Investment Q&A

Q: Which biopharma company is the “Best of Breed” to hold for at least 10 years. I am focused on total return over the holding period rather than dividend yield. Also please provide your views on Biogen, Amgen and Celgene. Thanks,

Q: Hi team

I seldom invest in healthcare stocks as they are a political football in the U.S. and often have binary outcomes with drug trials. It seems you either hit a home run or strike out. I saw a question earlier on BIIB. It is on my pharma/healthcare watch list. I am not sure why I even keep this list as I never buy anything off it. BIIB is now taking a 2nd look at trial data on an Alzheimer drug it dismissed as not promising six months ago. Now they view it as promising. It makes no sense to me. Did they hire a new scientist or sharpen the font on their computer screen? Others that I put on my list include AMRN and GH that to me also depend on binary outcomes on drug trials. My question is a general one. How does one develop a strategy for investing in health care stocks when it seems like they can jump or drop 30-50% overnight with the success or failure of a drug trial or the boss saying let’s take another look at this old data we dismissed earlier? Risk management seems very difficult in this sector.

Thanks again for the insight.
Dave

Q: This one popped this am on the news that it's drug may actually work. Would you recommend buying it even after this am's pop? Thank you in advance for your comments.

Jason

Q: I have held BIIB since May and have gone nowhere, would it make sense to switch to MDT or do you have a better suggestion.

Q: Hi Peter, would biib be a good entry point? Thanks. Alnoor

Q: Just finished portfolio analytics. Very underweight healthcare with only BIIB in my US holdings. Also learned the following make up less than 1% positions. Which would you add to and which could be let go. Have significant tech exposure. Can you suggest another US helathcare company or should I just add to BIIB to a reasonable weight.

Q: I keep about 10% of RRSP for what I call " opportunity buy". I bought GOOG in December 2018 when it dropped to 987 and last week sold it to buy Biogen dropped 29% in one day due the the cancellation of phrase 3 R&D on amyloid based Alzheimer drugs. Now it up almost 9% in one week and GOOG is back to the exact price that I sold it.
What is your thought: Hold on to BIIB - more rrom to run or get back to GOOG?

Thank you!

Q: yes, BIIB made a disappointing announcement yesterday and the stock price dropped like heavy rock, down 30%....sure it is a growth company...but going forward, I am not sure why I should remain with a position in it......what is your take now for the future?.......and should I hold for now until it settles down, if I decide to sell.........thanks.....Tom

Q: Hi

I currently own GILD. Should I sell it and switch to BIIB or any other biotech. What are your thoughts about medical distribution companies (ABC, CAH, MCK) Which one would you recommend and any threat from Amazon. Should healthcare plans companies be part of healthcare portfolio and which one do you recommend.

Great service
Thanks
Ninad

Q: Hi 5i,

What would be your top 10 names for a U.S. growthy balanced portfolio?

TIA

Q: Can you recommend 5 US Healthcare stocks.

Thanks

Q: I have some US funds I'd like to put to work in one or two of the mentioned names taking them from a half weight to a full 5% position. Regardless of sector weightings, which 2 do you like the most at current market valuations for capital appreciation over the next 5 to 8 years in a growth oriented portfolio? Thanks!
Greg

Q: I own OHI (2% weighting) in my RRSP and over the past year have seen a decent run up in the stock. The dividend is now 8%. Can I get your thoughts on the company, short position and if you feel a move out of OHI to either BIIB or PFE would be advisable. Or just add a 2% position in these other two companies? 15+ year investment horizon.

D

Q: With the patent protection now extended for drugs for two years longer, do you have any suggestions as to co's in that space that might benefit?

Q: I need to add health care to my portfolio. What would you suggest. Probably with some growth with dividend income.

Q: I have set 8% sector target and have invested 50% - GUD 15% of total target, TD Health Sciences 11%, and 9% each to ISRG, ILMN, and COV.
If I drop TD Fund, then 60% available to reinvest - what names and allocations do you advise?
Thx for your excellent advice,
Sam

Q: It seems to me that when 5i members seek guidance regarding possible investments in American healthcare companies, Pfizer seems to be a common recommendation by your team. If I'm correct that you consider it to be a good investment at this time, what exactly are the reasons you believe this to be the case. If I'm wrong, what other American Companies do you favour currently. I'm willing to accept some risk but I'm really looking for a company that can balance off some of the Canadian small caps that I have in my portfolio that I'm purchased with your guidance. i.e. Knight, Covalon and Reliq. Again, thank-you for your invaluable guidance.

Q: I hold the above and they all had favorable comments from 5i on growth at one point. Is growth still intact? Do you see anything that's changed in the companies or the environment that would affect any of these? They are inside an RSP for long term growth. TIA!

Q: Hi 5i,

I own all the above in the healthcare sector. After reading many comments on JNJ, I am getting a bit concerned. Would you continue to hold on or would you replace it with something else in the same sector? It is inside an RSP so no tax for selling and it is a long term hold as I do t need the money for over a decade.

TIA!

Q: Good morning Peter n your wonderful team,
I sold my J&J shares recently due to the outstanding lawsuits against the company, I think of replacing it with Pfizer. What is your opinion on future of Pfizer’s earnings, growth n dividends, cash flow, pipelines of drugs, balance sheet etc. Or can you please suggest one or two drug companies that will provide some growth plus dividend income?

Thank again for your insight! Asked by Rossana.