Investment Q&A

Q: In my cash account, I am down 22% on BABA, up 52% on ALGN and up 54% on TRHC . Would you claim a loss on BABA and buy either ALGN or TRHC? Sectors are not an issue. I do like BABA, but the war between Trump and China seems not to be resolved in the near future.

Q: Dear 5i Research,
I enjoy reading your watchlist questions. I am 67 years old, semi retired and enjoy doing my own investing through a discount brokerage over many years. I do have a high risk tolerance. My retirement income is CPP, OAS and my stock portfolio in 7 figures divided amongst 6 stocks. I am a very “concentrated” investor having gone from 30 plus stocks and ETF’s to only 6 stocks – Constellation Software (CSU), Alphabet (GOOG), Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B), Amazon (AMZN), Alibaba (BABA), and Tencent (TCEHY). I follow them all closely. Should I be concerned about my high tech component and rather concentrated portfolio? What type of diversification if any would you recommend?

Q: I currently hold these stocks with a good profit in the American companies and a slight loss in the Chinese companies. While I know your focus is Canadian stocks I would appreciate comments on any or all of these holdings and, in particular, should any be sold if I plan to hold for a three to five years.
Please charge my account appropriately for the multiple stocks in my question.
With appreciation!

Q: Interesting article in Globe re Softbank. I am looking for some international growth prospects (especially outside of US). I hold Alibaba (which Softbank invested in recently according to article) and Tencent, the competition to Alibaba.
Would you add Softbank at this juncture given its current price?
Hold or sell Tencent?
Hold or sell Alibaba?
Thank you.

Q: Good morning,

I have questions regarding the taxation of foreign dividends. I know that for US dividends, the 15 % tax does not apply for stocks held in a RRSP, but does so in a TSFA or regular account.

- What about non US stocks listed in the US? Are they simply treated as a US stock since they are listed in the US or do other rules apply depending on where the company is based? Good examples would be stocks like LYG (UK) or BABA (China).

- More generally, is the deduction applied automatically when the dividend is paid or does it have to be declared manually by the shareholder on its annual tax report?

I understand fiscal matters are not your specialization, but I figure you or other members might have had the same questions at some point.

Thank you!

Q: Which of the above two securities would yo recommend for a 5 year hold and your reasons. Thank You.

Q: Could I have your opinion on this company would this pullback 10% be a good time for a half position do you think they have a long runway of growth and are they considerably cheaper than Amazon on a EPS basis thanks for professional service Greg

Q: It's getting a little scary to see such huge profits in my portfolio (Cash, TFSA, RRIF). I know you are flexible about percentages, so I'd like your opinion on whether to reduce the following equities and by how much?

SIS 7% ; BABA 6% ; NVDA 9%; SHOP 8% ; ALGN 6% ; DOL 9% ; PBH 9%.
Many thanks for all your thoughtful advice.

Q: I hold BABA.us in a registered account. I bought believing Chinese sponsored ADRs are subject to SEC disclosure requirements. Your response to my question on MOMO.us confirmed the above. But I am not so sure now that you or I are correct in our beliefs. I was not necessarily surprised to hear Jim Chanos say he was shorting BABA.us. That’s not odd per se. I was however startled to hear him go on to say his SOLE reason for shorting BABA was that he didn’t trust its accounting and filings. He went further and said BABA-- and I now presume other Chinese ADRs--- do not follow US or international acctng rules (IFRS, FASB etc. and not SEC regs). Yet BABA is by law required to file disclosure with the SEC. Please comment on the issue of the RELIABILITY of financials AND those all-important DISCLOSURES, that BABA and its auditors need to file with SEC. Should I believe those filings as much as you do? Chanos’ argument and puzzlement were over the fact that net value of BABA was lower today than when it did its IPO. Chanos wonders where the profits and cash are flows the company has generated and reported since IPO ! Chanos or his shop is do not slouch when it comes to doing homework on filings. What gives? Should I believe those filings (as stated in your response to my question on MOMO?) I have a lot in Chinese Tech ADRs and this issue now has me re-thinking the basis for my buy decisions.

Q: Just wandering about your thoughts on TEVA for a 1 year hold do you think they have “turned the corner”also same thing question about ALIBABBA for a 1-2 year hold seems to have good momentum lately charge me for 2 questions and thanks for the professional service

Q: I am looking for the next Amazon or Constellation to put way for next 5 years.Can I have your thoughts on this. I was thinking of the two I mentioned along with SHOP, MSFT, BABA, 10 CENT, TESLA. What other names ? What do you think ? RAK

Q: Hello! I'm a recent subscriber to 5i and liking what I see so far! I have a favorable view on the tech sector and own CQQQ and BABA. Any thoughts on these names or sector in general? Any other names that might be a good fit (besides Amazon)? I was also thinking VB would be a good way to play the tech and financial sector at the same time. How long has it being in the growth portfolio? Any other suggestions regarding niche banks?

Q: In what order would you rank these stocks which has the better growth profile? . Your opinion will be appreciated Thank You Claude

Q: Hello,
What do you think will be the impact of trade wars on these two chinese companies. I have a full position in BABA and a half position on TCEHy as part of my international exposure. Thanks. Shyam

Q: Please rank your preference for these 3 stocks for a growth investor considering establishing a new position today after trimming Shopify position, with a brief explanation of why you prefer one over another.

Q: Hi 5i,
I have checked your Q & A on these three and since your comments are from awhile ago, I wonder about your current views. How would you rank them? Long term view. Thanks Paul

Q: Hello,

One of largest positions are Alibaba along with Berkshire about 6% each. With Ant financial planning an IPO..does it make sense for me sell some BABa and invest in ANt.

Black rock along with being one of the largest investement companies is now trying to do something in the model of Berkshire. Would this be a good time to start a position on BLK.

Thanks very much for your guidance.
Shyam

Q: Muddy Waters is going after Alibaba suggesting it is a repeat of Enron. What do you think?

Q: I know that China is not your area but what do you think of ...

Baba, after its recent earnings report, which seems good, yet is being punished? I'm up 25% and wonder if I should sell?

And Tencent vs Baba for the next couple years.

Q: Looking for growth 2-5yrs in a US account with international content. Which of the two do you prefer now?