Investment Q&A

Q: I buy a number of my international stocks on the OTC Market, since my brokerage account does not let me directly transact on exchanges outside of North America. The American Depository Receipts (ADR) for a particular company ("xxxx") have the ticker format xxxxY, whereas the "fungible" shares (i.e. for which there is somewhere, at least in principle, an actual stock certificate issued by the company) have the ticker format xxxxF.

Assuming that there is at least some liquidity for the shares of a particular company, it is almost always the ADRs (xxxxY) that have the most trading volume. However, sometimes the fungible shares (xxxxF) are slightly more liquid than the ADRs.

In terms of risk (e.g. in the event of another major financial crisis) are the ADRs more risky, i.e. do they depend on the solvency of the custodial bank in New York (e.g. BNY)? On the other hand, who actually possesses the fungible shares (xxxxF)? Is it this same custodial bank? Is there a real stock certificate somewhere?

Thanks!

Q: Gentlemen,
Appreciate your rankings' in order of preference the following Energy names:
ARX,PEY,POU,TOU,VET,VII,WCP
In your reply please advise as to buy,hold,sell for each.
Cheers,
Peter

Q: I would like to point out that when transferring an investment from a non-registered account to one's TFSA as a payment in kind, the unrealized capital gain is recognized at the time of transfer but unfortunately the unrealized loss is not recognized and is not allowed to be applied against any gains nor available for carry forward.

Q: The answer to a t1135 question by Sylvia 2 days ago wasn't correct:

T1135 - This form has nothing to do with the USA or USA estate taxes. It is a form required by the Canadian government. The purpose of the form is to make taxpayers more forthcoming about assets they have outside Canada. The problem is that the people that file the forms are the same ones that would report their foreign income anyways and the ones that have hidden foreign assets will just ignore the T1135 requirement. The penalty for not filing / late-filing is $25/day to a maximum of $2,500. Registered assets don't have to be reported on the T1135.

Q: I have decided this year to add short positions to my portfolio. Can you recommend any good short sellers or publications to follow? (I currently follow Marc Cohodes & Citron)

Secondly, can you give a short list (maybe 5?) of companies to look at for short positions.

Thank you.

Q: Hello 5i
I would like your opinion on Fidelity Asset Allocation Private Pool Series S 8 (138).
It is the only fund I have in a corporate account, that I am drawing income from ( approx. 8%).
Also, could you suggest an alternative strategy for this account. Best regards, Bill

Q: I have a number of stocks and would like to know where I can find
sector allocations for my stocks
Thanks

Q: For allocating in registered and non registered plans, can you please tell me which companies in 5i portfolios and coverage universe pay dividends that are taxed as income and will not benefit form the dividend tax credit?

Thanks

Sheldon

Q: Was wondering if u had any info on redline communications they seem to be on the move today any info would be great

Q: I would appreciate your insight on when to exit from growth and longer term portfolios. In winning positions one has luxury to take profit according to personal inclination. Some take at 15%, some 20% to 25%.

My special concern are loosing positions. I have heard of 13 week moving average, Chandelier stop (3ATR). They make sense in a trading situations. What will your advise be to get out from 5i type Growth and Long term portfolios when the stock has tanked. Could that a specific % loss say 8% to 10%. I am interested in your criteria.

Thanking you
Shah Husain

Q: Do you recommend getting annual and interim financial reports for the companies I hold? Related, do I need to send in the Annual Request form every year in order to continue getting the reports?
Thanks for the excellent service.

Q: Managers are talking about a switch to value stocks going on right now. Do you agree? Can you suggest 4 of our stocks that you consider value at todays price.
Thank You

Q: which TSX listed companies that operate in the energy services sector would qualify under the "made in America" program.

Q: Recently, I sold some of my well performing CDN dividend equities (a tenth of my RRSP portfolio), and wish to redeploy to high-quality US dividend stocks paying 4-5%. Any suggestions?

Q: Good day!

I am a little concerned over how the markets have gone up over the last year. Especially since November.

Can you comment on general market corrections? Specifically: What is the average time period before we see a 5% and 20% pull back and where we are in relation to a significant correction. Are they over due according to the average time periods?

I know your preference is to invest long term and I agree with this, but "pigs get slaughtered" and I think there is too much exuberance in the markets for such slow growth. Currently I believe Berkshire Hathaway is sitting on 10%+ cash, should we take this as an indicator of things to come?

I did very well last year due to your service and am currently sitting on 20% cash after taking profits and am thinking of selling somemore to increase my cash position waiting for a better point to get back in.

I do not like to try and time the market, but it seems to me that right now might not be the best time to be fully invested.

Thank you so very much for your service!

Gerald

Q: Hi Peter and staff
Given your logic for dropping AdW (low yield) what makes Loblaw worthy of staying in the Income Portfolio?

I have owned it for over a year with no growth in share price to go with the low dividend .

Thanks for all you do
Dennis

Q: I am helping my son with his RRSP and LIRA and he has only has CGX and PBH for consumer stocks. Can you suggest 2 more that is good for a young person RRSP?

Thanks

Q: American Depository Receipts
I am somewhat confused on this product. Is it simply a way of
purchasing a specific non-north American stock without having to go through a non - north American exchange? Please enlighten me. Do you value them in a diversified portfolio?

Thank You

Paul

Q: Hey 5i, I am a guy in his 20's who is just starting out with his TFSA. I would love your suggestion on a handful of companies I could buy right now that have great growth potential, and that are not overvalued or overpriced. I have ~$5000 and I would be buying and holding for a minimum of 5 years.
Thank you so much for your answer.

Q: Greetings,

Regarding Management Expense Ratios and Management Fees. TD WebBroker lists both under fees and expenses for ETFs and Mutual funds and I was hoping you could help me understand my costs. Using TDB900 as an example the MER = 0.33% and the Management Fee = 0.35%. Am I paying annually 0.33 or 0.35%?

Cheers!