Investment Q&A

Q: How do people track their overall performance as traders? I use TD Web Broker and after I make a trade there doesn't seem to be a filed that tracks the loss or gain on the trade. Do people track this in an Excel Spread Sheet or is there a program/app for this?

Thank you for another great year of smart stock picks!

Q: You are very generous in assessing most every company and finding something good on the balance sheet or fundamentals.But i know from experience that there are companies I just should not have bought into for several reasons.Do you have a list of companies that you would not want to be involved in.

Q: Where would be a good place to park cash while waiting for an investment opportunity?

Q: Follow up question: as a guideline, with a "rock solid" defined benefit pension, what percentage, overall, of a $200,000 RRSP portfolio should be allocated to fixed income? Of the 4 funds you suggested, as a guideline, what percentage of the overall allocation go into each fund? Retirement 2-3 years away.

Q: hi,
1) do you know the current Canada GDP figures, taking out the housing market??
2) what is the long term PE average of the TSX from 1980 until now, and what is the average yield of the same, over the same time period?
thanks, chris

Q: Thank you for your comments to the person with the Federal Government defined benefit pension. I am in the same position and I have always regarded my pension as my fixed income component and my investments are 100% equity. In terms of income, my fixed income component pension is over 50% of my income which exceeds the usually recommended 60-40 equity/fixed income split. Most public investment advice is geared to people with no pension, in my opinion.

Q: I took advantage of the 2 year renewal for 5iR.....what a deal. And thanks for the emphasis on portfolio management....what a gawd send. Also, hi5 for the model portfolios, too!...Oh yea, the understandable guidance to the many questions. ........Tom

Q: Prices for 1yr & 2yr early renewal.Thanks.Peter was great on shortened appearance on BNN

Q: You note that you will be raising your prices and that current members can renew at the current price. What are the new prices going to be so that I can judge how long I want to renew for?

Paul f.

Q: In reply to a question about Questor you stated:
We have seen the stock promoted on some twitter blogs we follow

Which twitter blogs do you follow?

Q: Would you be able to suggest any free apps that can track my total investments and their respective weightings? I manage a number of stocks across my wife and i's TFSA, resp, rrsp and margin accounts. Would be nice to have a full picture look at weighting and sector allocation, based on latest stock prices.

Q: Hi Peter

I thought that readers of 5i might enjoy the math on Coke Vitaliy Katsenelson uses to illustrate the danger with investor's dividend obsession. Publish if you think this is useful.

http://contrarianedge.com/2016/11/15/dangers-dividend-obsession/

Q: In today's Post there was an article reprinted from the Telegraph about half a trillion pounds that Britain has discovered they no longer have. The article speculated on some of the international effects this might have. I am wondering if you have any thoughts on how this might affect our portfolios.
Regards
Mike

Q: Peter, I cannot imagine how difficult it must be to come up with an idea a column every week or two. Please allow me to humbly make a suggestion.
I know in broad strokes the difference between the TSE and Venture, but I know nothing about the CSE. Perhaps an article on this and how it may affect me as a DIY investor.
Gord.
P.S. I rarely ask a question but enjoy reading the answers to the questions. Publish at your discretion.

Q: Jean earlier today listed a number of stocks in his/her portfolio as being in excess of 10%. You do not suggest there's a problem with this, so I'm wondering if it's okay to own larger percentages of individual stocks if one has diversified ETFs. I have been buying ETFs to consolidate holdings as I move farther into retirement to make withdrawals simpler. But I still have a lot of individual stocks that I'm keeping in the 5% range. I think I noticed elsewhere you recommend not holding more that 5% of a portfolio in ETFs( now can't find it, so perhaps I misremember). I suspect I'm just not getting something here. What do you recommend regarding this use of ETFs and individual stocks (and %s) for a person past the accumulation stage?

Q: There has been a lot of gossip around my job side about a new investment in a cryptocurrency company called electroneum. To be honest, I have no intension of investing in it. I have just a layman's knowledge of bitcoin and blockchain and with all the hype starting to fly around this place I would appreciate a well grounded opinion of it. Maybe I could show them the answer you reply with.

Q: This may or may not be a question you can answer but any insight is appreciated.

My Mom is 88 years old, plays bridge twice a week and square dances twice a week and we spend 2 days a week having lunch She is in great health but, no one lives forever.

She has Property and investments worth U$600,000+ and she and I have reviewed her will which is in good standing. How can I best prepare on my end when the time does eventually come? And what hurdles can I expect as a Canadian inheriting US assets?

Thanks for all you do

gm

Q: Gentlemen,
I would like to have your opinion on Market Grader a fundamental stock evaluation software.
Thanks
BR

Q: Would CPD be classified as 'fixed income'? What would be a recommended short duration ladder bond fund that you would recommend for diversification?

Q: If I was to invest in a model portfolio you provide would you recommend I purchase the securities at current prices or wait and selectively buy when their pricing becomes more attractive?

Colin from Calgary, Alberta.