" going into the new year? Loan loss provisions are the one area management can use to massage headline numbers and perhaps boost profits next year if results are not so good.

Appreciate your insight.

Paul F.

Q: With most bank results in, just waiting on TD now, and the biggest hits to earnings having been loan-loss provisions and capital markets (in the case of RY) can you see if short interest has again spiked on the backs of these earnings, or has it remained relatively flat since the famous 'big short' trader publicly shorted them in the early part of this year?

Q: I have read that Canadian banks this week are gearing up to report their slowest annual earnings growth since the global financial crisis.
Do you anticipate a negative market response to my holdings listed above? With all 3 at 52-wk highs, how would you rank them for a continued "Hold"?

Q: Hi
I hold all these stocks in a non registered account, to take advantage of their dripping and tax advantages. I have the $ to buy another holding. What top 3 companies do you suggest to add to this mix for a long term hold, my goal is the highest dividend possible, with as little risk as possible. Also, do you have any issues with the compaies already held? I also have other growthier holdings in my tfsa as well as etfs for US and International exposure in my RRSP.
thank you
Michele

Q: For a long term hold, which investment do you feel will generate a better return, JPM or RY?

Thanks for your opinion.
A lot!!!

Q: Wondering about where to contribute and add to next . I have a TFSA and RSP self directed ( no unreg'd trading accounts )

Started investing in the TFSA 1st so my RSP is far behind it in $ levels . Now that I have contribution room , plus more on Jan 1 should i go with ..

Topping up EMA in my RSP , would be heaviest weighting if so with TD on top right now .
Topping up RY , NFI , MFC or NPI ( all being medium weight with TD and AQN on top )
Or adding BEP or SRU as new holding to either TFSA or RSP , leaning towards BEP myself .

Thanks

Q: Which of the following bank stocks are most susceptible to a price decrease if a recession was to occur in the near future. Please list as least susceptible to most susceptible. The stocks are RY, BMO, BNS, TD, CM, NA. Thanks … Cal

Q: Hello Team.... If I buy the US listed shares of RY ( or any other inter-listed Canadian company ) in my RBC US dollar, non registered account, would the dividends be subject to US tax? thank you. gary

Q: Now there is talk of negative interest rates eventually coming to Canadian markets. What would be the impact on the banks and financials here?

Q: There have been a lot of questions about your thoughts on CIBC and whether now is a good time to buy. It seems like you prefer other Canadian banks for their dividends and growth potential. Can you please rank Canadian banks from what you believe is best to worst for a 5 year investment horizon?

Q: I am a long term Buy and hold investor with more focus on dividend paying stocks. I have roughly 19% of my total portfolio in Financial sector. 16% of that is from financial stocks and 3% from ETFs (market ETFs financial portion). 8.2% in five (TD, RY, CM, BNS, BMO) banks, 2.5% in two Insurance(SLF and MFC), and 4.2% in financials preferred (IGM.PR.B, GWO.PR.M, PWF.PRF, BIP.PR.E). I think am Ok with my Insurance and preferred weighing. Two questions:
• Considering the current conditions, is 8.2% in five banks OK or should I trim some and invest in some other sectors?
• TD and RY have higher weighing with TD at 3.3% and RY at 1.9%, the rest three roughly 1% each, Should I sell some of TD and RY and buy other banks or something else?

In case you need my overall asset allocation:
Equity: 63%, Fixed income (including cash): 22%, Real estate: 6.5%, Preferred: 8.5%
CDN: 73% (Equity: 48%, Fixed Income: 21% and Real estate: 4%), US: 18% and Global: 9%
Four highest weighing (59%) sectors are: Multi sectors (Market ETFS): 25%, Financials: 16%, Utilities: 11%, telecom: 7%, the rest in various other sectors.

Q: The rich get richer, which is why David Thomson is increasing his stake in TRI without lifting a finger, just like Buffet. The weekend Financial Post covered the controversial area of why companies love to do stock buybacks and why it is not really in shareholders' interests. The above stocks were mentioned for Canada.

I'd be interested in knowing which 5i portfolio companies are most active in buybacks and which take no part among all the portfolios.

Q: Hi All:
RBC just paid their quarterly dividend on Friday. The DRIP portion bought new whole shares. The closing price on Friday Aug 23 2019 was $96.60. The DRIP repurchased at $99.6542. A big noticeable difference this time. This shows up in my account as a purchase on Aug 23 2019. I have read somewhere that the DRIP price is an average. Over how many days do they average? Is this standard practice that all companies with DRIP's do this? ie: CM, BNS, BCE, etc I have been also wanted to know when Peter does a webinar he usually covers a few stocks worth watching. Where, if any, would this be found on 5i? I recently put in to follow 'MIsc' Which covers a lot of general information for all investors. Thanks again for your very useful and resourceful answers. Ken ...

Q: With the world feeling a little uneasy about a pending recession, I want to keep only holdings that will weather a downturn. I'm not trying to time the market, and want to hold stocks, that while they may dip, have good balance sheets, good management, and will likely see a recovery. Others I will sell and hold the cash. Above are my current holdings. Do you see any that may be susceptible to excessive weakness in a recession and would therefore meet my sell criterion? Thanks,
Kim

Q: Gentlemen, good morning would you buy canadian bank today? Which one and why? Thanks. Alnoor

Q: Hi,

I am looking to reduce my exposure to financials across my family's portfolio, from 23% to 13%. Sunlife (3.03%), Royal Bank (3.41%) and TD Bank (5.55%) comprise our most significant holdings, all of which we have held for many years. I am looking to reduce and reallocate one of those positions as part of the overall reduction. Which in your judgement would be the best candidate to let go?

Finally, and I apologize if this question has been asked and answered before: is there any drill-down facility planned in the 5i Portfolio Analysis features that would list all holdings in a particular asset class, geographic sector, and/or industry? Or does the facility exist and I am missing it? For example, it would be helpful to have the portfolio analytics tool to be able to list the holdings that it is including in its calculation of the portfolio “financials” weighting.

Thanks
Derek

Q: Hi,

Looking for three names for a long term hold. Can you pick your best three choices for some growth, some income and not too volatile?