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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: Hi Team:

I think the market would be changing or, already changing due to the virus problem. People will value things in life differently. so, what sector would you recommend, and what 3 companies you would buy either in Canada or USA?

Thank you.

Louisa
Read Answer Asked by LOUISA on April 14, 2020
Q: Hello 5i,

Imagine that you already have a diversified portfolio you are happy with and plan to keep intact with no changes over a 10+ year investment horizon.

Now, you've watched the recent few months of meltdown sitting with $50,000 of cash that you're considering putting to work, representing maybe 6-7% of your total overall portfolio value/net worth.

Give absolutely no consideration to sector/position weightings, geography (CDN or US or gloabl), or risk tolerance. The only consideration is a 10+ year time frame. You're investing in things for the long term. No trading.

Imagine this was YOUR $50,000. You show up to the office on Monday, April 13. What do you buy today, if anything?

Thanks for all your advice. Read the questions daily. Your takes on this current meltdown I have found to be quite insightful and of far more value than most financial news out there. For this alone I consider my subscription to be money well spent.

Keep yourselves and your families safe!

Ryan
Read Answer Asked by Ryan on April 13, 2020
Q: Hi, first I wanted to thank you for this amazing service, I am so glad I discovered 5i!
I recently sold my business and have 10+ years before retirement. I now want to deploy this cash to build my retirement portfolio, I don't need any income from this portfolio for 10 years.
I carefully reviewed your Balanced and Income portfolios. With much improved valuations for many stocks in these portfolios, what are your suggestions for 10 best (in terms of possible appreciation) individual stocks or ETFs for a non-registered portfolio. Either from your sample portfolios or not, US or CDN.
Thanks again!
Read Answer Asked by Laura on April 09, 2020
Q: Just checking to see if Great Canadian Gaming's business is completely limited to casinos with physical presence needed or is there an online segment as well. If the online component is limited or does not exist at all, would there be an alternative company or two in the same field that you would recommend that relies mostly on revenue from online gaming. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Rob on April 08, 2020
Q: Before the downturn in stock market, the stock positions my portfolios, balanced and income, were matched with target weights, for the most part, like okay. Now I am thinking about starting a new portfolio comprised of the 10 Canadian stocks listed in the 5i SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES REPORT, dated March 9,2020, and this portfolio would represent 5% of my total equity positions. I understand that it would be concentrated rather than fully diversified but I would be comfortable with this. Rather than overweighting the positions that I currently have, I thought it best to open a separate portfolio to track these special opportunities.
My intention would be buy individual positions over time, slowly to achieve the target weight, and that the positions held for the long term, aka 5 years. And I would be using cash that is available.
I would appreciate your thoughts and comments, like anything that I should be aware of or blind sided to..........Thanks.....Tom 
Read Answer Asked by Tom on April 08, 2020
Q: Hi,

My son plan to invest 250 000$ in equities in the next two months. He has zero exposure to the market and owns a large farm. He is tolerant to risk and understands the risk of the market.

He plans to buy the following companies: Chartwell, RY, BCE, CCL Industries, ATD.B, BEP.UN, Canadian tire, Disney, Hydro one, Metro and Savaria.

Would would be your advice to him and would you add/remove anything from the list?

Thanks,

Claude
Read Answer Asked by Claude on April 07, 2020
Q: Hi group if you were to buy 3 stocks in Canada + 3 in the US today (or would you wait?) regardless of sectors . What stock would you buy /why. Of course it goes without saying that they would be minimally effected by the Covid -19 virus
Read Answer Asked by Terence on April 06, 2020
Q: I starting purchasing LSPD last August and I have continued up until late last week. My average price is close to $32.

The question that I have to myself is: Do I double down or hold - I am not interested in selling. I had a full position 30 days ago but it has been reduced by more than 50% this past 30 days.

After rereading your answers, looking at LSPD website and news feeds. I gathered and summarized the information below.

Money in bank - lots - greater than $300 million - NO Debt!
15 years of cash at current spending rate.
Large institutions bought at $37.30.
IPO $16.00

Last quarter financial information.
Revenue was a slight beat at $32.8 million.
Met ebdita projections with a loss of $5.25 million.
Book valve is $2.35.
Growth was above 60% yoy to plus $32 million.
Recurring revenue was growing at 58%.

Institutional investors have 49% of the float, with Caisse owning 37%.
They have business in more than 100 countries.
There will be less restaurants in future, maybe 20% less.
The restaurants that are remaining will be financially stronger and have less competition. They will seek out SaaS that can reduce operating expenses while increasing revenues.
Lightspeed has good management.
It is a long term hold for me - 2 to 5 years - maybe forever.
Lightspeed has less than 0.1% of market, I like growth companies.
Lightspeed retailers grew over six times faster than industry average.
Products by Lightspeed: Retail, eCommerce, OnSite, Restaurant, Delivery and Loyalty. Also Lightspeed Payments. Rolled out #lightspeedlocal

They recently bought: Gastofix (Germany), Kounta (Asia Pacific), IKentoo (Swiss) and Chronogolf (Montreal),

A few competitors through a google search, of which I don’t know whom will survive due to many reason ( like lack of money): Shopkeep, Revels, Toast POS, Touch Bistro, Sapaad, Cake, Springboard, Square, Vend, Upserve, Lavu, Clover, AccuPOS, Harbourtouch, POSguys, Touchsuite, ) these are some of the top 20.

Strengths: the bank account; they don’t have to worry about paying operating expenses for many years due to its financial strength; significantly more room to grow; Quebec pension company support and Quebec government support; their source of revenue is across the world; good management; the good management will quickly use its financial strength for growth; growth into other areas that have weak or low market share systems.

Weaknesses: their competitors may have deeper pockets and will grow more quickly dwarfing LSPD and the other competitors; no sales people; how much of their current POS businesses will not be in business in 90 days; others?

That being stated I plan on doubling down in the next 4 weeks by buying when stock in under $13.

Am I missing anything?

Clayton
Read Answer Asked by Clayton on April 06, 2020
Q: Hi 5i! Hope all of you and your families are well and safe.
Myself, being in a enthousiastic investment shopping mode, I'm looking for a BRK.B type of investment in canada. Which do you prefer between FFH, BAM.A, ONEX and why?
Any other suggestions?
Many thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Stéphane on April 06, 2020
Q: The current volatility and fear in the market has lead me to believe there will be some companies that will unnecessarily be punished/caught in the crossfire and therefore offer a great risk/return
could you please list out companies in your mind that have decreased significantly unfairly and/or offer a compelling risk/return in the US or Canadian Markets
thank you
Read Answer Asked by cary on April 06, 2020
Q: Hello you Guys,
My question is as follows :
A number of years ago (3 or 4?) on a portfolio review it was suggested I buy VOX as I had no telecommunications exposure. It has been up and down and currently down. Would it make sense for me to sell the VOX and swing into either Telus, Bell or any other holding you would suggest at this time? And while I have you, is there 1 particular stock you would say is a diamond in the ruff? I'm pretty well diversified so sector stuff not so important, just a really great company that you guys really like. Bet you hate these questions but you never disappoint!
many thanks.
Read Answer Asked by ralph on April 06, 2020
Q: At today's valuations, if you could invest in one of these today as a good solid longterm investment, which one would it be? Would you still consider BYD and FSV as fairly expensive, even after the recent drop in their respective stock prices?
Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by James on April 06, 2020
Q: I have been reading the questions and answers on nutrien. I think Nutrien has been holding up very well in this market and with spring coming, their retail business,, having bought Agrium quite a while ago, the potential for food shortages, a great dividend, I think nutrien is close to a back up the truck investment.
But I don’t read financials so can you tell me how well capitalized they are. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Helen on April 03, 2020