Investment Q&A

Q: Hi
I know that this question is almost impossible to answer and it is anyone's guess but what is the end game for this mounting debt in the US? 34 trillion? Perhaps 10 trillion of that is domestic? Still a stagering number. GDP is 26.24 Trillion with that volume it sounds manageable but they and other goverments dither about, eventually kicking the can down the road. At what point does this come to a head in your opinion? Perhaps a year or an event that you see as an epoch?
Thank you
J

Q: This is a general market question. I hold too many companies in my equity accounts and would like to reduce the number. On the other hand, my overall portfolio is up more than 11% over he past 3 months. I am overweight financials but I see them as benefitting from potential rate drop. Most of my holdings are growth oriented. I do hold approximately 15% fixed income, short and longer term bonds.

What would be your overall approach given potential rate drop and anticipated slow economic growth? 90% of my holdings are for long term. 10% are trades.

Take as many credits as required.

Thanks for all your help.

Mike

Q: Good Morning 5i Team,

1. Is the capital gains tax the same on CDN and US stocks in a cash account?
2. Does one pay more tax selling US stocks with no dividends in an RSP or cash account?
3. Are the dividends from preferred shares eligible for a tax credit? Or does it depend on the offer?

Delete question credits as required.

Thank you and keep up the great work.

Q: Hi Guys,

My question is revolving around an article or a webinar that you've done or planned to do on the 2024 outlook. Best categories, interest rate outlook etc etc.

If you've done such please send me the link. If you haven't do you plan to do something like this?

Sheldon

Q: Happy New Year everyone!

Can you please update us on your outlook for US Small Caps in 2024? Is it better to invest in US or Canada? A few selected stocks or ETF? If ETF what’s best for top return?

Sorry for all the questions please take as many credits as necessary.

Thanks happy investing!

Q: I am concerned about the US political situation. Should Trump manage to win the upcoming election and the US loses its democracy, I fear that this will not be good for the financial markets. Do you know what the results were in other countries that elected far right political parties? I have a sizable portfolio that is almost 50% weighted to the US. I would like to know how to prepare for this possibility short of selling all our US investments. Thank you

Q: I would appreciate a sampling of hedges for the NASDAQ 100 & S&P 500 please.

Q: This is just a comment on Bob's question about the best and worst months in the stock market and I always remember this fun sarcastic quote from Mark Twain. Happy Holidays!

“October: This is one of the peculiarly dangerous months to speculate in stocks. The others are July, January, September, April, November, May, March, June, December, August and February.”

Q: A few months back I asked a question about timing for a conversion of American dollars to Canadian dollars. My understanding at the time was the Canadian dollar would weaken over the coming months. As I’m in no hurry, you agreed waiting for a decline was a good strategy. I’m still okay waiting but was hoping you could provide an explanation as to why the US dollar has been weakening. I’m somewhat perplexed that our dollar would be showing strength given the difference in the two economies. Given the US is entering an election year and our federal government continues to demonstrate its fiscal incompetence with almost every announcement (sorry, couldn’t resist!), could you please also provide a ‘best guess’ for where the Canadian dollar might land 6 months from now.
Thanks, as always.

Q: WHAT ARE best MONTHS worst MONTHS FOR stock MARKETS.

how does JANUARY rank /

thank YOU RAK.

Q: Please make it public at your discretion.

In response to Maureen's question about a tax calculator, I have used the one at Ernst & Young for years. It is very robust and includes interest income and all of the provinces and federal tax.

https://www.ey.com/en_ca/tax/tax-calculators

Paul F.

Q: Are you aware of a chart that compares tax levels on both capital gains and Canadian dividends at different income levels? Thank you.

Q: Morningstar has a stock rating service that provides a "fair Value" of a stock. I am wondering if you are familiar with it and what you think of it. Are you aware of any other services that provide fair values? Thankyou. Cheers

Ps: I may have asked this before. If so, please ignore this qwestion.

Q: I want to say a specific thanks to Peter. In the 1990's I started to follow Peter's articles in the Investor's Digest newspaper. Then I followed him on the original BNN show which at that time was ROBtv. Later, on BNN I followed Peter and that is when he began 5i. I am one of the original 5i members. I can't thank you enough Peter for over 25 years of your wonderful advice and insight into both the market but also on human nature. Thanks to you we have managed a very successful family portfolio. Thanks so much. Have a wonderful Holiday Season.
A very grateful Cathy

Q: https://braxtonwm.com/

I am interested working with Braxton Wealth Management. Can you give me your opinion on this particular wealth management company.

What are your thoughts on their investment / management style.

please be candid about your thoughts, pros and cons

also are there any tax implications by dealing with a non canadian company?

thanks

Ernie

Q: Note to Judith. I had exactly the same issue with my rifs on december 6th. Plus, I had made my Fathers complete rif withdrawal before this date and they went ahead, did it again and charged him tax on the excess withdrawal. Wasted a day on the phone getting it all sorted out.

Q: Hi Folks. To keep bookkeeping simple, I like to keep all my equity holdings in CDN funds. But I now want to pick up some MSFT. I have never bousght CDRs ... is there anything I should know. Would a CDN CDR track exactly the price of MSFT.US ? Thanks.

Q: What are the most common investing mistakes that you see being made by people who are managing their own investments? Maybe a top half dozen or so, with a brief explanation as to what should be done instead of the incorrect habits. Thanks.

Q: Hi 5i Team - Could you tell me where I can locate your 2023 tax loss screener. Thanks.

Q: Perhaps a long-shot question, but I wonder if you are aware of any company providing amazing services similar to 5i, but focused on the European (in particular, French, German and UK) equity markets?

Many thanks in advance! Aaron