Investment Q&A

Q: The VIX is below 40 this morning. Is that a sign that the worst is over or are investors becoming dangerously complacent. How does 5I interpret the recent movements of markets.?
Thank You

Q: I'm hoping you can help me, as I'm struggling to determine where to deploy cash right now.

I've been following your advise to not try and time the bottom, and have been adding to positions every 2 weeks - starting initially with tech stocks that have done well for me over the past 3 years like SHOP, KXS, and CSU.

Now most of my tech stocks have bounced back to record highs, so I'm not sure what to do next.

Should I add to stocks that remain down a lot, but whose business prospects are now more challenging for the foreseeable future (ie. CAE, DOO, MG, LSPD, AW.UN)? Or should I invest in companies that are down a little, but have not performed well for me in the past, but which I continue to hold for diversification (ie. BNS, GUD, PBH, SIS, CCL.B, SJ)?

I have a 25 year time frame, with a higher risk tolerance.

Q: Negativity re Covid 19 seems to be decreasing and attention may be switching to the economy, beginning with this weeks reports. Everything I'm reading suggests that the massive testing required to safely open the economy just isn't there, and a vaccine is far away. Meaning a later rather than sooner scenario for business as usual. Today's retail numbers and bank earnings have moved the market lower and only reflect March's partial shutdown.Do you see the markets recent Covid 19 optimism, being replaced by economic negativity, with markets deteriorating further towards Q2 numbers. I have a large cash position and cognizant of your buy slowly strategy, but can't help thinking the worse is yet to come.
Thanks Peter.

Q: What instruments do you use to determine an inverted bond yield curve?
Do you think we had one last year?
If an inverted yield curve [bear argument] occurred, what would signal it's reversal [bull argument].

Q: Hi there, this 2 week rally is starting to look look and feel a V while many market commentators on BNN/Bloomberg/CNBC seem to say we will retest the lows and possibly even go lower - more of like a U or W or L. Obviously the situation we are in as a society and economy is out of the ordinary, but as professional investors, what is your opinion on where we go from here? Is this rally the real deal, or is it a prolonged dead cat bounce? How do we interpret these moves and what are some general signals to watch out for?

Thanks for your guidance!

Q: Governments are going to put a lot of money into the system because of the corona virus. I have been told that this can lead to inflation. Which sectors,and companies, will benefit?

Q: As the market starts to recover, can you please give your opinion on what sectors do you expect to recover faster than others. Thanks

Q: Happy Easter. I have only been subscribed to your service 3 weeks and I already know it will be invaluable- thank you. I have started 1/2 postions in all 4 of these companies as per your recommendations. I have a 5yr plus time horizon and I am very comfortable with volatility. What I am struggling with is in how to approach taking larger positions in all four, when I suspect they will report in very different fashiosn over this quarter, the second and third quarter, and maybe several more. From reading your responses to the questions, GSY could report just fine and continue showing ok results. LSD will likely look so-so for a few quarters but has some recurring revenue. Finally, DOO and GC will likely look terrible for several quarters with poor boat/ATV sales and nobody sitting at a poker table in a big room with others. If I am a long term investor do I just dive into full positions in all of them in what could be great valuations 5 years from now? Do I approach the four companies differently? I understand your comments on slowly entering into this market because it may have dips over the next 1/2 year and they could be lower, but if i am looking 5 years out do I care, not wanting to chase if we proceed slowly up from here? Thanks in advance.

Q: This is a kind of crystal ball question. I have had trouble getting through to BMO yesterday and today. When I finally got through, the agent told me that one of the reasons for the slowness is that everyone is trying to rig their accounts for option selling. I wonder if this is a signal that the end of options season is getting close. I have made quite a bit of money on options myself in the last couple of months and would like to keep it up. But, I have a nagging worry that although I might make some money on options, if an upturn comes , I may miss out on getting some good companies for the long term. I read an adviser recently, for instance, who predicted that we may not have as long to buy as we think. Things could be turning up in just a few weeks. From your experience, can you give any advice on how to look at this situation and best handle it? What signs to look for when things begin to turn, and how much time will there be to leave one strategy behind and jump on the other. I realise this is a bit like crystal ball gazing. Bu,t, you have more experience that I do in the markets and probably can foresee the future better than I can.
thanks

Q: Hello peter and team,
I’ve been following Peter since he use to run Sprott mutual fund. appreciate over the years how much I learned. “The BIG picture of investment “
1.Currency is another form of hedge. Served me very well till today on many occasions
2. Diversification. Surely enough I have to believe it
3. Weed stocks valuations and Big picture outlook for Energy sector in general. No regret to miss the boom and bust. Sleep well! Healthy investment ha!
Here is my other questions:
1 Ignore the market indexes up and down, I have 50/50 split between S&P/Nasdaq( actually tech portion is over my 50% as SP has 25% tech), what’s your outlook the growth and earnings for the tech sector compare to the rest of the groups during the Q1 2020? Less impact or nearly the same as overall market
2 when people overstocked toilet paper instead of shopping for good companies in stock market in March, thinking about post virus investment strategies, What we learned from WFH, human can’t live without tech. It has changed humans life forever? I remember the article your investment thesis is simple, buy apple or blackberry? Go to the mall and airport have a look.
Looking forward to reading Peter’s articles on financial post !
Thanks you and team, keep up the great service

Q: Can you please tell me your top 5 investment themes that you would start to add to your portfolio (at these levels) for a mid to longer term hold.

Q: my question is on sector allocation. What would be the asset % in order of preference for a person who is 70 but does not need the funds for another 3 years...please also include the top 3 stocks or ETF allocated to each sector ( can be Cad Or US thanks for your help on this

Q: Thank you for your guidance during this challenging time.

I have followed all of the questions and answers about allocating capital during the downturn. The message of putting money to work gradually is rational and rings loud and clear. But, past bear markets took several months before a bottom was put in so why not wait at least one month to start and allow for a bit of a bottoming process? Does it make sense to begin allocating capital at the very onset of a global recession of unknown duration and severity?

Q: Someday soon the sun will rise and shine brightly. This new day we will see inflation arrive at our front door with a loud bang. Inflation will arrive quicker than we think due to a significant increase in money being printed from all countries. During inflationary times what sectors are good investments and what companies would excel.
Clayton

Q: Do you think this rally is sustainable? The markets have really rallied lately and was wondering if a guy should lighten up a bit.

Q: if this relief rally continues tomorrow does it make sense to trim some good stocks if I like liquidity

Q: Good morning, with current market turbulence does 60/40 index investing formula still make sense or is one better investing is good growth stocks for the long term?

Q: Good Morning

The goverments are doing the right thing by adding a huge amount of liquidity in the system.I agree with this, but..
at one point in time, you have to pay the piper

what are your thoughts on this

Q: I read an article that suggest that the US has essentially moved the FED's role to the Treasury Dept, thereby giving control (more at least) to the Trump admin. First, do you see this as the case, and second, if they were to devalue the US dollar as Trump has often called for to better compete with the world, and this brought structural support to the political move away from China and ROTW imports and boosted a reemergence of the US manufacturing/supply-chain system, what companies would look like a steal today ten years from now?

Q: When someone puts on a hedge overlay to protect profits on
portfolio what exactly is one doing. Should your clients be doing it
and is it easy to do.Can u give an example
tnx u.