Investment Q&A

Q: I am considering the NASDAQ stock (NDAQ).

It has a consistent record of solid earnings. With the new U.S. Administration easing up on regulations there is the potential of an increase in M&A and IPO activity for the markets this year. If so, NASDAQ could be well positioned.

What would your advice be?

Thank you

Q: Which is better to buy? Fractionl Bitcoin via Wealthsimple, etc. or a Bitcoin ETF? Why?

Thanks! Austin

Q: Happy New Year to everyone at 5i

I recently read a recent article in the Financial Post:
“The S&P 500’s performance in 2024 made investing look easy. Why bother with strategy?”

Since the ‘Magnificent 7’ stocks dominate ETFs such as VFV, I’m concerned that the S&P 500 represents a very lop-sided weighting of its constituent stocks. We do hold VFV in several of our combined accounts, but am considering selling 25% of VFV and using the proceeds to purchase some EQL.U, an ETF that has never had a question on 5i. I’m aware that an equal weighting strategy results in a tilt towards mid-cap stocks (a good thing?), has a higher expense ratio (not so good) and has higher volatility (again, not so good).

Do the benefits of equal weighting in the S&P 500 outweigh the disadvantages? What is your take on this strategy? Are there similar ETFs to EQL.U that we could consider? Would RSP be one of them?

Thanks as always for your insight.

Q: I understand CRM, a software company, is getting into AI via software. Does 5iR know any other S&P 500 software companies doing the same thing???.....Happy New Year ......Tom

Q: I pulled the chute in the summer of '24 when they had their outage issue. The stock peaked at $390 USD last year and is now back to $360. Is the coast clear? Your views for 2025?

Q: What are your favourite cybersecurity stocks these days? Thank you!

Q: Please estimate 1-2 year performance rank for these five stocks currently on my watch list. Thanks!

Q: Happy New Year to all at 5i and fellow members as well,

For this year's 7K TFSA contribution, I'm considering adding Alphabet. Due to the decline in both BCE and T, we are very underweight in this sector. Also, we're underweight in USA holdings as well. Would you endorse this strategy? Thanks as always for your insight.

Q: Which would you prefer and why?

VST or VRT, EQT or CTRA

Thanks!

Q: AAPL, MFST, GOOGL & AMZN are 24% of my portfolio. What would you considered a proper allocation for the Magnificent 7?

My financial position is 30% of my portfolio and include V (6%). Where would you classify V? financial or consumer?

Best regard for the New Year
Ray

Q: I was thinking of adding my recent TFSA contribution to EQB however then started wondering if some of the growth oriented US$ holdings in the account would be a better option. 5I has been positive about EQB but I wonder if it will have a lack lustre performance due to it being in the weak Cdn economy….that is, it may be a good company but limited to how well it can do. Your thoughts about all this, please. Thank you for your excellent service.

Q: FINN is an actively managed etf from Fidelity Global. It has a high MER but its returns so far in its short life have been impressive. What do you think of this ETF? What risk level would you place on it?

Q: TransMedics has had a good few days, up 15% in one week. Is this a confirmation of momentum coming back to this company? I have been watching this, waiting to take a position. What else would you need or like to see from TMDX to green light a purchase here?

Q: Hi,

Do you see a pathway for SMCI to be re-listed again in NASDAQ? What are the impediments/enhancers for it to achieve this goal? What do you think is the probability of it suceeding? (In terms of percentage) And if they do succeed, when do you think it will happen? 2025? or 2026? To my untarined and non-professional eyes, SMCI mgmt seem to be doing the right things. But then that's what I thought before it tanked :)
How many Billions they have to pay to settle the law suits or make them go away? If they decide to issue more shares to deal with all these issues, the stock may go down further, no?

Q: What is your opinion of this company? Relationship with Doordash and Fiserv, and do they compete with Payfare. Please note this company also had an abrupt stock value loss in the fall of 2024.

Q: The 6 stocks are down from their peak
Which of these would you buy at today's price and in what order? Can you order them in terms of growth potential for a 5 year hold and also for risk. Thanks

Q: What are your thoughts of CHTR pre-merger and post merger with liberty global, thanks.

Q: can you help me understand their profitability health in their leases and years remaining. looks like blackrock is a big owner any red flags

Q: I've owned IQLT for a few years now. I've noticed that the VEA top holdings are quite similar to IQLT, but at a significantly reduced MER. Is it really worth paying that much more to continue to hold IQLT? Maybe you have better insight on the differences between the two than I do (?)

Q: I'm asking for 5i's opinion on your current (5) best asset-light company ideas - Canadian and / or American - that have:

- financial stability

- strong competitive position today and into the future

- in a sector that is not threatened by disruption

- attractive valuation at today's prices

Hopefully not a lot to ask. Thanks for your service.