Investment Q&A

Q: I would like your opinion as to whether you like SLF over FLI for exposure to insurance, FLI being somewhat diversified in Canada and the US? Do they hedge their US exposure?

Q: Hi 5i:
I have too many finance stocks in my RIF account and would appreciate your advice on how to reduce. I want to maintain some US banking exposure, but otherwise I am open to your suggestions I have: RY; SLF; JPM; BAC; V. Thanks Roland

Q: Hello,
Just wondering is HCG cheaper than EQB on valuation? Which one is better buy now?
Thanks
Victor

Q: In the response to a question on Jan 17th, you said that EFN was buying back shares. I can't see anything like this on Canadian Insider except back in September. Did you mean ECN? I'm down around 40% over the last year and you keep saying to hold. As of today, would you still hold? This one is very frustrating.

Q: Hi. Most of my US exposure is in tech. Am looking for some Financial exposure in the US. Considering JPM so would like your thought on that as well as a couple other suggestions.

Thanks
Bryan

Q: going forward, as an entry today, which one would you choose as a good growth prospect a year out

Q: These companies were mentioned in the Globe as financiers for the small cap sector, such as cannabis. Any preference? Thank you!

Q: Hi thinking of buying cbl for income the most recent question and answer asked on it looks like maybe your positive thoughts on the company have changed ?

Q: Do you have a up to date opinion on this company, thanks.

Q: I am looking for a preferred that can be expected to hold its' value over time. I understand that it should be a decent credit rating, have a fixed reset rate and be non-convertible. Does this preferred meet that criteria, or could you recommend one ?

Thank you,

Tim

Q: Hi,
I live in Ontario and we have private medical benefits through my husbands employer that cover 80% (to a limit) of our medication costs. I recently refilled my son's asthma inhalers. The government covered the entire cost and our private coverage (which we pay a portion for) now pays nothing. The government / tax payer now pays the entire amount and private insurance now pays nothing even when the customer has coverage. Do you think this will have a significant impact on any health insurance share prices/earnings? If so what companies would benefit the most by having a large client base in Ontario?
Thanks,
Kerri

Q: I have often wondered why a large diversified company like Fairfax gets almost no analyst coverage? No buy/sell recommendations (except for 5i) and even Thompson Reuters can't give it a score? Is it simply too much work to figure out what Prem is up to?

Q: Hi,
I'd please like your opinion on whether I should swap out CWB and into LB?
Thank you,
Kerri

Q: What is your opinion on this company. I could not find research report on your website about this company. How does it grade?

Q: I understand that due to the new US Tax bill, US banks as well as Cdn Banks with US operations such as TD will take a charge in the 1st quarter. Do you think these bank stocks will take a hit this quarter as a result of this charge and thus I should delay investing in TD and US banks.

Q: How significant do you think Visa's new sensory tech will be on momentum? I am trying to add to my financial sector. I have Royal Bank and Square. Any thoughts?

Q: Greetings 5i,

I am considering adding a long-term, full position (5%) in V. This addition is attractive to me based on its international brand presence, solid track record, and the rising interest rates that will likely help profits moving forward. I am not concerned about the short-term ramifications of the recent US tax reform on its long-term viability.

My current financial exposure consists of TD.TO and BNS.TO (roughly 3.5% each), as well as full positions in BRK.B and BAM.A (although, due to the breadth of their holdings, I look at BRK and BAM more like diversified "hybrids" than single financial positions).

I am 36 years old, debt-free, conservative (although not totally adverse to risk), and greatly prefer long-term holds that do not require constant monitoring. My investment portfolio is strictly for the purpose of expediting my retirement, and I have no need of its funds for the foreseeable future.

Does the addition of V sound like a reasonable course of action at this time?

Thank you.

Q: Hi, it appears self driving cars are going to be on the streets much sooner than anyone thought a short while ago. Meanwhile technological improvements have the potential to greatly reduce the frequency of accidents and eventually may eliminate them altogether, perhaps reducing the need for insurance or significantly reducing premiums or coverages? What impact might this have on major auto insurer like IFC? Thanks.

Q: Hello Team,
Do you feel US banks have substantially more growth potential at this time than the big Canadian banks given Nafta risks and the state of the current state of the two economies?
Kind Regards,
Barry

Q: Hi, I own the above companies mainly for income and some growth. Would these be negatively impacted by rising interest rates and if so, would a switch to BNS or SLF be warranted.

Thanks