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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: Over the years I have seen statements like “Picking bank stocks is always tricky, as under performers tend to revert to the mean over time.” However banks like CM have been under-performers for well over a decade and BNS has been flat for over 5 years- yes you were paid dividends but that’s all. In the meantime TD has provided much higher returns. Isn’t it better to stick with your winners rather than wait for an under-performer to revert to the mean- with CM your time scale would be decades.

Steve
Read Answer Asked by Steve on May 30, 2019
Q: Hello 5i,
Like many here, I have , according to the portfolio analytics program, far too much in Canadian and far too little in the rest of the world. I am trying to remedy this but I am finding reducing Canadian holdings a bit difficult. I know that you like to see each holding equaling five percent. Although, I guess you qualify this when you say that you are testing the waters on some stocks, then you go at about two and half percent.

I am wondering whether one might consider very similar companies, such as BNS and TD or CP and Cn, almost as one stock? That is, rather than hold five percent in each as maximum, hold 2.5 percent in each as maximum, allowing the two to equal five percent? thanks
Read Answer Asked by joseph on May 29, 2019
Q: Based on the information I'm getting from various sources, it seems to me that it's time rearrange my portfolio to reflect the possibility of a recession in the near future. Based on that premise, I've decided to buy the 'best of the best' dividend and dividend increasing companies in Canada. I would appreciate it if you would suggest the absolute best quality companies Canada has to offer an investor in the so called "more conservative" sectors. I'm thinking sectors like pipelines, utilities, telcos but I'm open to other sectors/companies you think will hold up well in a recession. I'm looking for at least 6-8 companies that you believe would fit these criteria. Thanks as always for your guidance.
Read Answer Asked by Les on May 28, 2019
Q: Good Afternoon,

I am looking at raising some cash. Of the above, which 3 would be your sell preference, in order of 1st, 2nd & 3rd.


Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Larry on May 23, 2019
Q: Hello 5I team,
Thanks for the great service.

In my TFSA, I hold the following:
AW.UN (15.2%); BPY.UN (4.4%); BYD.UN (15%); DSG (5.3%), EMA (5/5%); ENB (10.3%); GC (4.2%); GUD (0.7%); JWEL (1.9%); KXS (7.5%); PEW.VN (1.6%); SAP (4.5%); SHOP (17.1%); SLF (4.1%); TSGI (2.6%).

I have about 12k to add to the above and I would like your thoughts on which 2 stock I should select from the above and/or any of 2 alternate selections you might suggest, I am interested in positions that would include some dividend growth, some capital appreciation, lower volatility and improved diversification. I note that my weighting in financial and healthcare are least represented currently.

Your suggestions and details for your selections are very much appreciated.
Read Answer Asked by Joseph on May 14, 2019
Q: Good day,
I have positions in both of these Canadian banks. I do have a long term investment timeframe ahead of me. I am sitting on cash in my portfolio. Do you recommend continue buying at these levels? Or should I wait until the market uncertainty clears, or buy into another sector?
thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Marc on May 14, 2019
Q: I have decided to only keep a few stocks and follow the Growth ETF Portfolio. Of the 10 stocks I have mentioned above 9 are listed in your BE Portfolio with the exception SHOP. All have done very well for me SHOP up 568%, CCL,B up 180% ,SIS up 159%,MG up 112% and the rest all up between 11 and 42%.So my question is do I keep them all? Sell some ? Any suggestions appreciated.Paul
Read Answer Asked by Paul on May 13, 2019
Q: Hello,
Our financial weighting is still quite a bit higher than you suggest for a portfolio...so my plan is to sell our (underwater) CIX as well as one or two of our (positive) bank stocks. Appreciate your ranking and thoughts regarding our bank holdings noted above. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Bill on May 08, 2019
Q: Could I please get your top 3 picks in the growth and income portfolios at the current moment. Thanks, Don
Read Answer Asked by Donald on May 08, 2019
Q: I am just starting to invest into my TFSA and will not need the assets for at least 7 to 10 years. I would like growth and can say I am a moderate risk taker. I have small positions in the four stocks and I was also contemplating a position in BCE. Would you be able to suggest at least four other stocks or etf's to diversity my account.
Read Answer Asked by Donna on May 06, 2019
Q: I have all these stocks in my non-registered account, I have some money to deploy. My two smallest holdings are CP and WCN, should I add to either one or would you suggest a new stock?
Read Answer Asked by Dorothy on May 02, 2019
Q: Top 4 stocks for my 18 year old son just starting to invest with a long time horizon
Thanks Terry
Read Answer Asked by Terry on April 30, 2019
Q: Buy shares in TD and BNS this week or wait until after bank earnings week May 23-30? On the one hand banks appear to be breaking out now, on the other hand if the shorts are right and bank prices drop in value on soft earnings there might be a better opportunity end of May. Two sides to this stratagem. What would you do?
Read Answer Asked by LARRY on April 29, 2019
Q: Thank you for for answer yesterday about setting up my parent's investments. To summarize, they are very conservative, above 80 years old, and looking for safety and income.

I would now like to ask you about the distribution of the equity component of the investments (composing only 17% of the total, the rest being in bonds, preferred, and GICs). Those below are all in equal weight. What do you thing?

BEP.UN, BCE, BNS, CM, CU, ENB, TRP
XHC for healthcare exposure
IWO for US growth
VGG for US exposure
XEF (in a half position) for international exposure
VEE (in a half position) for emerging market exposure

Could you please suggest some more to round things out? I need another 5 or 6 stocks.


Also, do you have any objection to using ZAG and HYGH as bond substitutes for their conservative portfolio? I am buying individual preferred shares for that component.

Thank you once again,

Fed
Read Answer Asked by Federico on April 29, 2019
Q: Hello . My house is paid off. I would like to set up a reverse mortgage or home equity loan to cover the cost of running it. Which 5 dividend payers would you recommend for my project? Is my plan reasonable and which is better home equity loan or reverse mortgage? Much thanks for your excellent service.
Read Answer Asked by Florence on April 24, 2019