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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: For an RESP with withdrawals starting this year, ending likely 10 to 11 years out for youngest child:
Largest holding is the ETF VUN (US) at 43% followed by BN and AC at around 12% each, then TOI, DOO , ATZ, SU, BAM in the 3-10% range each. Not included is the unfortunate loss of about 8% of the RESP due to failure of XBC.
So the focus remains on growth for the next 4-5 years to keep withdrawals mostly funded by growth.
Thoughts on keeping VUN as is? What about a higher-yielding ZWB in lieu of the individual stocks? Any concerns / risks that you know of for the stocks listed or maybe can offer some lower-risk substitutions?

Big thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Marilou on April 27, 2023
Q: Hi,

Based on guidance from CN, and results from TFII, would it be fair to say that we are in a recession. My experience over the years, is that CN always leads in and out of recessions by about 6 months in advance. Based on CN’s guidance, and had they not had record grain shipments for the last quarter, they would not have recorded the beat that they had. Would you agree?
Read Answer Asked by Kelly on April 27, 2023
Q: REFI Although its exceptionally high distribution exceeds its current cash flow, this firm seems to otherwise be a decent turnaround possibility. What are your thoughts?
Read Answer Asked by David on April 27, 2023
Q: Structured notes are a stock/bond hybrid with a limited life span or maturity. When an advisor touts them, they may sound appealing because they often combine high coupon rates with some level of principal protection that would enable their buyer to get their original investment back. Legally, they are unsecured debt obligations of the issuing bank. Unlike most bonds, their coupon payments are often contingent on the performance of an underlying asset such as a stock or index, which means coupons may not always be paid. Structured notes often have no potential to appreciate in price or have an explicit cap on maximum gains.

According to Amy Arnott, a Senior Portfolio Strategist at Morningstar,

“Structured notes may offer big payouts, but those advertised yields aren't always worth the risks. In fact, when we recently dug into some of the academic research on how structured notes have performed, we found that two of the three studies we reviewed found that on average, structured notes have failed to perform better than a balanced portfolio of stocks and bonds, and at times have failed to keep up with risk-free Treasury bills.

Structured notes still account for a tiny fraction of investable assets in the U.S., but they've been gaining in popularity amid recent market volatility and record-low interest rates. They're often described as a way for risk-averse investors to capture additional income while limiting downside volatility. But their embedded costs, complexity, lack of liquidity and transparency, and often unfavorable payoff profiles make them difficult to use in a portfolio. Investors tempted by double-digit yields should therefore tread carefully--or take a pass.”

Can I please get your thoughts and views on structured notes and whether you are in agreement with Amy Arnott’s opinion on structured notes as an investment vehicle? Is this another losing investment opportunity like buying shares in WEED.TO back in the Spring of 2019?
Read Answer Asked by George on April 27, 2023
Q: Hi Guys,

In my portfolio, here our my top holdings, Csu 8.3%, Wsp 7.6%, Nvda 6.9%, Cost 6.8% and Tri 6.4% .

Within a "balance" portfolio, please provide for each stock the % you would hold for before trimming.

thanks,

Jim

Read Answer Asked by jim on April 27, 2023
Q: What are the analysis consensus on this company. Also, I understand they are producing more gold than silver???? and is there an overall average cost for gold production(all in costs). I understand they have more than more than one mine. Reason for the question, I'm down on stock price and I am trying to get a feeling whether to hold or sell the stock, and maybe put it into MAG silver do you have a better suggestion.
Read Answer Asked by Earl on April 26, 2023
Q: the above are my healthcare holdings in my RRIF. I need to add but am wondering about eliminating individual stocks for an ETF with a higher income component. Any suggestions both on the move and the ETFS

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Tom on April 26, 2023
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