Investment Q&A

Q: In a normal world I would keep both of these for diversification purposes. But this isn't a normal world. It's a Trump world and Feb.1 is an ominous date to me . I have a 3% position in HDIV and a 3.5% position in HYLD.U . I am re-balancing for Trumpification purposes generally { individual Trump vulnerable Canadian stocks are being sold and cash is being raised . Likely somewhere around 20%-25% cash when I am done } } and will likely increase HYLD.U to around 9-10% when finished . Would you endorse selling my HDIV and using the funds to increase HYLD.U ? Selling one to buy the other will bring my HYLD.U to somewhere around 6.5 % before I decide whether or not to go as high as 10% . The decision on the increase from 6.5% to 10% will be made after I see just exactly what he has planned ..... The question really is whether you would endorse a move away from Canada in the short term with these two ETF's ? At least until the smoke clears ? Thanks for your terrific service ......Garth ......

Q: Dear 5i Team!

I am sure like many millions you have been watching Presidet Trump's inagural address. Especially given the fact that the US market is closed toay because of MLK day!
Any takeaways from investment/trading points of view?

Canadian market is open and I see Oil has barely moved. (post Trump speech) Gold is down but to an alrming extent. CAD is slightly up! I am not sure if this is because the US markets are closed or because of "moderate" tone in Trump's speech. I didn't hear China or Iran ONCE! Neither did he bring his desire for the 51st state!

Anyway feel free to share your musings.

Q: Everyone, I hear a lot about paying less fees (MER or Trading fees) and over time the money that can be saved. But what is the best ideas to having a better overall return? Diversification? Less trading? Buying the best stocks? Etc.. Clayton

Q: Everyone, how often should I pay attention to the VIX? I am a buy and hold investor. Clayton

Q: How significant is foreign buying/selling of Canadian stocks, in terms of the effect it has on share prices? I can't help but think that the current Canadian political situation, and weak dollar, is causing a lot of foreign money to stay away. I'm wondering if a more stable and business-friendly government, if/when the PC's get elected, would cause a significant influx of foreign investment into Canadian stocks. Do you think such a scenario would improve the performance of Canadian stocks?

Q: As irrational as it seems,Trump may impose tariffs soon after his inauguration just to appease his voting base.A likely “knee jerk “reaction would send these stocks lower.Do you think this would create a buying opportunity?Are there others in your portfolios that could be affected? Some of this uncertainty must be already be priced in,but CLS seems immune to this.

Q: Is there a safe place to hide in Canada with the incoming US tariffs? What is your take and what would be your strategy to protect capital?

Q: I have been hearing a lot of people on BNN and other sites saying that the market is overpriced and due for a decline. I have looked at a few "investor sentiment" surveys online where the bearish sentiment is above average and increasing. How accurate are these indicators as contrarian indicators, i.e. that when bearish numbers are above average the markets are more likely to actually increase, and when bullish numbers are above average, the markets are more likely to decline?

Q: If you were working for a company and were fortunate enough to have a defined pension plan, would you take on more risk when investing? If yes, what would that mean for concentration risk such as: maximum % of a single security, or maximum % in a specific sector?

Q: Hello 5i,

Can you explain where money flows too during risk-off periods such as 2007-2009 and 2022. With the risk of no declines in the Fed rate this year what would the 2025 scenario look like for equities? Other than shorts, are there sectors that can flourish in a 2007-2009 and 2022 scenario?

At which point is it favourable to look at short-term and 5-10 year Treasuries?

Thank you for your service.

D&J

Q: I do not recall the rationale for the change in RRSP rules to lift the requirement that RRSPs had to have a certain percentage in Canadian equities. Canadian companies have a hard time raising equity, and this rule change must have caused a lot of money to leave the Canadian stock market for the US. I would support a reinstatement of the rule for any new money. If Trump wants to hit Canada with tariffs there is no reason why Canada should encourage investment in the US.

Q: How should I protect my portfolio before Trump introduces tariffs of up to 25%. Which companies would be most affected and might be sold before this happens?

Q: Hi 5i,

Basic clarification - when you allude to allocation percentages in a portfolio - do you 5i - speak to the allocation % in an OVERALL Portfolio? Example (All non reg and registered investment accounts) or within a specific portfolio (i.e. RRSP etc.)?

Thank you!

Q: Hi Peter and 5i Team,

Recently, Noah Solomon has had several articles in the Financial Post in which he describes the inherent dangers of the S&P 500 due to its high valuation, warning signals from the CAPE ratio, etc. (I’m using VFV as a typical ETF).

What is your assessment of his views? What strategies might a retail investor employ if there’s validity to his thesis?

Thanks as always for your insight.

Q: In general, how should Canadian investors consider adjusting portfolios in light of the tariff threat? Should they be reducing exposure to Canadian equities on a relative basis? What fixed income /cash alternatives should be considered?

Q: Could you please tell me what the average P/E is for the 11 sectors of the TSX?

Thanks in advance, Carl

Q: Hi Folks,

With some uncertainty in the future, including possible US tariffs and reaction tariffs, I curious if you have any thoughts on what those actions might mean for the short and medium term. I assume they would be withdrawn at some point (so not asking long term). Specifically, how banking (TD, BNS), and companies CSU and DSG and the overall TSX. Please free free to deduct 5 questions.

Q: I read Frederick Vetesse’s article in the Globe and Mail today (Jan. 8) about the currently high P/E ratio indicating a potential stock market crash, and would be interested in your comments on it. I’ve included the link here:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/personal-finance/retirement/article-why-a-stock-market-crash-may-be-imminent/
Thanks so much for your sage advice over the years, and wishing you and your team a Happy New Year!

Q: As Trump’s inauguration approaches and our government falters it appears increasingly likely that the risk of tariffs is not zero. Yet Canadian markets don’t seem concerned. Do you have any guidance current Canadian equity holdings? The answer to these problems is usually to do nothing but it looks as though there is potential for serious market disruption.
Within your portfolio recommendations (my largest would be Tfii, gsy, shop, mg, byd ) do you see companies that are high risk of significant harm?

Q: Hi 5i

Please as many questions as needed.

I am heavily invested in stocks and want to raise cash, putting more money into bonds. I have about 10% in Canadian oil and gas, 5% gold stocks, and about 13% in uranium stocks. I am going to hold my gold and uranium.

What allocation would you suggest for a retiree in terms of portfolio holdings of gas and oil?

I am concerned about the possible coming tarriffs and the effect on the Canadian ecomomy. Most of my holdings are Canadian. A lot of these are in dividend stocks. I have held them through the past few years but I do need to increase the allocation to conservative investments. I plan to reduce most by about 20% or consider outright sells. I currently prefer to reduce downside risk than worry about the upside.

Can you help me decide from the viewpoint of possible tarriffs and effect on the Canadian economy which are at risk the most. Could you class these as hold, reduce or sell. I will hold all my U.S. stocks which are about 15% of my portfolio and haven't listed those here.

Thank you for your very helpful advice.