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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: With respect to investing in big banks like BNS, what is the risk of future scandals? (There seems to be one in the news every week.) Is there a point at which investors will stop being so forgiving? If one wanted to still invest in financials, but was uncomfortable in the actions of the big banks, are there any options to invest in smaller, community-oriented banks or credit unions? Thanks in advance.

Read Answer Asked by Jonathan on January 09, 2017
Q: A senior in his 80s has recently inherited 200,000. We have put 100,00 into laddered GICs. We would like to divide the remaining 100,000 into 4 income investments. We would like your opinion on the following stocks. Income and safety are paramount. Please list them in order of preference and feel free to add any we have not thought of. BCE,BNS,ZPR,ENF,AQN. Thanking you in advance for your opinion
Read Answer Asked by wayne on January 03, 2017
Q: Your response to Brian on Dec 15 included the following comment: "if you own 85% of your portfolio in high dividend stocks, then this is more of a concern".

I am a retired, conservative, dividend-income investor, with a pension, CPP, annuities, the above listed stocks and 3 income producing MFs (RBC Cdn Equity Income, Sentry Cdn Income, Sentry Global REIT).

I fit the 85% easily. I believe my portfolio is diversified by sector and by security. I also believe the securities have, for the most part, sustainable and growing dividends. I am a "buy-and-hold investor with reasonable tolerance for volatility.

Your comments and concerns please, along with any recommended improvements. Thanks...Steve
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on December 16, 2016
Q: So we've had the rate hike everyone knew we would have. The language was a tad more aggressive than expected and the market sold off. My confusion is why did Sun Life (and other insurance companies) and BNS (and most other banks) sell off too? Isn't this even better news for them?
Read Answer Asked by John on December 15, 2016
Q: I am trying to quantify my risk if 10 year treasury rates go back to the "normal" levels of 10 years ago (i.e. 4.5% to 5%). Would you be able to provide a reference to a source of dividend yields for the above stocks at that time? Would this be a good indicator of price risk for these stocks?

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Hans on December 06, 2016
Q: Dear 5i
I currently do not have any stocks in the banking /financial sector .
I`m considering cxi , bns and slf . I was not sure either if cxi fit into this category.
Of these 3 which would be the better investment over the next 2 years ?
Thanks
Bill C
Read Answer Asked by Bill on November 30, 2016
Q: Good afternoon, I had moved everything to cash, believing that we were overdue for a bit of a correction, and also because I did quite well on atd and ccl. . Do you think a correction will occur when the honeymoon is over with Trump? I know no-one has a crystal ball, but do you think it is likely? If no, would you be content with the above choices for a moderate risk? I plan to keep my US in cash for now.
Thanks as always.
Read Answer Asked by steve on November 24, 2016
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
Read Answer Asked by Greg on November 23, 2016
Q: Hi Ryan + Group Presently I am over invested in WFP @$2:10 the thought was that the softwood lumber agreement risk was built in. Clearly now @$1:80- $1:90 range I would say it was not. My question is when I sell it (not if but when) what sectors / specific stock would you recommend Presently the market value is approx $200,000 . Thanks for your valued service
Read Answer Asked by Terence on November 22, 2016
Q: Greetings
Have you ever considered a list of stocks to own, dare I say it, forever? Something so enduring that you can almost set it and forget it. My list would include Berkshire Hathaway, Phillip Morris, Coca Cola. It would discourage frequent trading, focusing on price targets, hand wringing over every quarterly, etc.
Looking forward to your thoughts.
Tim
Read Answer Asked by Tim on November 18, 2016
Q: Hi 5i - I own the following stocks (in a diversified portfolio) and Im looking to top them up to a full 5% position. At todays prices (for a long term hold) which ones would you top up first? Thanks, Neil

Telus - 3%
BNS - 2.5%
SIS - 2.3%
PKI - 2.1%
KXS - 1.2%
SJ - 1.1%
NFI - 1.1%



Read Answer Asked by Neil on November 16, 2016
Q: Peter and Ryan,
I currently have equal exposure to BNS and TD in my portfolio. In light of the recent American election, would you sell the BNS holdings to buy more TD? (TD is acting much better post election). Both companies are held in my RRIF account.

Supplementary, if I wanted to add American Bank exposure, which ETF would you suggest adding to the same RRIF account?

As always, thanks for your much appreciated guidance.
Read Answer Asked by Les on November 15, 2016