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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: I have chosen ten stocks from John Heinzl's dividend growth portfolio which are: AQN-T,AW.UN-T, BCE-T, BMO-T, DGRO-N, EMA-T,FTS-T, T-T, TD-T, TRP-T. From my previous question you had suggested these 10 Canadian dividend stocks: PBH, ZCL, SIS, FTS, GSY, ENB, ET, BEI.UN, AQN, and T. My question is should I invest in the 20 stocks or would I be better off sticking to the 10 suggested by 5I?
Read Answer Asked by Jennifer on October 19, 2017
Q: Peter, I cannot imagine how difficult it must be to come up with an idea a column every week or two. Please allow me to humbly make a suggestion.
I know in broad strokes the difference between the TSE and Venture, but I know nothing about the CSE. Perhaps an article on this and how it may affect me as a DIY investor.
Gord.
P.S. I rarely ask a question but enjoy reading the answers to the questions. Publish at your discretion.
Read Answer Asked by Gord on October 19, 2017
Q: Like it or not there are market corrections. My question is about understanding investments and how they might react or respond to one, specifically ETFs.

On both Cnd and US business programs some commentators have expressed concerns about how ETFs could (would?) in their opinion be susceptible to far greater corrections than the markets themselves or what they track? The prime reason, they believe they are so broadly held, it could force a massive selling frenzy of their components? There is even some talk of a very large US private fund which uses them. It is considered by some rather secretive and creating suspicions as to their reasons? Sorry I do not recall the name. It would seem their fear, in a bad market, this fund might trigger serious downside consequences all on its own?

A seasoned professional with intimate knowledge and understanding of mutual funds said they are required to hold a certain amount of cash reserves for redemptions. If they become too high, they can actually suspend redemptions? The person identified one fund involved in the real estate sector which actually did during a sever correction. I understand real estate is a far less liquid investment but...?equities

My question, what safety measures exit with ETFs to avoid excess redemption impacts? Are there risk(s) a correction could expose, a potential Achilles’ heel of sorts? Something they have not yet revealed as an inherent structural risk?

I like their immediate diversification especially for foreign investments. Maybe I sound alarmists but I would like to believe I take the time to understand the products I use for investment and what to expect in both good and bad times. Are some types more vulnerable than others?

Any insights would be very much appreciated. Thank you



Mike
Read Answer Asked by Michael on October 18, 2017
Q: Hi 5i Team - Would you be able to suggest a few companies with good growth prospects over the next one to two years. They can be from any sector even all from the same sector if that fits best. Dividends are not needed, in fact it's probably preferable that this type of company not pay a dividend. Any market cap size is fine and stocks not held in any of your three portfolios are fine too. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Rob on October 18, 2017
Q: Jean earlier today listed a number of stocks in his/her portfolio as being in excess of 10%. You do not suggest there's a problem with this, so I'm wondering if it's okay to own larger percentages of individual stocks if one has diversified ETFs. I have been buying ETFs to consolidate holdings as I move farther into retirement to make withdrawals simpler. But I still have a lot of individual stocks that I'm keeping in the 5% range. I think I noticed elsewhere you recommend not holding more that 5% of a portfolio in ETFs( now can't find it, so perhaps I misremember). I suspect I'm just not getting something here. What do you recommend regarding this use of ETFs and individual stocks (and %s) for a person past the accumulation stage?
Read Answer Asked by M.S. on October 18, 2017
Q: There has been a lot of gossip around my job side about a new investment in a cryptocurrency company called electroneum. To be honest, I have no intension of investing in it. I have just a layman's knowledge of bitcoin and blockchain and with all the hype starting to fly around this place I would appreciate a well grounded opinion of it. Maybe I could show them the answer you reply with.
Read Answer Asked by Anthony on October 17, 2017
Q: This may or may not be a question you can answer but any insight is appreciated.

My Mom is 88 years old, plays bridge twice a week and square dances twice a week and we spend 2 days a week having lunch She is in great health but, no one lives forever.

She has Property and investments worth U$600,000+ and she and I have reviewed her will which is in good standing. How can I best prepare on my end when the time does eventually come? And what hurdles can I expect as a Canadian inheriting US assets?

Thanks for all you do

gm
Read Answer Asked by Gord on October 17, 2017
Q: I don't know if you can answer this, but I file an 8840 for the IRS as a snowbird to prove a closer connection to Canada (my home and citizenship).
Because I own more than $100,000 worth of U.S. securities, I am beginning to be worried about having a too large percentage of holding in U.S. domiciled companies.
If I own an ADR of a European company, on a U.S. exchange, do I have to list it as part of my U.S. exposure?
My guess is no, but I would sure appreciate some clarity.
Read Answer Asked by Kyle on October 16, 2017
Q: Hi 5i team.
I have to sell several stocks and claim a capital gain. These of course are winners and I will probably buy all or most back. I was told to wait till trade settles to buy back which of course is several days. With the market climbing almost daily I worry about losing those gains or one or another stock jumping due to news or sometimes no news and not holding it.

I'm a believer in long term fundamentals but think short term technical analysis can be helpful here though I don't really have a good knowledge of this.

My question really is what technical indicators are best in this situation over a several day or week or two span. I have been using an MACD oscillator - exponential with periods 12, 26, 9 because it is available to me and seems simple enough to try to time drop in values (sell) for several days to hopefully buy back at same price or a little lower. Not looking to make big gains but to avoid loss of gains. Thank you in advance for this and all the helpful advice from this service.
Tulio
Read Answer Asked by Tulio on October 16, 2017
Q: Thanks for all you do to help us in the market. Presently I have the following exposure to both Canadian + US financials
- US:PYPL, BAC,C,
- Canadian: BND ,RY,TD.
My exposure to this sector in total is 22% of my US + Canadian Portfolio. I would like to purchase another $100,000 (Cad) in Canadian banks to take advantage of the Dividends. PS the funds are presently in a bank account that collects very low reruns. Should I wait for a pullback? or go ahead without trying to time the market also what is the risk of my exposure being so heavily weighted to US + Canadian Financials? PS Interesting that PYPL has returned 40% in the last 14 mths + BNS just over 30%. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Terence on October 16, 2017