Investment Q&A

Q: My reading of articles regarding the market activity over the last couple of days suggests a quantum shift in expectations: currency concerns, earnings lower than expected, potential deflation, more anxiety over China, etc. etc.
Can you tie the story lines together and share your views on what has really happened, why and where we are likely to go from here - flat, down or maybe another upward bounce. And how to manage one's portfolio in the days or weeks ahead

As usual, a grateful 5i customer.

Q: Good day folks. a question regarding U.S.investments in a Canadian exchange etf, now that the Cdn $ is trading around 90 cents, does it make more sense to use a hedged etf in Cdn $ rather than a non hedge etf in either Cdn or U.S. dollars.

from cold Panama City Beach, Fla, thanks

Q: As much as I appreciate the importance of diversification and investing outside of Canada, the low Canadian dollar is making it very expensive to buy into the US. Is it still wise to invest in the US or would it be best to wait for the dollar to rebound to maybe the mid 90 cent range?

Thanks and as always, appreciate the great advice.

Paul

Q: Apologies if you have already explained this: Will you be starting a new model portfolio in March or continuing with the same one? Thanks.

Q: would you recomend sitting on some cash at the present time?
At the turn of the year most experts seemed positive on both the Canadian and U.S. markets. Now there is a significant number of the same people calling for a general, large, pullback. Self fulfilling prophecy, perhaps?

Q: What would you pick to be the top growth sectors in the TSX this year? Thanks!

Q: Hi 5i Team,
Could you please suggest 2 high growth Canadian stocks for each sector?
dividend is not a concern.
Thank you for your wonderful service.
Henry

Q: Some think that 2014 will be the year for the Cdn stk mkt to shine. If you agree, what sectors would be best and what mutual fund(s) would best cover these? (I have mainly stocks in my accounts that are similar to you model, but am trying to get back to a few good mfs as well.) Thanks for you help. Alan

Q: Hello team, thanks for the well reasoned reply to my AYA question. I am thinking it may be time to add an industrial mining company to my portfolio, like a VALE for iron ore or TCK or FM in the coal or copper space. I have no miner exposure presently. Your only miner is in gold. What would you do here? Are you tempted to add one to your portfolio as a value play on eventual global recovery to include these stocks. Many thanks.

Q: Do you currently see markets as over bought? If not, where would you put new money? Thanks.

Q: Hi Peter and gang, I would like your opinion of Peter Schiff of Euro Pacific Capital. Especially his views of a financial future for the United States that falls somewhere between bad and terrible. I know that it is hard to contemplate an apocalypse but like they say, "Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they're not after you."

Q: Credit Suisse is bearish on the Canadian dollar - expecting it to drop to $83 by the end of the year.
They are also bearish on Oil. There technical analyst suggests that energy stocks will continue to plug along as in 2013. What is your opinion on both for 2014?
Thank you.
Linda

Q: re......deflation. I feel it is a possibility we may see real deflation where I live subject to the US dollar question of course. I am not worried about it from a local point of view but from a Canadian Macro economic point of view if it got going it could be worrisome. I believe we would have lots of notice with time to have some form of plan ready to go so to not have one is just plain crazy. But I can only find blank faces when I ask for opinions. Since I am convinced I must stay invested, I is moving to consumer staples a reasonable move? What moves might the bank of Canada do? Who is a deflation guru with an answer?
Is there a place to hide?
Thanks very much

Q: Peter,

With a weaker CAD, which companies do you think will benefit from rising USD and have Canadian based expenses?

Thanks,
Zach

Q: With the Canadian dollar down what areas do you feel benefit-any specific canadian stocks for example.

Q: Hi What would happen if the us dollar droped substantially and created hyperinflation? What would the effect be to the canadian dollar and market? Would gold and silver go up and would it be better to hold the equities or the physical commodities?

Q: Have just renewed. Thank you for such sound advice. I have been financially " guiding" my employed 38 year old daughter for some time. She has $20,000 to place in a non registered account and about$15,000 cash in her TFSA . I have been keeping notes from your Q & A, your portfolio and other research. In her non registered, she has XDV;XIU and a dividend mutual fund. Feel free to suggest weightings , long term horizon, which of the following would you suggest for non registered and TFSA (Or as you like, make any substitutions):
BCE; CGX; BNS; SLF;PWF;T; CBO; BEP.UN; IWO.
Thanks for your input.
Paul

Q: Hi Peter and Crew,

I am a totally pleased member and have just early-extended my member ship for another 2 years. I am also a low-volume question submitter and gleen my information from the questions of others and the model portfolio and reports.

My question is a general one. 5I has made excellent recommendations (companies, funds) and strategies (inaugural and then increasing dividends) and provided great supporting information ... in a Bull market. I think I can express the feelings of many of us that the results have been very good and that we might be feeling a bit bullet-proof.

This bull will end - they all do. Might be gradual, might be abrupt.

Can you offer any insight, at this time, as to how you might change recommendations, approaches and/or the model portfolio as we enter and pass through a bear market.

Thanks again for your great service.

Q: Hi 5i - thanks for everything in 2013, success to you and all members in 2014.
Sorry if this is repetitive - maybe need more links for these categories - What are ur best 5 stock picks for growth and 5 best for dividend in 2014.
Tks.

Q: Happy New Year 5I Team. Would you give some insight into how the US ecomony may fair this coming year? Do you see the Canadian Dollar losing strength against the US Dollar?