Investment Q&A

Q: Greetings 5i,

Despite their lacklustre performance this year, I am very fond of consumer staple holdings that focus on food and household products. My reasoning is that I consider their essentiality, as well as their (at least theoretically) defensive nature make them excellent, steady, long-term holds that do not need to be constantly monitored; thereby providing a "sleep at night" factor which I highly prize. Thus, my current sector exposure consists of full positions (5%) in L and PG that, barring some fundamental catastrophe in either, I intend to hold indefinitely. I also hold AMZN (5%), but, due to the breadth of its business, consider it more of a "hybrid."

To these, I am considering adding a position in COST, as I feel that, in addition the aforementioned reasons for favouring staples, its business model is perhaps better equipped to withstand the "Amazon effect" than many other retailers (WMT, KG, etc.). I am also looking to add some geographic diversity to my retail exposure, and view the recent weakness in the stock as a good potential entry point.

However, I realize that this addition would increase my sector weighting, and possibly create some unnecessary overlap. I would therefore like to ask your advice regarding this addition, and whether my reasoning appears sound.

I am 36 years old, debt-free, and relatively conservative. My investment portfolio is solely for the purpose of expediting my retirement, and I will have no need of its funds for the foreseeable future. Excluding ETF's, my portfolio currently consists of 22 positions (with none exceeding a 5% weighting), and is, for my goals and investing style, well diversified across sectors.

Based on my situation, does the addition of COST sound like a reasonable course of action to you?

Thank you.

Q: I need to further reduce the number of stocks I have in my portfolio. Which one of the above would you suggest I keep. Thanks. Ernie

Q: Hi 5i,
Can you please recommend some good dividend paying Canadian stocks that behave well during recessions. Can you also generalize and comment on the type of stocks that behave well and poorly during recessions.
thanks

Q: Waned to find out what your thoughts are on L and if this is where you would be in this space. What would be your other choice if not L.
Thanks as always.

Q: Good Morning,

How do you feel about Loblaw in general. Do you think the worst is over? I am considering a purchase as a more defensive name in the event of a down market / high interest rate scenario?

Q: I currently hold Loblaw (3% position) and Saputo (2% position). Which of these two companies have better growth prospects? Following Loblaw's earnings and given their considerable 'headwinds' (competition, minimum wage, bread price fixing fallout) I am considering shifting some funds from L to SAP. What do you think?....Glenn

Q: How is Loblaws performing compared to its peers? And what percentage of Loblaws sales/profits come from the Shoppers division? I have held Loblaws for a few years and while not happy with its performance, at least as it pertains to its share price, I hang on for portfolio reasons. However, I would have thought that Shoppers would enable Loblaws to outperform its sector, especially given the most recent results where Shoppers same-store sales were up over 3%.

Appreciate your insight.

Paul F.

Q: Do you feel that Saputo has better growth prospects and lower risk than Loblaw? I currently hold both (2% position in SAP, 3% position in L) and am considering trimming Loblaw and adding to Saputo. What do you think?....thank you....Glenn

Q: Does 5i have any concern about the tie between offshore accounts and Loblaws ?? I am getting nervous about Loblaw .. could you please offer your insight to this on going saga? And if you were going to switch out L in the Income Portfolio what would you switch to? Thanks for all you do.

Q: I have $35,000 total room in our TFSA for my wife and myself, 71 years of age. Together we have 60 equities in our Income portfolios dividend long term investing with a 10 year horizon mostly following the 5i Income portfolio. Not wanting to add new equities should I top to ENB, BCE, UTX. Loblaw, NWC, and SPB to get each up to about 2% weight or follow another venue that you may suggest?
I also have a five year GIC ladder in place, cash resource, and defined pension. I feel that with XGD at 1.82% weight I do not need to add to it.
Thank you
Stanley

Q: These stocks are held in my RRSP . Have had them for several years. Last year they were down and wondering if it's time to move on. I'm a buy and hold investor. Thanks for great service.

Q: Hello: It is probably way to early to guess, but I just want your thoughts about how selling marijuana might affect shoppers drug mart/loblaw,

Q: What do you think about Loblaw's recent admission of bread price-fixing for over 14 years - and what impact will it have on the company?

Q: Hi There,
I would like to increase my position in two of the six stocks listed.
Could you please advise which two companies you believe would be the best to add too at current levels.
Thank You

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: Today (Oct 10) you identified Loblaw (L.ca) as a "forever" hold. Have you all seen a doctor about this problem? L is in a most challenging and very vulnerable sector. Razor thin margins which cannot always be made up in high volume.

Please take this comment 9not a question) in good humor. I write tongue in cheek because the inclusion of a supermarket in your supplementary list baffled me no end.
Sent most RESPECTFULLY

Q: As a follow up question to that asked by Mary Ann about the ten "forever" stock ideas. You indicated a few names could be added to the list and I was interested if you could provide a few of the names you think could be added.

Q: I have a reasonably well-balanced portfolio encompassing many 5i suggestions. I have recently opened a TFSA account and would like your assessment of the above for immediate purchase in that account.
Thanks for your assistance.
Geoff

Q: On your income portfolio is there any other company you would use to replace Loblaw. They don't have a very high dividend

Q: Greetings 5i,

I would like to ask your advice about my consumer non-cyclical holdings. I currently hold L at a little more than a half position. I am making an effort to increase my exposure to American stocks, and am considering adding a comparable position in PG. Given that L owns Shoppers Drug Mart, do you feel as if the addition of PG would create an unnecessary overlap? If so, is there another US non-cyclical option you might recommend??

I am 36 years old, conservative, and prefer-long term holds.

Thank you.