Investment Q&A

Q: Hi, before I jump into my question, I would like to sincerely thank you for the wonderful and valuable service you've offered for your members. Without your team, I couldn't have done it on my own. Your team's given me a lot of confidence and assurance. Since I joined in 2015, my portfolio has grown considerably. THANK YOU

Since the US Fed raised interest rates in Dec, I am seriously considering to convert a saving of $200,000 to USD. This money is currently lying in an EQ bank high interest account earning 2% interest. My view on Canadian dollar to USD is bearish particular the US Fed proposing to hike interest rate several times in 2017.
Now my questions are: (1) Canadian dollar should be weak against USD. Next year the oil price is going to be stable around $50- 57, but no hope for significantly higher. Weighting the risk and reward on a scale, how risky is my move? (2) After the money has been changed, where can I park this USD? Any suggestions for a safe option to earn some interest? ICICI offers interest at 0.75%. Buying US bond is not my option as interest rate is on the hike.
I have experience using DLR to convert CAD to USD so high exchange expenses are not a big problem.
Once again, thank you for your insights. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Q: With 17% of my portfolio invested in these US ETFs, I'm thinking about adding another 5-10%. However, I'm wary of the Trump implications. All of the above are near 52-week highs. As a long term investor, should I not worry about timing the market, or is it advisable to wait a bit before investing in the US? Is XUS worth buying or am I fine sticking with VUN, if I go ahead and invest in the US?

Q: I do not have much experience in investing in US stocks. I would like to add some US exposure as it does seem that Trump's pro business approach might turn into a reality. Is there an ETF you could suggest that would track the US market?

Thank you, Peter

Q: I am up about 70% in a relatively short period. Time to sell?

Q: Merry Christmas to the 5i Team! My question is about consumer discretionary stocks. It's one of the areas in my portfolio that i lack exposure in (0% to be honest). I've been looking at ATD-B for a while and feel comfortable adding at the current price level. To get some more high quality names I've looked to the US and come across the usual suspects that seem fairly highly priced/valued. I've been looking at ULTA and COST. Might not be your area of expertise but your thoughts on these 2 companies or any other specific names you think are worth owning in the Cons Disc space?

Q: Hi Peter, Ryan & 5i Team
Could you please recommend 2 or 3 US micro caps that are poised for high growth during the next year.

Q: Can you please share your thoughts on (FSI) Flexible Solutions International, thank you.

Q: Hello 5i and we wish all the best in the holidays for you.
We plan to buy a tech stock. We are retired and conservative, although with a certain percentage of some safer growth stocks.

We are impressed that Warren Buffett ventured into the tech field by buying Apple and wonder whether we should follow suit.

But we are also looking at Google and are wondering whether it may have a better future.

We would appreciate your thoughts on which one you think might be the best buy right now.
thanks

Q: Himax is close to its 52 week low. Is it a good purchase or do you have similar stock which you could recommend.

Thanks

Q: Given the present us situation rad ?????????? Your opinion Thanks

Q: Hi Team,
You've just added CRH to your growth portfolio. I've been tracking it for a while based on your coverage and a friend's position in it. Can you please comment on its risk level? My thought is to possibly move out of Gilead Sciences (GILD) in the US and into CRH. But I am concerned about its valuation after a great year, especially when compared to GILD which has had a very bad year (and may now represent a value opportunity or dead money). I also own Knight (GUD) and iShares Biotech (IBB). Your thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you. Michael

Q: Hello Peter and Team,

I know American isn't in your mandate, but can you give me your thoughts on AGX (Argan Inc). I am up 130% in the year, and I am still not seeing any reason to sell as it is hitting new highs.

Thanks,

Wes

Q: Would appreciate your outlook on ThermoFisher, TMO

Thanks

Q: IS THIS STOCK A GOOD BUY AT THIS TIME?

Q: I am selling my Conoco Phillips for tax loss reasons and looking at what to replace it with. What are your favourite big oil stocks? All the fundamentals look pretty bad to me but comparing charts over the last decade I find Chevron and CNRL seem to be stand out performers. I would prefer to have a good dividend which is fairly safe since I am semi retired.

Q: I am a senior and a long time dividend investor. I have found that patience and having some cash on hand to buy bargains have paid off handsomely over the years. When stocks go down, dividends go up and I simply buy more. Eg. BMO@ 56.00, Sunlife@19.00, Fortis@29.00 etc. Except in rare instances (Manulife) the dividends just keep coming. I mostly agree with everything John Heintzl says in his G&M columns. Recently he wrote "I supplement my dividend holdings with diversified ETF holdings". Can you suggest some specific ETFs to balance & diversify my Canadian large cap dividend stocks?

Q: May I please have your current views on Twitter? Buy, sell or hold?

Q: Greetings
Can I get your views & opinion of A. O. Smith Corp?
Thank you
Martin

Q: Good morning,

Looking for an opinion on Teva given yesterday's allegations on generic price fixing among some drug manufacturers including Teva. I am down on this purchase by approxm 30% and am wondering if I should exit if this is dead money or perhaps you feel this has even further downside.
Thanks
Brad

Q: There is currently a plethora of ways to invest in the US Market without touching sector funds. Would you use any of the above ETFs and if so in what proportion or would you suggest using any other US ETFs as well. High conviction US Mutual funds are also an option; but the fees are somewhat higher. I currently have no US coverage and am looking at establishing a 15-20% position. I know timing is a bit of a quess; but with the recent run up would you please suggest a strategy?

Thanks and
A very Merry Christmas to all