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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...I have $100,000 to utilize in margin account...the interest rate is 6.9%...I am looking at the current market and not sure which way to go...ideally growth with dividend to partial cover interest but just a thought...no financial concerns or tax issues just would like to work my account a bit harder...currently have the majority of stocks you cover except new ones like TOY...any suggestions would be appreciated....Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Matthew on November 23, 2016
Q: Just wanted to say it is a good thing that 5i was and is consistent with answering questions for many members.

It has become obvious to me that many members can only see 1 way of making $$$ and they depend on others to direct their investing thoughts for them. Considering we all do not have the time or interest to do otherwise 5i is of great value to them.

Myself, who has posted both here and in the Forum about the cannabis stocks, have always said they were traders only in my opinion.

This is the 2nd or 3rd (memory) time they have had momentary spikes over the past ~ decade.

Personally I invest for the very long term (+20 years), use DRIP's, shorter time frames & have the ability to Day Trade when I see obvious profits.

I have made enough trading the Cannabis stocks to cover my 5i membership for the remainder of my life +++.

Thanx for the steady hand you present to all the "Investors" of varying abilities.
Read Answer Asked by Stan (1) on November 23, 2016
Q: Re: Bank exchange fees when investing in U.S. securities, funds, ETF’s.

It is good to see 5I is involved in Financial Literacy Month. I think a valid contribution to your Members could be as follows:

I believe there is a (hopefully small) percentage of Canadian investors of U.S. traded securities that are purchasing and selling within their Cdn. dollar investment account. (As you know, even at par, buying a US security in a Cdn account will cost approx. 2% in bank exchange fees, and selling that security will cost another 2%).
I also believe that these self-directed investors are unaware that most banks will set up a USD investment account, registered or unregistered, for them at no charge allowing any trading and dividends to transact within that account avoiding the bank exchange fee on each transaction. Of course there will be that fee on the initial transfer of funds into that account, (but not if U.S. securities are transferred from the Cdn to the U.S. account).

I recall that Questrade was once advertising on BNN that they had an account to avoid these fees, but it really wasn’t an effective message.

Are you aware of any good method to purchase U.S. dollars at better rates than banks will offer?

Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Brian on November 22, 2016
Q: I have about 20% of my total portfolio in U.S. equities. Do you see that amount as reasonable or in lieu of stronger growth predicted in the US should I consider putting any new money into the US instead of Canada.
Would you have any favourite ways to play, for example much is being said about regional us banks, have things gone too far too fast to get in now. Your valuable opinion would be much appreciated.
Read Answer Asked by Maureen on November 21, 2016
Q: I plan to build a small aggressive high growth portfolio within my TFSA. This will represent a very small part of my overall investments.

Can you give me 5 or 6 names of companies that could have great growth potential over the next year or so that I could buy today? Risk is not really a factor as this is a small part of my overall plan and I am quite prepared for volatility and even loss.
Read Answer Asked by David on November 21, 2016
Q: Although I typically look at some ratios when purchasing stocks, I never have used the Relative Stock Index (RSI). Although I understand roughly how it is calculated and understand that an RSI above 70 is an indicator of an overbought situation, I was interested to know if you use this tool as part of any of your recommendations or when you are answering Member's question and why or why not.
Also, if I am asking a question that has already been asked in the past, how can I search the history of questions asked to find questions related to a specific issue. The only place I can find anything seems to be in "MISC" however there does not to be any means to search this specific area to determine if a specific question has already been asked.
A specific company I was looking at in regard to RSI was Manulife. In the last month the RSI of this company has risen from about 50 to the current level of about 85 as the share price has increased from about $20 to $23. Obviously, if I look at RSI, I should not buy until the RSI drops to below 70.
I appreciate very much your thoughts on RSI and what if any value you would assign to it.
Read Answer Asked by ED on November 21, 2016