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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: In light of current market actions and the now widely anticipated economic recession, I am looking for your thoughts on stocks you would buy for long term (10 plus years) and/or forever holds -- Canadian and U.S. names please. I am investing for retirement (within 5 years) but also for our heirs. We have built a portfolio of sleep at night holdings over the past 25 years and just looking to tweak the portfolio. Although we do not like to see these kinds of volatile markets, we also do not get freaked out by them. We have ample cash or near cash always in hand to combat such actions -- something you learn through experience! Thanking you in advance for your answer.
Read Answer Asked by Mary Ann on March 16, 2020
Q: I’m looking deploy some cash. I read your report on which Canadian stocks to look at but can you recommend 3-4 American stocks to start picking away at?
Read Answer Asked by sean on March 13, 2020
Q: Hi Peter and Ryan,
I am looking to take advantage from the current market dip and add the the above securities and ETF to my RRSP Portfolio. My time frame is 5 to 10 years. with adding the above I will be having all the 5i balanced portfolio stocks included. In addition I am adding some ETF and other stock that I think it can help my portfolio. Appreciate you advise of which stock look good at this time to buy (please rank). Is there any of the list I should avoid. Do you have other suggestions for good quality stocks and ETF (in the US and Canada) that have a good growth potential.
Thanks,
YR
Read Answer Asked by Yousef on March 11, 2020
Q: Hello Peter and Co,
My 20 year old grandson has opened a TFSA with $22000 in cash, and is asking for advice how to start investing. Our suggestion is that he put a fairly large amount into an index fund ETF, such as VFV, and then buy several individual stocks with the rest. They would be small positions (~$2500 per stock) but a good way for him to start learning, and with markets down, the timing seems quite fortuitous.
He is considering the following:
100 shares VFV: ~$7500
40 shares GSY: ~$2500
35 shares BEP.UN: ~$2500
1 share AMZN: ~$2500 (CAD)
7 shares NVDA: ~$2500 (CAD)
200 shares VET: ~$2500
-------------------------------
TOTAL: ~$20000

We had also suggested CSU, SHOP, KXS, PKI, TTD, GOOG, AAPL, ROKU, FB

What do you think of the above approach, and what changes might you suggest? I realize VET stands out as quite risky, but should probably do well long term.
Are there any sectors or stocks or ETF that you would suggest adding/replacing? Obviously he has a multi-decade time horizon.
Thanks for your sage advice!
Read Answer Asked by Ed on March 09, 2020
Q: My portfolio has held up reasonably well so far in the current downturn , so I am not sure whether replacing ccl.b with Costco is worth doing. I have been reading positive comments about Costco and could use more US exposure. Do I want more US exposure in this environment ?
The reason for selling CCLB is that I still have a healthy profit in it and am considering protecting it.
My intent is that this would be a longterm decision,
and done in my TFSA where I currently hold
ccl.

Thanks in advance
Read Answer Asked by Leonard on March 05, 2020
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
Read Answer Asked by Lesley on March 04, 2020
Q: Hi 5i
I greatly appreciate and follow your US recommendations. My LIF has suffered serious losses and I wound like to build it back up with one of these US holdings or another you could suggest for a 2-3 year period. If all are suitable, please list in order of preference based on growth over risk.
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Gary on March 03, 2020
Q: You provided a CDN wishlist in today's comments to get us started. Thank you. Could we please get the US equivalent?
Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Joel on March 03, 2020
Q: In response to the question by Satish, your suggestion was to look at tech growth stocks for a faster recovery. I had been considering TTD, NVDA, MSFT, GOOGL ,AMZN, COST and UTX before the correction; waiting for pullback. While UTX and COST have held up the others have dropped by varying degrees.
Could you please suggest your order of preference to buy in this volatile period.
As always, value your opinion.
Regards
Read Answer Asked by Rajiv on February 25, 2020
Q: Hi 5i Team; what are your short term (6 mos) and long term view of CRM. I am interested in growth with some risk. As well I would like your suggestions on any other US stocks with good growth prospects. Thanks for all your previous help.
Read Answer Asked by John on February 18, 2020
Q: What are a couple of your favorite Consumer Cyclical & Defensive stocks on the Canadian and US markets.
thanks
Joe
Read Answer Asked by joe on February 10, 2020
Q: Hi. I currently own the following US stocks in a non-registered account: CCI, DIS, MSFT, MCD and V. Would you please recommend at least six other US growth stocks that pay a dividend in order of preference. Thanks!!
Read Answer Asked by Dona on January 30, 2020
Q: A highly regarded economist/strategist recently recommended going overweight consumer staples, energy and utilities for 2020. Can you please provide your top picks for these sectors considering their current valuations??
Read Answer Asked by Chris on January 24, 2020
Q: Seasons Greetings 5i!!
About a year ago a member asked you for a sample "growthy" USA portfolio.
You responded with the above listed stocks which have returned about 35% YTD.
Would you make any changes today twelve months after you first recommended it?
Thanks for all you do for all your help! It is has honestly been life changing for us and truly appreciated!!
Regards
Dave
Read Answer Asked by Dave on January 06, 2020
Q: I recently submitted a question asking what "sector" Costco and Disney were in "according to your sectors". You advised that Disney was Consumer Discretionary and Costco was Consumer Staples.
You do not have these sectors in your listings. You have Consumer Cyclicals and Consumer Non-Cyclicals. I am assuming it is one of these - could you please advise. I am aware that sectors have more than 1 description name but I am trying to keep to the sector names you have on your Summary List.
Thank you so much,
Margaret
Read Answer Asked by Margaret on December 11, 2019
Q: Seth Klarman has said that the greatest advantage an individual investor has is the abilty to have a long-term perspective. With that in mind, several years ago I had assembled a core 20/20 portfolio- 20 stocks for 20 years. They consist of:
CDA: TD, BNS, BCE, ATD.B, BAM.A, CSU, CGI, FTS, ENB, CN RAIL
USA: APPLE, GOOGL, AMAZON, VISA, BRK.B, MCD.

I also hold smaller quantities of utilities ( AQN, EMA, BIP.UN), small growth mutual fund (mawer global small cap) and reits for diversification. Can you help me complete my core 20/20 by suggesting 4-6 US DIVIDEND GROWTH STOCKS and perhaps 2 Canadian holdings that I should add or replace. Appreciate your excellent service as always.

Sincerely Ajay
Read Answer Asked by Alka on December 10, 2019
Q: I recently asked you for 4-5 core picks for U.S. stocks and you kindly sent them to me that was appreciated. I am trying to keep my stocks organized by sector, which you have also helped me with and wondered what (based on your Sectors) Costco and Disney would be in?
Thank you so much
Margaret
Read Answer Asked by Margaret on December 06, 2019