Investment Q&A

Q: Based on the information I'm getting from various sources, it seems to me that it's time rearrange my portfolio to reflect the possibility of a recession in the near future. Based on that premise, I've decided to buy the 'best of the best' dividend and dividend increasing companies in Canada. I would appreciate it if you would suggest the absolute best quality companies Canada has to offer an investor in the so called "more conservative" sectors. I'm thinking sectors like pipelines, utilities, telcos but I'm open to other sectors/companies you think will hold up well in a recession. I'm looking for at least 6-8 companies that you believe would fit these criteria. Thanks as always for your guidance.

Q: Good Afternoon,

I am looking at raising some cash. Of the above, which 3 would be your sell preference, in order of 1st, 2nd & 3rd.


Thank you.

Q: I plan to reduce my Financial Services exposure. I would like your opinion on whether I should sell BNS or TD or half of each (all things being equal, my preference would be to reduce the number of holdings by one).

Q: Hello 5I team,
Thanks for the great service.

In my TFSA, I hold the following:
AW.UN (15.2%); BPY.UN (4.4%); BYD.UN (15%); DSG (5.3%), EMA (5/5%); ENB (10.3%); GC (4.2%); GUD (0.7%); JWEL (1.9%); KXS (7.5%); PEW.VN (1.6%); SAP (4.5%); SHOP (17.1%); SLF (4.1%); TSGI (2.6%).

I have about 12k to add to the above and I would like your thoughts on which 2 stock I should select from the above and/or any of 2 alternate selections you might suggest, I am interested in positions that would include some dividend growth, some capital appreciation, lower volatility and improved diversification. I note that my weighting in financial and healthcare are least represented currently.

Your suggestions and details for your selections are very much appreciated.

Q: Good day,
I have positions in both of these Canadian banks. I do have a long term investment timeframe ahead of me. I am sitting on cash in my portfolio. Do you recommend continue buying at these levels? Or should I wait until the market uncertainty clears, or buy into another sector?
thank you.

Q: I have decided to only keep a few stocks and follow the Growth ETF Portfolio. Of the 10 stocks I have mentioned above 9 are listed in your BE Portfolio with the exception SHOP. All have done very well for me SHOP up 568%, CCL,B up 180% ,SIS up 159%,MG up 112% and the rest all up between 11 and 42%.So my question is do I keep them all? Sell some ? Any suggestions appreciated.Paul

Q: Hello,
Our financial weighting is still quite a bit higher than you suggest for a portfolio...so my plan is to sell our (underwater) CIX as well as one or two of our (positive) bank stocks. Appreciate your ranking and thoughts regarding our bank holdings noted above. Thank you.

Q: Could I please get your top 3 picks in the growth and income portfolios at the current moment. Thanks, Don

Q: I am just starting to invest into my TFSA and will not need the assets for at least 7 to 10 years. I would like growth and can say I am a moderate risk taker. I have small positions in the four stocks and I was also contemplating a position in BCE. Would you be able to suggest at least four other stocks or etf's to diversity my account.

Q: I have all these stocks in my non-registered account, I have some money to deploy. My two smallest holdings are CP and WCN, should I add to either one or would you suggest a new stock?

Q: I have stocks in several US bank stocks and BNS. Some analyst are recommending selling banks. Do you agree?

Q: Top 4 stocks for my 18 year old son just starting to invest with a long time horizon
Thanks Terry

Q: Buy shares in TD and BNS this week or wait until after bank earnings week May 23-30? On the one hand banks appear to be breaking out now, on the other hand if the shorts are right and bank prices drop in value on soft earnings there might be a better opportunity end of May. Two sides to this stratagem. What would you do?

Q: Thank you for for answer yesterday about setting up my parent's investments. To summarize, they are very conservative, above 80 years old, and looking for safety and income.

I would now like to ask you about the distribution of the equity component of the investments (composing only 17% of the total, the rest being in bonds, preferred, and GICs). Those below are all in equal weight. What do you thing?

BEP.UN, BCE, BNS, CM, CU, ENB, TRP
XHC for healthcare exposure
IWO for US growth
VGG for US exposure
XEF (in a half position) for international exposure
VEE (in a half position) for emerging market exposure

Could you please suggest some more to round things out? I need another 5 or 6 stocks.


Also, do you have any objection to using ZAG and HYGH as bond substitutes for their conservative portfolio? I am buying individual preferred shares for that component.

Thank you once again,

Fed

Q: Hello . My house is paid off. I would like to set up a reverse mortgage or home equity loan to cover the cost of running it. Which 5 dividend payers would you recommend for my project? Is my plan reasonable and which is better home equity loan or reverse mortgage? Much thanks for your excellent service.

Q: Can you suggest the top three picks from your income portfolio that are cheap to buy today?

Q: Good morning. I need to raise some cash and would like to know how you would rank these stocks from "sell first" to "sell last"
Thank you,
Fran

Q: Using your portfolio analytics we find we are underweight in Financials and need to add to these stocks. The percentages from highest to lowest are SLF, BNS, TD, GSY, VB. Which ones would you add to first. These are held in a RRSP account with a 5 year timeframe.
Thank You

Q: According to the Asset Allocator, I am considerably underweight in the financial sector. I hold the above stocks, and they are about 3% of my portfolio [balanced income]. I hold a lot of cash at the moment. What would you recommend that I add, to increase my weighting in this sector to the recommended 17%. I am 72 with pensions, and do not need the income.
Kind regards, and thank you for all you do.
Ellen

Q: I currently own a combined 25% share in Canadian financials. I love the dividend, but I know it is heavy and I am concerned about the negative news I read about the banks. Is the future really that bleak for the banks. Thanks.