Investment Q&A

Q: Understanding that we are currently seeing significant negative sentiment and volatility, can you please rank your current top Cdn and U.S. quality-name buying opportunity candidates that will reward patient investors with 3-5 year time horizons?

Q: I've been curious about the Buffett Indicator (the ratio of total stock market valuation to GDP) for Canada. Am I correct in saying that it is about 1.7X or so, whereas it should be closer to 1:1 ? If so, what TSX stocks / sectors are pushing it up so high? I grabbed three large caps from different sectors to have a look at their present valuations...

You mentioned that BNS is historically cheap with a P/B of 1.2, so I'm guessing this one is fine.

If one looks at BCE's present P/E ratio it would be approximately brought back to 2012 levels if today's BCE stock valuation was reduced by "today's Buffet indicator overshoot".

TRP's present P/Cash Flow appears to be fairly high compared to some metrics in the past decade. Again, if the stock price was reduced by that 1.7 factor, maybe the valuation becomes more realistic.

I am only able to compare to metrics going back the past 10 years, so this may be part of the problem. Or perhaps I'm analyzing things wrong here and you have a different way at looking at this (?)

Q: Thoughts on BNS news today with new CEO?

Thx

Q: Based on your response to Douglas today, I am concluding that BNS would be the Canadian bank to buy today. With a yield of 5.78%, P/B at 1.2, an RSI at 31, and trading at a one year low it appears to be a buy candidate. I would appreciate your comments.

Q: BNS has significantly underperformed the other Canadian banks over the last 5 years. From what I understand BNS is out of favour and being discounted due to its Latin American business. In the past BNS streamlined the business by pulling out of smaller countries and concentrating on just a few of the larger growing economy countries. Do you ever see them pulling out of Latin America all together and perhaps pursuing a growth strategy in the United States like the other Canadian banks have done? Or perhaps Asia? How much longer will investors, particularly large institutional investors, wait for this International strategy to work out before they demand a change of direction? Many thanks for the incredible service that you provide.

Q: Based on the answer to Douglas about CDN banks (Sept. 21) would BNS now be considered cheap with the metrics you provided?

Thx

Q: i would like to buy an etf (vanguard) with safety or stock with a high yield during these unsettled times
What would you advise ?.Can you please give me a few choices
GHB

Q: Hi Team,
I am looking for your opinion. I am thinking of adding 5k to my kids RESP after todays ugly selloff. I am banking with the ATB and most of the resp is currently in the atb compass growth fund. My question is...do you feel that I am best off adding to this fund, or buying an idividual stock? As far as stock I was thinking stable growth with a dividend. I had either BNS or SLF in mind. What are your thoughts? Or any other better suggestions as opposed to the ones mentioned? I don't plan on using any funds for at least 2 years. Thanks

Shane.

Q: I currently own the following banks (weightings): TD (5%), BNS (5%), BMO (2%). I'm assuming that swapping BMO (and its 2% weighting) for GSY would be better diversification, correct ?

Would this move create a big exchange of risk ?

Could GSY survive a prolonged economic downturn - eg. is the housing bubble a risk ?

Is today's valuation already pricing in a potential "tough lending environment" ?

In that scenario, would they have an adequate balance sheet survive ?

Q: With all the risks out there in the investing world these days it's hard for me to decide on an investing strategy that I can trust enough that I will hold equities even as they react and go down when each new risk becomes noteworthy. I've decided that the best strategy for me is to develop a list of:
1. high quality
2. inexpensive stocks
3. that pay dividends that are sustainable through difficult times.
Based on this strategy what Canadian companies would you invest in now that fit the criteria? I would appreciate 8 of your top picks.

Q: When looking at historical Canadian bank returns, BNS has lagged significantly. I didn't isolate too many periods, but the longer term you go, the more consistent the underperforming becomes. I understand the past isn't an indication of the future, but perhaps their approach to international exposure just isn't the way to go? There appears to be a lot of conviction for BNS relative to others, does it's poor stock growth relatively not concern 5i? What keeps you the most confident on BNS? If you jumped ship on BNS, which would be the next on that would be in your model portfolios?

Q: BNS is getting whacked today after third quarter report. I know you like BNS but do you still feel their Latin American holdings are advantageous in view of an upcoming recession? What would be your top 2 Canadian bank picks?

Thanks

Q: Thoughts on the BNS quarter please?

Thx

Q: Hi group markets really tough to read right now ? what you 3 top sector's c/w 3 top picks in each / ideal entry price /short blurb on each.
I am particularly interested in Health care as I am presently below target. I just sold LLY because info on Diabetic drug was getting poor reviews that proved to be untrue so not am looking to get back in. so what a good entry point ? Thanks for your help

Q: B of M is trading at a PE of below 8 with a decent yield. Why is trading at a relatively low PE ? Is it more financially exposed to the a recession? Were you you rank it amongst the Cdn banks ?

Thank you

Q: I went to cash towards the end of last year in my TFSA. It turned out to be the right move at the time but 8 months later I am still in cash and suffering from whatever the opposite of FOMO is. As a senior, who lives off investments without any employer pension, my target return is any combination of growth and income at 6% -10% or better. While I am prepared for reasonable risk I can't afford to lose the TFSA headroom for a 3-5 years while a stock recovers. I am looking for 8-10 positions and would appreciate suggestions.

Q: what does the market expect next week

thx

Q: Good morning everyone at 5i! You have always said that you can’t time the market. I am going on the premise that the market is close to the bottom, and it is time to slowly start to add some names to the portfolio and to add to existing ones. Could you please suggest 5 growth and 5 income stocks ( US or Canadian) which you consider good buys at this point on time? Cheers, Tamara

Q: With the ongoing price swings and volatility, I am looking to add a couple good dividend stocks with a 3-5 year time frame. Can you suggest 5 Canadian stocks with decent dividends, and good upside price potential? Thank you.
Grant

Q: With the increase in interest rates, is this a good time to purchase bank stocks and what would be the preferred bank?