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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: Our advisor has recommended that we sell some of our equities and purchase more fixed income funds. His recommendations are Manulife Strategic Income F (CAD); TD Retirement Balanced Portfolio F Series; Fiera Defensive Capital Global Equtiy Fund and Lysander-Canso Corporate Value Bond Fund. We are already invested in Pimco Monthly Income Fund (PMO 205), DFA Five-Year Global Equity and CBO. We are leaning in favour of investments we already own as well as XSB, XBB and CLF. We are looking for Canadian, US and International diversification. What would you recommend?
Read Answer Asked by Bradley on October 14, 2016
Q: Hello 5i team,

Which ETF is best suited for a long term hold (30 yrs) in a TFSA that will be DRIPPED and contributed to annually. I like the equal weight positions of ZRE but with a higher MER of .61% over the long term it seems the fee's could really start corroding my capital. VRE is the cheapest but also has the smallest yield and is market cap weighted. Is it possible BMO could lower these fee's in the future to stay competitive? I would eventually like to draw income from the holding.

Always appreciate the you insights
Read Answer Asked by Keith on October 13, 2016
Q: Hi 5i Team:
I’m sold on the need to maintain sector diversification and use your suggested weightings for an income portfolio as my guide. It is how to classify pipelines that always gives me difficulty. I hold Algonquin, Fortis and Innergex to the tune of 10% classified as Utilities. I hold Canadian Natural Resources and Parkland Fuels which make up 7.0% as Energy. Now the problem, I also own Pembina and TransCanada to a total of another 6%. If I go against the TSX and say they are Utilities then I am pretty much in line with where I want to be. If I say they are Energy, suddenly I am overweight Energy and underweight Utilities. My question is do you have any data that would suggest which sector the pipelines are actually more strongly correlated to historically? My feeling is that they have probably moved down with Energy when the oil and gas sector gets beaten up, but also move down with Utilities when interest rates go up so not sure it really matters that much unless one has a crystal ball? But I try not to invest by feelings, would love to know if there is any hard data to support a decision? Alternatively, if you just look at the above and say “too much energy exposure for proper diversification” that’s good enough for me. Appreciate your guidance as always, thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Stephen R. on October 12, 2016
Q: I have about 9% in utilities in an otherwise balanced portfolio. All these companies have dropped from 5 to 10% in value over the last while. Can you explain this. Should I lighten up on utilities, and if so, which one(s) should I sell? Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by David on October 11, 2016
Q: Hello 5i,

Please provide your opinion on the BMO "Blue Chip GIC"
It offers 100% capital protection + 1% rate of return (total over 5 years) and a 100% participation in the S&P TSX Low Volitility Index.
I have seen many equity linked GIC's before but never with a 100% participation.
Fine print indicates that the maximum allowed by law is an average of 60% per year. The negatives I can see with this;
Possible opportunity loss of only a total guarantee of 1% over 5 years.
Money is locked in for 5 years.
Returns will be considered as interest not capital gains, so it would only make sense in a RRSP and or TFSA.
Is there anything else I am missing here?
Thanks,

RD
Read Answer Asked by Randy on October 11, 2016
Q: Hello,

The following 5 companies are on my buy list to complete my portfolio:

PBH
TOY
NFI
BCE
CAR.UN

I have room for two in my TFSA, two in my non-registered and one in my RRSP. How should I divide the above 5 stocks into these accounts?

My plan is to buy on pullbacks. But I'm thinking about buying CAR.UN now because it has already pulled back on the mortgage news. Does this make sense?
Read Answer Asked by Carla on October 11, 2016
Q: This company appears to follow the growth by acquisition model with its most recent acquisition, a US funeral home operator, having been a success based on their sales and earning improvement. It is also trading at all time highs. What is your assessment of this company and if it could be a long-term position, would you look for a lower entry point. I have no position in it at this time though regret not having bought some at $15 when I first came across it.
Read Answer Asked by Michael on October 07, 2016
Q: I was recently in NYC and impressed with the Whole Foods Market near where we stayed. Looks like the stock has been a basket case since its high of ~$63 (USD) in late 2013. It is now trading at about $28, a bit below $30 support level where it has languished since the end of 2015. The fundamentals are looking decent and it pays a modest dividend (2.93%), but I wonder whether the space is too competitive to allow for much growth going forward?

I would appreciate your opinion of WFM for a long term value play.
Read Answer Asked by David on October 07, 2016
Q: Good morning. Did you see Wednesday's Market call and specifically the guests review of his past pick's ? I thought his review of Exchange income which was up 41% on the year was lame. He claimed it was some obscure company in the restaurant business. He seemed totally unprepared and not in a position to review the company at all.
Read Answer Asked by Alan on October 06, 2016
Q: I am concerned about EIF's debt to equity ratio and the potential of aviation fuel increasing with the price of oil stabilizing and potentially rising. On that note, was the decline in fuel price a key contributor to their recent past profits? I do like the depth of directors and management. I'm inclined to think that their FAR NORTH aviation markets are a barrier to entry in and of itself and they have the market captured. Don't know if I should continue to hold or liquidate? Can you help me decide?

Carl

Carl
Read Answer Asked by Carl on October 06, 2016
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