Investment Q&A

Q: Just looking at the decline in Margins on Alibaba, the revenue has been going up nicely , but with declining Margins how is it that there earnings keep going up ?
thanks Gord

Q: Hi. I have held BABA off and on and now considering easing back into it as a proxy for Chinese consumer growth. I was wondering what your thoughts are on this thesis and if you have alternative that you like better. Thanks, JR

Q: With China showing signs of recovering (a number of stores have reopened) would now be a good time to buy some BABA? Are there better alternatives?

Thank

Dave

Q: Hello: I sold BABA and cut TCEHY holdings in half last week in a bit of a panic and would now like to know of any US stocks you might suggest to replace these two. I already own GOOGLE.
Thanks. Lesley

Q: Would the listed companies all fall under the Tech sector?

Thanks,
Brent

Q: I currently hold the listed equities in my TFSA, advised by a newsletter that will be winding down in a year. When this happens, I will likely liquidate my current TFSA holdings. Understanding that you cannot give personal advice, which of the following strategies do you think would be most likely to generate a longterm annualized return of 10+%?

1) Allocate the proceeds to 30% ZSP, 30% VGG, 20% XEF, 20% VEE, and hold these longterm, rebalancing annually to maintain original allocations
2) Allocate the proceeds in the 5i Growth Portfolio - I am already overweight Canada in general, so I don't really like this option
3) Allocate the proceeds into 5i's favourite growth/total return potential 8-10 US equities at the time, and then periodically ask 5i say, every three months, if there has been any change in this roster of 'favourites', (if you select this, I will ask for specific names in a followup question)

Parenthetically, I would absolutely love it if 5i would add a US-based portfolio to go along with the current three Canadian-focused portfolios, and would be willing to pay significantly more for my annual subscription to access this (reviewing the QandA, one already has a good idea what the 5i ' US favourites' are, it would just be nice to have this presented as a regular growth-oriented portfolio). I reviewed the Investor Suite and don't feel I would make good use of many of the tools, reports, and features offered in that comprehensive suite.

Thank you, and please deduct as many credits as deemed appropriate.

Q: Good morning,
I currently hold BABA.US in my RRSP and was considering a switch to AMZN.US. In an effort to further reduce risk while maintaining a tech component in my overall diversified portfolio, I'm now looking at selling my current BABA.US holdings and buying either QQQ.US or XLK.US which both hold some AMZN.US.
What are your thoughts on this potential move and of the two ETFs mentioned, which would you recommend and why?
I thank you and look forward to your response.
Francesco

Q: I'm 21 years old and am planning on making a TFSA portfolio of Canaidan companies (Mostly Blue-chip dividend paying stocks, IE, Banks, Telcos etc....) to buy and hold forever. I'm also planning on adding SHOPIFY in my TFSA and placing BABA in my RRSP. I was thinking XAW in RRSP as well top get american/international exposure, Just wondering your thoughts on this and any advice would be great. Also do you think it's a good idea to invest now or wait for a market correction or just avergae in over time in all of these companies.

Q: Hello Team,
I am overweight in technology growth names and have been caught in this “sector rotation” from growth to value. My question is do I now hold steady and ride out the storm, or trim back my growth holdings and switch to value? I am a buy and hold investor typically and believe the names I am invested in are best in class in what they do, and believe the way the world is going that technology will continue to advance and should be where the biggest growth is now and into the foreseeable future. So, with the names listed do I buy more , hold, or sell?Thanks for your input on the matter.

Q: Can I please have your comments and thoughts on Alibaba's recently announced earnings. Do you see it as a long term hold? Thank You.

Q: BABA & other Chinese Companies got hit from Trump's comment re not listing of Chinese Companies in New York. .Assume this would be for new listings and not effect Companies presently listed. This downward move effects U S Pension Funds and U S Citizens that hold Chinese companies . Not a smart move. China holds $ 1 4 Trillion US Treasuries. All they have to do is start selling these U S treasuries in retaliation to his moves. Your comments please .
RAK

Q: AMZN has been pretty flat for the last year. I've held BABA for a while now and am around the break even point. Would you advise selling BABA and buying Amazon?

Q: Hello - any idea when the purported split will occur?

Q: Hi,
Looking to decrease the number of holdings in the above listed stocks. Which 2 would you sell?
Thank you,
Brent

Q: I am thinking of shifting my portfolio to overweight Chinese equities such as Baidu, Ctrip, Iqiyi, NIO, JD.com, BABA, Tencent. I have a very high risk tolerance and these are all long term holds 10+ years if needed. Couple of questions, firstly any red flags in any of these names. Secondly, what do you think of Chinese equities in general? My thesis is that the Chinese market sold off aggressively last year and valuations look cheap. Trade wars seems to have been priced in and if we get some type of deal potential upside there. I know the economy is slowing, but I believe this is priced in also as thats all I hear almost on a daily basis from BNN, Bloomberg, CNBC, etc. Also, the possibility of stimulus and rate cuts seem bullish for the equities. Your thoughts? Thank you.

Q: I'm in China for a few weeks, and I am astounded at the payment system. The only place I've been able to use my Visa card is Starbucks. For me, everything else is cash, because I am not set up for the point-of-sale system here. Aside from the few foreigners paying cash, this is truly a cashless society. Each vendor has a scan code sticker - Purchasers use their phone, scan the code, and pay the bill in one easy step. Do you know which companies are behind this system?

Q: Hi Peter, Ryan,
Thanks for the great service Peter and Ryan. It is trying times for portfolios

We picked up AMZN (2%), KXS (1%), ZCH (2%) and GOOGL (1%) in the last few days. Also owned is BABA (3%), NVDA (2%). We have 25% in cash available. Is tech recommended to be 15% or 20% of a portfolio as of today with all the recent drops? I am going against the grain here for a bump up in 2019. Of AMZN, BABA, KXS, GOOGL, FB, MFST, BIDU, & PHO, and an outlier BYD.UN which 2-3 stocks are most appealing for a recovery?

Cheers
Jerry and Debbie

Q: Looks like it is good time to buy Chinese stocks?,
After scary month of October most of us are very low in our total equity at the sometime some stocks have become very good buy but we need your opinion before we buy.

Q: I have some spare cash. Risk taker. In light of the recent pullback, would you suggest some growth securities preferably outside of Canada and USA for TFSA? The latter has to do with issues with US estate taxes for holding individual US stocks in personal accounts. ZQQ would be OK as it is Canadian domiciled but invested in USA situs property. Thanks.

Q: I utilized tax loss selling for BABA in cash portfolio, but I am also down 20% in my TFSA. I am tempted to hold until things improve, but it's hard to read the market. What is your advice, hold or sell?