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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: I am an income investor in my 80’s, largely in large cap Canadian equities and with 30 percent in GIC’s. Approximately 5% in U.S. stocks through ETF’s. I feel that I should have a larger U.S. presence but lack the knowledge to invest in that market. Can you make a few suggestions, bearing in mind that preservation of capital is important?
Read Answer Asked by Gail on October 11, 2023
Q: My Consumer Descretionary % is a bit low.

1. I'm a little gun shy buying this sector right now due to economy slowing in the face of higher interest rates. It seems the consumer may be struggling here for awhile. Would you bump up a low sector waiting right now or just wait 6-12 months?

2. How would you currently rank the following watchlist for capital appreciation over the next year+? Are there some you would not really consider Consumer Descretionary - seems to be quite a range of business.


SHOP, QSR, ATZ, DOO, TSLA, MG, AMZN, ULTA, CELH, BKNG, GLBE, CROX.
Read Answer Asked by Kel on October 11, 2023
Q: I need to add to the utility sector. Is this a good time to buy?
Could you please provide 5 names and rate them in order of preference and why.
Would prefer U.S. exposure though Canadian is fine as well.
Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Lorraine on October 11, 2023
Q: Do you see interesting dividends stocks down that we should keep an eye on with potentiel harvesting tax-loss season coming? Canadian and US stocks with a good balance sheet.

I have been looking at dir.un, plc, ko and pfe
Read Answer Asked by Francois on October 11, 2023
Q: who are the major competitors to FTNT?. what percent of FTNT revenue is recurring? how are FTNTs revenue divided worldwide? what is the degree of insider ownership? thanks Richard
Read Answer Asked by richard on October 11, 2023
Q: Two questions about the Veralto (VLTO) spinoff from Danaher (DHR) (I acquired 125sh as a result of owning 375 shares of DHR), in a taxable account:

1. Would you add to this VLTO position? (In general, per my previous experience, spinoffs are usually attractively priced in the first months following their creation, due to numerous shareholders disposing of relatively small numbers of shares received). Plus, I initially purchased DHR several years ago in large part due to its “water business” (now spun off as VLTO), and so am keen to continue to invest in this sector.
2. Do you know how a Canadian shareholder would account for these shares (in a taxable account)? It looks like my brokerage account has valued the spinoff at US$9631.25, and has not changed (at least, not yet) the book value of the DHR shares (US$113,231). In other words, would the spinoff just be considered as a one-time foreign income event (US$9631.25 or ~CAD$13,200, at ~1.37 exchange rate); sort of like a special foreign dividend, but without any withholding tax applied, with the cost basis for DHR unchanged (US$113,231) and US$9631.25 as the cost base for the acquired VLTO shares (with me paying tax on ~CAD13,200 of foreign income)? Or should this event be considered non-taxable, with the pre-spinoff cost basis of the DHR shares split proportionately between the two entities, DHR and VLTO (something like US$103,600 for DHR and US$9631.25 for VLTO)?

Ted
Read Answer Asked by Ted on October 11, 2023
Q: Of the above health care stocks, could you rank from best to worst and indicate a good entry level for the top two. If you happen to have another better suggestion please rate accordingly.

Many thanks
Read Answer Asked by ralph on October 11, 2023
Q: What do you think about taking a new position in Russell 2000 at this time? Dan Niles was on CNBC talking about how the index may outperform some of the big tech names. I am also considering a position in SPY and/or the QQQ. I tend to buy and sell stocks too quickly and my thought was to buy an index fund with a view to holding longer term so that I don't have to worry about individual names. Thank you,

Jason
Read Answer Asked by Jason on October 11, 2023
Q: I doubt that a significant percentage of us will go on weight loss drugs and stop eating at McDonalds. More likely more of us will dine there to save some cost as things tighten. The stock is down and pays a nice dividend. Is it a buy in your opinion at this level for a 3 year hold or do you recommend averaging in gradually? Or would you avoid it altogether for some reason? Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Ken on October 11, 2023
Q: RDNT Is this company profitable? Do you see it as a buy, hold, or sell.
Read Answer Asked by patricia on October 11, 2023
Q: Someone told me rumors about Microsoft planning to announce they are making semiconductor chips soon, and would cause the price of Nvda to drop. How reliable are those rumors and should I act on them? How do you see Nvda compared to google or Microsoft or apple, in terms of risk and long term potential?
Read Answer Asked by Connie on October 11, 2023
Q: I have funds to put towards an aggressive attempt at obtaining an average 20% annual return over the next 3-5 years (own CSU, NVDA, GOOG, BN and few others with such potential). Not looking for a detailed analyses or commentary, but do any of these choices seem to be unlikely candidates for the desired outcome - ADBE, INTU, WIRE/ATK combo, HEI/TDG combo, ZTS, BX, LVMUY?
Read Answer Asked by John on October 10, 2023
Q: What would be the 5 Canadian & 5 US stocks that have the biggest moats at this time? Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Dave on October 10, 2023
Q: For industrials, currently hold TFII, ATS, TRI. In that order of weighting. Also have WSP, NVEE, AXON on my watchlist.

I'm happy just sticking with 3, but 5-6 is great if they may improve my performance or diversification (if the new companies are similar quality).

If it was you, would you add more to the 3 holdings, or add one of the others? How would you rank the 6 names as far as quality and resiliance of the companies go?
Read Answer Asked by Kel on October 10, 2023
Q: I hold KO in an RRSP as a defensive stock as well as collecting the $US dividend. The defensive aspect has taken a hit lately, and I am looking at this as a buy opportunity. I would appreciate it if you could provide your assessment as to why the steady decline in share price of late and your thoughts on adding to this stock.
Read Answer Asked by Dave on October 06, 2023