Investment Q&A

Q: For a "well diversified portfolio" and "Forever" holdings in Financial Sector, what would be your top 2 choices long-term [5 years] - assume 1 bank and 1 Alternative Finance, but your call. Looking for growth at a reasonable price.

Q: I've had a large gain in First Services and considering paring it back and investing the proceeds into BNS 385. Your opinion please. Thank you. Bob

Q: Please comment on earnings? Thx

Q: Two questions: I’ve recently intiated a half position in GSY and hold full positions in TD and BNS. I’m wondering what your take is on the implications for these companies as the new rules for mortgages takes effect Jan 1. Would it be prudent to scale back my bank holdings somewhat and increase my position in alternative lenders? Would you recommend a full position in GSY at this point as some borrowers may have to make a move away from the big banks? I accept GSY is riskier and the government could impact the alternative lending space with regulations.
A second related question, Cannacord is forcasting an 8% decline in mortgage lending for 2018. Your take on the impact for TD and BNS please.

Q: You recently answered another question in the following words.
you may be best served by a well-diversified conservative (or even balanced) portfolio. For your equity component (what ever allocation you decide) stay focused on large-cap dividend payers and weight defensive sectors generously.

If I want to stay with Canadian stocks only, please name your top 10 stocks that would fit this bill.

Thanks.

Q: Dear Sirs,
I am looking for 5 companies(Canadian and US ) that you feel would weather a good sized market correction well. I understand that the US is not a primary focus but would appreciate any names you feel comfortable suggesting as part of a grouping of 5 to 10 names. As an aside , would you view a holding of Berkshire Hathaway as meeting the above criteria.

With thanks

Q: Hello 5i,
Love the new website. you must have put a lot of work into it. Thank you very much for your efforts.
I have been concerned about what is often called the 'housing bubble" in Canada. I am certainly no expert but house prices to rent, to income, per capita gdp and just the general high degree of debt in our country.

Knowing that I am not an expert in this area I don't want to bet too heavily on this fear. So, I think I have found a solution and thought i would run it by you for your commentary.
I don't have a lot of real estate other than my own home. So I am not worried about that, I am going to live here anyway. But, it seems like the Canadian banks would be hit if there was a big drop. I don't know if you know of other industries which would be affected?
Now, I have about ten percent in fixed income and I think all of that is in US funds in a rrif. I thought I might shave off some of the banks and buy my fixed income in Canadian funds. Then I would invest all of my US funds in stocks.

The big problems with this plan, as I see it, are capital gains and especially hold ing my fixed income outside a registered account ( because this is where my banks are, from which I would be raising the money). Of course at todays rates the taxes on the fixed income outside the sheltered accounts wouldn't amount to that much anyway. I know that you speacilise in straight forward questions on stocks but I notice that you sometimes venture further afield and reply to questions of strategy. So, i hope I qualify for this latitude. There may be a few questions in here so take off the points necessary
thanks

Q: I am a retired investor living on dividend income. I recently sold some assets and now have 15% of my portfolio in cash. I want to invest the cash across 5 stocks yielding minimum 3.5%. Can you recommend your top picks regardless of sector.

Q: My grandson has just begun working and wants to start an investment plan with a long term objective. Could you provide your recommendation for 5 safe dividend growers that also drip.
Thanks much for the excellent sevice
GUY R

Q: Lately, a few analysts at BNN have mentioned about canadian banks being overvalued. I own TD, NA, BNS with about 4% each on the portfolio. All in registered accounts and above purchase price. Would it make sense to sell all (or some) and wait in case they correct ?. If yes, what can they be replaced with ? Thanks

Q: "I have 300k to invest, I am 65 and plan to live off the dividends. Should I invest all in or do doll cost averaging? What are your recommendations? Thanks so much for the great advice.

Q: My favorite stocks are those that go up year after year without a hitch, and have a decent dividend. You appear to favour the same kind, as above. But you have no utilities in your balanced portolio. Would you please contrast the growth rates, dividend growth, stability and safety of the above with regard to why a utility like Algonquin would not fit in nicely?

Q: My partner has $25k to invest in a new TFSA. Was thinking that 5 stocks of $5k each might be a good initial starting point. Do you agree? And could you make suggestions of stocks to add based on a moderately to aggressive approach. Her other investments inside a RRSP are primarily mutual funds or ETF based. Thanks!

Q: Hello 5i team, My wife and I, retirees, hold a fairly conservative portfolio, including the listed stocks above in our TFSA's. Our overall asset mix is 5/45/50 cash/fixed income/equities. If (in view of the buoyant markets) we chose to increase our cash position, which 1 or 2 of the listed stocks would you suggest we sell? Thank you.
Edward

Q: Peter,
RESP first needed in 3 years with ~equal amounts of BNS, GUD, OTEX, PHO & T;
with cash for 2 more positions. What would you add or change at this time ? Thank you.

Q: I am a retired, conservative dividend-income investor with a company pension, CPP, annuities, Fisgard Capital and the following equities:
1. 17% Mutual funds (RBC Cdn Equity Income, Sentry Cdn Income, Sentry REIT)
2. 10% ETFs (ZLB, XIT, ZWE)
3. 41% stocks (listed above)
4. 32% fixed income (annuities, Fisgard, but not including my pension nor CPP).

I plan to reduce my Sentry Cdn Income holding from 9% to 5% and purchase ZWC. The benefits would be a) saving $1k in hidden MER fees, b) receiving an extra $1k in dividends and c) a better asset allocation. I like the covered call strategy that ZWC provides, as well as the 30 companies inside the ETF.

Question = is this the right ETF product? Are there other Canadian Covered Call ETF choices that offer this diversified asset mix that I should consider? Are their other ETFs that have slightly less financials, less utilities, and more industrials that would result in a better asset allocation for me?

Thanks for your help...Steve

Q: About a year ago (Nov 2016), you provided 10 "forever"stock ideas. Would you still categorize those same 10 stocks as "forever" stocks today?

Q: In the financial sector, specifically banks, what dividend stocks do you prospect to have higher growth rates in the long run. Narrow down on a few stable growth stocks in the sector.
Thank You!

Q: I am retired and living on dividend income. I would like to invest 10% of my portfolio in 4 stocks from your growth and balanced portfolios for capital appreciation. Which 4 stocks would you recommend that are at the best valuation, offer a margin of safety, and offer the best growth potential for a 3-5 year hold?

Q: I currently own TD and SLF in financials. I am very dissapointed in SLF's performance. I thought it would do well when interest rates increased. We've had two rate increases and I'm down 5%. I was thinking of replacing it with BNS. That means I'd have two banks, one with US exposure and the other with international exposure. What are your thoughts on this?