Investment Q&A

Q: Trading well below its price when the U.S. government announced it was taking a stake in the company. Do you think it may be a good time to step in as a long term investor? Or are there lithium plays you think look better?
Thanks

Q: Why is it falling this much? Is this good buying opportunity?

Thank you.
Milan

Q: What do you make of the markets today? Tech, gold, silver, metals, and cryto really getting hammered. Is this a result of these specific sectors just running too hot, as well as disappointing MSFT earnings, slowing growth and larger cap ex. Aside from MSFT, META had larger cap ex and the stock got rewarded for larger rev guidance. We can see how these tech companies will get punished on less than above average earnings and guidance. Is this market priced to perfection and expectations are just too high? Is it time to raise more cash and be defensive?

What do you think of the comments below from Powell and Macquarie and the potential for US rate hikes within the next year? We know markets are forward looking and are they expecting this potentially later this year? We all know Trump wants to appoint a dovish Fed chair after Powell. If we do expect rate hikes, this would of course take the air out of tech, risk assets, gold and silver. I hold many growth names that you mention and would like to limit the drawdown.

Lots to unpack here, but what would be your assesssment for the remainder of the year. Thank you!


**U.S. central bank chief Jerome Powell described as a solid economy and diminished risks to both inflation and employment.

**"While the outlook remains uncertain, particularly given the appointment of a new Fed Chair in coming months, our baseline remains that the rate cutting cycle is complete, as labour improvement lies ahead," said David Doyle, head of economics at Macquarie Group.

Q: A portion of my portfolio is invested in gold, and I have enjoyed the ride that more than tripled the price of gold since February 2024, when the European Commission officially approved regulations allowing the use of proceeds from frozen Russian assets to arm Ukraine and stated that these assets would remain frozen until Russia repays damages to Ukraine after the war.

Even though I am pessimistic that Trump’s efforts will bring an end to this war - there is too much financial interest in the U.S. and Europe to continue it for as long as possible - there is still a chance he will succeed, and I expect that the price of gold may come down significantly following peace.

As PHYS doesn’t have options, is buying GLD puts the best way to hedge gold prices? Any other suggestions?

Q: Good morning,

So with the new Fed Chair nominee being announced today, I am surprised that gold is moving lower. For him to have been nominated, you know he is going to push for lower rates. But historically he has been known as an inflation hawk, thereby preferring higher rates to ward off inflation. There is the question of what this now means for Fed independence, which in turn could result in further volatility in the rates markets. All of this points to the ongoing theme of USD weakness amid a flight of capital away from the US.

In my small brain this points to higher gold prices, not lower gold prices - lower rates; lower USD; higher volatility; less Fed independence. But gold is moving sharply lower. What am I missing?

Thanks as always.

Q: Read in the Economist that the Trump administration bought into the above companies.
None are making any money at this point. Realizing it is a speculative play, would you recommend investing in any of these ?

Q: Hello Peter,
Your opinion and suggestions please.

There seems to be a consensus emerging that China and the emerging markets in particular will outperform the US markets. Do you think the same? I understand that 5i does not research international markets. Nonetheless I would appreciate it if you could suggest sectors and stocks from China and elsewhere; within your knowledge sphere.
I heard the German Chancellor in Davos mentioning deregulatory reforms as well as refrain from looking at outside capital markets(US) as a source of capital. And I believe that Trump threatened Europe with retaliation if they sold off US assets. The dollar has ben weak and probably goes even lower. That should bode well for international markets.
It would be great for us subscribers if 5i expanded its research even if limited, to international markets, particularly China. Any chance of that happening in the near future?
Regards
Rajiv

Q: hello 5i:
President Trump is going to go ahead with the Golden Dome, whether Canada participates or not. It sounds as if most Democrats also support and would continue the program. In your estimation, which companies would participate or benefit most from this undertaking?
thanks
Paul L

Q: The question from Gerald

"Q: Hopefully, the term is self-explanatory."

What is this about?

Q: Last question on these two companies as late December, and I am interested if your take has changed. I just sold CAT, and am looking at repositioning into one of the maintainers of its equipment; largely to get out of the $US and potential risks to CAT of Trump policies.

What is your take on these 2 companies and which would come out ahead for an investment now?

Q: It appears that Trump's cognitive abilities are rapidly declining. What do you see as potential outcomes if he is unable to complete his term? What do you anticipate the impact would be on bonds, North American equities, crypto currencies and precious metals? Would precious metals be a possible hedge? I realize this is very hypothetical, but I'm interested in your opinion. Thank you for the service you provide.

Q: Hello to the 5i crew. Are lumber prices on the upswing? The reason I ask is that I still have a half position in Western forest Products (WEF) and it has gone from dead money to up about 25 per cent in 2026. I did notice that the big boy in North American lumber WFG is up a bit as well. So what's up? The home builders are not really blazing ahead with housing starts and the whole forestry industry seems moribund! So why are lumber stocks getting a bit of a lift? Is there something percolating under the surface that us little retail guys can't see? If my shares in WEF were in a taxable account I would have sold them in December but they are in a RSP. Should I count myself lucky and get out of WEF after this upswing or is there something going on that might make it go higher?

Q: Given Trumps latest musings about credit card companies and capping their interest - how negatively will that affect PRL and it’s business plan?

Q: I am assuming CPX was down Friday on heavy volume in response to Trump’s initiative to impose a cap on residential price increases, and require tech companies to pay for their own power centers . There was a concurrent selloff in independent US listed power companies as well.
How much exposure to the US market does CPX have?

Q: What happens to the market canadian and us it trump replaces Powel with one of his studges.

Q: Hello Team 5i & Everyone,

Just wondering if you have any comments or if you can share which data/charts you’re currently keeping a close eye on with the US markets regarding the looming removal of the independence of the US Fed? I watched Powell’s video response up on the Fed website and am inclined to agree with his assessment of the situation.

I realize there’s no point in guessing, however I would not be surprised to see Powell replaced when his term ends in the Spring by someone who is keen to cut interest rates regardless of what the economic data is advising. I would also not be surprised if this sparked a sugar rush in markets and a rise in inflation. But we’ll see what happens, I’m sure there will be more developments before then.

Living in interesting times isn’t all it’s cracked up to be it seems.

Thank you,

Sandra

Q: A little outside what you might otherwise consider, at least for this stock, but do you see the recent comments from Trump (ordering no dividends or buybacks) as a potentially significant problem the share price in RTX? Many thanks for your excellent service

Q: Great service. Do you foresee a buyer strike on US Treasuries given recent Trump activity and comments surrounding Venezuela, Greenland and others. If so, would this cause rates to rise? Is this a real concern or just paranoia on my part? It seems Europe, China and others cannot compete militarily but may begin to use economic leverage against the US. Thank you for your insights.

Q: Good morning,

Regarding WTI and expectations for continued price pressures for H1 2026 for reasons we all know well, I want to get your thoughts on China demand for Venezuelan oil. China has been the largest buyer of Venezuelan oil, and following the events of last weekend with Maduro and comments yesterday from Trump regarding the US “taking” ~$2bn in sweet crude from Venezuela, do you think China leans on Iran and Russia for their crude requirements near term? Or do you think there is potential for Canada to play more of a role?

I am at a bit of an inflection point on names like CNQ/Suncor at the moment, and would appreciate your views.

Thanks as always.

Q: Peter; Do you think the political risk (Trump) is already in Aris and other SA miners? Thanks.
Rod