Investment Q&A

Q: Goldman Sachs downgraded SYK from Buy to Sell and slashed TP. I'm sure this is because of SYK pulling their guidance for Q1. A Sell seems quite radical especially in light of the fact that Citi maintained a Buy but also cut TP. Your thoughts.
Carl

Q: Hello friends,

Is it possible to run a screen on all 4 major NA markets TSX, S&P 500, DOW and NASDAQ for the top 10 companies of which stock prices have appreciated in the past (dreadful) month? Perhaps make this another blog subject? It should be interesting.

All the best.

PS Kudos to Peter for his astounding patience with everyone! It's something I'm trying hard to achieve every day, but Peter leaves me in the dust. Much to learn from his example.

Q: Hello 5i
PayPal or Square for growth? Why?
Thanks
Dave

Q: Thinking about investment implications of this crisis. In a recent investigation by Assoiated Press it was reported that " The critical shortage of medical supplies across the U.S. (Canada?), including testing swabs, protective masks,surgical gowns and hand sanitizer, can be tied to a sudden drop in imports, mostly from China". Do you think there will now be a new emphasis on domestic manufacture and if so where might one find the companies that would benefit?
Thanks
Mike

Q: Hello,
I am currently waiting out this deep downturn in the market. At some point the market will start recovering. I have followed your recommendations in the Portfolio Tracking and Analysis tool.

If you had $500,000 sitting in cash which you want to deploy once the market turns around, which sectors would you look towards investing in for the eventual upward trend? Would you be able to provide your favourite stocks /ETFS which you would use to cover the sectors you think will be first to recover?

Thanks for all your help.

Q: Pls comment on Seagate Technology earning , outlook, and future growth.
The stock looks cheap, is it a value trap? How had it done on dividend increases in the past 5 years. Would you recommend a buy?

Q: After the merger, United Technologies share owners will receive 0.5 of a share of Otis and 1 share of Carrier for each share of UTX common stock. I do not know much about these companies. Are Otis and Carrier shares worth keeping?

Q: The merger is to occur in the second half of this year. RTN would receive 2.3 shares of UTX, after this company’s Otis and Carrier spin-off. Considering the current reduction in both stock values, would a Raytheon or UTX stock purchase be more favorable at this time?

Q: Just wondering your general opinion on these 4 stocks that were rated 5 stars by Morningstar. Do you think any of them are interesting and how would you rate them. Thank you

Q: Hi,

May I get your opinion on EGHT?

Thanks,

Q: Hi 5i team,

I follow the DOW stocks a lot as they are a barometer on the market. They form the core of my portfolio and I add and trim around them. You mentioned in an earlier question that big caps are likely the quickest to recover. Earlier I lightened up on some high beta tech names and have some dry powder. On the Dow, which ones do you see as are the top 3-4 names having the potential for the strongest recovery over the next year or so. I manage my portfolio closely, so I am not concerned about sectors or weightings here. There are a lot of candidates and some have really been beaten up and others not so much. The financials have been beaten up, but I stay in Canada for those anyway, and I have no interest in the oils.

Thanks again for the insight on the DOW stocks. Thanks for your great work, as some days you are turning out answers faster than I can read them.

Dave

Q: I am considering selling my shares in ENB and using the funds to top up my holding in BAH. What are your thoughts on this move?
This would be in a registered fund. There is no tax loss advantage. I am interested in total return whether it be dividend or capital gain over the next 2-3 years.

Q: I thought that a drug had to be on the market for years before generics were allowed to enter the market. Help me understand what’s happening.

Q: This is a supply company for personal protective equipment. Does it have debt? Is it a buy?

Q: I hold a position in BIIB in a diversified US portfolio. BIIB is included in the buyback ETF SPYB that includes many airlines. Airlines have been hard hit related to COVID-19 and are now to get bailouts.....like they bought back shares rather than reduce debt or keep cash on hand. My question is does BIIB have sufficient cash to get through this difficult period? And part two, should I continue to hold or sell BIIB?..........Thanks

Q: Good Morning 5i,
Could you please comment on Enphase Energy, its solvency and ability to survive under these difficult circumstances and prospects for the future once the economy returns to normalcy, whenever that may be?

Q: thanks as always for your level headed thinking. I have a number of CAN dividend stocks as the core of my holdings. I now have cash that I want to deploy over the next couple of months. what are your top 5-10 US stocks (no regard to sector) that you recommend based on a 5 year hold.
Michele

Q: I've been reading questions lately with the idea of receiving advice on how to deploy the 25% cash position I had pre virus....But thinking about this the world has changed. What looked fine pre virus doesn't look so appetizing during and post virus.... Specifically the mortgage business like my NLY shares don't look that good now...... Though I would be taking a loss would you advise selling and buying something like MSFT ? I could deploy new cash for that but wonder if I should re balance to a certain degree anyway .......

Q: hello 5i:
this is a currency question. My watchlist is made up of US stocks that we have partial positions in and which I want to add to. The Canadian dollar is, as we speak, in the .708 range. My expectation is lower, but not dramatically lower equity (lets us the S&P 500 as a proxy) prices. I need to convert Canadian dollars to US dollars if I want the currency diversification. What to do? Waiting will see (probably) a higher Canadian dollar at the price of higher US equities. Please help me make this decision: I'm stumped. Put another way, what would YOU do in this situation, realizing what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another.
Paul L

Q: Looks like Xerox is attempting a takeover of HP. Is this what is referred to as a hostile take-over? I get lots of air mail telling me the Xerox position and other from HP saying its a bad deal. How does a person evaluate such an offer? Are you familiar? I hold HPQ currently.

Thanks.