Investment Q&A

Q: Your thoughts on selling XLF to buy JPM & BAC and selling PFE & GILD to buy ARKG.

Thank you!

Q: good afternoon 5i,
On December 3 you responded to a question by Curtis by saying, "We also think a low cost index product for the majority of a portfolio overlain with a basket of individual stocks to generate alpha is also a pretty good strategy, for those inclined to hold 6 or 7 individual stocks. "

This is a strategy that I more or less use, at least for my US and International holdings. I haven't done this with my Canadian holdings because of capital gains, which would imply tax, and also because it seems to me that the Canadian etf's are heavily weighted towards the few sectors we have in Canada. Therefore, I think I would be better in individual stocks rather than an etf. I would appreciate your take on that perspective.
Also, I am wondering which four or five stocks you would look at in the US for such a strategy for a retired person. And how would you weight them given that an etf strategy was used. The stocks I have listed are the ones I own. How would they fit in such a portfolio? The only one I might kick out for someone my age is Docusign. Any others that could be suggested?

Thanks for the great service

Q: Good Morning, I purchased 2 stocks for their dividend income, and to hold for at least 5-10 years. OKE is about 3.7% of my US portfolio and KEY at 2.9% of my Canadian portfolio. Am thinking of selling and taking advantage of the tax loss since they are underperforming. Would this be a wise move or should I stay the course and keep them. If I do sell I was thinking of adding X and Well along with DUK and GILD...thoughts or suggestions?

Q: If you were entering new money today to try to yield at least 4 or 5 percent, what would be your top 5-10 dividend income stocks in Canada that you feel would be a safe hold for at least ten years? Alternatively, what would be your top dividend stocks in the U.S. obviously yielding less?

Q: Hi 5I team.
My question is about healthcare and diversification in the space. I have been attempting to keep my position around the 16% portfolio weighting and currently hold ABBV, AMD, AMGN(4.8%), LLY(3%), PFE, MRNA, and WELL positions. Although I do not want to abandon the PFE/MRNA freight trains, I am looking at adding/shifting to what may be a longer term/higher dividend return avenue with the use of GILD(attractive entry and solid div), CRISPR(awaiting a pull back to $90 if it comes), and even MDT(under $103 if it comes)

How do you feel about this strategy and the switch out of AMGN/LLY to GILD/MDT?

Thank you

Peter

Q: Hi 5i,
In their latest quarter results, they did beat the estimates. Remdesivir is still a one of the most used drug treatment. My opinion is that it will still be continued to be used for treatment till a better one is found.
Not sure why market is not so excited about the results and future prospects. Can you clarify.
Thanks for your sound advise.

Q: Hi Group I have held GILD for 2 yrs and its just keeps going down is it time to take the loss ? (down 25%) also owned ABBV for 2 yrs also it to is a loser I know you like it please explain why I should continue to hold or? lastly GUD is a dog that I have been holding since the $10 plus days (they clearly are long gone is this a candidate for tax loss selling? appreciate your help on the above 3 questions

Q: I hold a 1.5% position in both. Would like to increase one or possibly both to 2-2.5%. Which do you think has best long term prospects? (Both have a nice dividend)
Neither seem to be significantly risky to me. Thank you for the great service.

Q: I currently have PFE, GILD, MDT and ABBV in my Healthcare sector. I am looking to add a couple of names - I have been looking at MRK and BMY - your opinion please on these AND can you provide some other US healthcare companies that might be of interest to you at this time. Greatly appreciate your comments.
Thanks

Q: Hi 5i
Do you think the pharma/biotechs sector has risen on (assuming) hopes of vaccine success only for most within the sectors to deflate again when a decisive outcome has played out (does this seem a simplistic view)?
I guess I'm trying to gauge risk factors within these sectors at this time.
Thanks
Mike

Q: Hi Folks, my question is on GILD. I purchased this back in June - I am down about 15% as of today. What has happened to this stock to justify this decrease ALSO would you still recommend holding on to GILD or is it time to sell ? Greatly appreciate your comments.
Thanks

Q: Could you comment on Gild earnings and your feelings on the company going forward. It is down today; would you consider it a buy, hold or sell? Thank you!

Q: We have sold out of USA Tech and have several full positions of USA $ in registered accounts. I no longer wish to devote as much attention to investments.
We know that USA is not your forte but could you recommend a couple of dividend paying "layups". Buy it and forget it ? We acknowledge that nothing is a sure thing.
Thanks for Your help

Q: Can I get your assessment on investing in ishares ETF US High Dividend (XHD) in my RRSP? If your opinion is unfavourable, do you have specifc stocks to recommend in its place?

thanks -John

Q: Hi Ryan and Peter.
BIIB was beat hard lately. I want to buy a couple of big names in Health care and am wondering whether this is a good timing. I am watching REGN, VEEV, ABBV, GILD too. I only have cash for one stock only.

Thank you,
Yiwen

Q: Hi guys...any thoughts on some beaten up stocks that could be opportunities for quick gains? can be Canada or U.S. thoughts are welcome...

Q: I raised a fair bit of cash in my RIF as the Covid madness marched on. I think I would like to buy USDollars with probably 1/2 the cash and buy some US dividend paying stocks. I need the income and I’m very concerned that this current government is going to cripple ( if not destroy) our economy..
I’m looking at stocks like Verizon, but what would you suggest?
Thanks for the great work!
Bob

Q: Hi Peter, Ryan, and Team,

Today (rightly or wrongly), I used the large uptick in the share price of CAE to sell my position that's held in my TFSA. (I sold with a gain of 4%, not counting the previous dividends.) I feel that the "airline" sector will still be under pressure after the present euphoria settles down, but who knows?

Having said that, please suggest two or three stocks or ETFs from each of the following sectors that could be considered somewhat defensive as well as being suitable for a TFSA. Portfolio Analytics indicates that I'm underweight in:
Basic Materials
Communication Services
Consumer Defensive
Energy
Financial Services
Healthcare
Industrials

Please deduct as many credits as you deem necessary. Thanks for the continuing superb service especially during this unusual time.

Q: Hi 5i,
I have held GILD for a number of years, and now that a merger is announced would it be a buy, sell or hold. Do mergers of equal typically result in higher stock purchase prices?

Q: Stagflation is beginning to be mentioned as a medium term possibility. What sector(s) provide best protection against this and could see growth? Can you recommend an ETF or two (if a handful of individual companies would be better, please recommend a couple instead). Thank you in advance.