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Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: Hi 5i,
There is a lot of doom and gloom around the potential for a recession. Do you feel that the market has already priced this in? I am hesitant to deploy additional capital in advance of the government confirming a recession which could result in another steep decline.

Would the confirmation of a recession happen on a specific date (i.e. at a specific time in the quarter?)
Read Answer Asked by Kyle on July 05, 2022
Q: My portfolio is split about 50-50% in C$ and US$. Over the next few years I'm bullish C$ (and A$) and bearish US$ but think shifting to something like 75-25% is risky if I'm wrong.

In this scenario does buying an ETF such as FXA with some funds in my US$ account make sense as a partial hedge against the US$? Any other strategies you could suggest?
Read Answer Asked by Eric on July 05, 2022
Q: It appears that pre-1984 the P/E ratio of the S&P 500 could go below 10 at times (not clear on what measure -looks like trailing earnings), apparently in recessions. But since then, no sub-10's. Is there a reason we may now be in to a new era of P/E norms ie well above 10 and if so for what reasons? If we were to go down there now that would be pushing a 35-50% drop from here, depending on what P/E measure ( and much further if earnings are adjusted down). Also, Josh Brown (CNBC) pointed out this 9-range P/E ratio in recessionary times as in if we get a recession look out below--any comment on his comments?
Read Answer Asked by William on June 30, 2022
Q: Hi There,
Can you suggest a method where one can estimate the realtime Equity Risk Premium for US market and Canadian Market using ETF's. Can you also give a guide as to what values may cause investors to shift between the risky asset and the safe asset for US and Canadian markets. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Ian on June 24, 2022
Q: What do you think about tax-loss selling each of the above companies at this point? If in favour, do you think I should buy 30 day proxies for each, and if so, what companies? Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Ben on June 23, 2022
Q: Stagflation. How does one preserve capital?

Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Chris on June 22, 2022
Q: What’s your outlook for SAP and is it good candidate for a defensive hold over the summer months.Maybe any other suggestions in the space…
Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Sonny on June 21, 2022
Q: If one has spent years building a diversified portfolio of mainly equities in quality companies and one is reliant on the portfolio for income what is your advice during a bear market? To sell and exit the market one could finally get decent rates on GICs but you would never know when to reenter the market and eventually GIC rates could go down leaving you without enough income. Plus you get dividend tax credit. Does one just close eyes and collect the dividends. I know some fund managers sell but I feel like this is the wrong thing to do. Your insight helping us through these difficult market times is really valuable.
Read Answer Asked by Neil on June 20, 2022
Q: Is there a reason that the vix has currently not spiked more? Does not the current market warrant a good panic? Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by William on June 20, 2022
Q: In your latest report (6-17) you state
"the main three forces that we have seen across rising commodities prices are adverse weather conditions (drought), the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and concentrated country risk"
However you failed to address perhaps the most significant cause of inflation which is the Fed money printing.
Why is that?
Read Answer Asked by Tim on June 20, 2022
Q: Good day team,

First things first, thanks for your steady advice during this downturn. A calming voice is very much appreciated.

My portfolio so far is adequately diversified. Believe it or not it is still up on the year. I have some play money which Im planning on using to make a bet against commodities, in particular copper and/or oil and gas. One idea comes to mind is buying puts against TECK. Any other suggestions? Either stocks or ETFs?
Read Answer Asked by Seamus on June 16, 2022
Q: Hi Ryan,
Several years ago I engaged with 5i for a portfolio analysis. I'm a recently retired investor. 5i strongly encouraged me to include a fixed income component to stabilize portfolio fluctuations and lower volatility.

With that advice and for tax purposes I purchased XBB, CLF, and PMIF into my RRSP. Now that the interest rates are marching steadily upwards I'm in a significant capital loss situation on my portfolio's bond allocation.

At this point do you suggest I just hold through the cycle and absorb the loss or should I sell and reallocate funds? Perhaps into some solid Canadian dividend payers? (eg. GWO?)

As always, much appreciate your advice and guidance in these unprecedented times. Thank-you.
Read Answer Asked by Maury on June 16, 2022
Q: Everyone, well the feds raised rates and will raise again next meeting. Are the rates increases what the market was looking for? Clayton
Read Answer Asked by Clayton on June 16, 2022
Q: These large behemoths have been decimated in varying degrees. Would you please rank them and would you buy now for a long hold on what seems like a huge sale on quality leaders? Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Steven on June 15, 2022
Q: I was listening to Ross Healy on BNN Market Call this morning, and he thinks the NASDAQ composite could drop by 75-80% off its peak. I also saw a headline on the same show whereby a Manulife survey indicated that 25% of homeowners would sell their homes if interest rates continue to climb upwards. Can you comment on the historical relationship between stock prices and house prices? For example, if stocks tank, will house prices follow downwards? Or if house prices drop significantly, can we expect a major market sell off?
Read Answer Asked by Ed on June 14, 2022
Q: Hi there, I hold a large amount of my portfolio in these broad based ETFs. I have about 30% in cash. At these levels, would you be adding to these indexes for a long term hold? How likely do you think it is that we would see SPY at 3300 to 3400 range? What would your strategy be to deploy my cash position into equities? Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Michael on June 14, 2022