Investment Q&A

Q: I realize that you ( much like I ) are growth investors. However I’d like to play the risk on trade and am looking for 5 beaten down US value names that would have good bounce back potential. Can you rank your choices? 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: 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: Hello team, Shortly I will have $100K CDN and $100K U,S, to deploy for a long term hold ( 10+ years).
Could you recommend a few high quality, value & growth stocks? And what % would you buy now? I am not trying to time the market, but are you anticipating a correction during tax loss? Also, how many stocks (CDN & U.S) would you suggest?
Thanks
Carlo

Q: I am an experienced investor and for years have been selling short strangles, in the money puts and out of the money calls around some of my core position stocks, such MSFT, UNH, SRPT etc with good success.
Last week, I sold naked positions around NFLX, picking Jan 15/2021 expiration, which is before they report earnings and expecting NFLX to be substantially range bound until then.

Sold  NFLX 01/15/21 455 PUT at 15.10
Sold  NFLX 01/15/21 515 CALL at 16.10

The trade is profitable between $424 and $546 and in an unlimited loss position outside the range (a risk I am prepared to accept).

My question is, do you have any stock recommendations, for stocks whose prices are not likely to fluctuate a great deal over a a defined period of time, or any screening methods to identify such stocks, so as to trade puts and calls as I described?

Thanks in advance for your insights.

Q: Hi Team,

What are your 3 favorite value stocks in Canada and 3 in the USA?

Thanks!

Q: With the sector rotation taking place I'm interested in buying or adding dividend paying companies that could benefit from the change taking place. With that in mind, and hoping for some growth and relatively secure dividends, could you please suggest what you consider to be your top 5 Canadian and 5 American companies that could benefit from this sector rotation.

Q: What 3 Cdn and 3 US equities would you currently select (without regard to sector) as your best picks for an investor seeking both a) the six "safest" equities over the next 12 months as in lowest downside risk in your opinion, and b) the six most likely to provide at least a 5% total return over that period? Tough one but perhaps very helpful for part of an overall portfolio - Ken

Q: What would be your choice for the 5 best non-IT US companies for long-term hold (not high risk)?

Q: Hi Guys,

If you were starting a North American balance portfolio, which communication companies (communications sector) would you pick? Please provide 2 names (3% each).

Thanks,

Jim

Q: My powder keg is dry waiting for the covid 2nd wave and in my opinion anticipated second market adjustment. The recent jitters made me realize I haven't made my buy plan for my cash...I am pleased with my portfolio and don't have any huge gaps, I am slowly switching from growth to income so am looking more toward your income portfolio for inspiration. In Canada ENB and H looked like good buy options and I already own Suncor so would top up on that as well to a full position. In the USA I am leaning towards P&G and Coke. These complement my current holdings and I feel these additions will do OK in a possible extended covid induced economic slowdown as well as be good long term income holdings.

Any names you wished you had added on the last drop or names you are watching with interest?

Q: I am trying to identify one and only one Telecom co. to invest across the US or Canada. According to Morningstar data, Verizon has the best ROE, ROIC and interest coverage metrics (and the lowest P/E apart from AT&T). Would you consider VZ the best overall for a long term investment? Thank you for your excellent service as usual.

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?

Q: Any suggestion for US income stocks that still represent good value ? Thanks.

Q: What are 10 best picks in USA for next 2 years. What is your view on CAT & FDX

RAK

Q: Ifn the event we are seeing a shift from growth to value stocks could you identify five value stocks in Canada and the US that would make good investments at this time?

Thanks for your advice.

Q: I notice that you both hold VZ and are generally positive about it, and conversely are generally negative in regard to AT&T.
I hold neither of these stocks at this time, but have been thinking about getting back into one of them.
Interestingly, Standard and Poore's rates VZ a sell and T a buy.
Beyond "that's what makes a market", any comments in defense of your position. Thanks.

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: I have owned TRP and ENB for years (10+) and have done well with both stocks. They have now become less than 1/2 weight positions at around 4% of my total portfolio. I was thinking of adding to them but I've been asking myself if I really want to add to positions when it's becoming just as difficult to repair pipelines as it is to build them. The dividends are nice but they haven't offset the decline in the respective stock prices so on a total return basis both companies are still negative for the year. I was thinking of switching out of TRP and ENB into VZ where I can get a similar dividend yield in a utility sector name but remove some of the industry noise associated with pipelines. Thoughts? Thanks

Q: I have just trimmed my KXS position and have some money to put to work. I am underweight in the stated companies and would appreciate your input regarding future prospects. Thanks. ram