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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 5i.
Yesterday I asked a question about options and you replied that one of your favourite strategies is to sell a call and a put on the same stock. I suppose I could run a few examples to try to see how this works. But, perhaps the best is to ask you to expand on that strategy a bit. Any particular things you look at in this strategy?
Read Answer Asked by joseph on December 21, 2020
Q: My 18-year-old daughter is interested in the stock market and wants to understand the value of owning stocks. She is looking to follow 6 stocks. She has some post-secondary aspirations for next year and would like your suggestions on 3 stable and 3 growth-oriented companies that you would buy today. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by kevin on December 21, 2020
Q: A little while ago, Stephen asked a question about some Reits and BSR was mentioned. In your answer, you suggest it was not cheap, based on 22x cash flow. A couple of questions: would other matrices also show it to be not cheap? About P/E, it shows at 5 on my Portfolio Tracking, but on the web page from my booker, it says 12.49....why the difference? Last, while I do like the business focus of BSR, CAP Reit is often mentioned favourably for this sector; can you briefly compare these 2 and suggest which you would prefer, and why? Thank you for your excellent service.
Read Answer Asked by Leonard on December 21, 2020
Q: I have seen many articles in which advisors recommend all-in-one portfolios as core holdings. I understand the value of these portfolios given the rebalancing effect, when there is a mix of bonds and equities (e.g. VBAL, XBAL). However, I do not understand the benefit of the all-equity, all-in-one portfolio (e.g. VEQT, XEQT) compared to an all-world equity ETF (e.g. XAW, XWD). The all-equity, all-in-one portfolios are overweight Canada vis-a-vis global market capitalizations. It seems to me that the all-equity, all-in-one portfolios are "betting" that Canadian equities will outperform the rest of the world. Yet, most articles I read suggest the opposite, and recommend that Canadians invest increasingly internationally (in fact, I can not recall in the last few years any article suggesting Canadian outperformance).

It seems to me that the all world ETFs (XAW, XWD) are a better bet, but I am concerned that I am missing something given the popularity of the all-equity, all-in-one portfolios. What do you see as the advantage of the all equity, all-in-one portfolios over the all world all-equity ETFs? Why do major firms such as Vanguard and Blackrock have a Canadian overweight in their all-equity, all-in-one portfolios? For a long-term core equity-only holding, do you recommend the all-in-one portfolio (e.g. VEQT, XEQT) over the global equity ETFs (XAW, XWD)? Is there any other ETF you would recommend instead?

Many thanks for your excellent advice.
Read Answer Asked by Dale on December 21, 2020
Q: Happy holidays to all at 5i. In this most difficult of years, it was great that you were all at our financial backs and gave us one less thing to stress about.

I purchased GOOS about a month ago on your recommendation. Since then you seem to be touting DOO more strongly. I don't normally chase stocks but I was wondering in this case if you feel a much stronger case can be made for DOO over GOOS? I only ask in this situation because I have always been leery of discretionary stocks - particularly those that are fashion related - because tastes can change very quickly, I am a buy and hold investor so I am not looking for a just quick flip.

Appreciate your insight.

Paul F.

Read Answer Asked by Paul on December 21, 2020
Q: In order to increase my US holdings I am planning to exchange Cdn $ to US. It appears as the Cdn is creeping towards 80 cents US. What is driving the Cdn dollar? Does not appear as oil or finance is or for that matter the Cdn economy. Should I wait for the trend to reverse?
Read Answer Asked by Peter on December 21, 2020
Q: Hi 5i team,
Looks like you guys were right (again) on GC. They negotiated a new price of $45 over the weekend. The original proxy was due today. I did not vote as at the time the major shareholders opposed the deal. They now all support it as I read the news release, so I would support it as the game is over. Proxy voting is extended to Wednesday. I just want to confirm that whether or not I vote has no bearing on my disposition of the shares. If I get lucky with a takeover, I tend to let it run a bit but sell before the closing date, which I think is 2nd Q, 2021.
Thanks again.
Dave
Read Answer Asked by Dave on December 21, 2020
Q: Two questions here, please deduct as fit.
I have a triple with DND, about8.5% of over all holdings, and am thinking of selling 50%, and buying NVEI, or would you just hold and enjoy the Christmas bonus ride for a bit longer, or a lot longer.
Two, is Peter's new fund up and running, and if so how can I buy some.
All the best, and many thanks for the great advice.
Read Answer Asked by Greg on December 21, 2020
Q: I have several under- performing and losing stocks in TFSA and RRIF accounts. Sometimes the loss will be as much as $3000. What is your opinion about selling such stocks and deploying the money into something else, bearing in mind that it solidifies the loss and a tax loss can't be claimed.
Read Answer Asked by Maureen on December 21, 2020
Q: Hi 5i. Assuming in Canada there is pent up demand for travel, and dollars sitting in deposit accounts, what Canadian equities in the travel or hospitality space would one consider investing in once Covid-19 abates and travel restrictions are rescinded?
Please list any Canadian equities that you think will benefit from Canadians traveling again. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by hank on December 21, 2020
Q: Can you please advise, what are the top 6-8 companies (can be US or CAD), that have good price entry point, to start growth portfolio today(2-3 years term)?
Read Answer Asked by Oleksii on December 21, 2020
Q: My question is about investing in an index Exchange traded fund such as XEI, XRE, ZRE, etc.
How often do ETF (fund company) issue additional units/shares ?
Will additional issues of units dilute returns for medium to long term investors ? If yes how much of an impact would it have on returns and how significant would it be?
Read Answer Asked by Sridhar on December 21, 2020