Investment Q&A

Q: I have just trimmed my KXS position and have some money to put to work. I am underweight in the stated companies and would appreciate your input regarding future prospects. Thanks. ram

Q: I have been trying to identify companies with a high dividend that have not bounced back to Pre Covid levels. Can you please provide me with 3 of your high conviction names.
Thank you

Q: Hi,
After the announcement by GSY to start redeeming some of its debentures on June 29th, the stock seems to have been lagging the broader market. Hows does this news impact a stocks price and what effect does it have, if any?

Thanks

Q: Am wondering if ECN would be a good replacement for GSY for better growth.
Thanks

Q: Any reason, with the market up solidly, GSY is selling off?
Any downgrades that we should note?

Thanks

Q: I would be very interested in your opinion of companies engaging in the provision of consumer debt. Given the employment, market, and general economic situation would a well-financed company in this space do well? Any thoughts on the relative merits of OMF:US and GSY:CA? Do you have any favourites in this space?
Thanks, in advance, for your invariably thought-provoking reply...

Q: Good morning,
I own a small house in Ottawa that is free and clear with a current market value of approximately $350,000.
A recent discussion with my trusted mortgage broker confirmed that a 5 year term (Closed & Fixed) term mortgage can be obtained at a rate of 2.29%. This mortgage is said to be:
a. insured through CMHC,
b. portable, and
c. transferable.
At that rate of 2.29% and given that the interest paid would be tax deductible if I use the funds for investment purposes, I'm seriously considering borrowing around $200,000 and investing this amount for an initial 5 year period with an expected net rate of return on investment of 4.5% .
Q1. With $200,000, what are your thoughts of splitting this amount in 5 different chunks of $40K in the following instruments:
a. Mawer Tax Effective Balanced Fund,
b. Mawer Global Balanced ETF Fund,
c. Vanguard Balanced ETF Portfolio,
d. IShares Core Balanced ETF Portfolio, and
e. BMO Balanced ETF

Q2. As an alternative to the above and given the 5 year time frame, would your preference be to invest the $200,000 in a selection of best in class individual stocks split between different sectors and if so, would you be so kind as to provide me with ya listing of your best ideas at this time.

I thank you and look forward to hearing your thoughts on both of these investment strategies.
Francesco

Q: This stock has had a very nice run an almost doubled since its lows. Would you consider this a good entry point for growth over the next 12-18 months

Q: I am going to trim my KXS back to 6%. With the proceeds I am considering one of the following:
Add to my CAE; add to my GSY; add to my ATD.B or initiate a position in DSG.
How would you rank these choices? Any and all thoughts will be appreciated. ram

Q: Good Morning,
I'm looking for 8-10 Canadian stocks that you think will do well over the next few years , maybe a mixture of safe solid names mixed in with some higher risk higher growth names. To list a few ideas I am thinking of a bank , maybe BMO, ENB,BAM.a,LSPD,KXS,BYD,GOOS,GSY.
Please add and/or change as you see fit.
thanks

Q: Hello team,

I have the above companies in a TFSA. I have some cash. Could you recommend and rank three new positions as well as three existing positions to add to?

Thank you so much,

Q: Hello Peter and co,
Thank you for your excellent advice. My grandson has opened a TFSA over the last few months, and now holds the following stocks (listed in order of value, largest first). He is in the enviable position of being up on every one of his positions, in part thanks to your wise advice (and some lucky timing)! With a bit of cash (~$2300) remaining to invest, he is looking for a recommendation, targeting growth and diversification.
He is considering these: LSPD, JPM, CAE, MDT, VET, PXT
But we would be more interested in hearing your advice, so please feel free to ignore the list above, and make a suggestion for 1 or 2 stocks to add.
Thanks,
Ed.

Current stocks:
XQQ
GSY
VFV
SHOP
CSU
REAL
KXS
BYD
BEP

Q: How would you rank these stocks for growth as well as risk profile?

Q: Morning 5i,

As someone hoping their is a significant pull back. Seeing the overvalued stretching....

I am looking to add some diversification and growth with the "safest" possible.

My picks are;
BAM.A
BYD
REAL
OTEX
GSY
ATD.B
NTR
CNR
Is their additional ones that you can suggest or a couple swaps that are "better" overall.

Thank you for all the tireless fun!

Q: Would negative interest rate ( if it happen ) affect GSY performance ? Thanks a lot.

Q: I am about to triple the size of my investment in the portfolio above and give equal weighting to all. Virtually all of this new money will be in non-registered accounts. In total, this self-directed portfolio will represent 20% of my holdings; I also have 40% in a growth-focused pension fund, and 40% in a mix of ETFs through a robo-advisor.
Do you have any suggested changes to the list of names? I am primarily focused on growth, with a 3-5 year horizon.
Do you recommend a different weighting e.g. heavier on some, lighter on others?
What are your thoughts regarding timing? I am tempted to put all of the new money in now, betting on the sustainability of the recent recovery. But I understand that a phased approach will reduce risk.
Thanks for your help.

Q: The stock has gone up quite a bit since earnings were announced. Do you think there may be some consolidation and chance to pick up in the mid 40’s or are you comfortable buying here

Q: Hi 5i -- my son (age 26) has recently started working in a well-paying job in the US. He's saving a good portion of his salary and has asked me what he should be investing in. No debt. He's looking to invest for long-term growth for retirement in 40 years or so. About 1/3 of his holdings right now are in Brookfield Asset Management, 1/2 are split between VIG and USMV, and the rest is Berkshire Hathaway and CN for his non-registered accounts. Right now non-registered savings are $75k.
His 401k is separate in Vanguard SP500 index fund. He is a believer in pay yourself first and has been able to save and invest 5,000/month US!

He's looking for good growth stocks or funds that will increase steadily over the long term. He's earning enough now that he doesn't need dividends in the short term but he's not opposed theoretically if everything fits together. Any thoughts on what he should be investing in? Thanks.

Q: Looking to invest my CRA return in two of the above companies. I am well diversified, growth oriented and looking at a 3 to 5 year timeframe. Please rank the named companies with any appropriate comments.
Much appreciated as usual. ram

Q: I’ve continued cautiously to hold GSY, not withstanding strong unemployment numbers which have to affect the company’s ability to avoid bad bets. Tomorrow will report some dismal news on jobs but today GSY stock, even after a recent lackluster reporting, up 23% as I write. Makes me think there is no logic in these current market conditions, that favorable or dismal stock performance could affect any company at any time. I’m getting very skeptical about the markets and as a senior, this is becoming quite unnerving. I’d appreciate your valued comments.