Investment Q&A

Q: Hello 5i team. My question is in regards to taxation. I have an investment account at a CDN discount brokerage in US dollars. If I was to buy a cdn company say TD bank that trades on the US market and buy it in US dollars how would the dividends be treated? Would the dividends be paid in US dollars or paid in CDN dollars then converted back to US dollars? If they are paid in US dollars then are they subject to the 10-15% US withholding tax? I am trying to find investments that I can buy with US dollars but not be subject to the US withholding tax. Thanks

Q: When analyzing Canadian stocks with considerable exposure to the US, how much of the stock appreciation in the last 5 years would be attributable to the declining Canadian dollar, and more importantly, would a rising Canadian dollar have the reverse effect? Would the effect be different for a utility like AQN with large capital investment, as opposed to a services company like TD? Would management participate in hedging strategies to limit any negative effect on stock price?

Q: Hi : I'm a little thin on US exposure. Would it make sense to switch from BMO to TD?

Thanks

Q: Hi Peter and team again
I am looking at my SDRIF.
I have TD and RY in this account. TD has grown to a 10% stake, so I am thinking of selling 50%. What replacement do you recommend? BNS or XCI or other.?
I also have VISA in this account that has been flat all year, also being a 10% stake, I can sell 50% or all. Was thinking of SLF, PWF or STB. I would really like to have high yield investments here. Do you have any other high yield investments to recommend?
I understand this account for two questions. No problems.
Thanks
Margita

Q: Hello 5i:
Banks make up 23.5% of my portfolios - TD 18.5% and BAC 5.0%. I have substantial gains as purchases were made during financial crisis. Should I lighten up? If so should I reduce my TD holdings to half or any other suggestions?
Thanks for your great advice throughout the years
Tom

Q: Can you tell me the ticker symbol for the preferred shares issued by TD in August of this year. It has a very good dividend and the renewal terms are I believe much better than than other resets.

Q: I keep reading that there has been a great rotation away from income/dividend stocks into growth though I dont see much evidence of it. My TD, RB and Telus are not down at all.

Can you explain this belief and if there are examples of beaten up dividend stocks, CDN or US, can you recommend a few for long term holds?

Q: I am very overweight banks (short term strategy)with significant gains.Do you feel a rate hike Wed. is most likely? Would it be prudent to buy short term hedging?

Q: I own 3 banks - TD, BNS and RY. TD has handily underperformed the other 2 banks over the past 3 months. Any explanation? Also, could you rank all major banks in order of your preference?

thank you

Q: I am considering buying TD because of their US exposure. What percentage of their profits are from the USA?

Thanks,
Wes

Q: I am considering adding to my positions in SLF and TD. Given murmers that Poloz is considering a cut in interest rates on Dec 7, I'm wondering if it's wise to wait until a decision is announced.
Further, could you comment on the implications for these 2 companies in an environment where we see Canadian rates staying the same or going lower while American rates are trending upward.
Thanks for the great service!

Q: Hello 5i,

I'd like to add some financial exposure to my holdings on the assumption of longer term rising interest rates and new political realities in America. Which of the three noted companies would be your preference for both growth and income.

Thanks

Q: Hi Peter,
Any idea why Brookfield Infrastructure partners is going down? I was thinking of taking a full position of 5 % rather than diversifying with Stantec etc. Also, what is the reason for stocks such as Hudbay Minerals and Agrium to continue to go up and is this sustainable? I have noticed the canadian banks and insurance especially TD Bank and Manulife have gone up alot lately. Do you think it is time to trim them as they look over bought. Lastly, can you comment on why Ceapro and B2Gold are taking a hit. The big prediction was gold was going to go much higher after Trump, but all of a sudden, gold continues to experience declines. Thanks very much.

Q: Hi. BNS has dropped while the price of other banks, particular TD, have been rising continually after the US presidential election. At this moment, which bank would you pick to invest and which one has the most potential? Thanks your insight.

Q: I own 4 Canadian financial institutions (BNS, CM, RY and TD). No exposure to life insurance companies or U.S. financials. I would like to avoid U.S. financials. I find it very hard to trust management and it seems like there is always a scandal at a major U.S. bank. I use to own Wells Fargo thinking it was best in breed and they couldn't even avoid scandal. With the advantage of the CDN dividend and BMO and TD's exposure to the U.S. I prefer to get exposure to the U.S. that way.

My question is whether I should sell CM since it is more exposed to the CDN economy than the others and purchase BMO instead for their U.S. midwest exposure? I am not opposed to getting U.S. banking exposure through an ETF like XLF perhaps. Which strategy do you favour? Each bank is currently 3-4% of my portfolio.

Thanks,
Jason

Q: I am looking to get into a bank. Which Bank would you buy first

Q: I would be interested to hear your thoughts on the effect of a US Fed Rate increase on Canadian Bank stocks.

Thanks,

Peter

Q: It seems that every time Home Capital starts to move up a little there's another short attack to push it back down. I know you rate it quite highly, but is there really a future upside? I've held it for 2 or 3 years now, and am getting tired of waiting.

Is it better to replace it with another name? I already own FSZ, BNS and TD in financials. Thanks

Q: I own 3 banks - TD, BNS and RY. TD represents about 50% of the group. Over the past month or so, TD hasn't performed as well as the others. Is there something about TD that is dragging it back?

Q: I recently wanted to purchase additional TD bank shares but found that I was holding cash in my US trading account. Do you have any advise regarding the holding of such investments ( Canadian large cap stocks ) in a U S account. Is there a downside in different trading activity or divident treatment ?