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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: Jeff Brown and Chris Hunt who work for a financial firm - they have been online recently predicting the market will drop 92%. They have a picture with red arrows and charts, etc. I do not know them. Apparently Chris Hunt made many predictions over the last while which have come true he claims. The last one being his prediction of the sell-off in March. Larry Berman who is well-known is also bearish on utube - his recommendations are usually short plays. Is this just standard when the market has more downs than ups? Should we take these comments seriously? I appreciate your advice - thanks, Dennis.
Read Answer Asked by Dennis on September 28, 2020
Q: Hello 5i Team
Is there a readily available website listing the subordinated voting shares on the TSX?
With the recent takeover offer for Cogeco / Cogeco Communications, a spotlight has been shown on multiple voting / non-voting shares?
What is 5i opinion on whether multiple voting / non-voting shares are beneficial for the small retail investor?
This might be a suggestion for a blog entry similar to Canadian companies paying US dollar dividends.
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on September 17, 2020
Q: There is no doubt carbon energy stocks are out of favour for many reasons, not least of which is the green movement. The future is all leaning toward electric vehicles (which I agree with), but I also realize electricity isn't going to appear out of nowhere. I could be completely wrong, but I don't believe wind and solar will be able to replace fossil fuels anytime soon. It's "very" possible more sustainable energy will appear down the road to replace fossil fuels, but so far I haven't seen a golden goose. I also think the Big Tech Companies are getting away easy when it comes to climate change. They are using a lot of electricity (and producing Co2) to run the steadily growing Data Centers (the Cloud). They claim they are using mostly sustainable energy, but I don't buy it. At work, even small communication rooms need a fair amount of cooling. Also most computer components, phones, etc. are throw away items filling landfills. So this is just an opinion I have today which could change, but wondering what your thoughts are on this?
Read Answer Asked by Paul on September 15, 2020
Q: REITs are beaten down. For a long term investor who wants real estate exposure, is this a time to get in? Can you suggest (1) two or three REITs or other entities and (2) an ETF for this? Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Chris on September 08, 2020
Q: As younger person starting off their professional career, I am now contributing to the federal public service pension plan and look forward to benefitting (defined benefits) from that in 25+ years. I am hoping you can provide some guidance and insight on how I best manage my own self directed portfolio in combination with contributing to the pension. How should I be looking at equity to fixed income ratios as well as sector allocations between my own directed holdings and that of the pension. Or is it better to treat them independently? As a subscriber to your portfolio analytics, I am just trying to figure out how to balance everything as I continue to develop my first portfolio during these turbulent times.

The pension website breaks its net assets per asset class (not broken down in an easy format to compare with portfolio analytics) as: 47.8% capital markets, 14.2% private equity, 14% real estate, 10.8% infrastructure, 7.8% credit investments, 4.5% natural resources, 0.6% complementary portfolio, and 0.4% other.

I also just wanted to say that subscribing to 5i has been the best investment decision I have ever made. You provide an amazing service. I just wanted to highlight the significant financial and investment education you provide through your answers, blogs, monthly updates, etc. These have been extremely valuable to me as a new investor.
Read Answer Asked by Justin on September 08, 2020
Q: I have some US GIC's that have matured and my advisor at RBC is recommending the RBC US Short-term Corporate Bond Fund as interest rates have declined so much for GIC's.
Would you consider this to be a good move or is there something else I should be considering.
Read Answer Asked by shirley on September 04, 2020
Q: thanks for the recent risk ratings answers for US stocks....I use the information to set my target weights.
and I want to mention this is one thing I struggle with, like how to set target weights for each stock in a portfolio.
yes, I know for a blue chip stock, the weight could be 4 or 5% and for smaller cap stocks, like 2%......but really in setting the target weights, I'm in the dark!!!
with this in mind, perhaps you could keyboard your thoughts on what the process is or key factors are.......anyhow, thanks!......Tom
Read Answer Asked by Tom on September 03, 2020
Q: Hi Everyone at 5i! My advisor is suggesting that I invest in a “Note” which invests in Canadian large cap stocks, pays 3.4% for two years, with 50% downside protection. These things leave me a bit leery. What’s the catch??? I keep trying to avoid them and she says I am missing a good deal and gets a bit annoyed. Could you please explain to me again why these are usually not a good deal? I am short on comeback lines when talking to her. Thanks, Tamara
Read Answer Asked by Tamara on September 01, 2020
Q: After reading a previous question about Bam.a and which account to place it. You suggested TFSA or non-registered where it is a growth name. I’m wondering of the 3 accounts I have regular cash (non-registered), TFSA, RRSP. What types of stocks does your team suggest should go into which account generally?
I was under assumption that a non-registered taxable account would be a good place for High Div stocks, not growth stories. There by eligible dividends be tax free and low capital gains to be actually taxed. Or is growth stocks good for there too because of claiming any possible losses?
Thank you for your clarification
Read Answer Asked by Allen on September 01, 2020
Q: Hi, are you willing to comment on a macro issue of the economy? I am perplexed by the housing market where volume of sales and prices seem to be hitting highs in some Canadian urban centers (not Alberta). Lumber companies are doing well. The long term Covid impact on the economy and jobs seems murky at best. Why is there so much confidence in the Canadian housing market? Due to historically low interest rates and some pent up demand? Federal policies designed to prop up the economy? I keep thinking this is all going to end badly if the jobs aren’t there to pay those mortgages. Appreciate your service. You may post this question publicly if you feel it’s Of general interest.
Read Answer Asked by Calvin on August 28, 2020
Q: I have been following a gradual dollar-cost averaging type approach to adding cash into the markets over the past several months.
With the US presidential election coming in the fall and a possibility of substantial political volatility there, would you advise deviating from this general approach? ie, is there a substantial chance of this event causing a market drop, that would merit changing a market approach?
Are there specific events that you are watching for that may act as triggers for coming market movements? The one that is holding my attention is Trump's overtures that he may not cede power if he loses, or if the election decision is unclear.

Thanks for your valued input,

Peter
Read Answer Asked by Peter on August 25, 2020
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