Investment Q&A

Q: I recently wanted to purchase additional TD bank shares but found that I was holding cash in my US trading account. Do you have any advise regarding the holding of such investments ( Canadian large cap stocks ) in a U S account. Is there a downside in different trading activity or divident treatment ?

Q: With this financial storm coming from UK, what do you think of TD? Take the opportunity to buy more or is just a hold?

Q: I hold RY and TD volume is 3 times higher today. All other banks volume is higher too. Price has not move up so much. Is everyone selling or buying more.

Q: I have some money that I will be putting into an RESP for my children: while it is roughly 0.5%-0.75% of my actual total investment portfolio, I would prefer to avoid more volatile companies in this particular account. I do have a long time horizon (about 6 years before I start to have any demand for the money), but have been burnt before in this particular portfolio by trying to "hit a home run" with an investment play, and am looking for slow, steady growth.

I have listed three companies above, with ATD.B as my first pick as I only have roughly a 2% overall exposure (between all of my collective accounts) to the Consumer Staples group (I assume that ATD.B would be under Staples rather than Discretionary). If you would recommend something else in this space, or another sector, rather than the companies I have mentioned, I would be most grateful for the suggestion. In any event, I look forward to your thoughts. Thanks so much!

Q: Hi,
I am new to investing and am building a diversified long term portfolio. Im looking for strong long term growth to eventually turn into TFSA dividend income. I have some canadian real estate exposure through REITS (using drip programs to help portfolio growth). I have some diversified US exposure through VFV and VGG. I would like to add more Canadian diversified exposure. Would you recommend picking individual stocks (maybe starting with Canadian banks and using their DRIPs as well) and branching out from there? Or would I be better off for total value growth with some low cost Canadian ETF? If you think the ETF, could you recommend a few please? If you think specific stocks could you recommend a few also. Finally, for specifics, which of the Canadian banks do you like the best?

Thanks 5i, Ill understand if this counts as 2 questions instead of 1.

Q: Hi, I am an income investor and would like your opinion on the major Canadian banks right now. Do you feel that they are attractive at current prices as they are nearing 52 weeks highs? Or would you recommend holding off until they come down in price?
Which banks do you like the most for future growth?

Q: Good Morning
I hold 4 Canadian banks CM, TD, RY and BNS in an unregistered account. The bank stocks comprise just under 20% of my portfolio and each has approximately a 50% capital gain. My only other financial stock is a 2.5% position in PWF. Capital gains in my account this year will likely be taxed at 15%. I am considering selling one of the bank stocks (perhaps CM) and investing the proceeds in SLF. I have chosen SLF for it's relatively low valuation and secure dividend.
Is reducing the allocation to Canadian banks appropriate, or does the tax which has to be paid cancel the benefit?
Which bank would you sell?
Is SLF a suitable alternative or is there another company that you would prefer. I already have full positions in CNR and BAM.A.
Thanks
David

Q: Do the banks still look cheap here? I have a healthy weighting in BNS. I would like to add either RY or TD. TD is more expensive, is its valuation justified in your opinion?

Q: I own Royal Bank shares--is there another of the big 5 banks that would compliment this holding and is it a buy now? I would like to just hold two banks and add as they get cheap.

Thanks.

Q: My current holdings are as follows: T-6% of portfolio, Tck.b-0.51%, Rei.un-1.26%, Dgs-2.92%, Bns-11.6%, su-3.38%, dir.un-0.65%, cu-1.82%, Pjc.a-0.99%, cpx-1.89%, pot-2.23%, Igm-3.55%, mic-6.06%, hr.un-0.96%, Cwb-6.93%, Ftt-1.8%, Esi-1.03%, Mkp-1.25%, psi-0.93%, Rus-0.77%, Rc-0.61%, Cnr-3.82%, NA-6%, Bce-5.73%, td-5.43%, Trp-5%, Sjr.b-7.41%, t:nyse-1.83%, Ko:nyse-4.38%, Gsk:nyse-2.09%, Csco:nyse-1.19%

I would like your opinion on what stocks weighting I should add to balance my portfolio. I ha

Q: "TD Bank embroiled in Ponzi fallout" - Globe headline. According to the paper the liquidator of the fraudulent ponzi bank thinks TD should cover the 5.5 billion investor losses plus any money TD made as a conduit for transferring money from the investors' to the fraudulent bank. TD seems to have been the intermediary. Should owners of TD stock be selling their positions or do nothing and wait for further developments?

Q: Hi,

Given the mkt direction, do you think Canadian banks are a good place to hide out for two years and should I wait or buy now?

Q: Hello Peter,
Would you consider TD, Royal, Bank of Nova Scotia, Fairfax, BCE, Fairfax Financial, Manulife, Brookfield Management, Brookfield Infrastructure, Enbridge, metro, Loblaws, Google, Facebook,Visa as very long term holds where one can simply get the dividends (for some of these) and not worry about ups and downs of the market. I know you have covered these in the past, but am re-aligning my portfolio to focus on very long term holds. Thanks again for your advice.

Q: Hello,

I bought TD some time ago at 55 looking to convert to US. Unfortunately the plan didn't work (in order to sell in US you have to call the brokerage and I could not get through). Long story short the stocked dropped the next day and jut now I'm even.
My question is what do you expect when they announce the earnings?
Is it worth holding? Should I sell it in U$ and if yes do you have any US stocks that you recommend ( I know you don't follow the us market, but I think you should really start)?

Thanks
Marios

Q: Hello Peter,

You have taught us not to try to time the market cycles but allow me to ask if you feel the banks are poised for a run. With interest rates set to spike in the US from good data, banks will benefit.
Your thoughts?

Q: Do you think it is a good time to buy TD or any of the big Canadian banks or wait a little longer? Do you prefer BNS over TD?

Thank you

Q: The six major Canadian Banks are now at or approaching their 52 week lows and paying healthier dividends. Would you step in now or do you see further price deterioration and which two would be your favourites and for what reasons?
Thank you.

Q: Would it make sense to sell td, and buy SLF, recognising the impending interest rate rise.
Thank you

Q: Re Brenda's comment about TDDI "President's Account":
There is definitely a distinct phone number for holders of these President's Accounts (As far as I know your voice imprint has NO affect on call routing). I am in Montreal and therefore the local # is (514) 289-1272. There could/must be a 1-800 #, but Iam not aware of what it is.

Q: I use the TD discount brokerage. I established the account almost 20 years ago when I was virtually broke. Since then, I've used the phone #613-783-6322 (Ottawa) they've given me. In the past couple of years, I've gone to "President Account" status, still using this phone # (good memory and too lazy to look up phone numbers) and got through relatively quickly. The question I put out to members is whether TD discount brokerage gives this "less wait time" special status based on the phone number you call (in which case now many more people have it) or the phone # you have on file, or is it associated with the "voice print" sign in.
PS. The best decision (albeit, forced between a rock and a hard place) is leaving the "TD wealth advisor" and doing investments on my own with 5i!!!! I'm so truly grateful! I've done far better than I'd ever imagine.