Investment Q&A

Q: You have referred to some stocks and ETFs as CORE. What percentage of portfolio would you recommend as core (relative to satellite holdings) and what would be the number of core stocks and ETFs for diversification. What core stocks and ETFs across all sectors would you recommend?.

Q: With regards to your response to Member Brian Oct 20, 2020. Which bank stock to buy? National maybe small and regional, but the growth of the bank has been far superior to the other Canadian banks.
Dating from Dec 31, 2015, National stock is up 65%, the nearest rival Royal is up 30% and BNS has grown .02%. Since March 23, 2020 National is up 75%. Far ahead of rivals. National pays 4.3% dividend and BNS is 6.5%. However which one would you prefer to own. Many seem to forget this company and I don't know why. Just my observation, love your site, and you've made me a ton since I joined. Thanks to your Team PS even XFN ranks third in returns

Q: I hold TD and RY in my portfolio and I am considering adding another Canadian bank. I have narrowed my search to BNS and National. Can I have your thoughts on both and which one you prefer at this time. Thank You.

Q: I am thinking of an approximate weighting of 40/40/20 value wise for an income stream to offset the cost of borrowing 20,000.00 putting 10,000.00 into the investment (cash account) and the other 10, 000.00 down against my mortgage it saves about 17,000.00 on the back end of my mortgage. what is your opinion on this strategy?

Q: I am just getting started in DIY investing and have been introduced to 5i by family members who have had great success. I am looking for five-ten really solid Canadian dividend paying stocks to form the core of a balanced portfolio. In my TFSA, I have BCE, TD, ENB, BNS, SLF. Should I be looking elsewhere? Thank you!

Q: Dear 5i team,
NA, CM and RY have seen recovery to an encouraging extent.
BNS, TD and BMO much less so.

I do bear in mind that not all banks were/are uniformly exposed to risks precipitated by the virus; those that needed to increase reserves against losses have done so I believe. I’ve not sourced reports indicating any bank is not prudently shored up with loss provisions.

Would it be too soon to start a monthly purchase of BNS, TD, and/or BMO - small amounts, say $1k?
If it is too soon, what are you looking to hear, read about, or see happen that would tell you buying can begin?

Thank you so much!

Q: A respected analyst stated: DO NOT BUY THE BANKS!!!
Here are his reasons:
- Not only are they facing pressure from a flat yield curve but every aspect of their business is being disrupted by digital-first competitors.
- FinTech companies (both public and private) are disrupting every single one of the revenue channels at the banks.
- There isn't a single reason to own bank stocks other than the dividends however I’d argue if their businesses decline as much as I think they will those dividends might not be safe.
- There are better industries to find dividends where the companies are growing earnings and increasing their dividends. Personally I don’t see any of the banks increasing their earnings for a long time especially if these VC backed FinTech companies continue to crush them.
- If you want exposure to the financial industry I’d suggest going with the digital payment companies: $V $MA $PYPL $SQ

What are your thoughts re: only focus on fintech and digital payment companies in your portfolio?
I note that your top pick for banks in your income portfolio is BNS.TO, which you constantly recommend as it appears "undervalued", however BNS.TO has made 0% capital appreciation over 5 years. Is it time to switch to fintech?

Q: My daughter is selling BNS for a tax loss. For a replacement would you favor a US bank like JPM at this time or another Canadian bank like TD or RY? Her other financials are BAM and GSY.

Q: Hi 5i:
The quote about Latin America below is from today's Washington Post. Given that dire analysis, can you advise how you think the situation in Latin America will affect BNS's overall business, its share price and ability to cover its dividend for the foreseeable future.
"In Latin America, the economic disaster may be just as acute, if not more so [than in other hard hit places such as India]. Leading U.N. officials warn of a “lost decade” in the region, with spiking poverty and entrenched recessions. The ILO [International Labor Organization] pointed to a “stimulus gap” between rich and poorer countries. “Just as we need to redouble our efforts to beat the virus, so we need to act urgently and at scale to overcome its economic, social and employment impacts,” Guy Ryder, the ILO secretary general, said in a statement. “That includes sustaining support for jobs, businesses and incomes.”
Thanks,
Peter

Q: What is the current stock price per book value of the above 3 banks? The

Q: Hello,
I have been holding Laurentien Bank for a few years thinking it was 'cheap' as it was trading below book value. It's done terribly should I hold/sell any recommendations on an alternative holding for the long term.

Q: Sir: I find myself still Down over 40% on SU, FIH.U, MTB, UMPQ and UAL and down over 20% on the others in spite of the recent strong market. So 1. Add to.? 2 sell.? Or 3 Hold.? Thanks for your great insight and valuable advice..........Jim

Q: BNS is currently in the dog house but do you see this as a decent entry point for a 1-3 year hold? Yield remains strong and it seems mgmt will be able to navigate through Covid.

Q: I sold BNS some time back at $58.11. I had held it for income. Do you think the dust has settled enough to buy back for a long-term hold for income and some growth? I also on RBC and TD.

Q: Peter; I have some extra cash to ad to either BNS or ENB. I’m up on BNS but down ENB . Thanks. Rod

Q: Hi 5i,

For my experience, once the bank had an issue with the U.S. Department of Justice, it will become in big big trouble for the coming ten to twenty years! Please see how the HSBC:US behave, and you will understand. It has been dropped from US$91 to US$21 from the past history, and the price now is even worst than the crisis 2008.

Q: Hi,
In a previous question you responded:
" We would rank the banks: TD, RY, BNS"
Should I sell my BNS and swap for TD or RY? I've held it for years and basically just received the dividends.
Thanks

Q: Hi 5i team
As a long-time BNS shareholder, I am disappointed to learn of the US$127 million settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice regarding manipulation in metal markets. As part of this, the bank admitted they (this surely involved senior management) made false statements (nice way of saying 'lied') to U.S. authorities in 2018 as part of a small settlement on the same matter. The bank stated "At Scotiabank, we understand that in order to maintain the trust of our stakeholders, we must adhere to trading-related regulatory requirements and compliance policies. We are committed to adhering to these standards."
How wonderful of BNS to say this (please forgive the sarcasm).
My questions are: What actions do you know of that BNS took to fire the people involved for cause, with no severance, AND to cancel stock options the perpetrators would have enjoyed, to send a crystal clear signal to every BNS employee that these sorts of actions will not in future be tolerated?
And finally, what is your view of BNS shares today?
Thank you.
Edward

Q: Thoughts on the quarter please?

Q: What does the market expect from BNStomorrow? Thx