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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: Hi,
Could you illustrate to us all what type of companies/stocks and/or sectors historically have performed the best ( or least worst ) over periods of recession/depression/stagflation and war times? And further, can you provide your top 5-10 CDN stocks that you think would do best in these situations, with at least half of them dividend payers please, if possible. Potential ETF and options strategies would be appreciated as well. Take as many points as you see fit.
cheers and thanks, Chris
Read Answer Asked by chris on September 11, 2025
Q: ATD has not really done much for some time now. What stock would you recommend to replace it at this time.
Read Answer Asked by shirley on September 09, 2025
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.
Read Answer Asked by Anthony on August 15, 2025
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!

Read Answer Asked by Jerry on July 03, 2025
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.
Read Answer Asked by Jerry on June 16, 2025
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
Read Answer Asked by chris on April 23, 2025
Q: Please rank the following stocks to purchase today for a 20 year hold. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Ben on April 21, 2025
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
Read Answer Asked by Jacques on April 09, 2025
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
Read Answer Asked by Terence on April 04, 2025
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
Read Answer Asked by Terence on March 27, 2025
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
Read Answer Asked by Mike on March 07, 2025
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,
Read Answer Asked by Harry on March 04, 2025
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
Read Answer Asked by Peter on January 14, 2025
Q: Of these 3 Staples, which one is cheaper on financial metrics and which is your preference.
Read Answer Asked by Michael on December 24, 2024
Q: Hello Team,
I am enjoying 5i Macro Models services! Thank you! Could I have three Canadian Staples individual + ETF names please.
Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Issaku on December 19, 2024
Q: Hello Team,
Could you please recommend three Canadian "staples" stocks or ETFs with dividend.
Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Issaku on December 18, 2024