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Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: Given the chance of a second Trump Presidency and the likelihood of tariffs, loss of democracy and full on graft and favouritism what Canadian companies are likely to thrive or at a minimum survive? Is there a defensive strategy that would work for either result in the election or is it one direction with Trump and another with Biden?
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on May 22, 2024
Q: I recently changed Financial advisors. I am sitting on a significant amount of cash to deploy. I am concerned deploying the cash while Canadian and US Markets reach all time Highs. Given the tremendous run the markets have had in the last 6 months, what would be your advice?

Thanks
Tim
Read Answer Asked by Timothy on May 21, 2024
Q: What are your thoughts on being overweight US stocks vs. CDN for the next year or so?
Read Answer Asked by Gregory on May 16, 2024
Q: Knowing that portfolio allocations need to be very personal, but would 30% Canada, 45% US, and 25% international work as a general guideline for 60% equity portion of a new RRIF account?
Would you change the 40% fixed portion consisting of 20% 1-year GICs, and the remaining 20% of XHY, CVD, CPD, Bonds mutual fund (currently at loss)?
Thank you for such a great service.
Read Answer Asked by Hali on May 13, 2024
Q: Your market update is an interesting read. If the BoC does start cutting rates in June and the Fed delays until (at least) Sept, what do you think the impact on the dollar will be? Will it drop considerably? How low do you think it is possible for it to go? Or should it be neutral based on the anticipated bump in GDP that ‘should’ follow a rate cut?
Read Answer Asked by Mark on May 10, 2024
Q: Hi,

I’d like to add a bit of nuance to your response to Delbert on May 2 about Canada’s macro circumstances.

In your response, you state that Canada has a debt problem. According to the OECD’s 2022 figures (latest available), Canada’s debt to GDP ratio is better than Japan, Greece, Italy, the United States, Brazil, France, Spain and Portugal. (https://data.oecd.org/gga/general-government-debt.htm)

Again, according to the OECD’s level of GDP per capita and productivity, Canada is essentially tied with the OECD as a whole. (https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=PDB_LV)

In 2023, the OECD reports that Canada’s GDP growth was 1.5%, beating Germany, the UK, the EU as a whole, the Euro Area as a whole, Italy and France, and nearly matching the OECD Area average (1.6%) and the G7 (1.7%). (https://www.oecd.org/newsroom/gdp-growth-fourth-quarter-2023-oecd.htm)

The OECD also reports that Canada’s corporate income tax rate in 2022 was 15%, beating all but 4 countries. Canada’s corporate income tax rate is lower than almost all of Europe (typically around 25%) and the US (21%).

Thank you.

Michael
Read Answer Asked by Michael on May 03, 2024
Q: Hello,

A few years ago I read that Canada was on it's way to becoming a tax haven similar to what is offered in the traditional Carribean countries. Although my corporate tax rate is ok(12% or so) I am finding equity erosion from currency devaluation/inflation, closing off capital gains benefits, etc is outstripping my ability to grow/preserve my capital.
From seeing some of the upcoming
coercion like changes w.r.t. taxation, private property, etc and an anti-saving/working/investment mindset that seems prevalent in the press makes one think Canada has or is becoming a very unfriendly place for capital preservation and growth.
Is this a new phenomena?

Thank you for your sage counsel.
Read Answer Asked by Delbert on May 02, 2024
Q: Hi,
We own both Atd (3% position)and PKI (1% position). Which is the better company going forward? I am thinking about selling PKI and buying more Atd and maybe also adding to ENB(2% position) All these companies have had sizeable pull backs. Just trying to figure out what has the best potential going forward. No tax implications.
Thanks,
Kerri
Read Answer Asked by KERRI on April 30, 2024
Q: Good morning; I read an article in the G&M on the weekend regarding the remote possibility (should Trump win) that they may change how the US Fed operates; affecting its independence and role as the world currency.

Crazier things have happened and with 50% of my investments in $US it got me wondering - if the US Finaincial system were subject to such change, which currency could/would replace it? I’d be interested in your view of the likely top 3.

Thanks very much,

Dave
Read Answer Asked by Dave on April 30, 2024
Q: With US GDP down and inflation creeping up, what is the FED to do now? Cut rates and inflation will increase. Increase rates and economy could crash. Are we headed for stagflation? In these times, how should investors proceed and which sectors do well and don't do well. For a long term investor like myself, how should we position? Thoughts? I'm high on Technology, Financials, Consumer cyclical, and Industrials. Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Keith on April 26, 2024
Q: Regarding your comment in an earlier answer: "We expect market volatility in November. ".... Why?
Read Answer Asked by Judith on April 18, 2024
Q: I have a 5% interest rate on my bank account right now and because of this I'm way more cash heavy than usual. Does it make sense to hold a larger portion of cash when interest rates are so high?
Read Answer Asked by Ashleigh on April 18, 2024
Q: Good Morning! On a macro level and considering the current high average P/E ratio of the S&P 500 would you be more inclined toward Canadian, International or Emerging market investing. I see that both Canadian and International markets are also priced above average, although not as much as the US. For Emerging markets India and China on the other hand are presenting faster growing economies (still China is much riskier in my POV but BABA might be a good opportunity). What are your thoughts ? Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Roger on April 12, 2024
Q: My portfolio is not at all balanced because of the heavy weight of my Tech sector . I am reticent to sell any it. What would be the absolute max for a Tech sector?
Read Answer Asked by Jackie on April 11, 2024
Q: With the US inflation numbers showing a spike and markets selling off today, what do you see markets doing in the short and medium term. How important were the inflation numbers?
Read Answer Asked on April 11, 2024
Q: If the US decided to devalue their currency, how would that effect stocks?

I read some where they did this in 1933 and 1971.
Read Answer Asked by Mark on April 08, 2024
Q: Hello, The macro market models are really informative and exactly the type of information I was looking for. Within the TSX sector rotation model it does not include Healthcare, Discretionary, and Communications. Can you explain the rationale? thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Janice on April 05, 2024
Q: are there any economic implications when both gold and oil and gas are rising in value at the same time ? Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by jim on April 04, 2024