Investment Q&A

Q: Dear 5i:
Multipart Balanced Equity Portfolio question (please deduct credits as appropriate):
I have roughly $12000 to contribute to my RRSP (2018 contribution) right now, which four or five companies should I put this money in? Please exclude TECK, CSU, BNS, MX, PBH, and SIS in your response since I have full weights in these companies. I would much rather just add to positions to bring the weights of each position closer to 'equal weight', but this would involve averaging down (which 5i doesn't generally endorse). However, you have commented previously in the past that any company currently in the BE portfolio is 'buyable today'. So would averaging down be reasonable if one is only considering BE portfolio companies (for example, would be happy to average down on CLS/GUD if you think this is a reasonable move). I would far prefer to avoid individual security concentration risk by adding to other positions rather than trimming a winning position (regret trimming TOY, for example). Please provide your thoughts and guidance, and thanks as always.

Q: Hi 5i Team

I’m using the 5i model portfolios for the 35% portion of my overall portfolio allocated to Canadian Equites. I’ve been investing in companies from both, the balanced and income portfolios, mostly because I’m having a hard time choosing which model portfolio is right for me. I like the dividends and income provided by one but also like the growth potential the balanced portfolio provides. I’m 50 years old and plan to retire in the next 3-5 years and would like to know if there is any criteria or guidance on what model portfolio to choose?

Thank you

Q: I am new to 5i. I appreciate the candid views you offer your subscribers.

For those of us with smaller portfolios or those wishing to cap Canadian equity exposure to say 50% and unable add all 26 positions of your Balanced Equity portfolio what is your suggestion? I use ETS to gain USA/Int exposure and pick Canadian stocks for Canadian exposure.
Do you have a recommendation of say 12 positions for a TFSA with a 5 - 10 yr time horizon?
It is Canada so a couple obvious inclusions are a bank and insurance company followed by a myriad of sectors and companies?

Q: Hello,

In regards to Jules’ comment I would agree with the open next day pricing, that way the stated returns are the same as investors. The reason I say this is because I view 5i as industry leaders in no conflict advising and transparency. I am always leary of stock picking firms who sell a stock, record the gains or losses at an advantage to regular investors. It inflates gains and makes losses appear less than they are.

I would say that taking the opening price into account would add to your credibility as different from the entire industry.

Having said this, returns are what get you more clients so I understand the need to perform.

I am okay with it either way, because you are so transparent, but I think it would add to your overall high credibility! Thanks for the amazing service you provide!

Q: I would strongly agree with Jules comments quoted below;
"5iResearch announces portfolio changes after markets close and uses the previous day closing prices in costing out portfolio changes. But members don’t have this luxury of selling or buying a stock at the closing price of the day before. They line up in queue and do their transaction at the start of the following market day. My suggestion is for 5i to be transparent and price all trades at the opening prices of the following day. That way there is a sense of alignment with what the stated portfolio returns are and what members can expect to get. "
Please accept this simple recommendation so your published rates of return are representative of what can be expected by the average investor. Otherwise add a statement to the effect your rates of return are calculated based on trades conducted after market close and as such do not reflect the rates of return achievable by the individual investor.

I've followed 5i almost from inception and am deeply indebted to them for holding many stocks that I wouldn't have otherwise purchased and many have returned well over 100% such as: CSU, CCL.B, SIS, KXS, AYA (now changed), ENGH. So I thank 5i for their service and only ask when they make changes to the portfolio they state changes are in effect at market open the following morning. Never mind what mutual funds and other do. Stick with the 5 i's.

Steve

Q: Hi there, thanks for the updates on your portfolios! I mostly follow your Balanced Equity Portfolio with a few swap in towards growth (ie: KL, SHOP, PHO, PEO, COV, GSY, DOL etc) - in other words I dont' mind risk, but not on the extreme end of the risk spectrum. I like the names like PBH, KXS, SIS, TOY as well. That being said, If I wanted to buy 3 of 5 names that were added to the BE and Growth Portfolios, which would be best suitable for me: RHT, WEF, TCK.B, VB, LIQ

Thanks so much!

Q: Pretend you just came into $20,000.00. You deposit it to your RRSP so you can take advantage of the reduction to your income and lower marginal tax rate. Without any consideration to the current portfolio, which stocks would you purchase today with growth and/or dividend income in mind OR would you wait for another market correction?

Q: Following the balanced portfolio. Please rank your new equities in the order they should be bought. Which 2 have greatest growth potential. Also will AVO hang around the 26.80 mark until the sale?
T as always

Q: In your different portfolios which stocks are dept free and have lots of cash
Thanks

Q: I am in the process of building the Balanced and Growth portfolios, and I would like to take advantage of the recent pullback. I had been waiting for a correction to buy SHOP, but I notice that not only did it not decline much, but that it has recovered extremely quickly. I was under the impression it would be very volatile. Apparently not.
Anyway, could you please help me order in terms of priority to buy the top three or so securities that I don't currently have in the two portfolios:
Balanced: CAE, Celestica, Altus, Parkland, Sun Life, Stella, Sylogist
Growth: Dollarama, Covalon, Photon, Shop, IWO
In terms of best in the sense that they were unfairly punished and therefore have the most potential going forward?
Thanks for always great insight.

Q: If one was currently setting up a diversified portfolio including the following classifications - real estate, financial, health, technology, materials, utilities, energy, consumer discretionary, consumer staples, industrials and telecom - and wanted one core investment in each classification (either a specific larger established company or an ETF where there is no such company in Canada (such as tech and health)) what companies/ETFs would you suggest by classification. Thank you for your exemplary work and suggestions over the last few years.Mike
Mike

Q: If someone is sitting with cash to invest and does not have very much in the market currently which 5 to 15 (or more) companies would you suggest? Please consider the recent sell off. Also consider picks from your various portfolios with emphasis on your balanced portfolio or even other stocks that are not in your portfolios.

Q: Considering the big drop today is a great buying opportunity, which would be your top picks from the balanced and growth portfolio ?

Q: Hi,
Please recommend 2 names to purchase from the balanced portfolio with the current market conditions.
Thanks,
Brent

Q: A balanced portfolio should have representation from most sectors of the economy. Canada's economy does not contain good representation in Technology, Healthcare and Industrial sectors.
Why do you not include some American stocks that represent these areas in your portfolio?

Q: S&P,DOW & NQ are up between 7% to 9% YTD after huge advances in 2017.But the TSX is up less than 1% YTD after 5.5% in 2017.A shameful display,being one of the worst performer in the world in 2017.Thank goodness for the consistently good results of 5I year after year since inception in 3/13.So I need your expertise here again.Please advise 1) BEPORTa)Best 5 overall & b) best 10,one from each sector. 2)GROWTH a)Best 5 overall & b)best 10,one from each sector. Please rank the best 5 from the above 2 portfolios.Thanks a lot for u usual great services & views.

Q: A hypothetical. If one had enough money to purchase the entirety of one of your portfolios, would you recommend an even percentage of each stock, or should one also look at the relative volatility of the stocks?

Q: What would you add to today in BE, regardless of sector, current holding size, etc.? What looks good? Many thanks.

Q: This list of companies from the Balanced Portfolio were all beaten up a bit last year. Which of these do you now consider buying opportunities? Are any of these on your list to watch & discard if performance doesn't improve? If I were to add some of these to my relatively diverse portfolio, how would you order them in terms of anticipated total returns?

Q: I am transitioning from a growth portfolio to an income producing portfolio. Should I buy the dividend stocks in the model portfolio one at a time or buy small portions of each?