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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: Good morning Peter and Team,

I just read about David Driscoll's recent appearance on BNN, where he summarizes his eight steps to a winning "investing recipe":

Here are eight steps to a winning recipe:

Low fees: The lower the fees, the more you make.
Low turnover: By investing in businesses and not trading stock prices, transaction costs stay low and you keep more of your capital for growth.
Invest in companies that consistently grow their free-cash flows: These companies have the financial flexibility to raise dividends, invest in innovation and make strategic acquisitions.
Diversify globally: Long-term returns outside North America have historically been one per cent to two per cent higher.
Re-balance the portfolio when necessary: Having a high concentration in one stock can lead to trouble if that company’s stock price crashes to Earth (i.e. Valeant).
Avoid correlated assets: In 2008, all the Canadian banks fell 40 per cent, not just one of them. Pick one Canadian bank and move on.
Manage your cash prudently: Given that the market has risen for eight years, it’s prudent to hold some cash to take advantage of opportunities if the market corrects.
Choose stocks with above-average annual dividend growth: The average growth rate of stocks globally is about seven per cent. Those that grow their dividends faster provide investors with greater income to use in retirement. Their share prices also tend to grow at a faster rate.

Seems to me that Mr. Driscoll must be a 5i member, since most, if not all, of his points have been mentioned from 5i over the years! In any event, it's always reassuring to see other financial types who share 5i's philosophy!

You may publish at your discretion. Thanks for everything you do to help the small retail investor!
Read Answer Asked by Jerry on August 22, 2017
Q: Hello, would you classify all of the following as industrials? My weighting (in order shown with highest first) is 24% so if they are all industrials I need to trim. I assume you'd get rid of DRT. If I also would get rid of another I could bump up my ZCL. (I feel comfortable at 20% weighting so if I've mis-categorized I may not need to do anything).

SIS
NFI
utx (US)
gps
wsp
bip.un
drt
zcl
pte
Read Answer Asked by Kel on August 21, 2017
Q: I am a new member. So, sorry I am not familiar with how reports get published. I just read report on TPK with C rating. This is my own preference but as a member, I would like to know about the companies with possible good future growth which can enhance our portfolio value. In that perspective, the reason behind publishing report on TPK.And how would this report is helping me.
Thanks so much, I am a big fan of your questions-answers, and you guys are doing fabulous job.
Read Answer Asked by Pradip on August 21, 2017
Q: Re: Infosys (INFY)

Hello, This question is out of your scope but I would appreciate your thoughts. This stock is down about~ 10% due to the resignation of CEO. This is a solid company and has revolutionised IT and has made a huge impact on India. I am wondering if this is a good time to start a small position. Can you look at the financias and give me your thoughts. Thanks. Regards, Shyam
Read Answer Asked by Shyam on August 18, 2017
Q: Hello Peter and team, two questions:
1. I already own VIG. Can you suggest another unhedged US ETF for US holdings in an RRSP but with a focus on higher dividends. (I'm somewhat partial to Vanguard, but flexible.) A low fee is much preferred.
2. For an already diversified portfolio, and for a 5 - 10 year timeframe, would you kindly rank your choices for 'geographies' for new money - as between the Canadian market, the US, Europe, Emerging Markets or 'International' (i.e., excluding North America). If you have another category you would insert, please do. Also, if you like the long-term prospects for a particular country ETF, that would be appreciated as well.
Thank you@
Read Answer Asked by James on August 18, 2017
Q: I'm confused by the following 5i answer excerpt in response to Dave's question on August 16th.

"5i Research Answer:
The key here is that when reading our remarks, our comments are meant to reference the 'company' and not the stock price. A declining stock does not make a company 'bad'. We cannot predict sector movements nor stock prices, but we try to focus on the quality of a company."

Do I take from this that 5i doesn't take into account the fundamental "value" of a stock when making its recommendations? If so, I feel this is missing the point in making profitable investment recommendations. The highest "quality" company may be the worst possible investment if its stock is outrageously over-priced.

There also seems to be some inconsistency here as well. In the same answer, it was stated that a company like CRH may have more investment potential than another company since its stock is oversold. Another answer on the 17th suggested that the asker not chase the stock of Chorus Aviation (CHR). These answers indicate to me that stock price is being taken into account in 5i Research recommendations.

So what is it, is stock price ("value") taken into account in 5i Research recommendations or is the "quality" of a company the only criteria used in making the recommendations?

Thanks,
Colin
Read Answer Asked by Colin I on August 17, 2017
Q: Hello 5i,
In response to a fellow member, I was also a very frustrated investor a couple of years ago, just after joining 5i. I have made and sometimes continue to make poorly researched decisions that are outside of my risk tolerance. I have purchased many disaster stocks (CXR, HCG, PHM etc.) since joining 5i, what is very apparent to me is that it was me that decided to make each and every trade, not 5i! The reason for the trade was an attempt to make some easy fast money (greed). The 5i information when used as a starting point for a shorter term trade or longer term investment idea, enables me to make much more informed decisions than I was able to do prior to joining 5i. I appreciate the unbiased information, experience and opinions, and the voice of calm reassurance in times of volatility....thank you very much!
You may publish at your discretion.
Read Answer Asked by Randy on August 17, 2017
Q: Question: Hello Peter! Can you please comment on my portfolio.I currently hold in my portfolio (stocks - Weightings): CSU-10.9%,CCL.B- 12.2%,BYD.UN-8.5%,ATD.b-10.2%,KXS-7.0%,PBH-5.4%,NFI-6.8%,SIS-6.2%,SHOP(CAD)-9.1%,ECI-3.7%, FB-3.9,SHOP(US)-5.3%,CGNX-4.2%,AMZN-2.7%,NVDA-3.8% . I also have 30K CAD to invest. Would you please give me your 3(non energy,CAD or US)buys today to complement or increasing my holdings in existing portfolio. Thanks Andrew B.
Read Answer Asked by Andrzej on August 17, 2017
Q: Gents,

It's adequately clear (esp from some of the comments I've recently read) that the Healthcare/Pharma sector in Canada offers very few choices and even fewer good choices.

Whereas the same sector in the US offers fabulous alternatives, opportunities and growth.

I feel it is a shame to limit this weak Canadian sector in our portfolios when you can offer so much more with reccos south of the border.

Even a well represented ETF for US pharma/healthcare/bioscience might do the trick if you are time starved.

Just saying.

Sheldon
Read Answer Asked by Sheldon on August 17, 2017
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