skip to content
  1. Home
  2. >
  3. Investment Q&A
You can view 3 more answers this month. Sign up for a free trial for unlimited access.

Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: Greetings 5i,

Despite their lacklustre performance this year, I am very fond of consumer staple holdings that focus on food and household products. My reasoning is that I consider their essentiality, as well as their (at least theoretically) defensive nature make them excellent, steady, long-term holds that do not need to be constantly monitored; thereby providing a "sleep at night" factor which I highly prize. Thus, my current sector exposure consists of full positions (5%) in L and PG that, barring some fundamental catastrophe in either, I intend to hold indefinitely. I also hold AMZN (5%), but, due to the breadth of its business, consider it more of a "hybrid."

To these, I am considering adding a position in COST, as I feel that, in addition the aforementioned reasons for favouring staples, its business model is perhaps better equipped to withstand the "Amazon effect" than many other retailers (WMT, KG, etc.). I am also looking to add some geographic diversity to my retail exposure, and view the recent weakness in the stock as a good potential entry point.

However, I realize that this addition would increase my sector weighting, and possibly create some unnecessary overlap. I would therefore like to ask your advice regarding this addition, and whether my reasoning appears sound.

I am 36 years old, debt-free, and relatively conservative. My investment portfolio is solely for the purpose of expediting my retirement, and I will have no need of its funds for the foreseeable future. Excluding ETF's, my portfolio currently consists of 22 positions (with none exceeding a 5% weighting), and is, for my goals and investing style, well diversified across sectors.

Based on my situation, does the addition of COST sound like a reasonable course of action to you?

Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Lucas on June 04, 2018
Q: Hi 5i,
In Jan 2018, I added mtum to my mom’s tfsa as her us $ holding. It would represent the most risky part of her holdings in the Tfsa
Since then, I have read that momentum stocks/strategies do not do well in a bear market. Is there any truth to that claim? With a pb over 4 and a pe over 26 should I stay the course, or purchase 2 or 3 value stocks in her account with that us $?. If the latter, any suggestions?
Many thanks,
Read Answer Asked by Kat on June 04, 2018
Q: Peter and His Wonder Team
Earlier today I wrote in about GES quarterly report. All factors considered I thought it was positive and showed progress. In your reply you said the turn around was moving "nicely". I agree with you. However Mr. Market sees it differently. The stock is crashing...down over 15% on heavy volume. So what do you think is going on. Were expectations too high? Is this just profit taking on a stock that has doubled this year. I think this stock must be a day traders delight for it seems very volatile. Your thoughts please.
Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Ernest on June 01, 2018
Q: Good Afternoon,
one month ago I purchased 100 shares of (CHTR) and I am wondering if I made a mistake?? Would you please give me your detailed opinion on this stock. Thank you for your valued reply.
Baldur
Read Answer Asked by Baldur on June 01, 2018
Q: Greetings 5i,

I sock away a bit of cash for the summer months as i find there is always a few opportunities to pick up a good companies at a discount. I limit this to a small portion of my portfolio but would like your recommendations on your top 5 CDn (growth) and 5 top US Dividend Payers (need US income) that you would pick up on a dip or low volume during the summer months? Last August was a great example of picking up really good names at a discount. I realize there are no guarantees that we will see the same market but always on the lookout to pick good long term names to add to my portfolio. In the past i have picked up Visa, JPM this way.

Thanks for your advice.
Read Answer Asked by kelly on June 01, 2018