Investment Q&A

Q: Would appreciate your recommendation on three large cap CAD equities with limited downside potential that have increasing profits and cash flow and dividends for a short term investment of 4 mo

Q: Hi , Peter what canadian bank would you buy today kind of park for an year. Thanks. Alnoor

Q: Can you recommend 5 stocks which have high growth potential, but currently undervalued or not over-valued for 3 - 5 years hold ? These stocks can be in any sector and can be Canadian or US .
Thanks

Q: Hello Peter,
I hold a balanced total portfolio across my TFSA, RRSP and non-registered accounts. I keep my highest dividend payers in my non-registered and currently have them on DRIPs. Are there any of theese that you don't think should be on DRIP because they are too risky?

ALA, KWH.UN, FTS, BNS, SLF, GS, NWH.UN, ECI, EIF, BCE

Q: Compared to historcrical how does BNS look at present? fair value?

Q: WE HOLD THE ABOVE STOCKS IN OUR CHILDS RESP AND HAVE A FEW THOUSAND TO ADD, WE WONDER SHOULD WE ADD TO ONE OF THE ABOVE OR ADD AN ADDITIONAL STOCK. SHE HOLDS ABOUT 10% OF EACH

Q: On Nov 28,BNS reported EPS of $1.65 vs $1.66 expected(e) plus offer to buy BBVA for $2.2b.For comparison purposes,CM(2.81 vs 2.59e),TD(1.36 vs 1.39e),RY(1.92 vs 1.87e) & NA(1.40 vs 1.38e).BMO reports on Dec 5.Reportedly,these banks are spending heavily on technology,& at the same time cutting costs.Heard through the grapevine that CM is revamping its system in order to increase both top & bottom line. Please comment on aforementioned offer by BNS.Is BNS still your top pick of the Canadian banks?Thanks for u usual great services & views.

Q: Hi 5i,
We (senior investors and drawing from portfolios) have $173,000 in 2 TFSA accounts. We have $32,000 cash available in these accounts. Accounts currently hold AC, KXS, NFI, PHO, SIS, SHOP, and fixed income XBB and XHY. What would you suggest I look at to add to this mix at this time for long term holds. No cash is drawn from either TFSA .
Best Regards,
Ted

Q: I am trying to decide which of these financial companies to invest in. Which has the best growth outlook for the next one to two years? Or would recommend another company.

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.