Investment Q&A

Q: I have about 150k in ETFs. Is there a specific dollar value where it's better to start looking at an equity-type portfolio?

thanks,

Q: I am trying to understand the bitcoin / cryptocurrency frenzy. Particularly, I see articles talking about the bitcoin "trade" taking away from the gold trade. With my limited understanding of the bitcoin, it seems like it is a currency that trades with the volatility of a junior miner. So, why would it be suggested that, in times of uncertainty in the markets, money would possibly flow into bitcoin trades vs the historical "safe" haven of gold and thereby form another headwind for the price of gold?

Q: I am in my 30's and have a fairly diversified portfolio both geographically and by sector. Currently i own 100% equities with roughly a 70/30 split of growth to value companies. This money is for retirement and i don't plan on touching it for the unforeseeable future. I don't want to do anything drastic but i would like to get slightly more defensive going into next year. The bubbles i see in cannabis/bitcoin at the moment as well as i see many friends/family who normally don't invest or talk about investing starting to put money into the market (mostly in weed/bitcoin stocks) scares me slightly and i feel we could have a minor or slightly larger pullback at any time. Which of the following would you suggest. Add a 10% weighting in fixed income? Trim some of my growth winners (TOY,KXS,SHOP,etc) and add to some of my value names (XTC,OTC,WPK,etc)? Trim some winners to have my cash position move from 5% to 10-12% and add to positions when i see more value? I realize these can be personal questions but i am looking for your feedback anyways.

Q: Hi,
Thanks for your help, in the next 1-2 weeks I will have a amount of 100K
to invest in US stocks because now I am only 8% in US.
Please could you recommend 5 to 8 US stocks for Grow and Dividends.
Thanks
Jean Guy

Q: Where can I get information on convertible debentures. I used to use this link:
www.financialpost.com/markets/data/bonds-debentures.html
but it no longer works.
Thanks. Peter

Q: Under your old format I had an alert and a favourite list. How do I access them under the new format, if they are still available?
I read on November 30th on answering a question that you also provide charts. How do you access them?
I just cancelled a $650.00 newsletter a great deal of money more than yours and it was no where near as good as yours. I am happy to have you guys behind me. Thanks. Dennis

Q: A comment. The cost of a yearly membership to this site is an insignificant amount of money compared to the benefits of this site. I spend more money at Tim Horton's in a month.

Q: 5i rates are increasing 18%. Do you not think this is a bit excessive? This is your opportunity to sell me on the service.

Q: BITCOIN, NAFTA and North Korea are currently the greatest market worries. How do individual investors protect themselves or take advantage of each of these factors? I know it is a strange question. But any thoughts on these would be appreciated. Thanks. Shyam

Q: I know you have answered this question before (more than once). Could you please give me the link to the blog or article you wrote a while back that went through the type of investments that are most suitably held in an RRSP, a TFSA, a taxable cash account, etc. I could really use it when you wrote it. Now I have an opportunity to set up things more purposively and would like to review it. Thank you.

Q: i am confused about the Return of Capital and how it helps investors versus pure dividiends with the Cdn Dividident tax credit. I think the return of capital gets deducted from my original cost base but then doesn't that just increase my capital gain on the disposition of the stock. Your explanation of this would be helpful

Q: ? Asked by claude on November 29, 2017:
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Also, dividends cannot usually be paid on common shares before bond interest. Warrants are a form of convertibles which usually do not pay interest.
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Q: Regal Entertainment (RGC) is in acquisition talks with Cineworld Group. A 23 cash purchase by Cineworld is being mentioned, could they do better and how long could the deal take.

Q: on a private placement, what are the advantages for an investor to buy a convert. vs a stock offered at discount
Thanks
CDJ

Q: I just read a Globe and Mail Business headline which read as above: FANG meltdown and then the article talked about face plants, sector roatation etc.

In you opinion, is there something truly fundamental going on here; and do you see a need to bail or significantly reduce exposure?

Or is this another example of “Big Noise” and sensationalistic reporting .... and as you often suggest “stay the course”?

With significant holdings here I am hoping your advice will be to hang in there and maybe even add to some of the FANGs.

Thanks

Q: Big mistake I made and it seems to be dead money in a RRSP. If you have any sggestions. Hold or Sell. What would you replace it in USD.
Thank you.

Q: I have more of an overall financial question, that you may be able to answer.

I own my own business and have been thinking about buying a building in the near future, but I have a few concerns.

Many business people I talk with state that buying the building they were operating in as the best investment they made, or I talk with others that have regrets that they didn't.

What is a better investment: Stocks or Real Estate?

To buy a building I may have to liquidate my portfolio as it would be a major purchase. I would then have a My House, My Business, and a Building in Calgary. That seems like a lot of eggs in one basket if the Economy Slows or if Oil is no longer needed. ( I know this is a long ways down the road, but is a possibility)

Can I assume if the Lease Rate matches the Interest Rate Payments on a Commercial Mortgage that you should look into commercial real estate as you aren't losing anything? If this was the case less money would be put into a portfolio as some would have to go towards paying down the mortgage?

I know this isn't a regular stock specific question, but I figure with your knowledge you may have a good advice. I also am leaving this public as I believe many others on your site may have similar thoughts.

Thanks.

Q: You have said that there is no withholding tax on US securities, held in a RRSP/RRIF. Do you know if there is withholding tax on US securities held in RDSP. I have purchased RUF.UN and see withholding taxes.
Best Regards
Harold

Q: Given a ten year hold position and wanting a low risk option would you recommend a basket of quality ETF's or solid dividend producing stocks like Canadian banks. Thanks

Q: Regarding capital gains on US stocks,is the tax paid to the US government? Can capital losses on Canadian stocks be applied against capital gains on US stocks?