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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: Almost every investing article we read state "investors" doing whatever... Whenever I read that, I think of us little guys poring over our computers at the kitchen table. But I know better than that. I know "investors" are dominated by the big funds, insurance companies, pension funds, etc. But I'm curious. What percentage of investors are the retail investors?
Read Answer Asked by Fred on May 15, 2017
Q: HI PETER, MY QUESTION IS ABOUT PPS (PERSONALISED PORTFOLIO SERVICE) PORTFOLIOS OFFERED /PITCHED BY CIBC IMPERIAL. MY ADVISOR IS OFFERING THIS AS 1 STOP SOLUTION FOR RRSP @ 200K. HIS SELLING PROPOSITION IS TACTICAL ALLOCATION BY THE PORTFOLIO BASED ON MARKET CONDITIONS. ARE YOU AWARE OF THESE PPS. NOT SURE IF THIS IS WORTH THE FEE AROUND 2.2% FOR A BALANCED PORTFOLIO. WOULDYOU RECOMMEND OR SUGGEST ALTERNATE. THANKS AS ALWAYS.
Read Answer Asked by RUPINDER on May 15, 2017
Q: I have been following this company for the last couple of weeks, & they supposedly have had several companies sign on to their product line. The stock has gone from approx. $1.00 to $.15 cents, with my limited understanding for financial statements it appears revenue has gone up considerably. What don't I understand here.? I understand this is a very risky stock, but I still am interested, but cautious. Do you have any suggestions how to get further information on their sales or patent, or anything else you can supply me with would be greatly appreciate.
Thank you very much for your great service

Earl
Read Answer Asked by Earl on May 15, 2017
Q: My question is on over diversification - or indexing. My personal portfolio is over 8 figures. I currently hold 44 stocks spread accross the various sectors as shown below.

Technology 17%, Consumer Cyclical (Discretionary) 15%, Financial Services 15%, Industrials 11%, Consumer Defensive (Staples) 10%, Basic Materials, Metals, Mining 8%, Healthcare 8%, Communications / Telecom 5%, Energy 5%, Real Estate 3%, Utilities 3%.

The stock choices within are the BE portflio plus some top picks. With a portfolio of this size, my mind is having a hard time dropping the portfolio down to 20 stocks. I guess it is all relative. In your experience as a fund manager how many stocks are about right? I have adopted your style of buying a stock and holding it until the story has changed.

Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Terry on May 12, 2017
Q: Hi there,

I have a question regarding allocation and trimming. In the beginning of the year I had rebalanced my portfolio and started with ~4% weighting in 25 names spread over the Balanced Equity portfolio. Many of the names have performed well and have been growing nicely since. A the same time I have been adding new funds (via work bonus, tax refund, monthly contributions etc) to my portfolio. In many cases this has taken the ~4% starting position lower as the overall total portfolio amount has increased. I know you suggest being prudent and trimming names that have done well, however as I continuously add money to my portfolio, the names that have done well are not necessarily increasing in overall portfolio weight due to new funds being added. As new money enters in my portfolio I have been adding new names (versus adding to the starting 25 positions - my portfolio is currently about 28 names). In this situation, how would you recommend trimming the winners that have gone up over the last 4 months?

Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Michael on May 12, 2017
Q: I recently subscribed to 5i, the ETF update and the Canadian Money Saver Magazine. I have been learning lots and you guys do great work!

I just finished university and am looking towards building my first portfolio. I have been comparing the various models portfolios from 5iResearch, the Canadian Money Saver Magazine Model ETF portfolio, and Couch Potato. I have an understanding about the goals and strategy behind all the model portfolios except for the CMS Model ETF portfolio. Similar to how you break down the model portfolios on 5i, can you provide an overview of what the CMS model ETF portfolio investment strategy, investment suitability/risk tolerance, and targeted annualized returns are.

Thanks for the great service you provide! Look forward to being a long time member!
Read Answer Asked by Justin on May 12, 2017
Q: Just an observation, wouldn't be better if (at least for the companies covered, and maybe for the ones mostly asked by members) when results are available or something unusual happens to a company to provide an overview of the situation? I think this will cut on the clutter and having many people asking about the same thing and probably more important save you time and for us to have timely information.

Publish at your discretion.

Thanks
M
Read Answer Asked by Marios on May 11, 2017
Q: Many comments are made about diversifying outside Canada; Europe is thought to have good potential. I would like to take a look at it and thought to go with an ETF. But I am very uneasy about "Brexit" and every fund I look at has a 20 % or more weighting in Britain. Can you suggest an ETF or other suitable product that has no British exposure? Thanks for your help. BTW, first time question for me...I quite enjoy your work. Leonard
Read Answer Asked by Leonard on May 10, 2017
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