Investment Q&A

Q: Hi,

I’m 67 years old and rely on dividend income. I think it may be time to transform my 45 stock portfolio into something more in tune with my age and risk tolerance. It would hopefully reduce the amount of decisions I would have to make since they say the older we get, the more our decision making skills start to slip.

Right now my portfolio follows a 60% 5i Canadian equity market sector balance, and about 20% US equities and 20% cash. My thought is to create a portfolio with the following asset allocation:

30% Gov & Corp Bonds VAB

15% Canadian Equity VCN or Canadian Div CDZ
15% Individual CDN small & Med cap stocks

10% US Equity VUN
20% US Large cap individual stocks already in Portfolio

10% International Equity VDU & VEE

Your comments would be appreciated.
Thank You
Frank

Q: hi, what do you think of HHL at this price? we are retiring next year and looking for income , do you like HHL or is there something you prefer thx Jack.

Q: These four companies are on my watch list. Please list in order of preference for a purchase at this time. Thank you.

Q: Hi,
I have these 4 companies in my portfolio. I try to copy your balanced equity portfolio as much as possible which is why I have ENB, MX and WCP. I added SPB last year on one of your suggestions and I'm up 46% on it.
Do I have too many in this sector and should I sell them, keep them or do you have a better company to replace it with?

Q: I have had Altagas for over 4 years. I would like your opinion, should I sell or look for something better and if so what do you suggest.

In my US portfolio I have four stocks of which 22% are GE, would this be a good time to add more GE

Q: My 15 yr old grandaughter has asked me to invest 1k of her hard earned babysiting money for about a 1 to 2yr hold in growth stock (my future as a grandfather may be at stake) I am leaning towards PBH over KXS what would your agree with my choice or would you have a better recomendation?

Q: Hi 5i, do you still prefer CS over HBM and LUN? Thank you

Q: For the 2 sectors which stocks would you buy, these are the only 2 sectors I am not invested in

As always thanks for your help

Q: I am looking at PJC.A as a take over candidate. My thinking is, as with the purchase of Shoppers by Loblaws, Jean Coutu has a sizeable downtown presence and while Montreal downtown is perhaps not quite as attractive as Toronto downtown, its still a quick way for a retailer to expand their urban presence, and as the Shoppers purchase showed, far cheaper and quicker than trying to do this from the ground up. My question is, is this a reasonable thesis and, perhaps more importantly, is PJC.A good enough and especially safe enough for a longer-term, patient hold, irrespective of the above thesis.

Q: Hello! I have made a 70% return on Goeasy. It is about 5% of my stock portfolio. Should I take my profits? It seems to be ahead of itself.
Thanks,
Chantal

Q: I own both of these ETFs and want to drop one to lessen my CAN exposure. I'm leaning towards dropping VDY because it is in my TFSA (ZDV is in a margin) and my portfolio would benefit from cutting some weight in financials (VDY is heavier than ZDV in this sector).
Can an argument be made for keeping VDY?

Just renewed! Thanks.

Q: I am thinking of selling my position, taking profits and reinvesting. What are your current thoughts on BLX both short and long term. If I sell, what is a good substitute for the next 6 months. Thank you.

Q: I am looking at making my first, (if you do not consider Interpipe) energy investment at 3 to 5% of my RRSP. Looking at the 4 stocks and note , over the past year, WCP up 20 %, SPE and RRX flat and TOG down 10%.
Has the recent noise with RRX changed your opinion ( good or bad)? Dividends are not important. Looking for the stock(s) with rising production and torque to oil prices. Please list in order of best using this criteria. Would owning 2 of these instead of one be better in this case? Thanks

Derek

Q: RenoWorks (RW-TSXV) develops and distributes digital visualization software for the renovation and new home construction industry - clients can visualize and evaluate various alternatives (e.g. colours, textures, materiels etc.) making it a lot easier to 'close the deal'. They claim that the digital visualization software imaging industry is currently in its infancy with few independent participants who match the breadth of their offerings. Insiders own ~ 50%.

Their year-end (and Q4) report on Friday showed significant progress - Q4 revenue was up 67% yoy with recurring revenue representing 56%. Though still in a net loss situation, they were Adjusted EBITDA positive for Q3 and Q4, as well as for 2016 overall.

Would appreciate your always well-measured take on this microcap.

Thanks

Q: These two RV supply companies seem to have strong revenue and earnings growth. They've pulled back quite a bit lately so their P/E ratios look pretty reasonable. What are your thoughts?

Q: Could you provide your views and long term prospects for this company? Does it give any dividends?

Thanks

Q: If one is of the view that Oil Prices may fall back to mid $ 30's from where they are today ( $ 52.20 ) What are the best Bear ETF's to purchase both in Canada and USA? Bob

Q: I have 2 questions, feel free to deduct 2 points.

1. I would like to add SYZ and CXI to my portfolio. is this a good time to do so or should I wait for a summer pullback? How much more downside do they have. Should I buy them in my TFSA or non-regsistered? The SYZ dividend could be good for the non-registered?

2. For the IT side of my portfolio I own OTC and SHOP, and assume I'll add SYZ. I still need a 4th stock to make my tech holding complete. What do you suggest would go well with these three? Please note I recently sold Enghouse due to the amazon competition and sold CSU after its huge run the last few years, so don't want to add either of these.

Q: I have substantial capital gains in both of these companies. How exposed are they to the anticipated US actions in the softwood lumber warfare? Would it be prudent to lock in some of these gains?
Thank you for your advice.

Q: Blockchain technology appears to be a potential "game changer". In the last week, both RBC and TMX have made a commitment to use it. Could you build a case in your mind to buy BTL or ACN now? ... buy .both? Neither at this stage?

Thanks.