Investment Q&A

Q: Hello, I’m looking to add consumer staples to my portfolio. That being said, after Metro’s recent decline post earnings would you consider the current price an attractive entry point? At current prices, do you have a preference between Metro or Loblaw. I plan on holding both in a non registered account where I prioritize yield, dividend safety and dividend growth. I’m leaning toward buying both but taking a bigger position in Metro due to the recent price drop and higher yield. Thanks.

Q: Hi Peter and the 5i Team,

John Heinzl on June 20 rated EMP.A as a “star” in his Stars and Dogs column in the Globe & Mail. We recently purchased a smallish amount in Empire EMP.A to round out our Consumer Defensive holdings which include COST, DOL, XST, and L.

As far as Metro MRU is concerned, it’s held in XST which also contains some of the other smaller firms in the sector.

Do you believe that the troubled takeover of Safeway by Empire several years ago is now a ‘thing of the past’, making Empire a reasonable investment, given its successful takeover of Farm Boy as well as its 51% share of Longos? Both Farm Boy and Longos are quite busy in our Oakville location.

Thanks as always for your insight. Happy Canada Day to all at 5i as well as my fellow 5i members!

Q: Hi Peter and team,

Portfolio Analytics indicates a need to increase our Consumer Defensive sector holdings. Across our combined accounts for this sector, we also hold COST and DOL, as well as two ETFs (ZLB with 19% representation, and XST with 71.5% representation in this sector.)

I am considering adding roughly equal amounts of L and JWEL to achieve the goal, and realize that L is much larger than JWEL, as well as being more defensive. But I do note that JWEL appears to have greater momentum presently and has a higher dividend as well.

PA classifies our portfolio as ‘Risk Managed Growth’, and L and JWEL would go into an 82-year-old’s RRIF.

Would you endorse such a plan? I’d also change the 50/50 allocation if you suggest this.

As always, thanks for your assistance.

Q: Is there a clear case for preferring L to WN? L is more liquid while WN does slightly better on P/E and RoE; does liquidity win, here?

Q: hi 5i. sorry for the number of equities in this. you seem to like all (most?) of these companies. I have none of these in my portfolio, but have been trying to get in at lower prices. can you please rank as buy, sell, or hold. can you flag any that you have more concern with re the uncertain investing markets right now ie any to totally avoid? could you give a price point at which you would be buyers of the equities.
cheers and thanks, Chris

Q: Please rank the following stocks to purchase today for a 20 year hold. Thanks

Q: Hi,

We could very well be heading into stagflation, which I understand to be slowing or negative growth, high unemployment, weak demand and rising inflation.

In such a scenario, which would be the best stocks or ETFs to favour ?

Many thanks,

Jacques IDS

Q: Hi bad day to be sure I see you suggest buying into some stocks but slowly.
What are the best sectors to buy first now that this black swan event is in play. Please give me you top 4 sectors in order of preference. Also you top 2 picks in each of the 4 also in order of preference as well please

What do you think is the worse case scenario as far as market drop % wise I release its just a guess but you guess is almost certainly better than mine at this point

Q: Hi Group please share your top 4 sectors c/w 3 stocks in each. (please rate the 3 in order of preferred order to add) also if you could suggest a good entry price (i intend to average in over the next 6 months presently no defense /manufacturing exposure also light on health care. I have 20% of my portfolio in cash. thanks

Q: What would be your favorite Consumer staples/defensive names at this time and are they over valued now, or continue to be a flight to safety, considering the circumstances of the day. Your thoughts on the above or any additional companies for this sector.
Thank you,
Mike

Q: Hi Peter and gang,

Give the current volatility in the markets, would you please recommend a few defensive stocks in both US and Canadian markets.

Cheers,

Q: considering a buy
i am looking for defensive but with potential for growth
i like the pharmacy/food stores they are rolling out
please advise on this buy and please suggest another 2 options in list of defensive stocks
i am generally diversified and hold financials and tech
many thanks

Q: Of these 3 Staples, which one is cheaper on financial metrics and which is your preference.

Q: Hello Team,
I am enjoying 5i Macro Models services! Thank you! Could I have three Canadian Staples individual + ETF names please.
Thank you!

Q: Hello Team,
Could you please recommend three Canadian "staples" stocks or ETFs with dividend.
Thank you!

Q: I am currently a bit underweight consumer staples and would also like to tilt my portfolio a little bit defensive. My only holdings in the sector are ATD and PBH. Other than these, what would be your two top picks both in Canada and the US for new buying at this time in the sector.

Q: I'm rebalancing stocks on my registered accounts and nearing the ex date for the dividends. Should I wait until after the ex date or sell now? The dividends that would be payable if I sell before is not substantial. Thanks David

Q: 1) Which has the highest & lowest 10-yr total return potential according to 5i’s research & data?

2) What other defensive names in the US & Canada might provide similar (or better) risk-adjusted returns over 10 years, given current valuations?
Thank you.

Q: In a portfolio with banks at 42% (TD, and National), energy at 35% (TC, Sobo, and Tourmaline) and consumer discretionary 16% (ATD), what companies would you suggest diversifying into? This is my husband's account and he buys and holds. He will be selling Telus and needs some options for telecommunications and more. Could he be more diversified? He is asking my advice but I appreciate hearing from you.

Many thanks.
V.

Q: I sold BCE and T some time ago and no have zero communications shares. What do you suggest for telecom exposure today? Also, which consumer defensive companies, preferably Canadian but US is OK too. Many thanks Al