Investment Q&A

Q: I've held Canadian National Railway (CNR) for over eight years, achieving a modest return of about 8% per annum, which has lagged the broader Canadian market. As a retired investor seeking both income and growth, I’m considering swapping my entire CNR position for TFI International (TFII). CNR has provided stability and a reliable dividend—currently around 2.3%—but its growth has been underwhelming, and it trades at a relatively high valuation, around 19-20 times forward earnings. In contrast, TFII appears undervalued, trading at roughly 15-16 times forward earnings, with a stronger historical growth trajectory, driven by its trucking and logistics operations and savvy acquisitions. However, its dividend yield is lower, at about 1%, and it’s more cyclical than CNR’s rail business. Given my goals and the small capital gain I’d realize in my taxable account from selling CNR, does it make sense to trade all of my CNR for TFII? How do their risk profiles, income potential, and long-term growth prospects compare for someone in my position?

Q: Hi Peter,

I would like to get your thoughts on CNR and ENGH. I am long CNR and would like to reduce it and add to my position in ENGH. My views are that I get more growth from ENGH and 4.5% dividend vs. CNR call it a 2.5% dividend. I know they are different businesses but comparing the two companies what provides more growth and income opportunity.

Thanks

Q: Hi folks,
I have held CNR in my TFSA for a few years - up 10%. I am thinking of replacing it with WCN for some more growth. Would it be better buying WCN on the NYSE or TSE? May I have your opinion?
Thanks

Q: Thoughts on adding to CNR at this level, with current drop today? Do you see further significant downside in the short to medium term?
Thank you!

Q: I am looking to add to my TFSA for a long term hold.
Realising different sectors but considering their current valuations, please rank these companies for a buy.

Q: Major US and CDN railroad stocks seem to do quite well except csx ,being on a constant downtrend lately , any suggestion as hold or sell ( or buy!) for a conservative dividend stock objective?

Q: I hold these large Canadian Companies.. I realize there will be continued volatility in the market but given that these companies have pulled back, some significantly, what order would you buy these names? Are there any you would not buy?

Please deduct appropriately…

Thank you
Tim

Q: Hi Peter and Team,

Our Industrial holdings are too high, considering their vulnerability to the “Trump tariffs”, as you suggested in a question today from Shirley.

In what order would you reduce or sell any of these stocks? This is a daunting task, as I like them all, and they are among the “cream of the crop” in this sector.

I’m planning to use the proceeds to buy some US small and mid-cap ETFs and would appreciate any Canadian domiciled ETFs that you could suggest.

Thanks for your insight.

Q: Recognizing that 5i Research does not perhaps put as much emphasis on technical analysis as opposed to fundamentals, perhaps you have an opinion anyway on log charting in particular.

I noticed that CNR - generally flat for the last 4-1/2 years, fell out of a long term log channel 2 years ago - a channel going back to its listing three decades ago. In fact, with this in mind, I've discovered that the present price is at a considerable distance from the bottom of that channel not seen since the GFC.

So do you see this as a great buying opportunity for CNR based on this observation? Or do you have an opinion in general on the future of railroads in the face of any potential long term disruption that I am unaware of (eg. AI-based) ?

Q: Perhaps I wasn't crystal clear in my earlier question on these 3 - Canadian companies with US operations could be a target under the IRS section 891 to double taxes paid on their US operations. What Canadian companies might be affected by 891 in retaliation for our Digital Services Tax to pay more US tax?

https://financialpost.com/news/economy/canadian-business-pay-price-digital-services-tax

Q: Canadian companies with US operations could be a target under the IRS section 891 to double taxes paid on their US operations in retaliation for our DST and UTPR according to tax experts here. What Canadian companies are most at risk for this?

https://financialpost.com/news/economy/canadian-business-pay-price-digital-services-tax

Q: I was looking to add to some of my steady, stable investments - including these two. Would you agree that the valuations are reasonable to purchase additional shares currently, or maybe recommend holding off on purchasing more of either/both of these, until the US tariff concern is better outlined - could this really depreciate the value of these railways?

Q: Between the two, which would you buy today?

Q: I recall that a few years ago, it was said that CNR had approximately an 18% equity position in FRU. I wondered if: a) the share count of FRU had changed dramatically and, b) if CNR still has an approximately 18%. Thanks to all the 5i team and have a healthy 2025. Bill

Q: I hold CNR. Thinking of switching to MTL for a couple reasons. MTL seems to have better growth prospects and a better dividend Your thoughts?

I'll post this to the Canadian Equities Forum if anyone else has a comment.

Q: I currently hold these is non-registered account and have had for more than 5 years, so there are gains. My question is: taking a longer term view, should any of these be sold and what options would you suggest in similar segments?
I feel that there could be other options that I am not seeing.
Thanks very much for all you do.

Q: Hello, with the overall stock market reflecting a historically high valuation I would like to rotate some of my profits into a few safer names, ideally with relatively lower down-side risk and/or that pays a healthy dividend so I can receive some income in he interim. I appreciate that trying to time the market carries its own risks i.e. it could take a while. What names would you recommend?

Q: In your answer to Shirley on Nov. 22 you wrote, "We think investors can position a portfolio more conservatively by raising the allocation to defensive names that emphasize downside protection with good upside potential." Can you give a list of 5 CAD and 5 US stocks that you think would fall under that statement?
Thank you

Q: What are your current top 5 US and Canadian growth and value stocks to purchase for long term?
Thanks

Q: Given one has decided to acquire these names, at what price would each become:

1) Attractive
2) Very Attractive