skip to content
  1. Home
  2. >
  3. Investment Q&A
You can view 3 more answers this month. Sign up for a free trial for unlimited access.

Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: My parents (late 70's) will be receiving proceeds from the sale of a US asset and are looking to add to their existing investment portfolio (an additional 25%) . They are financially stable with a long term balanced portfolio and are interested in allocating the new cash into quality, long term positions with growth potential. US, Canada and industry non specific. What would you recommend as your top 5 US and Canadian positions and why?
Read Answer Asked by Robert on November 23, 2020
Q: As an income investor with some growth, I have some US money unused in our TFSA accounts. Could you give me some suggestions on US stocks you feel still have good valuations. I am lower in Tech, Consumer and industrial sectors.
Thanks so much!
Read Answer Asked by Pat on November 11, 2020
Q: What are your thoughts about these companies, aiming for dividend growth and capital apreciation. Do you suggests any alternatives with similar strategy and sector?
Read Answer Asked by Clayton on October 29, 2020
Q: Hi, based on the companies that you cover and also US if possible, which companies are likely to have a stable and steady growth in the next 5 - 10 years ? I mean, I would like to invest in companies that are fairly valued today and that can grow steadily in the next years, not extreme high growth companies. I aim companies that will give me a CAGR > 10% but with a medium risk.
Read Answer Asked by Clayton on October 27, 2020
Q: Can you please provide your top 5 large cap US consumer cyclical stocks today that provide growth in these challenging times, with moderate risk? Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Maureen on September 17, 2020
Q: I have a very overweight position in Bam.a .I would like to diversity into other Canadian or US names as I think think near term for Brookfield will be at least challenged given their real estate exposure and the sentiment around that.What are a few of my the highest conviction US names you would favour?
Read Answer Asked by Kim on September 01, 2020
Q: Do you believe the cyclic trade is back for real and if so, can you recommend 3 stocks Each in the US and Canada? Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Michael on July 24, 2020
Q: Hi,
You have been rightly complemented many times for
or your wise counsel recently. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the group for their many varied questions. Both the questions and answers have helped me a lot.
For various reasons I have not visited the Asset Allocator section for some time and find that I am not as well 'balanced' as I should be. I am over invested in financials (BAM.A, TD, BNS, RY and SLF) and grossly underinvested in Consumer cyclicals. I am also overinvested in Canada. Could you please suggest 2-3 US and Canadian Consumer cyclical stocks?
Many Thanks,
Bryn
Read Answer Asked by david on June 29, 2020
Q: What would be your 5 top economic recovery plays at this time, US and canada.
Can you rank Them in order of preference.
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Karim on June 23, 2020
Q: Hi
I hold stocks of Starbucks, Parkland, Parklawn, TC Energy.
I would like to get your outlook on these companies going forward in this volatile market. Do you see them as having good fundamentals and re-bounding back in 2021?
With the US election taking place in Nov 2020 and if Biden is elected, how will this affect overall market and will we see the stock market on the downside again?

Thanks
Kristelle
Read Answer Asked by Kristelle on June 16, 2020
Q: Good morning,
I own a small house in Ottawa that is free and clear with a current market value of approximately $350,000.
A recent discussion with my trusted mortgage broker confirmed that a 5 year term (Closed & Fixed) term mortgage can be obtained at a rate of 2.29%. This mortgage is said to be:
a. insured through CMHC,
b. portable, and
c. transferable.
At that rate of 2.29% and given that the interest paid would be tax deductible if I use the funds for investment purposes, I'm seriously considering borrowing around $200,000 and investing this amount for an initial 5 year period with an expected net rate of return on investment of 4.5% .
Q1. With $200,000, what are your thoughts of splitting this amount in 5 different chunks of $40K in the following instruments:
a. Mawer Tax Effective Balanced Fund,
b. Mawer Global Balanced ETF Fund,
c. Vanguard Balanced ETF Portfolio,
d. IShares Core Balanced ETF Portfolio, and
e. BMO Balanced ETF

Q2. As an alternative to the above and given the 5 year time frame, would your preference be to invest the $200,000 in a selection of best in class individual stocks split between different sectors and if so, would you be so kind as to provide me with ya listing of your best ideas at this time.

I thank you and look forward to hearing your thoughts on both of these investment strategies.
Francesco
Read Answer Asked by Francesco on June 15, 2020
Q: SOME Stocks fluctuate lot daily such as BYD,CSU,SHOP,PKI makes me feel better to trade in this market,what is your opinion.
For safer long term low risk hold which stocks you would recommend in US &CAD,
low growth is OK.
Read Answer Asked by Nizar on June 05, 2020
Q: I recently asked a question regarding switching strategy from etf to individual stocks and i appreciate your answer very much. My question was generated by the response that you gave to James regarding investing in a diversified portfolio. At that time you gave him the follwoing names: TEAM, MSFT, GOOG, ROP, PG, BIIB, VZ, SBUX, COST, JPM.

Just a followup clarification on that suggestion. I wonder, because of the tax advantage for Canadian dividends and the predominance in the TSX of Banks and Telecoms, whether one might be better to replace VZ and JPM by Canadian names? I know that the question asked, I think, specifically for US names. But, just wondering if one held both Canadian and US, whether this might be better? Also, do you think that say, ten like this, is enough diversification on the US side?
thanks
Read Answer Asked by joseph on June 04, 2020
Q: HI Team, I currently hold CMG and has performed well lately, do you see much more upside/growth? Do I continue to hold, or sell . If I were to sell, between DPZ or SBUX , which has the better growth profile? I know Mr. Cramer loves DPZ but it has had a good run-up and wonder about it. I thank-you in advance! Sam
Read Answer Asked by sam on June 04, 2020
Q: Can you give me names of 10 companies - CDN and U.S - that you feel have:
* strong balance sheets,
* a strong likelihood to survive or thrive in the current environment
* appear to be of good current value with an eye on a potentially strong rebound given a bit of time.
Your opinion is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by JOHN on June 02, 2020
Q: Hello Peter,
If you were starting a new account with 100k and wanted to build a somewhat balanced portfolio of 10 US equities, with a 10 year timeframe, which 10 would you currently choose, including considering current price?
Read Answer Asked by James on June 01, 2020
Q: I would like your opinion on VIAC given that it aims to build on its CBS All Access platform to launch a major new streaming service. It is well priced right now. can you suggest a few other US stocks that are oversold and would be a good entry point.
thanks
Read Answer Asked by Mary on May 19, 2020