Investment Q&A

Q: It looks like the corona virus numbers in the states are rising. The fears of a second outbreak seem to be happening. Would you be trimming any of your winning positions right now?

Q: This is a big picture question about the current "incredible" rally.

What percentage would you attribute to
a) Fed's fiscal input including printing money and buying all kinds of bonds,
b) Short covering by both big and small investors
c) FOMO by Institutional investors (smart money) and
d) FOMO by retail investors (dumb money)?

Is there a place or articles one can access to get an idea about these variables?
Many thanks.

Q: OECD is in the news predicting the possibility / likelyhood (??) of historic global recession. What might we see to refute / support this dire scenario?? Thanks, Jim

Q: Hi, my question concerns slow repositioning of an actual 100 % dividend etf and stocks portfolio , for long term and retirement . Concerning the fact that various economical factors are now present for a future inflation (and then future interest raise in maybe 2 or 3 years ?): 1) what sectors will be safer, or even stay "safe" for dividends 2) what category of bond etf could be added to this portfolio , if indicated ? Many thanks ! JY

Q: 5i Office straw poll: What % cash is your group holding in their personal accounts.

With the rebound I am pulling the trigger on a few sales out of managed products I hold ( as part of my shift to ETFs) and am pondering keeping a larger position in cash as protection against a second wave/dip. I typically keep minimum cash.

Q: A few weeks ago you recommended using Hedged C$ ETFs as you suggested the Canadian$ was likely to appreciate in the short-term. And it did. Do you still feel this way or has the Canadian$ gone up as far it as it can and will level off from here. THX

Q: Would you acquire a larger cash position anticipating some bloody quarter 2 results? Quarter 1 results seem to only contain the beginning effects of COVID.

Q: Hi 5i Team,

We've just moved my sprite 87-year old mother's $72,000 from her broker to Questrade. It's a non-registered account and we are trying to make decisions on where to put it with special consideration to taxation.

One option I've discovered is Horizon Corporate Class Funds (a company called Purpose also has them).

It's suite of around 15 funds which include a few different equity types (TSX index, Euro and international stocks, and sectors like financials and energy) a few different bond types, and things like dividend and preferred share funds. As I understand it, one can buy and sell within this suite without triggering a taxable sale.

Beyond that, I don't know much about the tax structure so am turning to you. I wonder if you see this as a good place for this money.

Also curious about your opinion on preferred shares in general. They strike me as a good option for my mother's situation but my financial advisor considers them a thing of the past.

Thanks as always for your wisdom on this site. I'm delighted I bought a subscription.

Kevin

Q: Hi, If one is anticipating another market downturn , could you please suggest some investment ideas in CAD ? Thank you

Q: I really value your knowledge and experience. I would be very interested in your thoughts on the difference between the value of tech stocks today and those of the "dot com" bubble of the late 1990s. Thanks again.

Q: Hi Group appreciate your comments on Gold dropping like a anchor and the strength of Cad dollar I own several gold stocks+ ETfs FSV + GLD appears to be hit the worst. I hold 8% of my portfolio in gold any reason to reduce my exposure. On the currency side what's the outlook for the US dollar seems like its getting hit hard against other major currencies including the Cad $ Thanks

Q: I'm a little concerned about the trade tension, possible 2nd wave of the virus, protesting, economic risk, etc.
Do you think we need to do something in case the market crash?
Currently I hold the above 4 stocks plus 20% cash. Are they safe? Any other stocks that you recommend?
Thanks!

Q: Hi Peter & team
We went from about 95% cash just before the crash to 45% today. We've been expecting a drop to occur from Q2 results and thus are not fully back to where we were before Covid began. But we are also seeing the markets continue to float higher (tech, financials). We'd appreciate any guidance you can offer on the pros and cons of going back in more fully now or waiting 2-4 more months. Do you sense there is still a lot of cash waiting for another quarter to pass?

I read a statement that said, "Wealth is good provided everyone is wealthy". You are decisively helping that advance ...
Many thanks

Q: What sector of the TSX would you invest new money and why?

Q: Hi Peter & 5i,
Which of these 2 ETF's would you prefer and why, or if you have any other that is better, would be much appreciated. Thanks for your wonderful service. Stay safe. Ivan

Q: The Certified Financial Planners’ Guide (https://fpcanada.ca/docs/default-source/standards/2020-pag---english.pdf) provides long-term projected guidelines for Canadian, foreign-developed, and emerging markets (as well as for other assets). Unfortunately, it does not break out the long-term projected guidelines by country, and it lumps the US market with "other foreign-developed markets".

For example, I expect that the long-term growth rates will differ between the US, Japan, EU and UK. Similarly, the growth rates in emerging markets will vary tremendously by country (e.g. China versus Ukraine).

I am looking for more detailed projections to assist in my financial planning. Are you aware of a credible source which provides long-term projected financial guidelines by country, or as a minimum by region?

Also, the Certified Financial Planners' Guide forecasts Canada to have the lowest projected equity returns of the geographic regions. I would like to better understand whether this is a broad-based concensus.

Thank you for this wonderful service.

Q: I own a fair number of the stocks in your portfolios. Given that there may be an upcoming rotation from the hot Tech sector into more value oriented stocks, what are some beaten up value names in your portfolios that you would be comfortable holding a 3% position in? I am still 30% cash and I am trying to wait until second quarter carnage is in and then buy value names. What are your thoughts on this?
Thank You for your support in these times.
Clarence

Q: It looks like there's some mean reversion going on today with some of the tech names that saw big spikes of the last few months. Any names you'd pick up today, or would you wait to see how this shakes out over the next little while?

Q: With the strong positive response to the financial stocks , do you see a possible shift away from tech stocks ie SHOP, KXS, CSU etc. to this sector.

Q: Would you deploy a large amount of cash in the market today if safety of principal was your primary concern...and if so, in what? Are US dollar based investments safer than Canadian or international. Thanks.