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Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: Hello Peter and Ryan,
We picked up a few shares of BNS on the drop yesterday. After searching for value stocks with a decent dividend we could not find a Utility, Telcom, or Financial stock that was not over-priced with the recent rise. ZUT or VPU also appear to be slightly over-priced for the moment.
If we are looking for value, dividend, and a little down-turn protection which stock is preferred; BCE or CM? Do you have another value stock in any sector that would be preferable to BCE or CM?

Thank you
Debbie and Jerry

Read Answer Asked by Jerry on February 27, 2019
Q: 2:10 PM 1/29/2019
Hi: I am concerned about deteriorating trade relations between Canada and China. Could you please indicate which of the big 6 Canadian banks and big 3 Insurance have business in China and what percent of their entire business is located there.
Thank you.......... Paul K
Read Answer Asked by Paul on January 29, 2019
Q: Currently have BNS,TD,CM,IGM,FSZ and SLF in the Financial Sector comprising 21% of my Income portfolio. I would like to replace CM ( or do you feel fine having 3 bank stocks ) - can you give me some suggestions as possible replacements ?

thanks
Read Answer Asked by JOHN on July 25, 2018
Q: I have recently taken over my parent’s investment account management because of health reasons. I found that my parent’s financial advisor had their money tied up and mutual funds with heavy fees, as well as GICs that were locked in for a long period of time. The money is now available for investing. They are retired and in their 80s. I will be keeping most of the money in HISA, GIC, and some short term bonds if the yields ever go above GICs. I would like to include a couple of stocks that are quite secure and pay decent dividends. And suggestions? I was thinking of RY, CM, BNS, PWF, BCE, CU, TRP, and ENB. Do these sound good, and do you have other suggestions?
Read Answer Asked by Federico on July 04, 2018
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.
Read Answer Asked by rajeev on May 28, 2018
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.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on May 16, 2018
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?
Read Answer Asked by Chris on May 03, 2018
Q: 11:56 AM 4/3/2018
I own RY, CM, BNS, and some TD, and they comprise nearly 20% of my income-oriented portfolio. It is often suggested that I should own shares in one or more insurance companies, but I think the big banks are already in the insurance business so I believe I am already am invested in the insurance sector.
Would you think I need to buy some SLF?
Could you please give me an estimate of what proportion is in insurance business in each of the big banks.
Thank you............. Paul K
Read Answer Asked by Paul on April 04, 2018
Q: Of the top 6 Canadian Banks, can you rank their exposure to the US from the least to the most exposure?
Read Answer Asked by Dino on March 28, 2018
Q: hello 5i:
clarification please. "Chris" asked about the big 5 Canadian banks, but I only see 4 listed. Where does BMO fit in this mix?
thanks
Paul L
Read Answer Asked by Paul on March 19, 2018