Investment Q&A

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

Q: Good day!

I am a little concerned over how the markets have gone up over the last year. Especially since November.

Can you comment on general market corrections? Specifically: What is the average time period before we see a 5% and 20% pull back and where we are in relation to a significant correction. Are they over due according to the average time periods?

I know your preference is to invest long term and I agree with this, but "pigs get slaughtered" and I think there is too much exuberance in the markets for such slow growth. Currently I believe Berkshire Hathaway is sitting on 10%+ cash, should we take this as an indicator of things to come?

I did very well last year due to your service and am currently sitting on 20% cash after taking profits and am thinking of selling somemore to increase my cash position waiting for a better point to get back in.

I do not like to try and time the market, but it seems to me that right now might not be the best time to be fully invested.

Thank you so very much for your service!

Gerald

Q: Hi, I plan to create a small portfolio by combining both global momentum and global value stock etfs in equal proportion. For the etfs, i plan to use vanguard momentum etf(VMO) and vangurd value factor etf (VVL). My time horizon is 12 years. My aim is to get better result than the bench marks while getting global exposure. Is this a sound strategy? Thanks

Q: Good Afternoon,
How much would you advocate an average 40 year old working Canadian invest in the US and Global using the Mawer Funds for example. Something along the lines of 75% CAD, 15% US and 10% Global? Thanks

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

Q: is there investments for the Canadian markets that take advantage of volatility ,should the incoming US administration do some things that start to take down the TSX ? Thanks and have a super 2017

Q: I have bought XUS to benefit from stock growth and to hedge against a drop in the Canadian dollar. It has worked on both counts. I am becoming a little more conservative and wonder if there any similar ETFs on the bond side that are available in Canadian dollars but invest in US bonds.

Q: Happy New Year Everyone.
How do you feel supply/demand will be in 2017 for the precious metals and lead,zinc,copper,aluminum,nickel and lithium? Have they turned the corner and will the global economy not be disrupted by treats of trade barriers being created and other factors? Thank you, Bob

Q: Hello! I have received a decent sized amount of gifted funds (decent sized relative to my existing portfolio). I plan to spread it across my holdings which are almost entirely made up of the BE Portfolio. I know that usually January can be volatile. Would you 1) hold onto the gifted amount in cash for now and deploy later when the markets calm (February for example), 2) deploy now, knowing January can be volatile? Or if there is a better method you would recommend? Thanks!!

Q: When I hear money managers,people calling into business shows........ and they use the phrase " time to take profit" would that mean to sell part or all of the position?

For example I have a diversified portfolio to produce income. About 7% in BMO with its recent run up and appears to be peaking, so if BMO continues to drift down would one sell it all and wait for the down trend to stop then buy back the same amount of shares at this lower price? Or sell enough to reduce weighting to 4-5 %?

Thanks in advance and for the great service.

Q: I have the above investments in my TFSA, TOY and MX being new. This account has been flat all year, so I am trying to make some changes. FB and AQN the worst, so I am looking to exchange those.
Now, looking at FB it is a strong buy/ buy. Are you expecting any growth this year, or should I sell. I have been looking at something with high yield like STB and PWF. Are they safe enough. I am going to use some of this money in one year.
Thanks for your opinion
Margita

Q: Bad day on the market. Virtually every sector is down but one. Real estate. I'm baffled by this. Almost every single REIT is up today, and REITs are performing well in New York as well. All the 'pros' have been saying that this is exactly the wrong sector to be holding now, that REITs will suffer more than any other sector in a rising interest rate market. Yet on the last day of trading it seems like everyone is tossing tech and everything else overboard and gobbling up REITs. Does this say something about the market going forward in 2017, that perhaps people are hedging their bets a lot and don't believe the "Trump Rally" will lift all the cyclical stocks after all?

Q: My question is there any ETF like the "ProShare Short Dow 30 (DOG)" for TSX.
I am try to hedge on some of my Canadian holdings.
Thanks
Happy Holidays.
Tak

Q: Hi Peter & team, my question is about the MDA company report of September 2016. At the bottom of the report there is a chart where it says "14D Relative Strength Index (RSI) of MACDONALD DETTWILER". Could you explain what RSI is? According to the chart the RSI was at about 30 on September 29th, is that good? For any given company, is it better to have a higher or a lower RSI? Suggestion: a short Webinar on how to read 5i company reports, specially the charts and tables at the bottom of each report. I greatly appreciate your good service, Gervais

Q: There is currently a plethora of ways to invest in the US Market without touching sector funds. Would you use any of the above ETFs and if so in what proportion or would you suggest using any other US ETFs as well. High conviction US Mutual funds are also an option; but the fees are somewhat higher. I currently have no US coverage and am looking at establishing a 15-20% position. I know timing is a bit of a quess; but with the recent run up would you please suggest a strategy?

Thanks and
A very Merry Christmas to all

Q: Hi, I have roughly about 120k in a resp for my two children who are 14 and 12. I went to cash before election unfortunately in hindsight as it was 75% index funds and 25 percent bond funds. Going forward, as there are 4 years remaining before university I want to remain somewhat defensive but still have growth as I believe the markets will continue higher over the next couple years as The big Fed day is over, and markets remain resilient. I was thinking about zwb,Zwu for defence and income...7% yield, at 30 k each. Zsp for us market and currency exposure at 30k. mg and gud at 15 k each for some growth. Am I being to aggressive at 5 years away from university? Do you recommend any changes to this approach? Thanks for your opinion and advice and Merry Christmas!

Q: I keep reading that there has been a great rotation away from income/dividend stocks into growth though I dont see much evidence of it. My TD, RB and Telus are not down at all.

Can you explain this belief and if there are examples of beaten up dividend stocks, CDN or US, can you recommend a few for long term holds?

Q: I assume hedging is a two way street - you get protection back to Can$ if the US $ falls but lose the gain associated with a US$ rise, and there is a cost to provide this?? So if the US$ looks strong going forward relative to the Looney is this the best strategy and are there other US banking sector ETF choices. What do you think?

Q: Do you think its time to sell VCIT and buy iwo and xlf or other financial etf. Thanks