Investment Q&A

Q: Good morning,

I just wanted to pass on information to anyone that uses BMO Investorline as a platform. Starting today they have 80 ETF's where there will be zero commission on buying and selling. Here is the list of the 80 ETF's I think this is a great way to slowly add small positions commission free especially for the kids RESP.

Actually I do have a few questions now come to think of it. Do you think this is a good idea and if you were to pick 3-5 ETFS from this list and somewhat try to be diversified which ones would it be? If you can give me 3 to 5 from the list feel free to take credits per ETF you find.

Thanks

List:
EQUITIES: CDZ / CIE / CUD / CWO / VCN / VDY / VEE / VFV / VGG / VGG / VGH / VI / VIDY / VIU / VSP / XDV / XEC / XEF / XFI / XHD / XIN / XIU / XMM / XMU / XSEM / XSP / XUS / ZCN / ZDH / ZDI / ZDM / ZDV / ZDY / ZEA / ZEM / ZLB / ZLE / ZLI / ZLU / ZSP / ZUE / ZUQ / ZVC
FIXED INCOME: CLF / VAB / VCB / VGV / XBB / XCB / XHY / ZAG / ZCB / ZGB / ZHY / ZJK
MULTI-ASSET CLASS: VBAL / VCIP / VCNS / VEQT / VGRO / XBAL / XCNS / XEQT / XGRO / XINC / ZBAL / ZCON / ZESG / ZGRO
THEMATIC: ZAUT / ZFIN / ZGEN / ZINN / ZINT
ESG: ESGA / ESGB / ESGE / ESGG / ESGY / XESG / XSAB / XSEA / XSTB / XSUS

Q: Hi 5i Team - I believe that in the i2i Webinar there was mention of an article written by Peter for the National Post on stocks with no analyst coverage. Is it possible to get a link to this article. Thanks

Q: This is an excellent response to Charles’ question asked on May 27 about what to do when stocks are down 50%:

Diversification and position sizing are two items that can help mitigate this 'pain' so the drawdowns do not hurt as much. Otherwise, the best answer we think is just understanding what one owns both on the stock (what type volaitlity might we expect) and on the company (does the short-term volatility 'matter' vs long-term). The optimal answer can only be known in hindsight unfortunately. While we typically don't like averaging down in names, [once drawdowns like this pass and settle down, it can be an opportunity to add to a position once/if momentum starts to work in a company's favour again]. We not generally like stops either. Good companies, over 15 years, might have 7 or more very large drawdowns that might get stopped out (my emphasis added).

My question: how do we know when momentum is starting to work in favour again? A few days of share price increase with more volume? What I generally do is ask has anything fundamental to co changed. If not, and based on the fact that I was prepared to buy at a higher price, I simply buy more understanding risks and do not try to time the market, which can drive one crazy. I do though want to understand more about what generally signals a turn for the better.

Q: Hello 5i,
What is the difference between the total debt/equity ratio and the leverage ratio? i.e. Manulife has a d/e ratio of .3 and a leverage ratio of 18.4.
Stanley

Q: I have been recently trying to learn about stock options especially calls and not puts for starters. And I've been looking at theoretical call options values to see if expected growth of the underlying stock is an input. It seems that the input is "volatility" which surprises me because volatility is both up and down. I get that volatility has a link to growth but why wouldn't a call option theoretical value focus on just the upside volatility which seems much more linked to growth. After all, a theoretical stock value includes an assumption about growth not volatility, so why not so for a call option value? Thanks.

Q: Hi Guys
Just an observation, People should remember their investing in a company's future prospects and pay less attention to the share price.
If you look at a long term graph of successful companies like Amazon & Apple you will see my point.
If your constantly worried about the share price, it seems to me these people are investing way way more money than they can afford to lose.

Q: With 3 children presently in university, meaning the family RESP account is likely to be liquidated over the next 5 years. I am wondering what you general opinion is about asset allocation for the RESP under these circumstances. GICS versus equities ?

Q: Hi 5i Team, I'm looking for a couple of suggestions on (very) good, general mutual funds in the mold -- if I can reveal my age -- of Bob Krembil's Trimark Fund in the '90s. Nothing country or sector specific, just a couple of funds that have exceptional management and consistently good returns. My wife has a small amount in a LIRA that warrants one or two mutual funds at the most (I like active management; I'm not a fan of ETF's for the most part). Thank you for your insights, Pete in Calgary.

Q: When i transfer cash from my USD accounts into my CDN dollar accounts I accept the rate my bank offers. Is there a way to better the transfer rate? thanks Al

Q: In a recent question a subscriber described their portfolio as a percentage of balance, growth and income stocks. What stock parameters would you suggest that I use to categorize stocks into balance, growth and income stocks. Thanks … Cal

Q: I am interested in finding out more about structured notes. On the surface, it appears a good instrument for regular income. However, do not understand several aspects of it and also there seem to be several types of structured note, e.g. principal protected, exchange traded notes. Not sure what types are suitable for my goals. Can you please provide your views and brief description, or link for more information, or contact who could provide more information. Thanks

Q: Me, scratching my noggin to explain this......Today, the market is down but in my portfolio, the US stocks broke even but the Lonnie ones are way down. Maybe it's to do with the mix of the stocks in the portfolio, eh?!.....or the timing, which Canada just catching up the down ongoing down drift in the US market?
The Canadian ones relate well to the 5iR portfolios and my total portfolio is 45% balanced, 22% income, 11% growth, all Canadian, and the remaining 22% is composed of US stocks. Coming back to today, I wondering if you agree that the Canadian stocks seem to be hit harder or fell more than the US ones? Any specific reasons for that? Thanks for attempting to put a finger on it, or two.....Tom

Q: Good Morning,
Some time ago you shared a link that showed Canadian Companies that paid dividends in USD. Is it possible to share that link again, as I am unable to find the specific question.
Thank You

Q: https://youtu.be/rtlTZL3Q5tsW
The above link is a part of Warren Buffett annual meeting. I would appreciate 5i views going forward on interest rate increases and if you agree. If so when would you expect this to occur.
Thanks
Rick

Q: I'm a firm believer in not trying to time the market. Having said that the Shiller PE for the US market seems to be at a high level. How much do you pay attention to this? Should the current number be cause for concern?

Thanks,

Joe

Q: Hello Peter,
My margin account is dominated with US stocks and a corresponding borrowing of US dollars. The Canadian dollar has been exceptionally strong probably at the top of the trading range. I generally prefer not to speculate on the dollar and keep the borrowings in the same currency as the assets. However, I am tempted to convert about 50% of the US borrowings to Canadian.
In your experience, would you endorse this, or just stay the course?
Regards
Rajiv

Q: Do you know of a German Small Cap or Micro Cap ETF that is available for purchase.
My reasoning is Alot of Smaller German banks lend money for Business Development, Not just Asset purchases like Real Estate
Thanks Gord

Q: Good Morning,
My portfolio, although generally diversified across all sectors, is definitely tilted toward growth stocks and technology. It reached peak value in mid-February, but things have gone downhill since. The market shift to value, materials, financial, and industrial stocks continues to push my personal NAV lower. I know this is driven by the fear of increasing interest rates and inflation. I have only made some minor tweaks to my mix of holdings, but in your experience, is it time for investors to lighten up significantly on growth stocks, or will the pendulum swing back with so many positive earnings reports. Of course, this is somewhat of a market prediction question, but do these trends last for years? My investment horizon is about 5 years. Any insight would be appreciated. Thank you for your excellent service, which (by the way) is attributable to substantial gains in my portfolio since I became a member.

Brad

Q: My son, 19 years old, wants to open a TFSA. Would appreciate your advice given that he has a small amount to invest (around $3,000 to start), a long-term horizon, not adverse to some degree of risk and except for small discretionary expenses has no immediate need for cash (parents pay for university, food and lodging). Thank you.

Q: I am sure this question has been asked before. As a general rule of the thumb that stocks, and etfs should be held in various accounts.
Accounts:
CAD Cash
US Cash
RSP
TFSA

I think I know that US Dividend payers should be in RSP, Growth in TFSA, but do you have a high level how to best allocate various types of Stock assets for Cad, US, and International, along with sector allocation or divend?

Thanks.