Investment Q&A

Q: Hi Peter,

My condo is for sale; Any thoughts on where/how to invest the proceeds in the most tax efficient way? Right now I have a decent income. Should I still be in dividend paying stocks/etfs? Are growth stocks too risky at this point? Thanks for any ideas!

Q: Peter, thank you for all the sound advice you offer to us. we keep hearing that what goes up must go down. I remember back in 2004 people saying bank stocks were a no brainer as they kept going up although we were starting to see some segments of the economy ie car indusdry showing signs of weakness. However the stock market continued in a positive trend for another few years. Should we be concerned at this junture or continue to have faieth in the capital markets? Would you consider this to be a hold period and buy on weakness or sell on strength so you have cash for a future downturn. I realize you do not have a crystal ball and no one can time the market but there are trends I am sure you have seen.thank you again for the service you offer.
m

Q: What are your thoughts about the Canadian dollar vs the US dollar?

Q: Are we approaching a bear market? Tim Shufelt, in Sunday's Globe and Mail, Quoted Denis Mark of the National Bank, and others, who pointed out that while the indexes might not have fallen off, that is largely because of the movement of money into large cap stocks. The 'average' stock, he said, was down 10-12%-27% on S&P-TSX-NSQ from its highs, depending on the index. He called it a stealth correction, and said it would soon spread to large caps too. Any advise? The TSX has fallen 8 of the last 10 sessions now.

Q: It's my understanding that the yields on Greek, Spanish and Irish debt are currently trading at very thin spreads to US teasuries. My instinct is that this represents an overall high level of risk complanency in the markets in general and that we are likely due for some weakness ahead as things normalize. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.

Thanks,

Q: Hi:
In iffy markets like this , I usually grab some profit and duck for cover ... even when I react OK I never get back in the market soon enough ...
This time I am taking the daily blows and am staying put ...
Are there stocks I should be looking at as best buying opportunities or sectors to which I should focus ???
Your site has helped me immensely . Thankyou .

Q: Tech stock have really fallen off a cliff. Is there still a bull market for them left?

Q: Does it make any sense to buy 5 year GIC's as part of a balanced portfolio given that interests rates are at all time lows and rates are forecast to rise over this time frame? Thanks. Michael

Q: There has been a lot of chatter lately about the move to value over growth in stock selection. I am afraid that I don't feel this urge but as I've known myself to be regularly late to the best parties I could use some help ion reasoning this out. Where do stand on the idea and if in the growth camp could you outline the value camp reasoning?

TIA

Q: Do you think the bulk of the correction in the general market is over or does it still seem to have more downside to do?

Thanks

Q: I have invested in both canadian and u.s.a stocks,my question is,there is a lot of chatter about the demise of the u.s.a currency,should i sell my u.s.a stocks and stay in canada as well as buy more gold and silver. the u.s.a debt is unsustainable and the dollar will be devalued, how about other countries that are safe to invest in. greatly value your oppinion. thanku

Q: Good Morning Peter and Co.
Can you expand on your response to what you think the economic and market conditions for 2014 will be like? What sectors or industries do you see as outperforming the market if any?
Thank you for your advice and information.

Q: In your answer to Michael's question on DSG you wrote -It is hard to pre-guess a momentum shift. Many biotechs and techs have been hit hard the past few weeks. Descartes earnings have been solid, and it is not nearly as expensive as some other names caught up in the rotation.

Are you referring to a rotation into cash and fixed income, or a rotation among equity sectors? If the latter, what sectors are attracting the investments?

Thank you.

Q: Hi 5i Team;

I cannot resist asking you this question, even though it may be controversial to request a comment on another expert's opinion.

Brian Acker, a regular participant on the BNN Market Call shows, has commented on a speech made by Bank of Canada governor Stephen S. Poloz. The speech was made to the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, and reasons a dim future for the Canadian economy.

My strategy to date, has not included US investments.

With the fall of the CDN $ have I missed the boat for US investments, considering the speech by Governor Poloz?

Your opinion on the described future is greatly appreciated.

Please publish at your discretion.

Q: Good afternoon....based on the recent comments by Bank of Canada -Poloz "low growth, low rates" what impact do you project for interest sensitive stocks (REITS, Pipelines/utilities, dividends stocks for income)...Thanks

Q: Hi Peter and Team,

In previous answers to questions you've said that 1) earnings, 2) interest rates, and 3) flows of capital (e.g., from bonds to stocks) tend to be the main drivers of market activity.

What is your take please on these drivers so far this year in Canada? Are any trends emerging?

Many thanks.

Michael

Q: Do you anticipate a substantial pullback in the market in the next while?
How would you recommend to prepare for the possibility and
Would things would you recommend to do if it should come more suddenly than rxpected?

Thanks

Q: I was wondering what you thought of Prem Watsa's statement about a 'monstrous' real estate bubble set to burst in China. If it does, would there be a major impact on CDN markets? And if it would, which sectors would be hit worst or least?

Q: To your list of Quebec companies like FSZ possibly impacted by a PQ win you could add BCE, IAG, ATD, PJC, POW, NA, CNR, MRU, BBD and more. I don't think the separatism issue is on the media's radar in a big way yet, but if polls next week indicate a jump in support due to the star candidate's arrival, this could change fast with the feds being mute so far. My memory doesn't go back to the referendum of 20 years ago but I wonder if it wouldn't be the banks and financials hurt most as both sides have a tug of war going on the C$ as a central theme presently, and money runs scared first, asks questions later.

Would you agree or which sector is most vulnerable? Thanks, J.

Q: Hi - In the event that the PQ wins a majority in the Quebec election and starts another referendum process, what sectors / companies in Canada (especially amongst the companies you follow) do you think would benefit the most or be hurt the worst?