Investment Q&A

Q: Sunlife seems to have had a bad past 30 days, maybe worse than the overall market? It has had a great run since 2012, but when you look back to 2007 “yikes”. I know there was the big financial crisis, but it looks like the share price was cut by 2/3? Can you provide some colour commentary? Thanks.

Q: Are you still endorsing a switch from SLF to IFC in the balanced portfolio?

Q: Hi,
I have been currently holding these for awhile and have done well on them, other than maybe WELL, which has been lagging a bit lately. Here are my allocations: WELL (1.7%), SLF (2%), GSY (3.5%) and NVDA (3.8%).

Recently in the last few months, I trimmed some NVDA and bought some VRT (1%) and SMCI (1%). For a growth investor, how would you rank these 3 stocks going forward? Would you continue to trim and buy these smaller cap higher growth names. With the run that they've had, I've been a little more cautious of a slowdown.

Also with these other names I'm holding, I'm contemplating trimming or completely switching to higher growth and better quality names with better runway for growth. What are your thoughts? Trim, add or switch? For example, does it make sense to trim a 3.0% position into two names that are only 1.5%? I'm against diworsification. Thank you!

1. WELL to VHI
2. SLF to IFC
3. GSY to PRL

Q: Hello again, I was not very clear on my question re: additions to Canadian dividend growth portfolio. I would like your top 5 preferences out of the 10 stocks listed, which are all currently held.

The suggestions you made are fine and most of those are also held, but for various reasons including existing position sizes I want to add to the group indicated. Thank you.

Q: Greetings, the above companies are all currently held (among others) in a Canadian dividend growth portfolio. For new money, what would be your top 5 choices to add to today? Long-term hold, income and stability with growth potential are key criteria. Would also like to maintain some sector diversification.

Thank you.

Q: I am retired and looking to deploy some cash. Could you provide your top 5 dividend companies in Canada and US with some growth potential as well?

Thanks
Tim

Q: Hi Peter, I have about 15000.00 for an RRSP account. I know you can't personalize the account but could you suggest 5 - 10 good Canadian stocks for such an account if looking for income for a 66 year old investor. Thanks

Q: I'd like to invest a substantial inheritance in solid, relatively safe dividend stocks in a non-registered account for a stream of tax-efficient income. Can you suggest 7-8 stocks for me to consider and do you consider that number enough for diversification? Would you buy in gradually over the year or invest all at once? Is it unwise to invest in Canadian stocks only ( have geographic diversification in my registered accounts)? I won't need the income for 2-3 years and will probably hang on to them for life, whatever that may be (I'm in my late 50s). Thanks. I have tons of credits - use as many as needed.

Q: Thank you for your answer to my earlier question. I just want to clarify. I had asked for current dividend growth ideas for a long term hold. In your answer you mentioned “high dividend”…same suggestions or a little different? Thanks again!

Q: Can you please share your favourite Cdn dividend growth stocks for long term hold in a non-registered account.

Thanks,
Janet

Q: In an earlier response to Olympia Financial Group regarding a 1% interest rate increase/decrease having a 33% increase/decrease on the companies annual earnings you said:
"this sensitivity to interest rates is common for financial companies that earn interest on a large investment holding (such as brokers, insurance) "
Please name 5 Canadian companies more sensitive to interest rates (on earnings) then Olympia Financial Group? I want to track a basket of these stocks.

If you expected rates to be revert to 3-4% for the next 10 years is Olympia still a good investment at these levels today?

Q: How the above insurance companies rank in comparison to one another for total return?

Q: What are some of the negative outlooks of GWO? Is it worth investing in as of today and if so is it primarily for the dividend or growth? And how come lots of analysts are reiterating a hold? What insurance company would you recommend over GWO?

Q: I’ve held TD for many years and the steady dividends are great but it’s sure been floundering as of late in terms of growth. The 50 per cent weighting in the states seems to have dragged it down with the money laundering questions not being adequately addressed. Might a switch to Manulife or Sun Life not be a prudent move at this time??

Q: For capital appreciation over a 5 year period - Which 2 or 3 of the listed stocks would you choose.
Thanks

Q: What would be your picks for adding to the noted stocks - for price appreciation in the next 5 years.
Thanks

Q: Hi Folks,
I am finally breaking even with BNS. I am thinking of selling it and with the proceeds I will top up RY. That will leave me with RY and TD as my bank holdings with a 15% weighing. With the remaining monies I am thinking of adding one of SLF, MFC or BAM. May I have your opinion as to which one you would recommend. This will be for my RRSP account which is fairly diversified.
Thanks

Q: Can you please provide your thoughts on the stocks listed for a RESP that will start to draw down in 4 years? In addition to these positions the portfolio has a good core position in CDN, US and INTL large cap ETFs. Any that you would get rid of now? If so, please provide alternatives (both Cdn and US).

Q: MFC vs. SLF: compare and contrast.

Q: Hello Peter,

The insurance sector has been outperforming this year and I am wondering if it is still time to add to sector weight.
Your preferred choice here is Intact Financial and if I do not increase my sector weight, I will have to replace with selling either SLF or TSU.
What is your opinion?
Regards
Rajiv