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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 Peter, I've taken some comfort despite my loss on BDX shares because some commentators have pointed out that their products (joint replacements) will soon benefit from the pent-up demand due to Covid-caused delays in such surgeries. However, Stryker, which is in a similar business, has significantly outperformed BDX both before and after Covid. In other words, do you know why BDX is so underperforming SYK, and would you hang onto (or perhaps add to) BDX at this point? Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by James on June 02, 2021
Q: Thanks, 5I Team, for all the good work. I owe GILEAD SCIENCES since 2017. It is still around the same price I am down about 1.5%. Would you recommend holding on or moving on. If moving on, what would you recommend in health care sector, I already owe Cardinal Health & ABBVIE Inc. I am looking at long term investment.
Secondly, I owe FASTLY INC and am down about 40%. I am a long-term Investor and can hold on. Would you advise to hold on or switch to Lightspeed or something else? If it really has potential, I can wait it out don’t need the cash.
This is general question not stock specific. Normally I prefer to buy US stocks in RRSP and Canadians in TFSA and non registered due to withholding Tax. I am unable to make up my mind as to where to put the riskier growth-oriented stocks. In TFSA I am unable to write off the loss if the investment goes sour, If I put in RRSP eventually, one pays tax on withdrawal in retirement, but can’t immediately write off the loss when I sale and book a loss. In a non registered account If the stock takes off I end up paying tax on half the gains. What would you normally recommend?

Please deduct credits as required.
Read Answer Asked by Nimish on May 31, 2021
Q: Just thoughts...First background -  I have an income, balance and growth portfolio that's invested in trade, TFSA and LIRA accounts...all similar to 5iR's...and also a US balance portfolio with a definite growth tilt...and I like to stay within the portfolio framework, aka add to existing stock positions which now total 100 positions. With cash on hand, I'm muddled about what to invest in, aka Cdn and US stocks?And here is the tug...there seems to be many other good stocks but from my reading of 5iR, it's better to stay with the ones you have or totally drop the existing position and move onto a new position. With that in mind, what are the Cdn 5iR positions would you suggest are a buy today or watch it for a buy? When it comes to the US, the draw for me today is to add to existing positions 'cause of the strength of the Loonie and the expectation that it will decline over the next few years relative to the Green Back. What would you suggest are US stock buys now for a longer term hold, like 5+ years. Thanks for the assistance.....Tom
Read Answer Asked by Tom on May 28, 2021
Q: I am currently looking to rebalance my portfolio taking into account the latest volitilty. I am a long term investor and fairly well diversified. I do need to top up in a few places. Would you suggest your favourite stocks in each of the following sectors: energy, health, telecom and industrials.
Thanks Peter and all of you for this wonderful service.
Read Answer Asked by Cathy on May 12, 2021
Q: Good day, I’m thinking with the better exchange rate of late, it would be a good time to buy more US shares inside a tfsa. We are very diversified across all accounts. Looking for some ideas. What are some growth names you would buy today? Already own most big tech, but would have no problem adding to them. Thanks so much as always




Read Answer Asked by Darby on May 12, 2021
Q: Hi Peter and Staff
If I am correct, I believe you were high on DXCM at one point and may not feel as high on it today? It had gone up nicely until recent earnings but downward spiral since then. Is it closer to a buy or a sell in a basket of health care stocks .
Secondly, assuming it might be deemed not as good as some or all of the following,, please rank the top 4 in order from
ABBV, CRRX, ISRG,MDT,SYK,VEEV and WELL

THanks for all you do
Dennis
Read Answer Asked by Dennis on May 11, 2021
Q: How are you feeling about GH these days?
Do you see better opportunities out there for an investor who's currently in the red?
Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Andrew on May 11, 2021
Q: Please give US or Canadian stocks, in Consumer defensive, Energy and Health sectors which are buyable now. Thanks for great service.
Read Answer Asked by KULDIP on May 07, 2021
Q: without any health positions....what would recommend as across the board encompassing stocks. I am open to cdn or us.
Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Maureen on May 03, 2021
Q: I just sold a US stock that represents about 5% of my RIF and about 23% of my US holdings in the RIF. Income is obviously OK but some growth would also be welcome. Do you have any suggestions.
Thanks for the great work!
Bob
Read Answer Asked by Robert on April 30, 2021
Q: My healthcare stocks include ABBV,VEEV,and Well.I am considering switching from VEEV to STRYKER. What do you think?
Read Answer Asked by Allen on April 27, 2021
Q: Hi! I am using the Balanced Equity portfolio however as a complete portfolio it falls short in that there are no Us/Global stocks. There are area s the Canadian market doesn’t represent well. If you were to complement the Balanced Equity portfolio with 6-8 US/Global names, what stocks would complete the portfolio?
Read Answer Asked by Ian on April 27, 2021
Q: I am interested in purchasing some U.S. stocks in order to balance and diversify my portfolio. Can you suggest three stocks that you would currently suggest for a conservative type of investor.
Read Answer Asked by serge on April 23, 2021
Q: I do not have any exposure to the medical devices area. Would you prefer ABT or SYK or is and ETF like IHI a better idea Thanks
Read Answer Asked by gary on February 22, 2021
Q: I have a small USA portfolio consisting of these darlings which I've held for approx. 3 yrs. It's like watching a snail race. Can you recommend a replacement or two for each? I've done OK with SYK and was in good shape with Vertex until last October. Take as many Q credits as needed.
Read Answer Asked by Carl on January 19, 2021
Q: I am interested in investing in Health Care Robotics. I am looking at Stryker and Medtronic. I am leaning toward MDT due to lower entry point and higher dividend. Based on history and statistics which one would you favour? Could you suggest similar companies for consideration?
Thank You
Jane
Read Answer Asked by Jane on January 18, 2021
Q: Hi Peter and Staff

FInally bite the bullet on Sienna, looking to redeploy in the US topping up some or all of my US basket of health care. Please eliminate any of the above that you do not feel are a buy at this time and rank the rest within categories of strong buy, buy or hold.
Thanks for all you do
Dennis
Read Answer Asked by Dennis on January 14, 2021
Q: I'm also looking for some exposure to Healthcare. Not many options in Canada. I use to own Medtronic, Abbott and United Health. Are those good places to start in the U.S? Can you rank them in order of preference? Any others that seem appealing? I'd like to stay away from the stocks surrounding the vaccine since they seem speculative at the moment.

Thanks,
Jason
Read Answer Asked by Jason on December 29, 2020