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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 Peter and Team,
For this year's RRIF payment, I need to sell approximately 14K of stocks as I've been almost fully invested over the last year, in large measure due to 5i's superb recommendations. The stocks listed above are in sectors where I am overweight. I have several questions, so please deduct credits as you see fit:
(1) If I sold CGX outright, I'd obtain roughly 14K and would reduce my total number of holdings and lower my overweight consumer discretionary stocks. Even though CGX has fallen from its lofty heights, I'm still up, especially when factoring in the accumulated dividends. Also, there would be only one sell transaction. Are you OK with this plan?
(2) Are there any others in the list that could/should be an outright sell?
(3) Or, would a better plan be to reduce holdings in each stock by taking profits?
Of course, this would mean more sell transaction fees.

As always, I defer to your recommendations, and have been rewarded for doing so. Thanks in advance.









Read Answer Asked by Jerry on December 04, 2017
Q: Hi 5i,
We (senior investors and drawing from portfolios) have $173,000 in 2 TFSA accounts. We have $32,000 cash available in these accounts. Accounts currently hold AC, KXS, NFI, PHO, SIS, SHOP, and fixed income XBB and XHY. What would you suggest I look at to add to this mix at this time for long term holds. No cash is drawn from either TFSA .
Best Regards,
Ted
Read Answer Asked by Ted on November 30, 2017
Q: What is your opinion of this company going forward. How would you rate it against Telus or Rogers?

Harold
Read Answer Asked by Harold on November 27, 2017
Q: Dear Sirs,
I am looking for 5 companies(Canadian and US ) that you feel would weather a good sized market correction well. I understand that the US is not a primary focus but would appreciate any names you feel comfortable suggesting as part of a grouping of 5 to 10 names. As an aside , would you view a holding of Berkshire Hathaway as meeting the above criteria.

With thanks
Read Answer Asked by Brad on November 08, 2017
Q: I am a retired investor living on dividend income. I recently sold some assets and now have 15% of my portfolio in cash. I want to invest the cash across 5 stocks yielding minimum 3.5%. Can you recommend your top picks regardless of sector.
Read Answer Asked by Curtis on November 06, 2017
Q: Hi.
I keep my Telco at a 5% portfolio weighting. Presently I have 3/5ths BCE. How do you recommend I fill up the other 2/5ths? All in BCE presently with positive momentum. Telus to match the 5i portfolio recommendations. AT&T to take advantage of American Dividend and Share price drop? This will be held in a registered account. Thank you J
Read Answer Asked by Jeremy on November 06, 2017
Q: I currently have no weighting in the telecom sector. What is your favourite telecom for a non registered account?
Read Answer Asked by Curt on October 23, 2017
Q: Hi. I have a overweight position in BCE which I have a 3% profit plus dividends over the last year. I'm looking to sell half the position to try to get a bit more growth in the next year, while still maintaining a good dividend. Can you suggest a couple names in a sector with a bit more momentum. I already have a lot of financials. Was thinking Chartwell?
Read Answer Asked by Jamie on October 19, 2017
Q: I hold BCE and T for income, as well as CTL in a retirement income portfolio.
I am thinking of switching either BCE or T for BPY for a similar income because of the much reduced (I think) Capex requirements and likely better growth prospects.
My utility and real estate sector holdings currently are 20% and 23%, respectively,each spread over about 12 companies.
What would your thoughts be?
Read Answer Asked by David on October 11, 2017
Q: I am a retired, conservative dividend-income investor with a company pension, CPP, annuities, Fisgard Capital and the following equities:
1. 17% Mutual funds (RBC Cdn Equity Income, Sentry Cdn Income, Sentry REIT)
2. 10% ETFs (ZLB, XIT, ZWE)
3. 41% stocks (listed above)
4. 32% fixed income (annuities, Fisgard, but not including my pension nor CPP).

I plan to reduce my Sentry Cdn Income holding from 9% to 5% and purchase ZWC. The benefits would be a) saving $1k in hidden MER fees, b) receiving an extra $1k in dividends and c) a better asset allocation. I like the covered call strategy that ZWC provides, as well as the 30 companies inside the ETF.

Question = is this the right ETF product? Are there other Canadian Covered Call ETF choices that offer this diversified asset mix that I should consider? Are their other ETFs that have slightly less financials, less utilities, and more industrials that would result in a better asset allocation for me?

Thanks for your help...Steve
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on October 05, 2017
Q: i bought BCE almost 10 years ago after the flaherty income trust debacle. i have not added to the position and it now makes up a small percentage of my portfolio (less than 2%). going forward i struggle to see where BCE will get growth from. I was thinking of selling BCE and buying more BEP.UN. It would bring BEP.UN up to a full 5% weight. To me BEP.UN would provide a little more capital growth along with a higher dividend. These are both held in a registered account. Thoughts?
Read Answer Asked by Richard on October 04, 2017
Q: About a year ago (Nov 2016), you provided 10 "forever"stock ideas. Would you still categorize those same 10 stocks as "forever" stocks today?
Read Answer Asked by Mary Ann on September 28, 2017
Q: I am looking for quality canadian companies trading on the us stock exchange. I have some us cash which I would like to avoid the exchange fee. I like canadian companies for the dividend tax credit. Or companies not paying dividend but offering good growth prospects. I already hold csu and tucows under us listings. is Enbridge a good candidate at this time? any other suggestions.
Thank you
Read Answer Asked by francois on September 18, 2017
Q: I have some cash to deploy and I want to add to some small or half positions in the following 10 companies: MG, NFI, SIS, MX, SJ, PBH, ZCL, WSP, BCE, ENB. I would like to buy into some of these stocks today and some later, to spread the risk of the market's ups and downs. Which of these would you suggest I buy today, and which should can I hold off on? I am otherwise well diversified, so that is not an issue for how this cash is used.
Please deduct as many credits as you like. Thanks for the great service.
Read Answer Asked by Alan on September 14, 2017
Q: Hello Team,
I am 71, invest in value blue chips and ETF's 30% fixed, 20% cash, 50% equities. The portfolio is balanced following your portfolio review advice, including part of the income portfolio and part of the ETF portfolio. In our TFSA we have a 5 year GIC ladder with Oaken and some fixed ETF's. For 2018 TFSA ($4500 each)should we go with a growth stock, continue with the GIC plan or extend a fixed ETF? We have a little growth stock as per your income portfolio.
Thank you
Stanley
Read Answer Asked by STANLEY on September 11, 2017
Q: Greetings 5i,
I currently hold half positions in both BCE and RCI.B (BCE for stability and RCI.B for growth). I am a fairly conservative investor, and like the telecom sector for its ability (at least in my opinion) to be somewhat defensive in more volatile markets.

In your opinion, is it worth it to hold both of these companies, or would you recommend a single holding at a full position? If the latter, which would you recommend I keep?

Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Lucas on August 23, 2017
Q: Good morning 5i Team:
My question regarding the six companies mentioned is about Equity by Geographical location.
Lets say I only have the aforementioned companies in my portfolio.
With the exception of BCE, all the other companies have a portion and sometimes a sizeable amount of their revenue coming from US or International divisions.
From the Equity by Geography scenarios I have seen; this portfolio would be considered 100% Canadian.
Am I misunderstanding this or should some of this portfolio be considered US or International even though all companies are Canadian.
Thank you as always for your concise, informative and professional advice. Wouldn't have the confidence to be a DIY investor without 5i.
Read Answer Asked by Dennis on August 18, 2017