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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: Good Morning
You are recommending continuously DIR.UN as one of your favorite REITs.
I have noted that this Company has not increased their dividend since 2013.
Normally, we have been advised to avoid companies that have not increased their dividends for several years.
Isn't this fact a red flag that DIR.UN should be avoided ?
Thank you as always for your insight.
Read Answer Asked by Terry on January 17, 2025
Q: As per Tom Czitron in today's Globe:

An index ETF of long-term bonds should perform well, especially one with U.S. bonds but with the currency hedged back to Canadian dollars.

Please comment Mr. Czitron' point and name your favorite ETFs if there are such any available currently.

Thanks

Yves
Read Answer Asked by Yves on January 16, 2025
Q: I submitted this question on Sunday, so now re-submitting...

Asking this question for a friend who is relatively new to investing (and may be a future 5i client:-)

She has $200k in a non-registered account and is contemplating a balance of 75% US ETFs and 25% US equities, any sector. The account is growth-focused, moderate to medium risk; no funds will be withdrawn for 3-5 years. Given these parameters, please suggest 4 ETFs and 4 stocks she should consider. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Maureen on January 16, 2025
Q: Hi. After listening to a 5i podcast about 4 years ago - in May 2021? - I purchased Ultra Clean Holdings. Since then, I’ve pretty much been underwater with that holding by 30% or more (34+ % today). The stock did bounce, I think once, but it was short-lived and I’m still holding. What is in the cards for UCTT if you don’t mind answering a question on an American company. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Mary Ellen on January 16, 2025
Q: I have been advised to buy Ripple's XRP. What do you know about this crypto investment?
Read Answer Asked by Susan on January 16, 2025
Q: My question is on Cerrado Gold, a Canadian company that was a spin-off from a piece of junk I bought a long time ago. Its symbol on the venture exchange is CERT but it is not in your database. I was planning on selling it to clean up my portfolio but after some initial due diligence, it seems like it might be worth keeping. I find its balance sheet confusing in regards to its debt level so I want your thoughts before I do anything. Its a very small position so not a factor in my portfolio.
Read Answer Asked by Brendon on January 16, 2025
Q: I have an enigma for you….
CALL.TO closed at C$4.13 today while CALL.U.TO closed at US$16.01.
If these are identical shares, both listed in Toronto, then the price difference should be the exchange rate - correct?
However, the equivalent USD shares are far more expensive than the CAD shares. This is the puzzle.
Could you explain this?
Which is the better buy, or would you not recommend either one?
Read Answer Asked by Catherine Ann on January 16, 2025
Q: Good day. I’ve been holding my stocks for just over 3 years without much adding subtracting and balancing. I have a few stocks that have declined quite a bit over that time. I think it’s time to sell a few of my losers and reinvest in better companies. The two equities in question are in a RRIF account. Magna is down 53% and CSW.B is down 31%. Each represents about 1% of my portfolio. Do these companies have a hope over the next 12 months or should I sell and move on. Can you recommend a replacement equity to purchase with the proceeds. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Robert on January 16, 2025
Q: Here is a challenge for investors to beat financing charges. The financing is 2.4% for 36 months and I need better than 2.6% to pay taxes on unregistered account. With a ladder of tbills, bonds and strips one can obtain 3.1% with very little risk. If one could live with a bit more risk ( say possibility -5% over the term) are there any other options such as a low volatility income fund or preferred shares?
Read Answer Asked by Steven on January 16, 2025
Q: These companies caught my eye recently due to their broad exposure to infrastructure, energy and engineering. The 1 yr chart for MTZ is pretty good as well. However, some of MTZ's fundamentals I look for seem inconsistent (equity, EPS, free cash flow and operating income). I'm not sure what to make of this one, and see others (eg:PWR, J) in the energy infrastructure/engineering as also looking promising.

I'm not beholden to either of these (and please propose others), but now that I know such companies exist, can you recommend a few options for a "catch all" for exposure to electrical demands (AI, data centers) and upgrades (utility), other energy infrastructure (solar, hyrdo, transmission etc) and even communications (cell towers, etc). Perhaps a wide range here, but curious what comes back from 5i!

I'm particularly interested in your comments on management effectiveness
Read Answer Asked by Cameron on January 16, 2025
Q: From recent articles I've read, It appears that sentiment in REITS is shifting from residential and industrial to retail and senior housing.
I currently hold CAR.UN and DIR.UN. I find this hard to believe but should I be considering a switch to REI.UN and CSH.UN or something else that you support?

Carl
Read Answer Asked by Carl on January 16, 2025
Q: I am setting up a TFA for my son. As the initial amount is less than $10k i will be investing in ETF/Index funds.

60% of amount will go to broad based fund such as VFV
20% of amount will go to Div paying fund such as VDY
20% Of amount will go to global large mid/large cap fund

Question:

1. I noticed some p/e ratio for various S&P 500 funds vary greatly . The PE for VFV is currently 32 but last week it was 22 ?. Any S&P 500 fund that you prefer over VFV suitable for TFSA?

2. Any suggestions for a global fund geared to mid/large growth companies suitable for TFSA long term?

3. Does my allocation seem reasonable ?

Take whatever credits required, thank you for great service
Read Answer Asked by Mario on January 16, 2025
Q: I need to consolidate some of the riskier stocks in my portfolio. Of the following on my chopping block, could you rate which would be keepers for the long term (with a hands-on approach) - best to worst - KSI, GLXY, AVGO, AXON, IESC, ROAD, COIN, APP, CRWD? Also, I hold both GSY and PRL. Is it reasonable to let one go in a consolidation? If so, which one - thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Kim on January 16, 2025
Q: Hi there,

I’ve done ok with these stocks but I want to raise some cash for diversification - in what order would you reduce/sell?

Ok thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Robert on January 16, 2025
Q: Good info from 5i on recent lackluster BEP.UN stock performance.

I've noticed that historic trends for this company's Revenues and Operating Cash Flow seem to be fairly positive / consistent. However, Operating Margin took a hit last year, and Free Cash Flow has been negative the last three years. Is this a concern to you? Is the projected annual 5%-ish dividend increase in jeopardy (next increase is coming up shortly ! ).

Acknowledging the negatives you mentioned in your recent Q&A responses, would the current yield not soon theoretically help stabilize the stock price - especially considering this is a Brookfield....despite as "complicated" as the company is?
Read Answer Asked by James on January 16, 2025