Investment Q&A

Q: Inflation is low and BOC rates are still at very low rates - money is cheap to get. IMHO the only place to make money is in the stock market, but seniors want low risk and for many decades placed money in high yielding low risk investments - GICs. Recently I applied for and received a 5 year closed mortgage at 2.49%, which means rates will stay low for at least five years. Our population is aging and that segment of investors like low risk, which leads to lower returns.

My question, when do you think or believe interest rates will rise to a new normal and therefore the stock market will see a competition for money from seniors? Therefore, by default lower returns in the stock market.

As always thanks for your comments.

Clayton

Q: MGM:NYSE, owner of the Mandalay Bay hotel, where last night's massacre took place, is slated to open down 5% this morning. At the risk of sounding insensitive, in your experience, are these declines knee jerk reactions that can rebound quickly? Would this be a buying opportunity to add to my existing position?
My condolences to all victims and their families.
Thank you,
Karim

Q: I recently read a recommendation to sell rate reset preferreds because "the 5 year GOC has moved too far too fast from 0.40% one year ago to 1.80%+ now." They further worried that upside is limited from here, and downside is huge if there are no buyers.

I thought that we seemed to be in a period of rising rates and that a laddered portfolio of rate reset preferreds was a healthy option for part of one's portfolio, given a desire for some income. I'd appreciate your thoughts. Thanks in advance.

Q: Do you see oil stabling here. Is it a good time to buy oil stocks.

Q: What is your outlook of USD for next 6 to 12 months

Q: It was mentioned " Money Saver is at print now). I wish it is a real "print" version which I deeply miss. I think you may mean that it will be ready soon on line. However, please tell me, really. is there truly a print version?
Thank you
Stanley

Q: Hope this is not to vague, what would be an acceptable "percentage of shares short in a company"

Q: Hi Peter and Team,

Today's Globe & Mail had an article called "Wall Street views the emerging-market rout as a buying opportunity". I'd appreciate your perspective on the validity of the author's views, and some ETFs that could take advantage of this idea (if you agree).

Thanks as always for the pertinent advice.

Q: Hi the great team, can you name a few stocks with good momemtum. Thanks always.

Q: Hi, you have mentioned price momentum in determining time of trade. What metric do you recommend ? Thanks always.

Q: I am reviewing my non-registered portfolio for cleanup and cash deployment. I have 29% in a global equity fund and 29% in cash; the rest are contained in 26 equities, for which this question is the focus. Diversification and risk not a concern.

I am looking for your advice as to whether I should sell, maintain, top up, or trim the following end member stocks in my portfolio:
ECN 0.2%
EFN 0.5%
ESV 0.03%
XTC 0.7%
HCG 0.9%
XEG 0.9%
LUC 0.4%
ASIX 0.1%
JAZZ 0.9%
HON 5.8%
MSFT 4.7%
SHOP 3.6%

With the equity fund as an anchor, a typical full position for me would be 2.5 - 3%. To deploy the cash, could you provide me with a list of 5 stocks (excluding SIS, ZCL, GSY, or KXS) you would buy today for growth and/or dividend growth. Based on this I will buy and top up the remainder of my portfolio.

Thanks for your help - deduct as many questions as necessary.

Q: Peter and His Wonder Team
I do not understand Bitcoins...Could you please explain the concept in simple terms. Where and how would a person purchase them? Secondly, how do you use or spend them? Thanks!
Dr.Ernest Rivait

Q: Hi, recently your answer touches tax loss selling. Are there many more stocks that will fall into this category ? Thanks always.

Q: Would you have any opinion on Alignvest Acquisition corp. although they do not appear to have purchased any business as of yet. Do you have any knowledge of the principals of this company and their previous business experience?

thanks
Lance

Q: I have a relatively large cash position in my RRSP which I would like to invest for 3 to 6 months in an ultra safe place due to the political uncertainty at the moment. Do you have any suggestions?

Q: If you sell a stock before the dividend is paid do you still get a portion of the dividend for the time you owned it?

Q: Hi 5i,
When structuring a retirement portfolio (with no major pension for income) many investors try to optimize income from dividends and sometimes interest. Do you have any comments about using a total return approach that factors in not only dividends and interest, but capital gains as well? My thinking is that some of the capital gains could be realized as another form of income by selling a portion of a growth holding. Any further thoughts about how to decide what percentage of the equity portion of the portfolio should be dividends vs. growth (capital gains)? Also, in your view does this broader approach increase or reduce the risk/return tradeoff overall? I realize this is a complex question but any insights would be appreciated.
Thank you, Michael

Q: Hi, can u basically construct a medium risk, all equity well diversified portfolio of Etf's that cover the whole world for a portfolio of $25,000, for about an eight to ten year time horizon, thanks?

Q: I have equity positions across my wife's and my accounts ... tfsa, rrsp, and taxable. A good portion of my equity is in etf's mostly covering us and international positions. When I calculate a full position with my Canadian individual stocks(5%) do I use my full equity amount or just the amount invested in the candian stocks (I.e. The 5% of my Canadian portfolio would be closer to 2% of my total equity portfolio).

Q: I have been an investor in small and midcap stocks for over 20 years with a willingness to accept additional risk in my portfolio.I am now transitioning my portfolio to a more Income focus, as i will need dividends to supplement my retirement.
Questions i have are about construction of income portfolio?
Do you feel it is still important to diversify in other countries and regions outside of Canada?You would lose some of the favourable tax benefits!

In trying to classify many dividend stocks in sectors i find that they cross the line into numerous sectors,(example many pipeline stocks are said to be oil and gas stocks, many are said to be utility type of investments)
What sector do you put an ETf in?Seems like a lot of investors drive themselves crazy in the allocation to sectors

I have looked at your income portfolio and your fixed income portion that is addressed by a few Etf.I have taken positions in individual preferred shares,debentures, a couple of instruments with bond like qualities.What is the percentage you would advocate for fixed income or there proxies?

Many Blue chip income stocks pay quarterly dividends,when i prefer monthly dividends.This again can skew my portfolio so that diversifying by sector and country becomes difficult

I find that the construction of my Income portfolio has given me many grey hairs(which i dont need help with"thank you very much")