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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: Good morning Peter and Team,

I was surprised to see BNS among the "dogs" in the "Stars and Dogs" column in the Nov. 8 Globe and Mail. In it, John Heinzl wrote, referring to the 1500 job layoff, "If this is how it reacts to the good times, wait until the next recession". As a long-term investor holding only BNS in the big-bank sector, should I be concerned about Mr, Heinzl's assertion? Should I consider diversifying into one or more of the other big banks? If so, which one(s)? Your insight and advice is always highly valued.
Read Answer Asked by Jerry on November 09, 2014
Q: I am a new sudscriber.
Re your model portfolio: I don't see the initial amount of money invested in each stock, the number of shares bought and the total at the start of the portfolio.
Given that the portfolio has had an 8.7% performance rate to date, how would one emulate this portfolio without coming in at a high level?
I look forward to being a subscriber to your excellent site that I have been aware of for some time now.
Read Answer Asked by judith on September 18, 2014
Q: Hello 5i team,
Kudos to Peter for his adventure across Canada for such a worthy cause.
I have a question that may be better suited for a Canadian Money Saver article but I thought I would ask here to see if either the 5i team and/or members have suggestions.

I am looking for information about security considerations regarding keeping money safe in self-directed online brokerages. This may include either a checklist of security features to look for and/or an article/service that assesses and ranks the various brokerages based on current security features. I am not overly well-versed when it comes to understanding potential cyber threats, but definitely want to do what I can to keep my money safe. I imagine this will become a bigger issue as online brokerages become more popular. Any insight would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Rory
Read Answer Asked by Rory on September 15, 2014
Q: I have set aside funds specifically for the purpose of establishing an income portfolio. While I understand your reservations in trying to time the market, could you recommend a strategy for deploying the funds giving consideration to the weak seasonal period for equities we are entering, the imminent elimination of QE, and the potential for incremental increases in interest rates starting within the next six months. Would it be wise to place the funds in money market, or even a short term bond etf like VSB or VSC, and wait till later in the year to begin the investing process? What ideas in the 5i income portfolio are buy-able currently? Many thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Rupert on August 28, 2014
Q: EQI.New shareholder,Smoothwater been buying some $322k shares @ $9.45 to $9.50 from Aug 19 to Aug 25 according to Canadian Insider.Please provide your expert advice on whether it is an entry point now CSS.Really confused & disturbed by the instructions In my humble opinion,the instructions should be FOR or AGAINST.Are the brokers biased as there maybe equity financing coming by TFI for the purchase of CSS BNS.The market today reacted unfavourably to its results.Did it make a loss provision for its operations in the Carriben It s bigger than that of CIBC($500k provision in the last Qtr) & Royal(sold its operations at a loss at beginning of the year)Both BNS & TD are the favourities of fund managers.I am waiting for an entry point Thanks a lo
Read Answer Asked by Peter on August 27, 2014
Q: Hi 5i,

I am curious, you often recommend BNS over other canadian banks yet of the main canadian banks it looks as though TD is in the best position to expand into the US. I know the dividend yield is slightly lower then BNS yet the growth of all the canadian banks seems to match each other. Would TD not be a better choice for growth/yield over a 2-3 yr time frame? Or are we splitting hairs a bit here?
Read Answer Asked by Peter on August 24, 2014