Investment Q&A

Q: Hi,

Could you please briefly compare/contrast these three US defence contractors? Is there a clear favourite? Are they any others worth considering?
Thank you.

Michael

Q: I have about 10% cash that I am considering putting in U.S. stocks. Even with our $.69 dollar, I don't see any catalysts to improve that over the next few years. I have a good diverse portfolio in both $Cdn and $US, but I am definitely lighter in US exposure.
With the uncertainty of tariffs, Canada with no real leadership for the foreseeable months ahead, the US "Drill baby drill", and Canada not seeming able to attract large international investment, is there anything left to drive growth in Canada?
I am retired, so I want something that should be a little less volatile. I'm thinking of adding to MSFT and JPM, to bring them to a full 5% position. Is this a good idea, and if so, can you also recommend 2 other stocks for me to look at. What are your thoughts on Healthcare, stocks or ETFs, with the new administration? Everything US is inside my RRSP. Thank you

Q: Why is Zoetis down $33 from peak in the last 12 months. Good time for a tax loss sale?

Q: Thoughts on this fund? Long term hold. Would you buy the usd or CAD version, if you'd recommend at all?

Q: With DeepSeek Chinese open source models being competitive with American models using less compute power, I can see other American tech giants and small players try to replicate the same very soon.

How bad is this new development for companies like NVDA and AMD? Should we cash in some of our profits now and wait for further development?

Will companies like Microsoft, Google, Meta, Amazon... suddenly feel like they have wasted their billions? Will this drive a negative sentiment for their own stock prices in the short term ?

What does 5i recommend if we have large gains in the bive mentioned stocks?

Q: Which would you anticipate to have stronger growth over the next 3-5 years...and why: JPM or FIX? Thank you.

Q: You may have covered this question but with the exchange on the USD now close to 40% is it worth buying US stocks, in case the US dollar is devalued? The Canadian tourism industry should flourish with the difference in the dollar while not as many Canadians will make the trip to Florida this year.

Q: In a question yesterday - attached - I asked you to recommend one or two US equities and listed those already held. In response, you gave me two equities which I had listed as already owned. Clearly you have not had your morning coffee:-) Please try again.

Yesterday's Question:
VRT has now grown to 9.5% of my total portfolio. (Thank you for the recommendation!) Would you let this winner run? Or would you be inclined to trim? If trim, what one or two US equities would you purchase (any sector) with the proceeds with a similar risk/growth profile...and why? The following US/international equities are already held: GOOG, NVDA, AMZN, MSFT, V, COST, AXON, ISRG, CLBT, and NBIS. Thank you.

Answer:

In our view, as a company aproaches 10% of a portfolio, the portfolio starts to become a bet on that single name and we would typically prefer to trim the position down. For something with a similar risk profile and growth potential, we might consider NBIS and CLBT, but both are higher risk.

Q: Thoughts on TWLO’s latest earnings?

Q: In your estimation what % of S & P 500 consists of tech?

Q: Is ISRG and ISRG.T the same company? If so, can I expect to benefit from any ISRG gains by buying ISRG.T? Thank you.

Q: Good Morning
Comments please on ISRG’s earnings and your thoughts going forward. Does it remain one of your favourites in the
“buy and forget category”
Thank you

Q: VRT has now grown to 9.5% of my total portfolio. (Thank you for the recommendation!) Would you let this winner run? Or would you be inclined to trim? If trim, what one or two US equities would you purchase (any sector) with the proceeds with a similar risk/growth profile...and why? The following US/international equities are already held: GOOG, NVDA, AMZN, MSFT, V, COST, AXON, ISRG, CLBT, and NBIS. Thank you.

Q: Hi 5i Team, If you could only pick one of the 3 above large Tech companies, which would you choose for a 10 +year hold. Could you please provide your reason for your choice.
Thank you

Q: I hold a small position of CROX in my TFSA and non-registered accounts with a small gain. With slowing growth in the forseable future, I am contemplating selling. Am I too quick to give up on CROX? If I sell what could you recommend I replace it with?Either Canadian or US exchanges. I would be leaning for a suggestion more suitable for TFSA account.
Many thanks

Q: Is it best to wait on the sidelines for the stock to settle? Or initiate a starting position soon?

Q: My current portfolio is heavily oriented towards growth and is very high risk. Over the next few to several months I plan on repositioning towards a more balanced approach. I will be looking to add some growing but steady large caps. Toward that end I have the following short list: TR, BN, GOOG, Canadian Banks, SLF, MSFT, NVDA, BEPC. Is there anything in that list that you would not see fitting into that category? Can you please add a half dozen or so of your preferred other names that fit with this idea. Please exclude defense contractors, the Oil and Gas sector and usurious money lenders.
Thank-you.

Q: Hi,

1 )Is there too much overlap between Fix and TT to own both? Which do you prefer long term?
2) Do you think infrastructure under Trump will do well? Which of these (IESC, ROAD, STRL or substitute another choice?) would you go with and why?

Q: Hello 5i, I am up quite a bit on MRK, ABBVIE and HHLE. In answer to a question on MRK by Michael on Jan 22 you wrote "We would take a look at AMGN as an alternative to MRK". With the success I have with MRK et al. is MRK a sell to be replaced by AMGN now or is MRK still a keeper for now. Value investor.
Stanley

Q: Hello team,

It is still January, so Happy New Year!

Would you swap PINs with 45% loss in an RRSP account for a new investment in AMTM.

AMTM is in a few areas that may become a main focus for Trump Administration. The stock has gained 20% in the past month. Would you say that there is a cup formation in the chart as the sellers may be done? Is the current price a good entry point?

What do you think of their debt level and lack of profitability? Will the situation improve meaningfully in the next couple of years. As you can guess, I hold the stocks for a long period. Often way too long!

Wishing everyone at 5i a healthy and happy 2025!