Investment Q&A

Q: Hi, Banks have been decimated over past 3-4 days, perhaps, over the risk seen with an inverting yield curve. A guest on BNN explained that banks make money by borrowing through short term and lending for long term. Short and Long term interest rates spread, contracting to its lowest point, over past couple of weeks, it has caused some anxiety among investors, while, generally market has favored financials due to expectations of rising rates, resulting in higher profits. Do you subscribe to this thesis of inverting yield curve and like that Portfolio Manager, on BNN, is it time to consider reducing exposure to financials ? I would appreciate your comments on this theory and if any action is warranted. Thanks so much

Q: When Canadian housing prices were much lower than today several years ago there was much talk about American investors being short our banks due to being overextended on mortgages, something I have not heard recently. How much is the short position on them now vs. then and which banks have the most exposure to defaults on mortgages presently?

Q: Hello 5i Team

I need to trim back my holdings of TD Bank and potentially purchase shares in Bank of Montreal.

If I sell TD Bank on Thursday April 07, please confirm that I will receive the dividend as April 07 is the ex-dividend date.

As the Federal Budget is scheduled for release after close of the markets on April 07, would it be reasonable to assume if an increase in the Capital Gains exclusion rate was implemented it would be effective April 08 or at a later date?

I tried to research the previous increases in the Capital Gains exclusion rates, however it last occurred in 1987 and most government press releases are not digitized from that era.

Thanks

Q: I have recently came across $30k unexpectedly from a former employer and was pleasantly surprised. It is currently in an mutual and it would not through my weightings out of balance. I have a well diversified and weighted portfolio with your quality names such as TD, BNS, VET, ENB, TOI, BAM, LSPD, AEM, ATZ, TRUL etc... If I was to move it from the fund to an equity only to set and forget(again) for 15 years what would you chose. At least your top 3. thx.

Q: Among banks, 5i seems to favour TD and BNS, though since 2019 patient investors have done well with just about any of the Big-Five-plus-NA.

But supposing interest rates are now set to rise, won't banks tend to find a trading range? In which case, wouldn't ZWB, with its covered call component, provide greater total return? Or do its MER and trading expenses claw back too much of its income?

Interestingly, since inception, ZWB's share price seems to have done as well as (for example) BNS, in spite of the potential for its positions to be called-away.

Q: In your view, what impact will the Liberal/NDP cash grab on the Canadian Banks have on their stock prices. Each of them are expanding outside Canada....does this help mitigate any new tax? Is there one Bank that is better able to handle things and more favored now as a result? Would you just begin exiting the Banks? Thank you for your insight.

Q: I own the following Canadian Stocks in my RRSP and TFSA and 20% is in cash to invest when there are opportunities in the market.

Which ones from the above list would you pick as your Top 3 choices to add to at today's prices, and the reasons why you like them.

Are there any on the list above that you would consider selling and the reasons why.

Thank You.

Q: Hello Peter and team,
I was expecting with higher rates that insurance and banks will do well. Trisura is behaving like a tech stock and the banks and insurance are not doing well despite good numbers. Is this due to uncertainty geo-politically? Thanks very much.

Q: Your thoughts on td acquisition of another US bank please. They paid what looks like a sizeable premium

Q: Hi, Market drop in the morning, Today and complete reversal after President Biden's briefing about Russia invasion of Ukraine was simply Extraordinary. Nasdaq, of course was the huge winner. Banks, on the other hand, were really weak at the open and did not gain much traction, during the day. Could you try to explain the disconnect, please.

RBC results were quite impressive, but it did not help the stock, Today.

CNBC, Bob Pisani commented that US Financials have been under pressure, the whole week.

We added some CM,RY,TD and BNS in the morning, for dividends and additional exposure to financials, to take advantage of market drop and due to expectations of the sector benefitting from rising rates. Do you consider it a wise move?

Thank You

Q: Hi 5i Team - Could you provide two or three top picks in each of the following sectors: Real Estate, Consumer Staples, Financial, Industrial. Any market cap is fine but with a focus on mid cap. Also with a focus on Canadian Equities.
Thanks.

Q: Canadian banks in general……
Is it time to take some profits? Or are they such a core holding that you would hold?
Perhaps only trim to a comfortable %?

Q: Would you please rank your top 4 Banks for 3 year hold

Q: Hi group - I am a medium risk investor - Can you please give me your top picks + % weighting in the top sectors - Financial, Industrials, Materials , Energy, Health care , real estate, Tech Thanks

Q: Recently Veritas’ D.Souza cut most of the big canadian banks to sell. Could I have forward P/E for each of them? I doubt it, but do you agree with M. D’Souza that the banks are a bit overpriced looking at 2023?
Thanks

Q: Hello Peter and team,
What do you think of major drilling group? For banks like TD and telecoms such as BCE, when would one consider them to be over valued? Would be mostly based on PE ratios and if so, what would considered a high PE ratio for banks or telecoms to be considered in over value territory? Thank you.

Q: I have significant holdings in RY, BNS, TD and MFC. These names have done very well in the past two years. They will continue to earn Dividend Income but growth will definitely slow... Is this a time to sell these names and put the money to better use as the market pulls back?

Q: This is a follow-up to our question from last week (see: https://www.5iresearch.ca/questions/140708).

Based on your response that nothing in the list gives you much cause for concern, we would understand this to imply none of the 30 stocks would be considered a "sell" today.

Please divide the 30 stocks into a pair of ranked (best to worst) lists, one of "buys" and the other of "holds". As well, for each of the "holds" indicate the principal rationale for caution.

Q: Canada Post is currently piloting a Canada Post MyMoney Loan where funds would be delivered from TD to help expand access to financial services (loans) for Canadians.

The personal loans offered by Canada Post and delivered with TD are available in smaller dollar amounts starting at $1,000 – and up to $30,000 – with flexible repayment terms ranging from one to seven years. As always with TD products, customers can expect competitive interest rates.

Do you see this benefiting TD in any significant way and also do you see this hurting a company like GSY.

Curious to hear your thoughts.

Thank you

Q: About 1 year ago we created an equal-weighted 'balanced' portfolio of 30 Canadian companies in a non-registered account. Most were chosen from companies either covered by a 5i research report or included in a 5i model portfolio. The remainder were chosen, based on the 5i Q&A section, from what appear to be 5i sector favourites. All purchases are made with the intent to be long-term holds (10+ years). As well, we intend to increase our investments over the next 2-3 years, and then adjust over time as needed. Currently the amount invested represents ~40% of the eventual total.

Although a goal is to keep the portfolio roughly equal weighted, of the 30 companies, the following 14 were acquired in 3 purchases (full position) and currently have weights in the 2.31% (SHOP) to 5.00% (ATA) range for an average of 3.71%: CSU, MG, GSY, WSP, LNF, ATD, ATA, SLF, BAM.A, BIPC, FTS, DOO, SHOP and TFII. The remainder were acquired in 2 purchases (2/3 position) and currently have weights in the 1.98% (BEPC) to 3.17% (TCN) range for an average of 2.56%. So, overall, the weightings currently range from ~2% to ~5%.

Over the next 6 months we will invest another ~25% of the eventual total. As we make additional purchases, we need to strike a balance between keeping the weights roughly equal while taking advantage of market opportunities. Please provide some broad guidance/wisdom.

Of the 30 companies in the portfolio, which 10 would you have the highest conviction in today? Please rank them.

Are there any of the 30 that you might consider as candidates to be replaced because there are better options, and if so, what replacements would you suggest and why (disregard tax considerations)?

What additional 3 Canadian companies might you consider adding to the portfolio and why?

As always, thanks for the great service!