Investment Q&A

Q: I am a snowbird and require income in US funds. With the recent weakening in the US dollar is now a good time to convert some Canadian currency assets into US currency assets. What are your thoughts on the Canada USA exchange rate has it peaked or will the Canadian dollar stronger?


Thank you


Steve

Q: Peter; If the Georgia election is “ overwhelming “ in the Democrats favour - basically rejecting the Trumpaffoon - is this a market changer and possibly the end of the clown politics? Crystal ball question I realize. Thanks . Rod

Q: What sectors would decline if inflation and/or interest rates were to rise.

Q: Hi, thanks for the work that you do for the average Joe.

I am about 8-10 years from retirement. Earlier this year, when good Cdn blue-chip dividend payers were "on sale", I started creating an income portfolio in my non-registered account. The idea is that these stocks would form the basis of my income in my retirement as I don't have a DB pension.

I am currently in the highest tax bracket so will pay significant taxes on the dividends that I receive until I retire, in 8-10 years.

I also have funds in my TFSA where I focus more on Growth.

Am I too young to start creating a dividend account when I'll be paying significant taxes? Should I instead focus on Growth stocks now, and convert those to dividend paying stocks when I retire?

Or does it really matter that much?

This is a non-urgent question and can wait until the NY.

Thanks
Robert

Q: Happy New Year and thanks for everything you do. This year has been by far my best year in the markets thanks to the patience i have learned through the daily Questions and Answers. Just a general question re the markets. I get asked by alot of people who can't get their head around that so many people have been out of work and the gov't continuously dishing out money, but the markets keep on chugging along like everything is good or going to be good in the near future in the world. In other words there seems to be alot of disconnect, thanks?

Q: Good morning, as a relatively young retired investor I'm still leaning vs growth. As a portfolio year end adjustment I would like to hike my exposure to materials by approx 1%. Having said that my gold exposure has suffered and now sits at less that 3%. I own LUN at 2%. Where would you add ? In real estate I have a 2% in DIR and 1% in TCN.. Would like to add to maybe 5% of portfolio. Dividends are welcome but not a necessity since I can buy in either my Cash or in my RIFF account. New suggestions are welcome since your expertise gave me handsome results since I've subscribed to your services.

Stay safe,

Yves

Q: I find it quite interesting that there may be a possible correction in January due to tax-related selling. I own most of my securities in a TFSA and/or RRSP so i am not (in the short term at least) motivated by tax implications. Should I sell now and try to pick up shares at a discount in January?

Q: I am getting scared! This is way too many profits in such a short period of time, in a pandemic, the world shut down, how can that be? So many unemployed. I have never made this kind of money, EVER! Fear and greed is setting in. I am fearful of the market, greedy to let it keep moving up even though it does not look anywhere near sustainable. Help us out here, Peter. Have you ever seen increases in prices so quickly, what is going on? P/E, revenue, earnings, sales, nothing seems to matter. A vision of 2000 keeps rolling around in my head when I guess something like that happened and then everything came crashing down, HARD!

Q: Retired dividend-income investor. For the equity portion of a typical income focused portfolio, can you give me your suggested asset allocation for the 11 sectors. Thanks in advance...Steve

Q: Good morning, The year end once again brings us the many different opinions as to what lies ahead in 2021. I have read several analysts giving their overweight and underweight suggestions and am struck by the fact that some are overweight financials and utililies and others are underweight. With so many different opinions, I believe one has to choose who makes sense and once again, I choose you. In terms of sector weightings what does your crystal ball say? Of course it can vary, whether one is income or growth focused but with that caveat in mind, what do you think? Thanks

Q: commonly, all of these stocks seem to be in sectors that are doing well i know there are many more are there any sectors that you might particularly favour this upcoming year?

Q: amazon , shopify etc , shares have soared during the pandemic season. If things begin to turn around and people leave their homes to shop again , what might a person want to be invested into to ride the next wave excluding big names like Costco and home depot Etc, thanks. no Rush on the answer.

Q: If we were to see rotation into value and cyclical stocks in 2021, which 5 Canadian value stocks and 5 Canadian cyclical stocks would you recommend. And what are the probabilities of such a rotation happening? Tnx

Q: Hello Peter,
From what I have been reading: The cash positions within pension and other investment funds is at historically low levels. The trend over the past few weeks has been a shift from growth and technology to cyclical and value stocks.
On the flip side, the technology sector generally does well to start the new year.
I have done well with growth stocks mostly in the tech sector and have a couple of holdouts such as DXCM, AYX GH that have not performed. And I am also fully invested.
Should I look to raise cash by trimming my gains, which would be in tech, mostly US except for some CAD such as DSG, LSPD OTEX etc? Or, should I sell the growth holdouts for cash? Should I even raise cash and invest in cyclicals and value such as TT, RTX, US financials or any other you may suggest. Or should I just ride the growth portfolio into January and spring of 2021?
Looking for your magic eight ball answer.
Regards
Rajiv

Q: In a Globe and Mail article yesterday, Candice Bangsund of Fiera Capital was quoted as saying "Fiera is overweight on Canadian stocks now because it’s “where we see the most upside potential,” she says. “We expect the [Toronto Stock Exchange] will outperform the U.S. market in 2021, which is a sharp reversal from what we’ve seen.” If I could chat with her I would say "WHAT?".....Me, I thought Canada rides on the coattails of the US....The family is well diversified across Canadian and US stocks. But with new TFSA contribution room for 2021 for 4 accounts, what guidance would you provide with respect to investing new money in Canadian or US stocks or do a combo?
And pop a bottle of champagne to celebrate another good year of  5iR guidance to couch guy like me!!!......Tom

Q: I usually aim to invest 60% in Canada, 30% in the US and 10% outside North America. With US markets quite high again, is there more opportunity internationally and is a heavier weighting in that direction warranted?

Q: What 3 sectors do you expect to do best over the next couple years.
Please list in order of preference.

Q: According to a recent report by Statistics Canada, household debt has been on a steady rise since 1990. What effect, if any, do you think this could have on the markets long term? What needs to happen for household debt levels to flatline or reverse? Curious to hear your opinion.
Thanks

Q: Do you consider this is a good time to buy US dollars?

Q: Hello Peter & team,

Read a report that stated bank deposits are up considerably. Reason... It appears People are banking funds without having the opportunity to take their annual vacations because of Covid. Vaccines are in the process of being distributed. There will be an end to the lock down eventually, and when that happens people will be biting at the bit to travel. I know I am.

My question... I'm thinking the beneficiaries of this pent up demand are going to be Cruise Lines, Airlines & Hotels. (plus anything else you can suggest) Are you able to tell us - your loyal 5i family - which companies we should be targeting which will benefit once everyone starts being able to travel again? And if you could, please provide your futures opinion on Air Canada which is still down 50% (approx) compared to it's pre-covid highs. I am seriously considering a strong position and would like to know your thoughts.

Thanks for all you do

Gord