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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: Hi, with the rise in interest rates, I was expecting to see a bit more of a bounce in SLF and MFC. Currently, I have a 1% position at a much lower entry price on SLF, and about a 4.5% position in MFC. Would adding more SLF here for a longer term hold now that rates have moved up here make sense? The entire portfolio is pretty well diversified and I have time on my side.
Read Answer Asked by S on July 13, 2017
Q: I am helping my 65-year-old mother reallocate about 20% of her growth and income portfolio in collaboration with her financial advisor; the major move is to decrease the very large position she has in bank stocks. For most of this chunk (17% say), her advisor has suggested an even-split combination of the following (in light of the interest rate hike, and to provide additional dividends): Telus (T), Pure Multi-Family REIT (RUF.UN), Slate Retail REIT (SRT.UN), Power Financial (PWF), Manulife (MFC), and Altagas (ALA) (in anticipation of the potential WGL acquisition). Would you replace any of these (and if so with what)? Would you give greater weight to any? Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Christopher on July 11, 2017
Q: Hi,
I currently dont hold any tech or insurance companies. The rest of my portfolio is fairly diversified. With the recent tech pullback and also rumors of rate hikes where do you see as being a better long term investment? I like to think in terms of at least 3-5 years. All drips available will be used. Currently I have one full position worth of cash available. Am I better do you think to put it all into one or split between some? Do you see somewhere better to put the dollars to work?
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by david on June 13, 2017
Q: Hello 5i Team, I would like to reduce my financial sector holdings from the current 19% to 15% or less, mostly as a defensive move against the potential of a sector "down-draft". Currently hold POW-2.0%, IFC-3.0%, MFC-2.5%, and BNS,TD,and RY at 3.5% each. I am leaning towards eliminating POW and trimming each of the banks to get to the target (income from POW is great but also the only one I am underwater on and I'm not a huge fan of income at the expense of loss of capital), but I also know you don't feel the need to necessarily hold 3 banks so could just sell RY and call it quits. Trading fees not a consideration. Would appreciate your thoughts as always,

Regards
Read Answer Asked by Stephen R. on June 06, 2017
Q: From what I understand insurance companies should do well if long term interest rates rise. If these companies hold longer term bonds in a rising interest rate environment would any increase in income from higher rates be offset by capital losses on the bonds as long as interest rates increase? How does this affect the stock price?
Read Answer Asked by Jerry on January 24, 2017
Q: I am retired and looking for relative safety and dividends. I already own 3 banks and am looking to add a insurance company to the mix. What would be your recommendation on the companies listed above ? Or do you have another Canadian company in this area that you would recommend over this list?

Thanks Ken
Read Answer Asked by Ken on December 12, 2016
Q: Many analysts are now advising building up positions in the lifecos in anticipation of a Dec fed raise. Obviously, these names have performed well over the last month and this is somewhat built into the valuations. Fortunately, I had sizeable positions in PWF and MFC before the run. Trying to buy more of any on a pullback but this may not be possible. Would you advise adding to any of these three names at these levels?
Read Answer Asked by Patrick on October 27, 2016
Q: What are your thoughts on the insurance companies in Canada versus US in general. Interest rates seem to affect the performance of the insurers and with the US on track for at least some small increase in rates in the not too far off future, I wondering if switching from Manulife (my current holding) to a US insurer (Aflac perhaps) in a registered account makes sense.
Read Answer Asked by Todd on September 15, 2016
Q: I believe you prefer SLF, but what do you make of MFC at these levels. Would you comment on their fundamentals, Asian potential, wealth management business and technical signals. Would they be a decent buy at these prices ,speculating on an interest rate hike. I've discovered that I am a patient investor and tend to hold on for better or worse.
Read Answer Asked by Clarence on September 01, 2016
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