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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: Hello 5i team,
S&P Dow Jones Indices and MSCI recently announced revisions to the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®) structure for 2018. I think it would make a great topic for a 5i blog. In the meantime, I have a some questions: (1) does this announcement confirms that we should not always follow blindly industrial classification? (2) the classification is not always up to date, especially in developing industries (internet, telecom, media, communication) or when companies are transitioning activities? (3) Investors should allow themselves to split classification 50%/50% for some companies? (4) Could you list some companies that you think are currently "misclassified" by index providers (SHOP communications?) including companies either under coverage or in 5i Research portfolios or that will be reclassified?; (5) Would you agree that this announcement confirms that long term investors should not care that much about short term sector weighting fluctuations (rounding to the closest 5% is good enough) and should focus on selecting the best investments (stocks) whatever the sector, while just avoiding too high sector concentration, instead of doing mandatory diversification among all sectors in less good companies (for exemple recently : energy)? My main point is: many investors will change the composition of their portfolio (trade) following S&P and MSCI decision while their portfolio exposition (economic drivers) will not have change. Reading most 5i Research questions every day, I see many questions about sector allocation. I thought my questions would help some clients. Any other thoughts?
Thank you for your collaboration, Eric
Read Answer Asked by Eric on January 16, 2018
Q: As a follow up to my question on Big Wind Capital, my understanding is that it’s halted right now as it has a DA to acquire 49% of Hill Top Security.

It will come back on the exchange with a US listing as well, new name, Hill Top Cybersecurity Inc.

The symbol already on their new web site, is CYBX.

They will provide a US Government patented blockchain cybersecurity to all Bitcoin transactions worldwide.

In addition they will have a ICO of a new Bitcoin called Minecoin. It will be a medium to allow metals and mining companies to negotiate their transactions safely and securely and eliminate the middleman.

Is my information correct and again, what are your thoughts please.

Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Gregory on January 15, 2018
Q: For diversification I would like to buy a global fund. I have quite a few GICs. but they are still trying to sell me Edgepoint Global Growth and Income. I wondered if Edgepoint Global Growth would be better. since the GIC make up my income portion of my portfolio. I think the MER is the same for both funds, so I am paying a higher fee for the bond portion.
I appreciate your opinion.
Shirley
Read Answer Asked by Shirley on January 15, 2018
Q: I am considering one of these two ETF’s to invest in. Which one would you recommend as being the one to offer a better rate of return and what is your assessment of both. I like these two because their 10 top holdings. I also really like a large number of their holdings but specifically want exposure to following: Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet, Facebook, Netflix to name a few. Are there any other ETF’s that you would recommend that may be better?
Read Answer Asked by Laureen on January 15, 2018