Investment Q&A

Q: I have been hearing a lot of negative views on the stock market lately because of rising inflation/interest rates. I had a look at the US 10 year bond rates, compared to the S & P 500 level over the last 60 years. The 10 year moved up over 8% in roughly the 1978/1979 period and basically stayed there until roughly 1991, with a peak of over 15%. During that time, the S & P 500 went from roughly the 400 level to around 850, so the market more than doubled. Inflation was also very high then, and unemployment was much higher than it is now. It seems curious to me that so many people are so negative about the stock market, citing rising rates/inflation as the reason, when the market performed quite well during an extended period of much higher rates. Wondering if you had any comments about this.

Q: In the current market environment with high inflation, lower growth, risk of recession and war, if you were building a portfolio today for income/growth what sectors would you avoid entirely, if any? And, if one was building the portfolio today what percent would you allocate to each area that you are suggesting? Thank you!

Q: Hi 5i extremely informative staff! I have been holding these four stocks in my cash portfolio with long term intentions(5 years) for diversification contrary to my desire to have 4plus dividend % performers
They are also down substantially in the last 6 months

Can you please comment or recommend holding for long term or replacing them with suitable high dividend replacements in the same sector if possible
Please deduct the credits that you deem appropriate
Thank you

Q: 2 weeks ago Jamie Dimon, chairman of JP Morgan commented that he was expecting a challenging environment ahead. Then last week he revised his outlook to Hurricane conditions which JP Morgan is preparing for, partly to do with current conditions and the commencement of deleveraging. Pretty strong words from such a prominent figure. Any thoughts/comments/advise from you guys?

Q: I would like to get your expert opinion on where you see interest rates headed over the next 5 years? And have your view on stop loss orders changed?
Thanks

Q: I'm hearing more and more about a looming global food crisis, largely due to the unfortunate situation in Ukraine and its impact on grain shipments. Apart from fertilizer companies, what other options do you feel would be good expressions for a global food shortage investment thesis?

Q: Could you comment on the lift we see this week on whether it is sustainable or if it's a bear market bounce? And why?

Thank you

Q: Since the market has no appetite for growth companies driven by acquisition, should we sell and invest in something else and wait for it to return.

Q: Bonds are usually a safety haven when markets are in turmoil
In this present market environment bonds have lost value instead of being a stabilizer
What is the reason for this and is there likely to be a turnaround for bonds and if so when could that happen ?
Thanks

Q: With the ongoing markets volatility which markets sectors would be a reasonably safe to invest at this time? Thank you.

Q: I read where the Chinese gov't has approved a digital yuan through Yuan Pay Group. They talk about having a fixed price and have someone immediately call you to put money in. They seem pretty pushy and articles say that once the digital yuan is adopted by others it could take off. Appreciate your thoughts

Q: What do you think of Harry Dent and his 86% market crash prediction for later this year.

Q: there's a big percentage of Canadas population that are between 57 and 64 in the work force that don't have pensions and soon will have to depend on CPP and OAS. Both of which don't amount too much monthly. People will probably have to live in poverty and cash in RRSPs ,if they have any. What affect could all of this have on the stock market in the near future ? Thanks

Q: You have discussed bear markets and crashes often in the past as typically short painful spans of time, duration usually as 6-12 months.

What about "recessions"? Please provide your top 5 coaching advice / tips for investors in terms of understanding and weathering recessions.

thanks
Ernie

Q: It's hard to identify the market "bottom" in a timely manner, of course, but what might be the best indicators that a sustained recovery has probably begun or is soon to begin? Are there some good bellwether stocks to watch for this purpose? Are there other indicators, such as particular market indexes, or volume or volatility measures, or "mood" surveys, or economic statistics? Where should the primary focus be?

Q: I would appreciate your comments about the oft used term “momentum”. Once the markets do bottom, all of us, like it or not, will or should be momentum traders.

Q: Do you pay attention to all negative headline fueled by wallstreet strategists who seems to become negative after such a bad start. In december, almost all of them were somewhat positive albout the prospect of 2022.

Q: Which stocks -Canada or US -would you recommend for a 5% portfolio weight, with suggested entry price and rationale.

Q: I'm more a scavenger than a predator, as much interested in dividends as capital gains. Right now, however, I see opportunity in the growth sector as it collapses after years of ridiculous rises. My intention is to sell off bond funds to pick off the debris of this collapse.

First question: Now or wait?

Second question: What are your choices given this scenario, US or Canadian? Bear in mind, I'm not interested in the 5 or 10 yr wait. I'm looking at a bounce back after half the herd has jumped. I want reasonable growth prospects, a price to earnings ratio that isn't stupid and a margin that also isn't stupid. Say, for example, Apple.

You get it. I also don't expect perfection from you. No one ever got it from me.

Q: The only commodity I see that has bust is lumber from 1250 to 650....If inflation lingers (high key component commodity prices) for 6 -12 months while the Fed raises interest rates to damper economic expansion , a V shape recovery seems less likely.The losers I've sold has been creamed by further 25-50% down side(eg. ANRG,PINS,TFII).....How does the DYIer protect/invest his capital within a portfolio given a U shaped recovery? Are there some better performers/sectors that lead the way out of this mess?