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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: Hello 5i team. My question is in regards to taxation. I have an investment account at a CDN discount brokerage in US dollars. If I was to buy a cdn company say TD bank that trades on the US market and buy it in US dollars how would the dividends be treated? Would the dividends be paid in US dollars or paid in CDN dollars then converted back to US dollars? If they are paid in US dollars then are they subject to the 10-15% US withholding tax? I am trying to find investments that I can buy with US dollars but not be subject to the US withholding tax. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by pietro on January 27, 2017
Q: When analyzing Canadian stocks with considerable exposure to the US, how much of the stock appreciation in the last 5 years would be attributable to the declining Canadian dollar, and more importantly, would a rising Canadian dollar have the reverse effect? Would the effect be different for a utility like AQN with large capital investment, as opposed to a services company like TD? Would management participate in hedging strategies to limit any negative effect on stock price?
Read Answer Asked by Marco on January 24, 2017
Q: Hi Peter and team again
I am looking at my SDRIF.
I have TD and RY in this account. TD has grown to a 10% stake, so I am thinking of selling 50%. What replacement do you recommend? BNS or XCI or other.?
I also have VISA in this account that has been flat all year, also being a 10% stake, I can sell 50% or all. Was thinking of SLF, PWF or STB. I would really like to have high yield investments here. Do you have any other high yield investments to recommend?
I understand this account for two questions. No problems.
Thanks
Margita

Read Answer Asked by Margita on January 03, 2017
Q: I keep reading that there has been a great rotation away from income/dividend stocks into growth though I dont see much evidence of it. My TD, RB and Telus are not down at all.

Can you explain this belief and if there are examples of beaten up dividend stocks, CDN or US, can you recommend a few for long term holds?
Read Answer Asked by Graeme on December 16, 2016
Q: I am considering adding to my positions in SLF and TD. Given murmers that Poloz is considering a cut in interest rates on Dec 7, I'm wondering if it's wise to wait until a decision is announced.
Further, could you comment on the implications for these 2 companies in an environment where we see Canadian rates staying the same or going lower while American rates are trending upward.
Thanks for the great service!
Read Answer Asked by Warren on November 27, 2016
Q: Hello 5i,

I'd like to add some financial exposure to my holdings on the assumption of longer term rising interest rates and new political realities in America. Which of the three noted companies would be your preference for both growth and income.

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Greg on November 23, 2016
Q: Hi Peter,
Any idea why Brookfield Infrastructure partners is going down? I was thinking of taking a full position of 5 % rather than diversifying with Stantec etc. Also, what is the reason for stocks such as Hudbay Minerals and Agrium to continue to go up and is this sustainable? I have noticed the canadian banks and insurance especially TD Bank and Manulife have gone up alot lately. Do you think it is time to trim them as they look over bought. Lastly, can you comment on why Ceapro and B2Gold are taking a hit. The big prediction was gold was going to go much higher after Trump, but all of a sudden, gold continues to experience declines. Thanks very much.
Read Answer Asked by umedali on November 15, 2016
Q: I own 4 Canadian financial institutions (BNS, CM, RY and TD). No exposure to life insurance companies or U.S. financials. I would like to avoid U.S. financials. I find it very hard to trust management and it seems like there is always a scandal at a major U.S. bank. I use to own Wells Fargo thinking it was best in breed and they couldn't even avoid scandal. With the advantage of the CDN dividend and BMO and TD's exposure to the U.S. I prefer to get exposure to the U.S. that way.

My question is whether I should sell CM since it is more exposed to the CDN economy than the others and purchase BMO instead for their U.S. midwest exposure? I am not opposed to getting U.S. banking exposure through an ETF like XLF perhaps. Which strategy do you favour? Each bank is currently 3-4% of my portfolio.

Thanks,
Jason
Read Answer Asked by Jason on November 14, 2016
Q: It seems that every time Home Capital starts to move up a little there's another short attack to push it back down. I know you rate it quite highly, but is there really a future upside? I've held it for 2 or 3 years now, and am getting tired of waiting.

Is it better to replace it with another name? I already own FSZ, BNS and TD in financials. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Ian on August 24, 2016