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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 hold a position in BIIB in a diversified US portfolio. BIIB is included in the buyback ETF SPYB that includes many airlines. Airlines have been hard hit related to COVID-19 and are now to get bailouts.....like they bought back shares rather than reduce debt or keep cash on hand. My question is does BIIB have sufficient cash to get through this difficult period? And part two, should I continue to hold or sell BIIB?..........Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Tom on March 31, 2020
Q: Hope everyone at 5i is doing well in these times!

I have been sitting on mostly cash in my RRSP/LIRA and would like your recommendations on the best ETFs to consider for my full US and International exposure. All of these would need to be listed on the TSX as I am purchasing in CAD $. While I know you prefer non-hedged, I’d greatly appreciate if you could explain benefits/workings of hedged vs. non-hedged considering the current environment. And provide ETF recommendations for each.

I am looking to achieve a balance of diversification, reasonable MER, minimizing any withholding tax while optimizing the potential in market recovery. For US, I would like to have a technology ETF, health care ETF and a broader spectrum ETF – but also open to ideas. Also, looking for recommendations on International – one broad ETF or perhaps that and a mix of ETFs. I recognize there can be overlap (e.g. between a tech and broad sector fund), so if you can give me a sense of the degree of duplication that may be present in your recommendations. Perhaps going heavier on tech right now could be a good thing.

While I started off thinking ETF selections would be relatively simple, in reading various Q&A there seem to be many important considerations - your assistance is appreciated. Again, all of these are being purchased in RRSP/LIRA accounts with the goal of optimizing my returns over a 10 year window.
Read Answer Asked by Loretta on March 30, 2020
Q: Any concern on their dividend? Looking at their annual report for 2019, payout ratio is close to 70%. If this is correct, doesn’t leave much room to increase the dividend or re-invest back into the business for growth.... I would hate to see an equity raise in the near future or see then use their cash balance for a dividend increase. Your thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Chris on March 30, 2020
Q: With the possible exception of MDT or ISRG, some of the US listed medical stocks remain down near their lows while other names have rallied hard. I am interested in the companies above and wonder if you can tell me if each would be a buy for you at current levels? Again each are down a lot, have favourable analyst ratings but haven't bounced much. Are there any on this list you DO NOT like?
Read Answer Asked by Tim on March 27, 2020
Q: My average price on COV is $4.97, so ... I'm down 78% as of this morning. I was thinking of dumping it, finally, and topping up my position in GUD with the proceeds -- unless you feel there is some evidence that this stock will come back to life. It never was a big holding -- but it seems to me the cash would be better used elsewhere. I'd like to stay in a healthcare growth position. GUD is presently 2.5% of portfolio.
Read Answer Asked by Sylvia on March 24, 2020
Q: Akumin is an US based company operating independent medical testing centres. They just announced to dedicate 10 test centers for Coronavirus imaging. Why is stock down sharply today with the news? Are medical testing centers beneficiaries under current situation?

Thank for your great services!

Read Answer Asked by Dong Sheng on March 24, 2020
Q: I have been following ABT and RMD recently. They have both been trading down the last couple of days when the market is up.

Could you please provide your thoughts on why these companies are down relative to the market recently? I would have thought that they would be doing well given the current situation.

Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Geoffrey on March 23, 2020
Q: Is this a buy today? Just read the headline below on the heels of hearing nothing but "not enough ventilators" on CNBC all day

Medtronic Boosts Ventilator Production in Response to Public Health Emergency
19 Mar 2020 04:37 ET
04:37 AM EDT, 03/19/2020 (MT Newswires) -- Medtronic (MDT) said Wednesday that it is doubling its production capacity to meet the high demand for ventilators which will be used by hospitals in the management of the COVID-19 respiratory disease.
Read Answer Asked by Tim on March 20, 2020
Q: Dear Sirs,
What do you think of BMY at this time? Do you think it's too early to be buying these guys? I don't see anything they're doing regarding coronavirus treatment, so they may keep falling for awhile. They've done some good stuff recently: acquired Celgene (cancer) and Medarex (cancer) and have a leading drug partnered with Pfizer (prevention of blood clots caused by atrial fibrillation). They're down to about $49 from about $65 a month ago (like everyone). Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Allan on March 20, 2020
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