skip to content
  1. Home
  2. >
  3. Investment Q&A
You can view 3 more answers this month. Sign up for a free trial for unlimited access.

Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: I purchased Sun Life for some exposure to a rising rate environment even though I don't expect rates to increase very much. My concern with Sun Life and other insurance companies is there exposure to Canadian real estate as part of their investments. I know that Sun Life has an active real estate division and they purchased a real estate company in 2015 as well. Do you think this is a risk in the event of a real estate downturn in Canada? Safer to play Fairfax which I understand has zero exposure to Canadian real estate, despite its higher valuation? Am I over thinking things here?

Thanks,
Jason
Read Answer Asked by Jason on October 19, 2016
Q: Looking for financial sector allocation suggestions as replacement for HCG/mortgage sector. Already have positions in EFN/ECN/CXI/BNS/SLF...any suggestions? or okay with going to 20% on tech vs current 15% 35 years old, money is all in registered accounts, little debt, and no need for money in next 10-20 years
Read Answer Asked by John on October 07, 2016
Q: Recently, there has been much in the news about improved Canada-China relations, and the Liberal government pursuing a free trade deal with China. As it appears that more business opportunities are on the horizon (e.g., SNC-Lavelin, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board), what Canadian ETFs or specific stocks I should be considering?
Read Answer Asked by Jean on September 26, 2016
Q: Hello 5i,
I hold GWO with only about a one percent gain, so not much cap gains tax to pay, and was wondering, since I know you like SlF, whether you thought it worthwhile to sell GWO in order to buy SLf. i would like to have the cash too, (GWO is in a margin account). So i would also sell it for that reason.
thanks
Read Answer Asked by joseph on September 19, 2016
Q: Hello Guys,

How do you feel about these two insurance companies ? Currently, my position in insurance companies is strictly GWO. I am considering taking my loss in GWO, selling some GWO and purchasing SLF to better balance that sector.
Read Answer Asked by Robbie on September 15, 2016
Q: Hi 5i,
I am young and have time to hold stocks long term. I own some Canadian bank (bns) as well as some broad etfs (and other various non-financial stocks).

Is there value or reason to own a company like Sunlife or Manulife (or similar, please recommend if you know of something better). Or would it be better to own a second Canadian bank? Or would it be best to add the extra money to my BNS position?

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by david on September 01, 2016
Q: Good Morning 5I team, I have been building a cash position and would like your opinion on these stocks/etf to add to a mostly buy and hold dividend generating portfolio.
Read Answer Asked by STEVE on August 29, 2016
Q: Can you provide an updated assessment on SunLife (SLF)given recent results? I am looking to invest new money in blue chip dividend payor for son's TFSA account and also considering telcom (BCE) as an alternative. Should I go with SLF for now given the recent run up in BCE stock price? Thanks again. John C
Read Answer Asked by john on August 11, 2016
Q: I intend to take some money out of a savings account and put it into 3 or 4 rock solid (what a concept) TSX stocks earning divis
in the 3 - 5% range and looking at a 2 - 3 yr horizon. Would really like to see a list of stocks (with ratings) that you think would meet my requirement. Thanks again.
Read Answer Asked by Arthur on July 21, 2016
Q: Thank you 5i for your excellent service!!!

I have divided up my portfolio into thirds.
One third is a diverse group of ETFs.
One third is cash and a group fluid group of stocks made up primarily from stocks you recommend. SJ, CCL, SIS, KXS... etc.
One third is made up of the seven stocks listed above. Do you have any concerns about any of these being a long term hold. I know Magna is cyclical but is that a concern?
Cheers,
Bryan
Read Answer Asked by Bryan on July 19, 2016
Q: Please advise me
Out of the three insurance co.s MF, SLF FFH which one is better to invest
for growth and dividend
Read Answer Asked by Ben (Balbir) on July 18, 2016
Q: Good morning,

I own GWO and IFC for an aggregate position of about 3.5% in my portfolio. What do you recommend as a guideline allocation for "insurance" in one's portfolio?
If I'm low at 3.5%, would you recommend I add to my existing holdings or initiate a position in Sun Life?

Thank you,
Robert
Read Answer Asked by Robert on July 08, 2016
Q: I realize these two companies are very different, but both have had a nice share price reduction recently (well, nice if you're a potential buyer!). Straight-up question: Which would you choose for a better TOTAL return over a 5 - 10 year time frame?
And do you see a material difference in net risk between the two over such a time frame? Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by James on July 07, 2016
Q: I currently own PWF and down 18% and it is in a non rrsp account.I can write this loss with a gain in another stock in which I am over weight and wondered if SLF or FSZ would be a better replacement for PWF? I own no other stock in the insurance sector but own BNS and TD for the financial sector.
Read Answer Asked on June 29, 2016
Looking for more? Sign up for a FREE 14 day trial! No credit card required

We invite you to sign up for a 14 day free trial of 5i Research!
Experience all the benefits and tools we have to offer; stock research, model portfolios, Q&A with our experts, and so much more. Join a community of like-minded investors today!