Investment Q&A

Q: What do you make of the markets today? Tech, gold, silver, metals, and cryto really getting hammered. Is this a result of these specific sectors just running too hot, as well as disappointing MSFT earnings, slowing growth and larger cap ex. Aside from MSFT, META had larger cap ex and the stock got rewarded for larger rev guidance. We can see how these tech companies will get punished on less than above average earnings and guidance. Is this market priced to perfection and expectations are just too high? Is it time to raise more cash and be defensive?

What do you think of the comments below from Powell and Macquarie and the potential for US rate hikes within the next year? We know markets are forward looking and are they expecting this potentially later this year? We all know Trump wants to appoint a dovish Fed chair after Powell. If we do expect rate hikes, this would of course take the air out of tech, risk assets, gold and silver. I hold many growth names that you mention and would like to limit the drawdown.

Lots to unpack here, but what would be your assesssment for the remainder of the year. Thank you!


**U.S. central bank chief Jerome Powell described as a solid economy and diminished risks to both inflation and employment.

**"While the outlook remains uncertain, particularly given the appointment of a new Fed Chair in coming months, our baseline remains that the rate cutting cycle is complete, as labour improvement lies ahead," said David Doyle, head of economics at Macquarie Group.

Q: Hello Team 5i & Everyone,

Thank you for your answer about Palantir’s tech. That was a lot more straightforward than what google was offering.

I’ve observed a few Germans (who have obviously grown up in an education system that does an exceptionally good job of teaching them about their own history) comment that they recognize the playbook happening in real time in the United States at the moment. And to them, what comes next is dead obvious: the current administration will make its move to consolidate power down into a one party state this year. (Akin to 1933.)

I hope that doesn’t happen and I know that I can’t do anything about it beyond learn more about history so that I feel less surprised when people’s behaviour repeats itself. I’m already familiar with the societal side of events when a fascist style of governance takes over, so now I would like to familiarize myself with how the stock markets and economies (domestic & global) have a history of / pattern of behaving when a formerly democratic government consolidates power.

Have you come across any good articles that cover this topic?

Thank you,

Sandra

Q: Hi 5i,

With the recent big run up and huge embedded gains in gold/silver does it make sense to even consider investing in these precious metals at this time?

Q: trying to shockproof my corporate account a bit and wondering what you think about equal amounts of a stock shift to

GIC ladders

T‑bills

ultra‑short bond ETF and an appropriate HISA would be here?

Q: Your thoughts of the unwinding of Japan's carry trade What should your clients
do to protect their portfolio's? For example sell high beta stocks as their values may drop. Will there be pressure on the value of short term money market funds? Will the interest rate paid on the short term market increase or decrease? I know this sounds extreme, but should there be a portion of ones portfolio in cash?

Thanks

Q: Would you currently view it to be riskier to hold USD than CAD?

Q: Greetings,

I have some cash sitting in USD. Do you think it's worth converting to CAD or Euros' on the basis of the idea that the "mighty" US dollar is in decline.

Thanks!

Q: We've been reading books on an eventual financial disaster for decades.
Does it make sense for anyone to have US cash these days .

We incurred some serious erosion of the USD in 2025 and things could get worse in coming months. Obviously DJT is ignoring all caution with record debt growth passed through his so called big beautiful bill.
With currency erosion , as Gold soars to new highs is there a prospect of countries dumping USD denominated bonds ?

Thanks to Ai , it seems that I now have 50% of my wealth on the US stock market.
I think I should start converting or have SOME strategy ... Please give us your opinion. Thankyou

Q: What is the risk if 100% tariffs were applied to CDA according to the recent situation,concerning 1) canadian economy 2) stocks and sectors ; is this is a concern for your excellent team , and does ,or shall it if effective,reshape your investing strategy?

Q: Hopefully, the term is self-explanatory.

So far, very profitable. Have you seen anybody who has written about it?

Q: In your opinion where might the better return be found between American economy or developed non American and reasoning? I realize that this can be a very convoluted conjecture. Thanx.

Q: How should I measure geographic diversification within a small cap growth portfolio of 15 Canadian companies? Say for example if Kraken Robotics gets 30% of its revenue from international, and Aritzia gets 60% from the US. Even though they are Canadian companies, can I reasonably say I have some diversification outside Canada based on source of revenue? Or is this a Canada only portfolio and thus not diversified geographically?

I consider this portfolio in my TFSA to be my fun money to invest for growth, so I’m not as concerned about perfect diversification like we have in our conservatively managed RRSP where equities are split 1/3 each between Canada, US and international.

Thanks for all you do!

Q: It appears that Trump's cognitive abilities are rapidly declining. What do you see as potential outcomes if he is unable to complete his term? What do you anticipate the impact would be on bonds, North American equities, crypto currencies and precious metals? Would precious metals be a possible hedge? I realize this is very hypothetical, but I'm interested in your opinion. Thank you for the service you provide.

Q: Looking s+p500...tsx and the dow which are under or over valued?

Q: If a stock isn’t a must own, but a like to own but on the skids. What is your preferred strategy? Is it always for the bottom relative on technicals and especially a turn around? A quick sentiment shift?

Would you employ the wheel strategy if they approached a comfortable entry; NFLX, FTNT, NOW. Would be my current candidates that have a reasonable chance of righting the ship.

More of a learning question from the team in adding a bonus position if you will, or just collecting some premium if it doesn’t hit.

Love any insight on this area and these examples. Thank you!

Oh AI report was fabulous, very much appreciated.

Q: This is a followup to your answer (thank you) regarding how to made a determination of which 'favourite' stocks to remove when one has too many .
Could you give me a few of what you think would be the most important ratios, or other factors to consider when assessing a balance sheet/valuation. I would be interested in those that would apply to most sectors, although if there are any that are unique to Industrial, Tech, Financial that would be helpful as well.
Just an add on question regarding P/E ratio. I noticed from a previous question I had regarding an answer you have to another member. You quoted a P/E ratio of 14 for TD based on consensus earnings estimates from Bloomberg. When I look at the drop down fundamental info on either my TD Webroker platform or 5i's dropdown info on any equity that is listed in the heading of a question, I see in both cases P/E being quoted at 11.15 for TD. How does one know whether the P/E ratios being quoted are forward earnings (as your Bloomberg quote indicates) or not. I see TTM - twelve month trailing- occasionally noted for certain ratios, eg. Price/Cash Flow but that doesn't seem to be the case for P/E in the TD/5i platforms ?
You may have done a blog or article that would cover my questions - but if not, perhaps it would be helpful to some other members?

Q: Hi There,

Regarding the suggestion that Euro countries, in response to the Greenland threats by US, could possibly wreak havoc on the US economically by dumping part or all of their trillions of dollars worth of Bonds.

How real is it that this could happen and what would be the possible effects on US Long Treasuries and stock markets?

Thanks.

Q: Hello Team 5i & Everyone,

I am just reading through the AI report - thank you! I was wondering why internet and broadband aren’t mentioned as a foundational layer to the A.I. buildout?

Customers in remote areas can’t access AI without access to high speed internet continuing to expand (within Canada & globally). Just curious on your take.

Thank you,

Sandra

Q: What happens to the market canadian and us it trump replaces Powel with one of his studges.

Q: Understanding Mr. Market .... I have never been a believer in " The market has priced in " or " The market looks ahead " ..... I am a firm believer in " The market is herded by the loudest barking dog " ..... And there are some things I expect the barking dog to do..... War threat , bark louder , threaten Fed independence, a nasty bite to the dollar , increase taxes { tariffs } a nasty bite to Mr. Market's leg .... The dog's master goes nuts , the dog goes nuts on Mr. Market ..... Yet none of this is happening ..... When and more importantly why did Geo-politics become irrelevant to Mr Market ? ...... The biggest global crisis since the cold war is now very near reality . The invasion of an ally and the dissolution of NATO . Yet Mr. Market is STILL yawning ? ....... What gives ? ..... Thanks for your terrific service .....