Investment Q&A

Q: In your answer to Shirley on Nov. 22 you wrote, "We think investors can position a portfolio more conservatively by raising the allocation to defensive names that emphasize downside protection with good upside potential." Can you give a list of 5 CAD and 5 US stocks that you think would fall under that statement?
Thank you

Q: I bought Hershey in my RRSP in mid-2024. While mostly known for chocolate, the company has been diversifying into non-chocolatey snacks. However, the stock price remains down due to high cocoa prices. Would you be content to hold Hershey and collect the dividend until cocoa prices drop? Would you have some other suggestions? I tend to go for boring US dividend payers that also have some growth potential in my RRSP. My top holdings right now are MSFT, COST, MA, BIP.UN, ENB, and O. I also hold VOO as an underlying holding. Thank you.

Q: Dear 5i Team I sold BYD recently. I would like to replace with something US. I have visa Costco, ISRG, Google, Lily Would you happen to know a few founder led companies I can do some research on? Thank you Brent

Q: I have some cash that I would like to put to work and I have small positions that I would like to reduce. My main objective is growth with a bias towards low beta equities at this time in my work life. I am about 4 years away from my planned retirement.

These are most of my held equities along with weightings. NVDA 13.3% CSU 6.4% BN 6.4% SAN 5.4% SHOP 4.8% CRWD 4.3% TOI 3.8% VRT 3.4% ENB 3.2% BIP-UN 2.6% BEP-UN 2.3%. The following are 1-2% positions 13.5% as group; COST TD ATZ BNS AMZN TTD PANW PRL BRK.B. The rest are< 1%/each approx 10% as group BCE ASML HPS-A TMDX ISRG TMO GSY ASPN DELL SNOW NXT.

I plan on continuing to hold most of these positions including the smaller positions (<2% positions). I would like to reduce the number of these smaller holdings.
Could you please rank these smaller positions with the keepers at one end of the spectrum to goers at the the opposite end of the spectrum.

Thanks for this.

Q: The following stocks are all up nicely: AXON, PANW, NVDA, COST, ISRG, META, TTD and CRWD. All are mid size positions in my portfolio. Where do you see the markets going in January? Would you recommend trimming any of these stocks? Would you suggest holding more cash going into the new year? Thank you

Q: For a buy today, how would you rate them?
Thanks Again

Q: Costco had a pretty big jump in its share price this past week....was there any news or anything to explain this?

Also, while Trump only takes power in January and things take time, but it is often said that the market is forward looking. I have to think that a lot of what Costco sells is imported (eg from China); though his threat might just be a lot of hot air, does the potential for them have a significant impact on Costco if Trump brings in big tariffs? Is this anything to worry about?

Thank you for your excellent service

Q: Please list in order your preferred choices long term? Please consider its current valuation and future growth potential. A management rating please out of 10.

Is it best to wait for a market pull back? Thank you for everything

Q: I have held WMT for about 9 years and it has been a good performer (17.6% annual return) during this time. This year its stock price is up 55% despite its earnings growing at around 4%. I note that its current PE is very high relative to its 5-yr PE. Obviously, I like WMT but I am concerned that it is overpriced relative to its past metrics and, possibly, other stocks in this sector. If you were faced with this issue in your portfolio what would you do and why (I am particularly interested in the 'why'). Thanks in advance for your opinions; I find selling a stock difficult particularly when it has been a long-term winner and I trying to develop a better framework for handling these types of situations.

Q: After signing up to the Portfolio Tracking & Analysis, ( excellent service, Thanks!)
I need to increase my holdings in the Health care sector and Consumer Defensive industry
US and Can exposure.
Your suggestions are appreciated.
Thank You 5i Team
Heidi

Q: I am overweight in Costco and will sell some shares. I would like to reinvest the funds in one of the 3 Co listed. I have well balanced portfolios, although somewhat overweighted in Tech. Which of the 3 would you consider the best option? Thanks for your great service.

Q: We are planning to set up a separate investment account for our grandkids. Assume a 10 year hold. There are a few sectors we would want to overweight - 3 stocks, CAD or US, in Financials, Industrials, Technology and 1-2 stocks in the others. What would you look for and how would that translate into individual stock selections.

Q: Which do you prefer for a long term hold? Which currently has a cheaper valuation?

Costco or Walmart ? Thank you

Q: Hi I asked this question last week and think it may have slipped through.
I am down 6% on ATD. I am thinking of selling to claim the capital loss but concerned of it popping back up in the short term. Where do you see it going from here? Would you sell and buy back after 30 days or move to something else? What other top 5 CDN or US stock would you consider to replace it in the same sector for a 5 year hold period. Thanks

Q: Hi guys,

Please provide feedback on costco most recent quarter.
Thanks
Jim

Q: Would you consider now to be a good time to do some buys in the consumer staples sector? If so, why? I'm looking to close this gap in my investment portfolio and would appreciate your recommendations on some companies -- ideally growth oriented that also pays a (growing) that I can buy an hold for 5+ years. I'm not too fussed on the specific industry. What are guys liking these days? Thanks for all the great advice and insight. You guys rock.

Q: I have a 1% position in PBH, and an extra 1% cash to deploy: I am debating between doubling my PBH position to 2%, or selling PBH and initiating a 2% position in COST. My time horizon for this investment is quite long (greater than five years): which would seem to be the more prudent choice?

Q: This question is about small TFSA with 98% Canadian equities with 32.06% total weight in the technical sector. Weight for LMN, SHOP and DSG are close to 5i Bal portfolio but CSU is at 14.8% (Thank you). All these names are at profit.

Question 1 -I am contemplating selling CSU to reduce Canadian exposure and buying MSFT or NVDA What is your opinion of such a move? Any other suggestions in technical space?

Question 2 - This TFSA has no exposure in Consumer Staples. Would you suggest buying COST instead of US technical name? Any other suggestions and entry price?

Much Thanks for your very valuable comments.

Q: I am a very seasoned investor that has been lucky enough to come into some extra cash.

Regardless of sector. What are your top 5 US absolute must haves. For longterm and entry price guide.


Thank you, Jay.

Q: So all 3 have returned about the same on investment in 24. If you were to invest $20,000 today, and bought all 3, how would you alot the dollars.
Thanks again