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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: I'm looking to add Superior plus to my portfolio. Its trading at a low price lately would you step in with a full position ,5 percent today at aprox 10 dollars. With winter weather already arriving and prediction of a cold Canadian winter to me its seems like a no brainer. Your input please ? Thank you for your good work.
Read Answer Asked by Hubert on November 27, 2018
Q: Hi,
I'm considering the purchase of a full position for a 5yr + hold in a company that pays medium range but increasing dividends as well as modest yearly capital growth. I already hold full positions in TD, BNS, Fortis, BCE, T. I'm looking at CU but would appreciate your recommendation for several other preferred companies.

Thanks,

Joe
Read Answer Asked by Joe on November 27, 2018
Q: HELLO I bought the subscription rights (ALA.r) when you advised so I’ve taken a bath, just wondering if i use it for a tax loss and buy SPB and/or CSU or anything else that you might advise to retrieve/decrease my loss. What would you do? Thanks for the service ... I know we cant bat 100% all the time.
Rick
Read Answer Asked by Rick on November 26, 2018
Q: Good morning,
Both of our family TFSA accounts are currently invested in their entirety with a variety of Mawer Mutual funds (100% Equity). At 70 years old, I would like to reduce the risk profile of our TFSA accounts from 100% Equity to a more classic 60% (equity)/40% (fixed income) balanced portfolio.
Of the five investment options for our two family TFSA accounts which are used as an estate planning tool with the intention of never withdrawing any funds and leaving the proceeds to our grandchildren, which of the following options would you recommend, in what order and why?
Option 1: Staus Quo.
Option 2: Invest all TFSA funds in the Mawer Balanced or Mawer Global Balanced Fund.
Option 3: Invest all of the TFSA funds through a Discretionary Money Manager that currently manages our family RRSP and Non Registered accounts with total management costs of 1.30% (Money management fee, Sub Advisor fees, Custody fee, Transaction fee plus HST). The average long term target rate of return being 4.5% after fees for this balanced portfolio of which 25% of the portfolio is invested in alternative investments to supposedly further reduce volatility.
Option 4: In an effort to further simplify, reduce fees and perhaps improve long term performance of our TFSAs, invest all the TFSA funds directly in the Vanguard Balanced ETF portfolio (VBAL) through our discount brokerage account.
Option 5: Invest all the funds directly through our discount brokerage account in a combination of ETFs that covers 20% Bonds/32% Canada/32% USA/16%Global and if so what would be your preferred ETF recommendation.
I thank you in advance and look forward to hearing your response and recommendations.
Francesco
Read Answer Asked by Francesco on November 26, 2018
Q: I own a Brookfield Renewable preferred (Series 11) that pays $1.25 (5%) thru to April 30, 2022. If not called, it will convert to the greater of GOCs+382bps, or 5%. Given my view of interest rates, I am comfortable with the position, because even if it is not called, I will be left with what I expect to be a good quality credit with a relatively attractive yield.

My concern is that it seems to have got caught up with the recent volatility, and is trading well below $25. Currently it is $23. I want to add more, but I wonder if I am missing anything here. I would still expect it to be called in 2022, as I just would not expect management to allow it to float at what I expect would be an above market interest rate. But I am already underwater significantly more that I would have ever expected on this, and I am leery of adding to the position.

Thoughts?
Read Answer Asked by Trevor on November 26, 2018
Q: Both Altria (MO) and BTI generate great cash flows, have high dividends and have had a significant share price reduction lately. How sustainable are the dividends and what’s your opinion on me taking a half position (2% of my portfolio) in each for both income and as a potential play on the cannabis sector? I have a very well diversified portfolio and very long-term philosophy. Thx.
Read Answer Asked by John on November 26, 2018
Q: Dear 5i
I'm very much interested in the conservative portfolio for when i retire with in the next 6 months . I especially like bank , utilities and reit ETF`s as the yields seem reasonable and the fact that the ETF`s pay the dividends monthly which provides consistent income during retirement .
My dilemma is that i think i prefer to hand pick similar stocks myself within each of those categories most of which have been recommended by 5i .This way would all likely offer a higher average yield as there is no MER to consider . The problem is that most of the stocks in those 3 areas (utilities , banks and rents ) only pay the dividends quarterly so as a retired person there is not the consistency on monthly income as there would be with buying the corresponding ETF`s . Is this generally a personal preference thing or is there one way you would advise for a soon to be retired person .
Thanks
Bill C.
Read Answer Asked by Bill on November 26, 2018