Investment Q&A

Q: Hi Peter,
I am thinking of switching from BMO TO BNS as BNS is the worst performing bank this year. BMO is in my TFSA so there are no tax implications. Also my fees are very low so this is not a factor. I feel that I will get more growth from this switch. What is your opinion?
Jane

Q: My question is about allocation of Canadian Banks in 5i Portfolios and what would be a reasonable weighting in a broad portfolio of 30-35 holdings which looks 80% like a Balanced with 20% Growth. BNS is the only Canadian Bank held in 5i Balanced Portfolio (4%) and Income Portfolio (6%). Historically, Canadian Banks have provided substantial returns through dividends and capital appreciation. But, I like 5i approach of finding companies with value/growth potential in small/mid cap universe and structuring portfolios. By association, my portfolio weight in Canadian Banks has grown to about 15%, CM,TD and RY, in order of 10.5%. 3% and 1.5%, respectively.
Would it make sense to reduce these holdings to align more along the line of 5i approach ?

Thanks.

Q: 11:10 AM 5/16/2018
I very much appreciated the geographic distribution of business exposure to different countries for BNS that you provided this morning to Ron.

It would be very helpful to me and likely to many other members if you could provide a similar geographic breakdown of activities for the other 5 Canadian banks. It would help us to calculate our exposure outside of Canada.

Thank you............. Paul K.

Q: I have recently inherited a portfolio of stocks heavily weighted towards the Canadian banks (RY, BNS, TD, BMO, NA, CM). About 30% of the portfolio is made up of these six banks and I am uncomfortable with the lack of diversity and high correlation.

Which two or three banks do you feel are the least attractive and therefore the best sell candidates?

Q: Of the top 6 Canadian Banks, can you rank their exposure to the US from the least to the most exposure?

Q: BANK OF MONTREAL 1.81% NON CUM 5YR RT RST CL B PFD SER 25
BMO.PR.Q:
Thank you for your response to my question on the above. Would you kindly clarify: in August 2021, does the issuer BMO simply roll the investor over into something like this without the explicit written consent of the investor? If the issuer gives you back your cash, does the issuer give you back the face value it originally sold at (in this case C$25) or does the issuer simply give you the current market value if the then value is much lower? This was issued at C$25 and trades much lower.
Thank you for clarification. I am lost on these rate-reset animals. (Also , would your office support please reinstate the facility whereby you used to send me an email that my question is answered? Thanks.

Q: BANK OF MONTREAL 1.81% NON CUM 5YR RT RST CL B PFD SER 25
BMO.PR.Q
How do rate reset like THIS horrible thing work? How does value react to interest rate changes? Specifically, is the above security, which is down substantially, worth keeping now that it has already lost much value? OR are the funds better deployed elsewhere if one is conservative and looking for Canadian dollar income, preferably dividend?

Q: Hello: I currently own BMO, CM and BNS. I’m thinking of switching BMO for TD as BMO did not increase its dividend as TD did. Also I believe TD has more US exposure which should show better growth. Your opinion please.

Q: I own these companies in a DRIP plan and would like to buy a few more. Would you rate the best Canadian DRIPS stocks please
Thanks for all your hard work
Sue

Q: Hello Peter, Ryan & Co.
The Canadian banks are core holdings in my portfolio, which I intend to hold for a very long time. I am a bit perplexed, however, at the recent selloff. I recognize that the current pullback/correction in the market is very broad, but it seems to have been triggered by a fear of rising interest rates - don't banks & insurance companies actually benefit from rising rates? The banks' shares seem to have fallen as much as the interest-sensitive stocks this week (like REITs & utilities), which makes no sense to me. Can you explain?

Q: i am thinking buying some Canadian bank stock, it is a good timing for long turn investment ? and which bank your team will choose?
i am 48 years now.

thanks!!
Jacky

Q: i own two prefs...gwo.pr.T bmo.pr B...great life has dropped in price and bmo is steady..the yield on gwo is attractive..
has the say 5 yr bond spread or the pref yield spread between lifeco's vs banks widened? also your thoughts on gwo thanks as always..

Q: I am 85-years old, locking for a safe income investment. Like to have your advise on ENC.Pr.c Min Rate reset, FFH.PR.k 5-year rate reset, BMO.Pr.s 5-yr R.Rest Preferreds. How safe are they in a rising Int. rate rise? I would also appreciate you expert advise of your chaises. Many thanks, J.A.P. Burlington

Q: Hi 5i,

In this trend of BoC rate hikes which Canadian Banks are better positioned ? I would like to add 2 to my portfolio. Could you please comment on this ?

Thanks !

Q: I want to buy BMO in my RRSP account on its current dip.
is there any disadvantage of buying it on NYSE as CAD$ is fairly strong as well.

Q: Hi Peter, Would you advise on to buying more of BNS/TD ( recent strength) or pick up BMO instead to take advantage of its price as it lagged recently ( Yield @4%). I am more inclined towards BMO as they perform similarly over the longer term. Please advise.
Thanks.

Q: Can I please have your analysis of the following stocks that are in a TSFA: BMO, DRT, IRG, MDA, PHO, SJ AND SYZ.
Long term investments. Thank you.

Q: Good day Peter and Team, I too am impressed with your ability to limit the number of stocks in your portfolios. As I'm overweight in the financial sector and in the Canadian banking sector we hold BNS, TD, and BMO. I'm thinking of selling BMO at a slight gain, to deploy some extra funds for the Industrial sector where we're underweight. Aside from TNC, would you recommend adding to any of these Industrial stocks: EIF, KBL, SIS, or STN? I'd rather not buy a new Industrial stock unless there are compelling reasons to do so. As always, your advice and recommendations are of great value.

Q: I'm looking to free up some cash and among other things own the 5 big banks. They comprise 20.5% of my total portfolio, as follows: BMO 6%, RY 4.4%, BNS 3.7%, CM 3.3% and TD 3.1%. Should I focus on reducing my BMO exposure?

Q: The article you shared about the Canadian banks was an interesting read. I'm curious if you would buy any of the banks today, and if so which one and why? Its interesting to hear your thought process around whether you would go for the higher dividend payer that is more undervalued but limited short term growth, or the more US exposed fair valued, or international fair valued, or other reasons.