Investment Q&A

Q: The profitability of the life insurance company is negatively impacted when the interest rates are low. Since the interest rates may remain low for a while, does it make sense to buy Sunlife at the moment?

Q: Will SLF be impacted by the riot damage in the US?

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

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

Q: Which of these insurance companies would you buy today? Five year hold.
Thanks

Q: Why has MFC not held up as well as SLF in the current circumstances/

Q: Curiosity leads me to use a question credit- any idea what is behind the massive SLF volume today? Only twice before, in the last twenty years, has the stock seen something like this.

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)

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

Q: In the financial sector, which is more likely to cut a dividend, the big 5 banks or the insurance companies SLF, MFC, POW ?

I am assuming it is ok to count POW as an insurance company or should it be viewed separately all together.

Kindly rate the likelihood on a scale of 0 to 10 for banks versus insurance and any differences you might see amongst the insurance companies.

Zero being less likely to cut a dividend.

I am asking this as a dividend investor who doesn't like buying a company that cuts dividends.

Q: Please comment on results of SLF.Txs for u usual great services & advicesa

Q: Hi gang, I am looking into buying $11,000 for my daughters TFSA Acct. Should I buy $5500. BMO & 5500. SLF. Or 11,000. Zwb.And zwu or could you suggest me otherwise. Lots of time 15-20years. Open to any thoughts. Thanks be safe.
Alnoor

Q: I noted an earlier answer that preferred life companies over banks at the moment, for a new investment. I am currently overweight financials and dont want to leave the probable dividend stream. However, should I be thinking about divesting banks to a degree and buy life cos? If so, which banks to punt ( don't be shy, I have them all) and which life cos to buy? As always, appreciate your collective calm.

Q: Are the Lifeco's in general going to be hurt badly because of relatively high death claims due to Covid,
or is this possibility already priced in ?

Q: Which of these 2 companies do you consider to be the better investment on a long term basis. I am attacked to MFC's Asian business but you seem to recommend SLF frequently. I currently hold MFC but could switch to SLF or add SLF to portfolio.

Q: Can you please provide me your top 6 Canadian financials that you would buy at this time. Please rank:
Thank you