Investment Q&A

Q: Hi All at 5i!! I am a little confused about bitcoin. What exactly is it? How goes it reach such astronomical heights in value considering it seems to have no real value or does it? I have read articles but I am still not clear. Could you please explain, in a nutshell, how it can be applied to our daily financial lives (ie how you use it) and how it gets its value? Cheers, Tamara

Q: Hi, are there any stocks that represent an attractive buy opportunities due to tax loss selling.
Thanks

Q: Very interesting article on the way US tax cuts will work:

http://nationalpost.com/opinion/stephen-gordon-corporate-tax-cuts-wont-work-in-the-u-s-the-same-way-they-did-here

Q: You're talked before about not trading early in the day. Could you explain the logic. Many thanks

Q: Hello 5i!
Can you explain the Cognex stock split to me?
Specifically: "Cognex Corp - ‍board approved a two-for-one split of company’s common stock, payable in form of a stock dividend"
I understand the usual two for one but what about the "payable in the form of a dividend"?
Thank you
Dave​

Q: A question was asked about a Technical analysis report that you indicated would be issued in the next week or so. How can I access this report on your system?

Q: Hello Peter/5I
Why are the Tech sector declining with the new US tax cut ?
Thanks
Claudio

Q: When is the next Technical Analysis report?Did not see one in Nov. Just renew this great site for another 2 years

Q: I own pretty much all the stocks in your model portfolio (other than GC, PKI, SJ, and SYZ) and about 1/2 of your growth portfolio. I also own a number of ETFs, including VXC, VCN, VAB, CDZ, SPY, XAW, and VXUS. I was doing a review of my portfolio and noticed that the ETFs above now make up 20% of my portfolio. A couple questions:
1) Are some of these ETFs redundant in my case?
2) What sector allocation would you suggest for 2018?

Q: Hi there,

I currently follow the BE Portfolio with a slight growth tilt. I have about 25 positions on, each starting with a 4% weighting. I have done very well few names such as SIS, SHOP, PBH, TOY etc. At what weighting would you recommend that I trim back positions?

Thanks!

Q: I have used the Financial Post site for convertible debenture quotes for many years. It was an awesome site that providing me with all the info I needed for convertible debentures trading on the TSX. About 4 weeks ago it went away and I have been unable to find another site that was comparable to this one? Does anyone know another site that provides a summary of quotes for Canadian convertible debentures?

Q: Looks like the new U.S. tax bill is going to be passed! I'm thinking of taking a large position into IWO as I believe small caps will do best regarding this initiative....can you provide any advice, thank you?

Q: I have about 150k in ETFs. Is there a specific dollar value where it's better to start looking at an equity-type portfolio?

thanks,

Q: I am trying to understand the bitcoin / cryptocurrency frenzy. Particularly, I see articles talking about the bitcoin "trade" taking away from the gold trade. With my limited understanding of the bitcoin, it seems like it is a currency that trades with the volatility of a junior miner. So, why would it be suggested that, in times of uncertainty in the markets, money would possibly flow into bitcoin trades vs the historical "safe" haven of gold and thereby form another headwind for the price of gold?

Q: Hello Peter and Ryan,
Yangarra resources was going up while other oil stocks were going down. However, today Yangarra Resources barely moved much when other oil stocks surged given the news on OPEC production cut. Any comments? Also, Savaria surged a bit today. Was there any news? In general, when a particular stock stays within a narrow range when all the others in the sector are moving up alot, what does it mean for that particular stock? For example, today MedLeaf hovered around 1 percent range whereas the other cannibis stocks including the ETF HMMJ surged considerably. The same was true the day before when the cannibis stocks were down , MedLeaf stayed in the one percent range. Thank you.

Q: Where can I get information on convertible debentures. I used to use this link:
www.financialpost.com/markets/data/bonds-debentures.html
but it no longer works.
Thanks. Peter

Q: 5i rates are increasing 18%. Do you not think this is a bit excessive? This is your opportunity to sell me on the service.

Q: Effective December 1, what are your new service subscription rates?

Q: BITCOIN, NAFTA and North Korea are currently the greatest market worries. How do individual investors protect themselves or take advantage of each of these factors? I know it is a strange question. But any thoughts on these would be appreciated. Thanks. Shyam

Q: I have more of an overall financial question, that you may be able to answer.

I own my own business and have been thinking about buying a building in the near future, but I have a few concerns.

Many business people I talk with state that buying the building they were operating in as the best investment they made, or I talk with others that have regrets that they didn't.

What is a better investment: Stocks or Real Estate?

To buy a building I may have to liquidate my portfolio as it would be a major purchase. I would then have a My House, My Business, and a Building in Calgary. That seems like a lot of eggs in one basket if the Economy Slows or if Oil is no longer needed. ( I know this is a long ways down the road, but is a possibility)

Can I assume if the Lease Rate matches the Interest Rate Payments on a Commercial Mortgage that you should look into commercial real estate as you aren't losing anything? If this was the case less money would be put into a portfolio as some would have to go towards paying down the mortgage?

I know this isn't a regular stock specific question, but I figure with your knowledge you may have a good advice. I also am leaving this public as I believe many others on your site may have similar thoughts.

Thanks.