Investment Q&A

Q: I'm curious about BRK. Is Berkshire kind of like an etf? Is the value of its stock the equal to its underlying investments minus a management fee? Or does the market arrive at its stock value based on some kind of discounted cash flow analysis. Are all its investments publicly disclosed?

Q: I'm heavy in financial stocks and would like to reduce the number of holdings. In what order from best to least would you rank these companies for a long term hold. I'd like to mention that this question function is a tremendous feature. Thanks for the excellent and speedy answers to my previous questions. I feel very supported.

Q: Good Morning 5i Team,

In your response to a recent question asked about your thoughts on Buffet and Lee-Chin's cash hordes and how much cash to hold in the current environment, part of your response was "Investors are not used to rising rates, and we think some protection is needed. Not necessary in terms of cash but in terms of some portfolio adjustments to companies less susceptible to higher rates (i.e. value stocks over expensive growth stocks). Growth stocks can still do well in a rising economy, but companies with valuations at 15 to 20X sales would see an adjustment with higher rates (of course this has already partially occurred this year). "

I am in the camp needing to make some adjustments, and I'm wondering if you could suggest several U.S. and Canadian stocks that you see as attractive "value" plays at this time.

Thanks very much,
Brad

Q: Hi 5i,

Should we invest into the BRK.B, since now the record high? Do you happy with the Q1 and coming future Q? Kindly advise, I am thinking to exchange some US (since the CAD is high now) to buy this stock for TSFA.

Q: Am I missing any major sectors with these stock investments?
Where should I focus if I would like to ensure a diverse portfolio?
Are there any stocks that I should dump?

Q: I am a retiree with 14% financial sector exposure in banks (TD,BNS,RY) and insurance companies (MFC, SLF, BRK.B). I have been a long term holder (10+) of MFC and currently have a half position. Been happy with the dividend but very disappointed with share appreciation (still underwater). Would it make sense to sell MFC and purchase GSY for share appreciation and dividend growth?

Q: Ignoring risk, please rank these companies based on 5 year hold -potential for returns.

Q: I was way overweight tech and now have some cash to play with.
Looking to grind out some profits while waiting.
Would like your opinion specifically on these two, but would also like any other ideas or trends you see right now.

Q: Peter, if with the reopening there is a shift in interest from growth into value stocks which Cdn/US stocks are best positioned on the value side ? In the US would you include Berkshire on the value side due to it sweighting in the Financials etc ? Would you agree with the strategy to shift from growth to value ? Thank you.

Q: Your thought on selling Power Corp to buy MKL or BRK.B in TFSA for growth.
Thank you!

Q: In my US account, I hold Berkshire, Disney and MasterCard. I was thinking of selling one of these to free up some USD to purchase CRWD for more growth. Which one would you suggest selling if you were in this position?

Or, if it were possible, would you suggest converting some CAD to USD to purchase CRWD, and keep the US stocks that I have already?
Thanks
Robert

Q: Hello 5i,
Are you able to break down by sector (to the extent this is possible) the holdings of each Berkshire and Bam? Brk.b is listed as finance and Bam as real estate, but I don’t think this tells the whole story.
Would a 10% position in each of these (20% total) be too much for average risk investor?
Tia!

Q: Hello, is CSU still a buy at todays prices ? Or, is there a comparable company you would buy that maybe operates in a different sector but has the same or better growth possibilities ?

Q: Hello 5i Team,
I have a couple questions where I'd appreciate your expertise.
First, I've been holding BRK.B long term, and even after shaving my position last year, and the year before, due to its performance, it's currently 28% of my total non-registered portfolio. I'd appreciate your thoughts on whether I should continue to pare down my position (it's up 170% at present).
Second, I would like to add some international equities to my overall portfolio. As Scotia iTrade is limited to US and Canada, can you recommend a solid, and cost-effective online brokerage for global markets?
Thank you! Aaron

Q: Can you tell me which companies would be comparable and that you would buy that the same or better growth.Love your service.

Q: First of all, thank you for your amazing work. Cannot express how helpful my 5i subscription has been. Life-changing in all honesty.

My positions in LSPD (17.3%) and GSY (12.7%) have gotten a little out of hand. I was fortunate to pick them up near their lows in April. I've already trimmed both a couple of times, but I am really struggling to sell more given the positive outlook 5i has of both for the future. I've seen similar questions asked about trimming and selling positions with phenomenal growth and seen your responses suggesting to trim positions to reasonable weightings. I thought I might have an easier time doing so if you suggested some positions to add to or some new ones viewed as favourably as LSPD and GSY.

I have the following companies in a TFSA and have included the weightings only of positions I think might warrant a second look. While I anticipate a comment about weightings needing to be personal what would YOU suggest as the highest weighting for LSPD and GSY? And, again, please suggest some positions to add to or new ones.

Feel free to take question credits as you see fit.

DOO (2.1%), ATZ (2%), AW.UN, BYD
ATD.B
BMO, BRK-B:US, GSY (12.7%)
WELL (4%), VEEV:US (1.3%)
CAE, DAL:US, AC (1%), XBC (3%)
LSPD (17.3%), KXS (7.6%), DSG (3%), CSU, PHO (1.1%), AMD:US, CRWD:US (2.4%), U:US (2.1%), NVDA:US (0.83%), TTD:US(1.2%)
ROKU:US (1.9%), TTWO:US (1.2%), PINS:US (1.5%)
AQN, BEP.UN
REAL

Thank you again

Q: I am looking to put my money into 2-5 stocks/Mutual funds.
Investment Horizon is 10 Yrs, i am a high risk taker, looking for High growth.
But, I am not very active in the stockmarket, I want to put my money in 2-5 holdings and then forget about it..... and then sell them after 10-15 years.

Please suggest 2-5 stocks/Mutualfunds etc...
I friend suggested BAM, BRK.B and Mauer Mutual funds.....Please advice

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: We are looking to adds some US positions to our TFSA. We currently have AMD, DAL, DOCU, BRK-B, and ROKU. Could you suggest 5 growth names for long term holds that you would feel comfortable entering new positions in today? And would you add to ROKU at present?

Thanks in-advance.

Q: Hi,
Which do you prefer, for a holding company that is diversified and kind of gives you a mini-mutual fund effect, without the ongoing cost of an MER. ( I already own BAM.A).
FFH provides a dividend. Do you think BRK.B will ever initiate a dividend? Thx.