Investment Q&A

Q: High inflation numbers have come out--what do you think? Do you believe we are entering a higher inflation world, and if so, what (i) sectors and (ii) specific stocks would you emphasize for that? Thank you!

Q: I use XIT as my technology proxy and NNRG as my energy proxy, both in my TFSA. My current thinking is to trim-add around core positions to meet portfolio asset allocation targets.

In general terms, what does your crystal ball say about future performance...1-2 years out? Eric thinks energy could double. What do you think technology (XIT) will do...lately it seems to be around the 30+% for a 5 year average? Just trying to ballpark their relative potential performance.

Thanks...Steve

Q: Dear Peter and team,

I know from your previous answer to my question and others, you believe in momentum as an important factor in investing.

Do you think the recent price action in the energy and Gold sectors are real and sustainable? Do you think they have the momentum and the legs to go for some more time, say a year?

Gold has hit 1900 before but really hasn't gone beyond 2000+ in a sustained fashion. Plus Bitcoin is here to stay?

Q: Hi, Peter

Rates are going up. One of these days, we are going to wake up and hear the news that rates have gone up and we're all going to say, "Oh, geez, I wish I had done....X",

What's X? What will we wish we had done before rates start going back up?

Appreciate your thoughts on this atypical question.

Robert

Q: Hi,

What would be the implications of China waging a war on Taiwan on the markets..US and others may jump in too ..Chinese seem to stocking up groceries and other essentials..
Do you think slide due to Chinese real estate and the country’s policy to tech companies likely to continue and what sectors do you think will be most affected. Thanks for your insight.

Shyam

Q: Hi Team, I've listed above some of the non-performers in my portfolios and I'm wondering if there are any I should sell or should I continue to wait it out on all listed.

Q: If the democrats get these two bills passed this week what will it mean for the market.

Q: It seems to me that going forward inflation worries are real. Assuming my thesis is correct, I have read that one way for investors to protect their portfolios is to buy companies with "pricing power". What exactly is pricing power and can you give me a list of Canadian and American companies that currently have the most pricing power.

Q: I am thinking about transferring more of my investment funds to the US. At the moment the ratio is about 50/50. Do you think this is a good move considering the antics of the present government.
Publish at your discretion.

Q: Hi 5i,
I wonder if the market is (and will continue) reacting quite negatively to the new federal cabinet, out of a belief that economic growth, national self sufficiency and real prosperity for Canadians is not currently high on the list of government priorities. Nothing can hinder economic health like obstructionist government policy and I sure see lots of that in Canada these days. I'm feeling like I should concentrate hard on moving as much as I can into US and international names.
Would you say I'm overreacting to what the next 18 months to 2 years (the usual life span of a minority government) might bring to Canadian business? Are there sectors that are likely to thrive during that period, other than maybe the banks, do you think?
Thanks for any insight you can offer.
Peter

Q: May I please have your thoughts on the current Canadian dollar strength,
and whether you think it might be timely to convert funds to US dollars?
With my portfolio currently weighted about 25% in US currency I'm finding (as usual) multiple and developing opportunities in the US, but with the larger Canadian component significantly in cash. I'm not sure how deep an exposure to the US dollar should be reasonably targeted.
Thanks in advance for your opinion.

Q: Could I please get an opinion on this fund; including how you think it might perform in a lengthy, rising interest rate trend and also if you have any similar alternatives of this type of fund worthy of consideration?
Thank you in advance.

Q: If inflation is going to be a concern, do you have 5 company suggestions in the US and Canada that would have pricing and so earnings power? Thank you

Q: For the last 11 years - I have been investing in Canadian companies with a track record of dividend increases. I have been a 5I member for most of those 11 years and you have always provided very insightful guidance - Many thanks!

The strategy has worked pretty well and is very tax efficient owing to the Dividend Tax Credit. Recently there has been alot of political talk about "taxing the rich" particularly vis a vis the capital gains inclusion rate - with less - but still some talk about elimination of the DTC. ("Rich" of course means anyone with any taxable holdings at all).

Aside from the obvious impact on my tax bill if the DTC were reduced or eliminated - I worry that there would be huge impact on the Canadian market. What are your views on the likelihood of a change to the DTC and would you expect a large impact on the stock price of Canadian dividend payers.

Thanks!

Q: My 28yr old son is looking to build a diversified ETF portfolio with 100% equity exposure with a bent towards growth given his long investment horizon.  These will be spread across his TFSA, RRSP and Non-Registered accounts.  Since he will be contributing smaller amounts on a regular basis a zero commission platform such as Wealthsimple is appealing.  However, they charge 1.5% fee for all currency conversions making it only practical to hold Canadian traded ETF's.  As a result he is considering the following:

ZSP 40%
XIC 25%
TEC 20%
VIU 10%
VEE 5%

ZSP + XIC + VIU + VEE together create a mix of ETFs that are globally diversified and very similar to the structure of XEQT/VEQT.  Versus XEQT/VEQT This portfolio has a slightly lower weighted-average MER at 0.16% and also has 20% in TEC (in place of something like QQQ) which is more growth oriented. Here are how the sectors would be weighted with this portfolio:

Info 31%
Financial 15%
Cons Disc 11%
Industrial 9%
Healthcare 8%
Communica 7%
Cons Staples 5%
Energy 5%
Materials 4%
Utilities 2%
Real Estate 2%

These would be the top 10 holdings with this portfolio and these top 10 would account for 24% of holdings in this portfolio:

AAPL5.1% MSFT4.9% AMZN3.2% GOOGL1.8% FB1.7% GOOG1.7% TSLA1.5% SHOP1.4% RY1.2% NVDA1.2%

If this was you at 28, can you please comment on
- are the 5 ETFs he has chosen ones you would go with given his objectives, if not, what changes/substitutes would you make along with recommended % allocations?
- is his % allocation across the 5 appropriate or would you make changes? For example I thought there might be too much overlap between ZSP and TEC as they are both highly invested in AAPL, MSFT, AMZ and FB and he is looking at 60% going into these 2 ETF's. That may well be what you want at his age but  I wonder if he is better served by reducing ZSP to 25% -30% and TEC to 15% and add  the remaining 15-20% to CDZ or VGG (or something else?)
- given he will be making contributions to his TFSA, RRSP and Non-registered, which ETF would be best in which account and why? 

Thanks for all your help, 
Scott

Q: Hi
with inflation rising what sectors should we consider being in and which should we avoid

Thank

Q: A recent guest on BNN market call (Blackswan Dexterios) mentioned use index overlay to protect on the downside. Being in the sales game it is portrayed an the sprinkling of magic dust. Going under the hood they are obviously making the use of options.

What specific strategies involving options do you feel are useful for this type of strategy ? Buying or writing calls or puts or any strategies such as straddles etc. What are the pros and cons?

Thank you,

Paul

Q: Hi,

I recall conversations years ago where people were commenting that the market is expensive, but the quick rebuttal was always-were else are you going to put your money.

In your opinion, is there an interest rate level where institutions start to move out of equities and back into fixed income. Additionally, is there a 2-10 or 5-30 year spread level that would signal any potential issues for the equity market?

thanks as always for your valuable insight.

Q: I am a 74-year-old, retired, conservative investor. Please advise if investing new money into REITS and Preferreds would be advisable at this time when it is likely that interest rates will be rising in the near term. My portfolio is currently balanced with 50% in 5-year laddered GICs, 10% in corporate bonds, and 40% in income generating ETFs; 51% Canada, 32% U.S., 15% Europe, and 2% Asia. Thank you.

Q: I see anecdotal evidence that 25 to 40% of the population is unvaccinated and will not get the vaccine. What does our economy look like with 25 to 40% unemployment if mandates force these people out of the workforce?