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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: I have these 13 stocks at equal weighting of approximately 5 percent each in my RSP, along with 35 percent in fixed income. Stock value of approx 1,300,000. Fixed income is approx 650,000. Cash 50,000. In your valued opinion, is the above stock selection diversified enough?, or are there other sectors I should be in. I am 69 and going to retire in the next year.
Read Answer Asked by Allan on July 07, 2020
Q: I'm looking to add another 5 quality dividend payers for the long term. Do you see any issues with my existing positions? SOME growth would be nice but secondary to dividend amount and safety of dividend. Industry and country are not important.

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Robert on June 15, 2020
Q: Good morning,
I own a small house in Ottawa that is free and clear with a current market value of approximately $350,000.
A recent discussion with my trusted mortgage broker confirmed that a 5 year term (Closed & Fixed) term mortgage can be obtained at a rate of 2.29%. This mortgage is said to be:
a. insured through CMHC,
b. portable, and
c. transferable.
At that rate of 2.29% and given that the interest paid would be tax deductible if I use the funds for investment purposes, I'm seriously considering borrowing around $200,000 and investing this amount for an initial 5 year period with an expected net rate of return on investment of 4.5% .
Q1. With $200,000, what are your thoughts of splitting this amount in 5 different chunks of $40K in the following instruments:
a. Mawer Tax Effective Balanced Fund,
b. Mawer Global Balanced ETF Fund,
c. Vanguard Balanced ETF Portfolio,
d. IShares Core Balanced ETF Portfolio, and
e. BMO Balanced ETF

Q2. As an alternative to the above and given the 5 year time frame, would your preference be to invest the $200,000 in a selection of best in class individual stocks split between different sectors and if so, would you be so kind as to provide me with ya listing of your best ideas at this time.

I thank you and look forward to hearing your thoughts on both of these investment strategies.
Francesco
Read Answer Asked by Francesco on June 15, 2020
Q: Hi Peter, Ryan, and Team,

Today (rightly or wrongly), I used the large uptick in the share price of CAE to sell my position that's held in my TFSA. (I sold with a gain of 4%, not counting the previous dividends.) I feel that the "airline" sector will still be under pressure after the present euphoria settles down, but who knows?

Having said that, please suggest two or three stocks or ETFs from each of the following sectors that could be considered somewhat defensive as well as being suitable for a TFSA. Portfolio Analytics indicates that I'm underweight in:
Basic Materials
Communication Services
Consumer Defensive
Energy
Financial Services
Healthcare
Industrials

Please deduct as many credits as you deem necessary. Thanks for the continuing superb service especially during this unusual time.
Read Answer Asked by Jerry on June 11, 2020
Q: Hello,

My partner and I heard about 5i from a friend whose been using you for many years. You came with the highest recommendation.

I feel like I should be copying one of your portfolios, especially due to my lack of knowledge, but it is very important for me that my investments to follow my ethics.

I would like to know which companies on your balanced and growth portfolios would be highest on positive environmental, social and corporate governance, which are low and should be switched and for which companies. I'm happy to do research, but I'm struggling to navigate the important statistics and feeling incompetent in finding good resources. I have seen your ESG scores (https://www.5iresearch.ca/blog/ESG-tsx-companies) and would be keen to know where to find information on how they are created. I would also appreciate other resources that you think would assist in building a portfolio, or simply which companies you would put on it.

Thank-you,
Ellen Perkins
Ucluelet BC
Read Answer Asked by Ellen on June 02, 2020
Q: Can I have your opinion on 3 quite safe and high paying dividend stocks. I have 30k in a savings account at 2 % being taxed and I have room in my TFSA, but I really feel better with quality dividends rather than risk at this time.
Thanks, J
Read Answer Asked by JAMES on June 02, 2020
Q: Which of these insurance companies would you buy today? Five year hold.
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Lawrence on May 29, 2020
Q: Appreciate u 12 tips today. Too many for me to buy now.Has lots of the big 6 can.banks & Qst (similar to Xbc).Please give me best 5 to buy.Txs for u usual great services & views. FYI China moves to impose HK security law causing drops in Asian markets esp HK( down 4.84% now) as well as US futures(Dow now down 139 after earlier up some 108)
Read Answer Asked by Peter on May 22, 2020
Q: Please rank the above in terms of return potential and risk. Feel free to exclude one if the comparison is too difficult. Thanks in advance!
Read Answer Asked by Brenda on May 20, 2020
Q: Can you please rank these stocks in terms of current valuations / market timing?
I am planning on purchasing 2 or 3 over the next few weeks and am wondering where to start.

Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by EVAN on May 19, 2020
Q: Hi, I am looking to invest a new half position in SLF or add to a half position in PBH. Would you favour one over the other today? I don’t mind risk, I favour growth, but am slightly light weight in financials.

Also, I currently hold VUN in my RRSP. After reading the ETF fund update, would you recommend switching to ZSP or ZUQ? I recognize the withholding tax advantage of the other two over VUN. Is that alone worth the switch?

Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Dave on May 13, 2020
Q: I am about to triple the size of my investment in the portfolio above and give equal weighting to all. Virtually all of this new money will be in non-registered accounts. In total, this self-directed portfolio will represent 20% of my holdings; I also have 40% in a growth-focused pension fund, and 40% in a mix of ETFs through a robo-advisor.
Do you have any suggested changes to the list of names? I am primarily focused on growth, with a 3-5 year horizon.
Do you recommend a different weighting e.g. heavier on some, lighter on others?
What are your thoughts regarding timing? I am tempted to put all of the new money in now, betting on the sustainability of the recent recovery. But I understand that a phased approach will reduce risk.
Thanks for your help.
Read Answer Asked by Ben on May 12, 2020
Q: Hi 5i,
Thoughts on purchasing BAM.A and SLF at current prices, or wait for lower prices? Do you think their dividends are safe?
Thoughts on the Canadian oil sector with respect to SU and CNQ? While dividends cuts have happened and likely to continue, do you see long term value in purchasing at these levels and do you prefer one over the other? Worth the risk for a 5 year hold?
Thanks very much
Terry
Read Answer Asked by Terry on May 07, 2020