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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: Good morning,
It 'appears' GE's downward trend will continue. That would soon take our current US$23k investment below our book value. I prefer holding, but don't like the notion of underwater for years waiting for this ship to turn around. So I'm 'inclined' to move on, in which case probably by adding that to SPY which most of our US$ are in. Your thoughts will be appreciated.
Read Answer Asked by Bill on September 11, 2017
Q: Greetings 5i,

I am making an effort to increase my exposure to US stocks, and am considering adding a US healthcare position to augment my Canadian healthcare holdings of CSH.UN and GUD.

JNJ was my first thought, given its strong history, massive valuation, and diversification. However, I am (like many, I assume) concerned about its legal troubles; particularly given the severity of the issues that surround them. Moreover, it appears that said troubles may be present for quite a long time.

I am thinking long term (I am 36), am a "buy and hold" investor, and will not need the capital I would be deploying for the foreseeable future.

Do you feel as if this is a good entry point for JNJ (perhaps a half position to start), or would you wait to see how the legal situations unfold before considering this purchase? If the latter, is there another American healthcare stock you might recommend in its place?

Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Lucas on September 07, 2017
Q: Hello Peter, I've been watching CLCT for a few months now, since it was mentioned in one of your responses. It has a dividend over 6% and is 9% cheaper today than yesterday after factoring in the currency move. While I'm tempted to buy, I'm not clear on what the 'China' component of its business entails - and also have some doubts as to how much an American company can count on being dealt with 'fairly', long-term, when doing business in China. Can you please explain the importance of China to CLCT's business, and whether you see the China political/trade risk as a meaningful concern for this particular company. Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by James on September 07, 2017
Q: Greetings 5i,

My portfolio is well diversified across all Canadian sectors, but lacking in American holdings. I am therefore making an effort to increase my US exposure, and am considering adding one of the FAANG stocks to augment my Canadian tech holdings of OTEX and PHO. Currently. I am leaning towards AMZN (as I view it as a great mix of established market dominance and growth potential based on its diversification into brick and mortar), or APPL (due to its massive cash position and what appears to be excellent stability going forward).

I am 36, fairly conservative (although not totally opposed to risk), and am looking for something to hold for the long-term.

Do either of these choices sound like a reasonable course of action to you? Do you favour one over the other at this time? Is there another large American tech holding that you feel would be more appropriate?

Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Lucas on September 06, 2017
Q: Greetings 5i,

I would like to ask your advice about my consumer non-cyclical holdings. I currently hold L at a little more than a half position. I am making an effort to increase my exposure to American stocks, and am considering adding a comparable position in PG. Given that L owns Shoppers Drug Mart, do you feel as if the addition of PG would create an unnecessary overlap? If so, is there another US non-cyclical option you might recommend??

I am 36 years old, conservative, and prefer-long term holds.

Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Lucas on September 06, 2017
Q: Hi Guys, Sometimes, I am just stunned by the innovative time we live in and the rapid pace of unique and new technologies.....SolarWindow would be the perfect example of this.

SolarWindow Technologies, Inc. is engaged in the development of transparent electricity-generating coatings for glass and flexible plastic. The Company is developing two sustainable electricity generating systems: SolarWindow and MotionPower. The Company's SolarWindow technology provides the ability to harvest light energy from the sun and artificial sources and generate electricity from a transparent, coating of organic photovoltaic (OPV) solar cells applied to glass and plastics. The Company's MotionPower technology harvests kinetic or motion energy from vehicles when they slow down before coming to a stop and converts this captured energy into electricity.

AMAZING.........they harvest energy from a coating on windows from sun and/or from motion. They can reduce the power needed for a 50 story building by 40%.

The stock trades on the NY/OTC and closed today at $5.09 up 8%. Do we have anybody in this space in Canada? The stock seems to be spiking right now but if it cools down a bit any thoughts on the stock for investment?
Thanks Team. Chris

Read Answer Asked by Chris on September 06, 2017
Q: Good morning,

With sells as it was going up, I am still about breakeven on CRH but it has dropped to 1% of my portfolio. I have lost confidence such that I won't put more in. I am, however, looking for additional healthcare exposure. Right now I am also holding JNJ (3%) Danaher (DHR, 4%) which is mostly medical/dental since the spin-off of Fortive. I have been thinking of exiting JNJ due to the price that they paid for their latest acquisition. It seems a little inconsistent with their historically very conservative nature.

Would you think that adding a 2.5-3% SIS or GUD is a better approach, or should I keep CRH given its longer term potential? I prefer to not watch my investments every day and have a diversified portfolio across market cap and Canada/US with a lot of multinational companies (like CCL in Canada and UL in the US, for instance).

Do you have any perspective on the JNJ acquisition? If so, please feel free to deduct two questions.

Thanks!

Derek
Read Answer Asked by Derek on September 05, 2017
Q: Hi - I know you don't often comment on US stocks but was hoping you had a general opinion of the ongoing WDC situation with Toshiba. If they win the bidding, would this be looked at positively by the market or not? On the flip side, if they lose how do you expect the market to react? In other words, is it important that they win the bid? Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Doug on September 05, 2017
Q: 5i

I have held JNJ for a few years and it has grown to be 10% of my portfolio. Using your sage advice I need to reduce the shares in JNJ. I am retired, have JNJ in my RRIF and depend on dividends to enhance my retirement pension. Would like a suggestion as to any USA stocks you would recommend that is as safe as JNJ and pay a dividend of 3% or more with some growth I know you do not cover USA stocks but thought you might have a suggestion. If not is there an ETF with USA exposure that may accomplish these goals. I am currently 74% Canadian and 26% USA invested.Look forward to your thoughts and recommendations

Regards

w
Read Answer Asked by Wayne on September 05, 2017