Investment Q&A

Q: You recently issued a questionnaire which asked for various market predictions and made one or more responses mandatory, which precluded a closing explanation. So here it is. When Putin stops slaughtering Ukrainians or better still kicks the bucket along with his chum Blatherov, and Russia agrees to terms and conditions which obliges them to conform to a rules based system for trade and adopts democracy as a system of government, the equity markets might have a chance of recovering, providing China brings North Korea to heel, stops lying, misleading, maneuvering for lands and waters it is not entitled to or cheating on a whole slate of activities, some of which intrude into our systems of democracy, and likewise agrees and accepts conditions which oblige it to conform to agreed rules for trade, providing Iran does not overturn all of the above. Until then it is a crap shoot.

Q: Of Loblaws and Sun Life, which do you think has the most growth potential over a two year period hopefully coming out of recessionary times?

Q: Your thought on SJ for a longer term investor looking to find value with growth (oxymoron). Valuation seems to be on the attractive side and looks cheap once things start to turn around. Is it relative to peers? it has come down a lot since your report. Is the major concern simply a recession?

Q: Time to increase my weight in Gold and Silver. What two gold or silver stocks do you like now (I already own AEM, so not that one)? And a brief reason why.
Thanks

Q: After reading your report on InterRent REIT, I'm looking into it further. I currently hold NWH but am looking for more growth in both the distribution and unit price (NWH hasn't increased the distribution in a long time, and the unit price hasn't grown that much).

I see that all of InterRent's 2021 distribution was ROC so all tax-deferred. Is this expected to continue? If so, that's a great benefit as I'm holding in a taxable account.

Q: You mentioned that TCL.A is ok for income but if you are in the red would average down as the position is now at 1.5% only. If to sell what stock would you replaced this?

Thanks

Q: Not a question but just a comment that companies like Aritzia First Service and Go Easy would never have been on my radar without 5i. I’ve held all three for a number of years in my portfolio and they’ve done well. It’s also heartening and reinforcing to hear the “experts” on BNN Market Call selecting these names as Top Picks or strong recommendations. I appreciate your sound advice and recommendations. No doubt I can also mention losers that I’ve followed from 5i but my take is that it’s up to us to decide when to sell and what to buy based on your data and your informed advice. Thanks

Q: Can I have your thoughts on PRL. With rising rates and recession fears, would you rate this a buy, sell or hold. Thanks

Q: Hello, would you agree with this statement that I've found from Motley Fool on investing in NWC ?:

"The company is excellent at controlling costs. And its razor-sharp focus on costs plus vertical integration means it is always improving its margins. The stock recently had a selloff after its profitability reduced significantly. But this reduction was due to inflationary costs that the company didn't pass on to consumers."

How would you rate management?
By many metrics, to me it looks historically cheap.....would you agree?

The 3.7% annualized dividend increase since 2018 isn't keeping up with inflation. How do you see dividend increases going forward?

Q: I would appreciate your thoughts on CMMC's quarter. Thanks.

Q: For PK re Share Buybacks
Try using the research tool from your on-line broker for this. I use Scotia iTrade and if I click on “Edge Reports” it shows a very useful table that gives the total shares outstanding for the past couple of years and an estimate for the next two years based on management comments and what they are currently doing. TD Waterhouse has a similar function.
For example, for CNR I see total shares O/S for 2020 at 713M. 2021 is at 710, so I assume 3M shares were repurchased and cancelled. Interestingly, the estimate for 2022 is 688M shares so it looks like they have been buying back more this year.
I love to see the share count go down and the dividend increase each year, even if the share price does nothing. It helps me hold on and accumulate the stock even in a bad market. This has been rewarding. As a last resort you can look on the company web page or even email them your question. Usually you will get an answer.

Q: Good morning everyone at 5i! You have always said that you can’t time the market. I am going on the premise that the market is close to the bottom, and it is time to slowly start to add some names to the portfolio and to add to existing ones. Could you please suggest 5 growth and 5 income stocks ( US or Canadian) which you consider good buys at this point on time? Cheers, Tamara

Q: Thinking of using the 10% cash in my kids RESP to buy QQQ. They won't need the money for 13 years. Does this make sense or is it too risky? The rest of the money is currently in VEQT.

Q: Do you think TECK or LUN is the better investment today? Would you hold both TECK and LUN, or just one? Can also comment very briefly on holding commodity stocks? I assume these stocks fluctuating significantly and are not buy and forget stocks.
Thanks!

Q: What is your opinion on NRP's short-term to intermediate-term prospects? Can't help but think that the cost of Oil, not to mention ENG sources, have it sitting pretty currently.

Q: NOC seems to have been trading within a range since early March and is currently near the bottom. Also it's chart looks better than the other defense companies. What would you think about a purchase here for a short term trade?

Q: Hello,

What are your thoughts on the above stock? Is there another one you would prefer?

Q: Can you recommend some US stocks with growth and yield?

I have ABBV already.

Thanks
Mark

Q: Is there a China bank crisis looming or already here. What is your opinion on the effect on the world economy, commodities, and stocks. Thanks for your insights.

Q: Good day, With the big drop in SVB today, would you see this as a good entry point for a long-term investor? How do you see it’s growth potential going forward? Assuming it’s a buy at this level, would you see it as worth buying if I already own JPM?
Thank you for your insights, Doris