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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: Hi!
I'm concerned about the potential for a looming recession in the context of increasing interest rates, especially in the US. As a way to hedge against increasing interest rates and to protect against downside risk, I was wondering if you could recommend some high growth, high dividend paying stocks, US or Canada?
Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Jason on March 14, 2018
Q: Given the recent volatility in the US I am wondering about portfolio insurance in the short term. While holding cash is one way to mitigate a drop, I don't really want to hold much more than I currently do so I'm wondering if HIU would be a good way or if there is some other strategy you might suggest. I hear many comments about more significant declines, with the trade issues that are currently occupying a lot of political talk, raising rates, and, if the Dow gets back up to the 26,000 level that could be a double top, all of which make me nervous.

So, since I am a long term investor, rather that take profits and raise more cash, what would you do for some short term downside portfolio insurance? Thanks
Read Answer Asked by ralph on March 07, 2018
Q: The latest Liberal budget seems determined to put the nail in the coffin for Canada's economic future.
Some points from the Financial Post: “Declining business investment remains a critical concern for Canada, which is a signal that entrepreneurs, investors and business owners don’t see the country as a hospitable place to do business. From the end of 2014 to the latest quarter with data, the level of (non-residential) business investment in the country declined by 19 per cent, after accounting for inflation. Among a group of 17 industrialized countries, Canada now has the second-lowest level of business investment as a share of GDP.”

Your thoughts?
What is the mood of investors and business owners that you have spoken with?

http://business.financialpost.com/opinion/morneau-delivers-a-budget-in-deep-denial-about-the-dangerous-territory-were-in
Read Answer Asked by Curtis on March 01, 2018
Q: Is the correction over? If yes, technically when did it end? I know the technical correction start time; what technical event declares a correction has ended?
Many thanks for this, Elmer
Read Answer Asked by Elmer on February 26, 2018
Q: Hi Peter and Team - I know this question is a little outside of the regular type of question/answer component of your services and that you are not in the business of predicting macro economic events. However am just wondering if you have any thoughts on how interest rates may play out over the next couple of years both in Canada and the U.S. With the tax reform package now passed in Congress is it quite possible that this could lead to fairly major inflationary pressures in the U.S. and therefore substantial interest rate increases. If so then what might be the effect on Canada's interest rates and resulting stock market movements. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Rob on February 22, 2018
Q: Hi,
I am wondering what would be a good template to go by in terms of how much of an overall portfolio should be Canadian ,how much in US,international and emerging markets.
For example would you Suggest 60 % be in Canadian equity or bonds, 20 % US, 10% international and 10 % emerging markets .
I look forward to reading your suggestion on this.
Thanks so much,
Susan
Read Answer Asked by Susan on February 20, 2018
Q: Just as the financial crisis has resulted in identification of banks which are "too big to fail", what, in your opinion would be the consequences if a computer trading program were to be identified as one that is either "market moving or trend prolongation". Would the average retail investor not be on a more equal trading position if those computer were made to make public those events which trigger their buy and sell? If we all decided to jump on the exact same trade, there would be no winners and losers . If AI computer trading accounts for more and more of the trades then, short of the individual investor pulling completely out of the stock market, how does one have any confidence in their own investment thesis?
Read Answer Asked by Phil on February 08, 2018
Q: I have been wondering for some time about market valuations and your recent comment about inflation being bad for markets has raised it again for me. If a market is doing reasonably well and inflation sets in could there be a reset of stock valuations. If so what sectors could get re-evaluated and is it across the board in a given sector or specific to certain size market caps?
Thank you
Clarence
Read Answer Asked by Clarence on February 07, 2018
Q: Hi 5-i:
I read somewhere that the volumes in the stock markets are generally highest at the open and near the close , because etf's are investing any
overages. Any truth in this? Could I assume that this is a good time or
bad time to trade. When in your opinion is the ideal time of day, if any?
Thanks,
BEN.
Read Answer Asked by BEN on February 02, 2018
Q: Hi Gang,

How accurate would this be, its a clip taken from BNN.

We’ve been keeping a keen eye on the yield curve as it’s the best predictor of an impending recession. While the curve is flattening (short end rising while long end not rising as much) we are but two to three rate rises away from inversion. An inverted yield curve generally leads an actual recession by ~12 months. Based on our calculations we are at least ~18 months away from the next recession.

Thanks
Anthony

Read Answer Asked by Anthony on January 23, 2018
Q: Dear Team:
I have been retired for 5 years now and have been self investing with a return of 13.58% on average. I have reached 60 years and feel that I should have more fixed income as of right now; I have about 12% of fixed income. My portfolio size is over $1M. I have 2 questions for you:
1) Do you think I need more fixed income?
2) If I was to increase my fixed income, I am thinking of an ETF for either Re-set Preferred Shares or Short Term Corp Bonds or Real Return Bonds. Which do you like?
Thanks for your time
Jim
Read Answer Asked by James on January 19, 2018