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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: My brokerage has placed a note on my non-registered account concerning a stock that has ceased trading and is in receivership/bankruptcy. They are offering to accept these shares as a gift and remove them from my account screen.

Is this a better solution to filing a 50(1)?
Would CRA not be “concerned” that I filed a sale at $0 without a 50(1)?

You can see that my main concern here is not attracting the attention of CRA. Of course, if I gift the shares, I would receive nothing should the receive distribute any moneys when all creditors have been paid.

I cannot see the advantage of the “gifting” of these shares to my broker. Any insights?
Read Answer Asked by Dano on December 08, 2017
Q: Hi Peter & team,

Over the years I have been focused on paying off my mortgage and putting the majority of any savings I have into my RRSP account and contributing into my child's RESP account. As a result, the RRSP account has over 80% of the savings that I have accumulated to this point while my TFSA and non-registered accounts total the remaining 20%. I finally have paid off my mortgage and I was wondering whether I should now be focusing on putting most of my money into the TFSA and non-registered accounts, so that the ratio between the RRSP/TFSA/non-registered accounts become more balanced? Is there such thing as a good balance between the 3 types of accounts?

Thanks for the wonderful work and all the insightful answers you provide.

Marvin
Read Answer Asked by Marvin on December 07, 2017
Q: hi folks:

looking for direction on oil services/drilling co's

balance sheet-wise what are your 2 -3 choices for long term stability in the energy services area?

(not concerned if it is a frack co; daylighters, upstream downstream etc etc etc)

and, since I have you........

what are your current 2-3 choices for pipelines; oil co's; gas co's

as with service co's i am primarily concerned with future viability (ie staying in business) vs biggest potential recovery

been sitting on my hands and actually making money...........by not buying as yet

thank you
Read Answer Asked by Robert on December 07, 2017
Q: I think it was Susan who commented about not being able to find Cineplex's dividend history. I use dividendhistory.org when I'm looking to do research on dividend history. Its free and maybe it can help Susan and others. ( http://dividendhistory.org/payout/TSX/CGX/ )

Lastly, cryptokitties... for trading and as an alternative currency. Is this actually real life or am I living in my wife's dream where cats and kittens are revered above everything else?
http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-42237162

Thanks.

John
Read Answer Asked by john on December 07, 2017
Q: Hello Team: Season's Greetings
In my company DCPP Sunlife offers the following 3 funds among others but the following have had the best returns:
MFS Global Equity: Allocation U.S. 54.15%, Intl 44.64%, Cash 1.21%. which I am currently in.
TDAM Global Equity Index: Allocation U.S. 61.19% Intl 38.6% Cash .14% Other .07%
TDAM Intl Equity Index: Allocation .97% U.S., Intl 98.59%, Cash .03%.
I would like a little less U.S exposure than the 54-61 % which the first two have but to do that I go to 98% International. The 98% International exposure consists of 31.7% Eurozone, 24.3% Japan, 17.2 % U.K., 13.3 % Europe Ex-euro, and 7% Australasia, by region and by sector : 21.2 % Financial services, 13.5 % Industrials, 11.7% Cons Cycls, 11.2% Consumer defensive, 9.7% Healthcare.
All three funds have had 1 yr returns in the 18 -20% range.
What is your opinion regarding my selection of the TDAM Intl Equity fund with 98% International exposure going into 2018 or should I stay with a fund with ~60% U.S. exposure.
Thank You once again for your help
Clarence
Read Answer Asked by Clarence on December 07, 2017
Q: Good morning!
I have a large position in this mutual fund, about 8% of my portfolio! I have owned this for many years, since it was SDT.UN. My adjusted cost base is probably close to zero due to ROC distributions. I could use some past losses to sell up to 25% of my position...the question is, do you like this fund, should I hold, sell, or ? Thanks very much!
Peter
Read Answer Asked by Peter on December 07, 2017
Q: I am concerned that I have too many interest sensitive investments in what looks to be a rising rate environment. I am a recent retiree with a need for income. I would appreciate your views on my sector weightings:
15% Reits
11% Financials
11% Information Technology
10% Utilities
6% Pipelines & Energy Infrastructure
5% Telecom
4% Industrials
2% Consumer Discretionary
2% Healthcare
1% Consumer Staples
1% Materials
18% Bonds
8% GICs
6% Cash

Your service is amazing and I really appreciate the new website.

Thanks,
Read Answer Asked by Hans on December 07, 2017
Q: Hi All at 5i!! I am a little confused about bitcoin. What exactly is it? How goes it reach such astronomical heights in value considering it seems to have no real value or does it? I have read articles but I am still not clear. Could you please explain, in a nutshell, how it can be applied to our daily financial lives (ie how you use it) and how it gets its value? Cheers, Tamara
Read Answer Asked by Tamara on December 07, 2017
Q: Just a comment in reference to Steve's question on December 4th.
One mutual fund that might be comparable to MAW104 is Manulife monthly high income fund managed by Alan Wick. Often rated above MAW in Moneysense's annual ratings. I know a financial advisor who recommends this fund as his 'little old lady' fund, stable and reliable. Do you have an opinion on this fund?
Read Answer Asked by Peter on December 06, 2017
Q: I am about to manage my grandkids resp. They have about 52000 to eventually cover the 10 and 6 year old. Monthly contributions of 300 are being made with some "top ups" as available. I would like to have them invest about 20-25% in individual stock or stocks and the balance in ETFS. How should I approach the ETF portion and do you have recommendations?
Bryan
Read Answer Asked by Bryan on December 06, 2017