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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: Hi - I have $40k to invest for a 8yr old - We expect he will need it for school in 10 years. I would like to put it all into 5 or 6 ETF's that cover the 1) World Index (ex/ USA Canada) 2) Canadian Markets (safest equity) 3) USA Broad Market 4) Fixed income 5) Real Estate income 6) Mortgages or High Yield Bonds - Any suggestions or is there a single ETF that would cover this basket?
Read Answer Asked by Ron on November 28, 2017
Q: I'm wondering if your service will keep members posted on the yield curve trends in the US?
I'm no economist. But many pundits are saying big trouble lies ahead: Short term rates increase, long term rates don't, curve flattens, recession hits, corporate bonds default massively, blood in the streets etc etc. I think I am a typical member, in that I have some confidence that I am building a portfolio that works for me ( with help from you). But I am lacking knowledge about the macro risks that could wipe me (us? ) out. Will 5i monitor and comment occasionally on this risk?
Read Answer Asked by Frank on November 27, 2017
Q: I am retired and my income needs are covered by pension and RRSP. My question is about my non sheltered investment account and the dividends. Since I don't require the income from that account, would it make sense to enroll the dividend securities in the DRIP/DPP plans available? Would this reduce my income for tax purposes because I would just be "buying" more of the security instead of gaining cash dividends?
Thanks for your help.
Read Answer Asked by Rudy on November 27, 2017
Q: Hi
Just read the question from another member regarding long term returns and longrundata with the response including a link to a Canadian Dividend Aristocrats site.
Are you aware of this site that has a monthly update of Canadian companies that increase their dividend ranked by the period of time the company has annually increased its dividend to shareholders? (CU is #1 at 45 years).

http://www.dividendgrowthinvestingandretirement.com/canadian-dividend-all-star-list/
Read Answer Asked by Brad on November 27, 2017
Q: Where can I find a source of long run stock analysis --- say 30 years --- to look at "what if" scenarios looking at the stock using DRIP and not using DRIP. I prefer Dividend Aristocrats. Is there a list of Canadian Dividend Aristocrats? I read that in thirty years Royal Bank went from $3 to $100 and their dividend grew to equal the $3 cost of the stock 30 years ago thereby realizing a 100% yield. This reinforces the "buy and hold" philosophy.
Read Answer Asked by Donald on November 27, 2017
Q: Sorry this is going to be a long question and I suspect your response will be market timing never works and stick to your guns. Everyone seems to be singing off the same playbook indicating that the majority of economies are enjoying synchronized growth and it’s full steam ahead. That may be the case but have to believe that on the balance of probabilities markets are due for a fall. The question is how do you minimize risk for taxable accounts, which enjoy sizeable gains? I am reluctant to utilize derivatives given the cost and complexity and no assurance of success. If you had to sell certain stocks in a taxable account, what would be the nature of those stocks? Any particular sector? What securities would you view as core holdings? What do u think of structuring a taxable portfolio with a mix of Cdn dividend paying stocks and high growth technology stocks? This would provide flexibility in controlling tax, given that a drop in the former class of securities would not matter as the dividend income would continue and you could control the gains generated by the latter class. Thx
Read Answer Asked by Patrick on November 24, 2017
Q: In your answer to Joe this morning about analyst ratings, you are less than positive on the process. This does not surprise me, but it raises the question about analyst predictions for a company's quarterly reports. The market seems to place great stock in the consensus estimates (and this seems to be getting worse in the last couple years), instantly slamming a company that misses on EPS or whatever metric. Are the analysts that make up "the consensus" the same analysts you were talking about? Why does the market think they should correct, particularly when (I assume) they don't have all the information available to the Board members; and, as you mention there are usually some ulterior motives? Just curious.

Thank-you
Read Answer Asked by grant on November 24, 2017