Investment Q&A

Q: US stock market almost recovered after a stunning run lately. The Canadian market is apparently still recovering. Do you think there is a rotation that will be going on, e.g. Canadian stock market, or non-AI stocks? I am wondering whether there are some Canadian stocks that may be benefit from the rotations that we can invest now?

Q: Dear 5i,
At a high level with respect to Canadian stocks.
Which sectors are the most sensitive to interest rate changes?
For the ones you identify can you please suggest how they might react
when rates go up or down?

Q: hi, any news accounting for the severe stock price decline today? further, what is your best guess as to where we are in the "recession" cycle now??

Q: How long do you think before AI starts changing things for companies? Where do you think we will see the first impact and what type of companies will be affected long range. I know this is a crystal ball question but your opinion of the future of AI and how we should prepare is highly valued.

Q: There is much speculation and commentary that we are either in a recession or will be in a recession in the next 6 to 12 months. I know it is impossible to predict timing or if we will in fact experience a recession but can you provide your view on how the markets react through a recession cycle, i.e. heading into and during a recession. Can you include the sectors that perform well during the cycle.

Thanks
Tim

Q: I manage my daughter and her husband's investments. They currently own the above equities (except XST), plus fixed income. I would define them as conservative investors.

Regarding their asset allocation, I am still in the process of building out their portfolio. They are a little light on Consumer Staples. I was trying to find a suitable ETF and came up with XST.

Q#1 = What are your current thoughts on XST? The constituent holdings actually look pretty good. The various rates of return also look good.

Q#2 = Are there other ETFs that I should consider? I couldn't find a BMO version. I have read the past questions on XST and it appears to me that XST is the front runner (compared to VDC and XLP), when looking at past performance.

Thoughts? Agree?
Thanks for your help...much appreciated...Steve

Q: Based on the current yield curve, what kinds of maturities should I have for my bond allocation? As the yield curve is currently inverted, and if we expect the yield curve to become normal again, then should I have more short-term bonds to benefit from price increases with short-term yields coming down?

Q: I'm heavily weighted, the Qs / semis, can you name some alternatives to balance my portfolio please?

Q: How do you feel about margin usage in the context of the current rate environment? Do you believe it still has a place for risk-tolerant investors, especially considering potential tax write-offs? Or do you think the potential risk/reward is simply not palatable at the moment? If the latter, what are some effective ways to reduce margin exposure without being forced to sell assets or unbalance a portfolio?

Q: Ray Dalio says US is at beginning of late Big-Cycle Debt crisis. What is your opinion on this and can you please explain what this would mean. Thank you!

Q: Not sure if this is within the scope of your service, but can you explain why a country like Japan with a huge amount of debt-to-GDP has not had a collapse of it's currency from YCC or huge inflation? How is it that increased debt has let to deflation? I've heard some reasons over the years but none that make sense.

The reason to ask is our Canadian, European and US governments also have a huge debt burden, increasing interest payments on this debt and a continuing increase in debt over the foreseeable future. How could any rational investor have confidence in this debt/credit based system? Will we turn Japanese? (to quote the Vapor's song!) What factors would push us into deflation vs inflation?

Q: Peter; This may be out of your purview but would the destruction of the Kherson dam in the Ukraine affect the grain crops and drive prices ? Thanks.
Rod

Q: Hello 5i,

What is your opinion on a potential liquidity headwind for stocks? Would you expect a broad short-term decline in stocks (e.g. S&P 500) or are specific sectors at a higher risk? Do you see opportunities to buy prior, during, or after the Fed begins to fill its reserves?

Thank you
D&J

Q: I note you were asked something similar to this last October, but that was with respect to gold. There is more talk of a desperate Putin using a tactical nuke in Ukraine as this is his only path to victory while failure means his own demise. I know you can only guess but my own guess is the overall markets would go insane, blow through circuit breakers and drop at least 10%-20% on the day. Is your more experienced, more considerate 'guess' somewhat similar?

Q: I have a sum of money lying in a savings account earning neglible interest.
I would like to invest this money in some sort of interest bearing etf or portfolio.
My options would be to invest the money in:-
1) 5i Research Income Portfolio.
2) Hamilton ETF's HDIV and HYLD. I would put equal amounts into each ETF My thinking is that HDIV would give the income yield and HYLD would supply the growth.
I already run your 5i research Income Portfolio which I could add to

Q: I just read Peter's blog entitled "5 Market Bubbles Including One That is Just Starting to Blow Up Now". In the Artificial Intelligence (AI) section, it says "Also remember that AI has the ability to destroy sectors and other companies, or at least lower their valuations. Investors need to be careful about what they buy in the AI field, but also about what they own elsewhere in case it is negatively impacted by AI."

Can you please elaborate on what sectors you think might be impacted (or destroyed) or have their valuations lowered. Are there any 5i model portfolio companies or some of 5i US favorite companies that fall into this category.

Thanks so much for the constant excellence advice!

Q: Good morning
I would appreciate comments regarding investing in the Canadian financial sector versus US financials. This is in a tax sheltered account and currency volatility is not a concern. Thank you

Q: Everyone, what is your concerns with the large cap technology sector today and for the next six months. Clayton

Q: My understanding is that if an agreement isn't reached before early June (?) regarding raising the U.S. debt ceiling then there could be significant global economic fallout... leading to unemployment, interest raise hikes, and of course, large market selloffs.

How much weight/attention are you guys putting on this situation? Is this leading to a significant buying opportunity? Is it wise to increase cash position until this plays out?

Q: Should we be concerned about the States debt ceiling? If we look back to 2011 the markets took a massive hit and according to JPMorgan’s top strategist Marko Kolanovic now is a good time to add to gold and hold on to cash. Your thoughts please?