Investment Q&A

Q: In my overall portfolio (RSP, RIF, Unregistered & TFSA) my low weighted sectors are:
2.5% in Telecom (BCE & T);
3% in Consumer Staples (WPK & ATD),
3% in energy (RRX, SPB, WCP, VET);
5% in Materials (SJ, SLW/FR, RUS);
6% in Health (GUD, SIS, ECI, CRH, CSH.un)
With the sale of RDM, I have some cash in my RSP which is mostly 'Balanced' equities. Which one or two of my underweight sectors would you consider the first place to deploy the cash in my RSP at this time? And what would your top stock selections be - of either my existing stocks, or new ones ? As always, thank you for your help.

Q: Please accept my apologies for what could be a request for a long-winded answer. You welcome to debit my 5i bankroll for 5 question credits in effort to better compensate you for your time.
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If possible, please provide your opinion on something I wish to term "Peak Credit" in Canada. We are all aware that Canadians are spending themselves into a life-long love affair with mortgages, lines of credit and credit cards. With Canadian interest rates at 35 year lows, the availability of loans and credit climb while region-specific real estate prices inflate to valuations that seem to defy logic. Young families in their 30's commonly have mortgage debt over $500k and barely earn the income to cover payments at today's rates.

In general, what is the mix of insured/un-insured mortgage debt on the books of Canadian banks? If wages are not keeping pace with inflation and the cost of living, how are Canadians ever going to own their own home? Are we doomed to a life of the English, where the concept of home ownership is more of a dream than it is a reality?

Do you feel banks in Canada are prepared for higher rates in the next 3yrs?

Is Canada showing the early signs of a credit bubble?

Do bank common stock investors have anything for fear?

Am I a coyote howling at the credit moon?


Thank you for your guidance. This topic should be on the minds of many Canadians.

Q: Do Canadian stocks get more appealing to foreign investors as our dollar falls? What other factors would weigh in: Canadian and world economy, oil, etc.

Thanks, cathy

Q: Markets in general. Andrew McCreath is stating that markets are over priced and "agrees with the OECD that the valuation accorded stocks has gotten ahead of the fundamentals". Is it time to sell or at least be extremely cautious at this point?

Q: Hello, my question is about an article I read in CMS. Bill Gross says investors need to watch only one number in 2017 to figure out what returns are going to look like across the various markets, and that’s whether the 10-year Treasury yield crosses the 2.6% mark. As of today the 10-year yield is 2.48%. "If 2.6% is broken on the upside...a secular bear bond market has begun," Gross said. "Watch the 2.6% level. Much more important than Dow 20,000. Much more important than $60-a-barrel oil. Much more important than dollar/euro parity at 1.00. It is the key to interest rate levels and perhaps stock prices in 2017."
So my questions are, what will happen if it crosses the 2.6% mark? Does this mean that the yield on bond ETFs such as XBB and VSB will increase? Does this mean that this will be good for the stoch market in general? What is a secular bear bond market?Regards, Gervais

Q: Place(s) to park some cash in Cdn funds (50K) for a short term hold to ride out potential volatility & recently talked about possible market correction?
Ted

Q: I noticed on your macroeconomic card that inflation rate is higher than gdp growth. What causes this and is it something that can continue over the long term ? Thank you.

Q: Hello 5i team,
Your article on hedging for a market downturn is quite timely; thank you.
A 5% or 10% correction is not too worrisome as it could be recovered in a relatively short period of time.
I do not foresee a "black swan" event; do you? In my opinion, the current steepness of the yield curve does not signal the eventuality of such an event.
Regards,
Antoine

Q: I have been considering moving to a larger percentage of cash (60-70%)
My concern is that with the proposed tax plan due from Trump next week that the market is thinking one thing and if it does not line up with what is proposed that we will see a dramatic fall.
Can I get your thoughts please.

Thanks

Q: The high markets seem poised for a correction, do you think moving money into CLF, CBO, or any other bond ETF is a good way to go. Maybe ride out the next few months and move back into equities after a correction has taken place? Thanks.

Q: In follow up to my previous question, what sectors would you consider adding for diversification? And also your reasoning why.

Q: Hi guys,

Just wanted to know your thoughts about EMH and active investing. We all know that fees are a huge drag on performance; but interestingly, an old Globe article by George Athanassakos argues institutional factors like hugging the index are the main factor for underperformance.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/investor-education/real-active-management-is-worth-the-price/article26874608/

Would there be an advantage in returns (not including fees or commissions) with following a disciplined 100k model portfolio versus investing 100k in a traditional 300mil fund with the same holdings? I suppose inflows and outflows would be a major factor as well.

Thanks for your opinion.

Q: Hello! Do you think it's better this year to put new money in US or in Canada ?
Thanks for the great service !
Martin

Q: I know its just a short time into the new government in US, and we are so closely affected by US economy, I wonder if you can recommend sectors for buy sell or hold yet. Should I hold my cash for more tranparency?
Thanks

Q: Gary's question regarding the border adjustment tax 9BAT) on oil reflected my concern, as well. Presently, Canada ships 3.5 boe and Mexico is at about 800,000 so energy independence seems well down the road. If there is a BAT, some have said gasoline prices in the US will rise proportionately. I don't understand that conclusion. Canada only gets $40/barrel and Mexico $46. They can't raise the price to cover the tax so does that mean US recipients will get less and then raise prices to consumers?
Thanks.

Q: With trump's policies I expect rising inflation. What sectors/investments would do well in rising inflation.

Q: What is your call on CAD in 3 years from now? I meant long term(in 2020) where CAD would go?

Q: Looks like us financials are losing steam / as is the US currency against the Canadian $ I have some profit in US financials would you take the $ and run or wait?

Also what do you see for the US $ against the Canadian currency going fwd especially after Trumps comments today that the US $ is too strong ? - I under that this is 2 questions thanks as always for your insight

Q: I saw a report today that the Republican GOP is planning to introduce a bill to reform (lower) US corporate taxes that includes a so called "border tax" on all imports. Some talking heads have commented that if it becomes law as currently written the US dollar will see a big increase (as much as 25%). Have you heard about this and do you have any comments? Is it time to overweight US holdings to hedge against a currency increase?

Q: Please mention sectors you feel should be over weight in Canadian and US markets. Intuitively, in expanding economy I would pick Consumer Discretionary, Industrial and Technology. You may have different answer for Canada and US.

What proportion of portfolio should be in US stocks.

Thing you