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: Hello,
I own some FFH and have been concerned by the Muddy Waters report (it's description in the press as it was too specific and complex for me to read and assess) and am wondering if you think it will affect the performance of FFH in the long run and if it is intrinsic to the manner FFH usually does business, compared to, say to another insurance co such as IFC which is more transparent in it's reporting?
Read Answer Asked by Adel on February 21, 2024
Q: What are your top buys (3) right now if you were investing in a mix of growth, quality, and somewhat reasonable valuation? With your answer/explanation can you include fwd p/e or whatever relevant metrics vs peers?

Also, what's a quality stock or two you'd like to buy but would want to see come down a bit/something you'd be looking to pick up in a broad market selloff?
Read Answer Asked by Max on February 20, 2024
Q: Please rank the above for a long term hold in a TSFA. Some comment on pluses and minuses for each would be welcome. Add any others that you feel are worth considering.
Thanks
Len
Read Answer Asked by Leonard on February 15, 2024
Q: Making a large spousal RRSP contribution soon and am looking for guidance as to the best 3 or 4 stocks with a tilt toward growth that would compliment this group with a brief explanation as to thier merits and why they compliment the existing holdings. Initially had my sights set on DOL, ATS, CNR and IFC but not sure these would be the right choice to maximize compounding for someone with a very long investment horizon.

Wife’s portfolios currently include: ITOT, IEMG, XEF, AVGO, COST, SBUX, RY, FTS, BCE, ATD, DIR.UN, SHOP, GSY, BN, TOI, ATZ, NVEI
Most Mag 7 are owned in my own accounts with adequate exposure when considering combined portfolios so not looking for any of those.
Read Answer Asked by Matthew on February 02, 2024
Q: Hi I have my RRSP distributed at around 8% or 12% on these stocks, would you change anything , I'm heading to retirement in 7 months from now and like to know if you would recommend any modification. I can sustain drops of 10% , which I handle by doing nothing.
Thank you 5i, you have been good to me!!!
Read Answer Asked by Fernando on January 26, 2024
Q: I recently transferred my employer TFSA account to my trading account, so I now manage my entire TFSA. I have many solid growth names, and have XIU and BNS as a dividend/diversification play.

I am looking for a solid set it and forget it Dividend play to DRIP, and have some share price appreciation for long term.

Would BAM or FTS be your top pick for this type of thing? Can you provide say 7 or 8 of your top picks for dividend growth, business development runway, and a higher dividend? I had considered growing XIU significantly to drip more, since its diversification almost guarantees the set it and forget side of things.

Thanks for all your recent help! I'm definitely ripping through some credits this month. ;)
Read Answer Asked by James on January 24, 2024
Q: I've owned SLF for a number of years. I'm considering the switch to IFC as done in the balanced portfolio. I get a DRIP from SLF each quarter. With the amount of money i have invested i would not get a DRIP from IFC. How much weight would you put on this to favour staying with SLF?
Read Answer Asked by Matthew on January 18, 2024
Q: Since noting the increase in the holding of IFC in the 5i BEPORT I have compared it to my holding in DFY to see if I should switch, but what I see is that IFC trades for a much higher PE and that performance since Nov 2021 has been only 27% vs 73% for DFY.

I understand that IFC is the industry leader, much bigger market cap, higher dividend etc but what is the real attraction here or is it that DFY is too small for the BEPORT?
Read Answer Asked by Jeff on January 08, 2024
Q: Hi Team,
Once again the hopeful small cap Jan bounce has done the opposite so far with essentially all growth being sold off. It’s amazing how a new year is here and it’s like a light switch where the narrative turns to everyone selling to lock in profits. This confuses me some as I thought year end Dec would be the time to lock in gains? What’s your take on the selloff and when’s your best estimate of when would be a good time to buy the dip? Is there a history of how long a Jan selloff typically lasts? Also; is there any standout buys in the market you see today now as a result of the recent selloff ? Thanks ,

Shane
Read Answer Asked by Shane on January 04, 2024
Q: A few days ago you were talking that you were replacing some of Sun Life with IFC. I acted on this, but so far I wish I had not have made the move. IFC has been selling some of their animal products to a UK firm from what I have read and I get the impression that does not sit well with investors. Is there anything you know about this situation that I am unaware of? Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Dennis on December 15, 2023
Q: Hi, In a strong market and a FED induced rally, above stocks sold off sharply, in Today's trading, perhaps for different reasons. Drop in HPS.a, could be attributed to profit taking against the back drop of 300% jump, this year. But, the other three companies, I thought, will be benefitted with lower rates cycle over 2024/2025. May be, I am wrong. It;s just that, when some stocks don't go up ( and decline) in otherwise strong up market, makes me wonder, what am I missing ? Thank You
Read Answer Asked by rajeev on December 15, 2023
Q: Hi, Regarding your recent addition of Intac Financial to Balanced Portfolio, could you please elaborate more on the rationale for this selection, as this company has not been discussed much on this forum. Property and Casualty Insurance has been talked about a lot by Portfolio Managers lately and in their opinion, projected to be the fastest growing sector in Insurance business. So, it should be a timely addition to the 5i portfolio!!

Who are Intac's main competitors and how does IFC compare with them in terms of market share, growth trajectory and valuation ? What are the major components of IFC's business and their geographical presence ? What's your take on company's recent decision for selling their UK Personal Line of business to Admiral, as, looks like, the news caused some concern among investors resulting a bit of selling in the stock, over past 2 days. (BTW, we started a 1.5% position, on Friday. Thanks for the alert !! )
Read Answer Asked by rajeev on December 11, 2023
Q: Hi I am thinking it's time to sell BNS, would it be better to choose another bank or deploy funds to another sector to gain some growth & dividends for a long term holding? Suggestions on other stocks please.
Read Answer Asked by Kim on November 23, 2023
Q: I have a strong cash position in my RRIF and wish to reinvest in good growth/Dividend stocks for the long term. Could you suggest 3 CDN and 3 USD companies for todays market and holding long term.
Thanks
Peter
Read Answer Asked by Linda on November 20, 2023
Q: I'm looking to invest $60,000 for a minimum of 5 years. This money will be used towards a downpayment for a house. Can you please comment on a split of 50% SPY and 50% quality stocks, such as GOOG, MSFT, SLF, ATD, BN. Also can you please suggest some additional stock ideas that are fairly conservative for a 5 year hold. Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Janet on November 06, 2023