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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: Hi 5i,

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

TIA
Read Answer Asked by Wayne on January 28, 2019
Q: Given the weakness in consumer staples in the US, if you were looking in this sector what are some names that'd be on your watch list?
Read Answer Asked by Andrew on June 11, 2018
Q: Sold FB and have some US$ to spend, can you provide 3 of your current favorites that may provide short term upside from down south please - higher risk is fine? Of the two I provided, which would you choose and why?
Read Answer Asked by Charles on June 08, 2018
Q: My apologies - I forgot to say that I was looking to invest in that thesis with US stocks. I'd like to invest in the thesis that low-mid level income earners are going to start having more income based on a resurgent economy, lower taxes, and a very tight labor market along with reduced immigration. Can you suggest 3-4 companies that would really benefit from this scenario?
Read Answer Asked by Rick on June 05, 2018
Q: Greetings 5i,

Despite their lacklustre performance this year, I am very fond of consumer staple holdings that focus on food and household products. My reasoning is that I consider their essentiality, as well as their (at least theoretically) defensive nature make them excellent, steady, long-term holds that do not need to be constantly monitored; thereby providing a "sleep at night" factor which I highly prize. Thus, my current sector exposure consists of full positions (5%) in L and PG that, barring some fundamental catastrophe in either, I intend to hold indefinitely. I also hold AMZN (5%), but, due to the breadth of its business, consider it more of a "hybrid."

To these, I am considering adding a position in COST, as I feel that, in addition the aforementioned reasons for favouring staples, its business model is perhaps better equipped to withstand the "Amazon effect" than many other retailers (WMT, KG, etc.). I am also looking to add some geographic diversity to my retail exposure, and view the recent weakness in the stock as a good potential entry point.

However, I realize that this addition would increase my sector weighting, and possibly create some unnecessary overlap. I would therefore like to ask your advice regarding this addition, and whether my reasoning appears sound.

I am 36 years old, debt-free, and relatively conservative. My investment portfolio is solely for the purpose of expediting my retirement, and I will have no need of its funds for the foreseeable future. Excluding ETF's, my portfolio currently consists of 22 positions (with none exceeding a 5% weighting), and is, for my goals and investing style, well diversified across sectors.

Based on my situation, does the addition of COST sound like a reasonable course of action to you?

Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Lucas on June 04, 2018
Q: 5th Estate program on "kickbacks" in generic drugs pretty eye opening. I realize there is a difference between monies paid directly to an individual for favours v's monies going to the company entity for overhead and other costs but appears they plead guilty to a wrong doing. Could this not set them up for class action suits for customers to may have been over charged? The other worrisome part seemed to be the practice is widespread. Talk about a bread scandal. Is there a worry here or do you think 5th Estate may have over exaggerated what is actually going on with generic drug pricing?
Read Answer Asked by Phil on March 21, 2018
Q: About a year about, I purchased CVS as a hedge against a downturn in the US health care. Since then CVS price dropped nearly 20 since then....first attributed to Amazon purchasing a grocer retailer, then recovered somewhat but then declined because of the news of three large parties, including Amazon planning to get into the health care sector to reduce costs to consumers. Seems CVS is out of favour...and could be so for sometime. Question - do I hold or do I let it go and focus on another US stock and what names would you suggest?
Read Answer Asked by Tom on February 01, 2018
Q: Could AMZN prior to buying Whole Foods short stocks like Kroger, Costco, Target and Wal Mart and use the money made on the short to buy Whole Foods for the win?
Most companies use cash to buy equities. Or would this be totally offside?
Read Answer Asked by Terry on September 15, 2017
Q: Hi 5i team,

Costco has been taking a beating ever since Amazon announced its bid for Whole Foods Market (WFM) three days ago. At the time, it was selling at a premium but today it dropped well below its 200 MA. How much lower would it have to go before you would consider it an attractive buy?
Somehow, I don't see an Amazon-WFM tie up as being particularly threatening to Costco. I would appreciate you view on what the impact might be?
Robert
Read Answer Asked by Robert on June 23, 2017
Q: Thank you so much for what you do. 5i benefits people of modest means as well as the wealthy. (A rising market doesn't hurt)!

A reader mentioned grocers earlier today. We went to COSTCO yesterday and the place was packed. They don't have the distribution of the local grocery stores but in a way they don't need to as customers are willing to drive to them. COSTCO is still more of a wholeseller compared to a company like Loblaws and they don't carry all the small products but no doubt they are one reason why grocery stores are finding it difficult to stay profitable.
Read Answer Asked by James on January 25, 2017
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