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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: I raised a fair bit of cash in my RIF as the Covid madness marched on. I think I would like to buy USDollars with probably 1/2 the cash and buy some US dividend paying stocks. I need the income and I’m very concerned that this current government is going to cripple ( if not destroy) our economy..
I’m looking at stocks like Verizon, but what would you suggest?
Thanks for the great work!
Bob
Read Answer Asked by Robert on June 15, 2020
Q: Recently RBC decided to create a new trading platform for its clients. They have removed a great system and replaced it with an unintelligible system. So I need to find a new trading platform. I have heard of icantrade and others. Could you please recommend a few for me to consider?

Many thanks, Peter
Read Answer Asked by Peter on June 15, 2020
Q: I'm looking to add another 5 quality dividend payers for the long term. Do you see any issues with my existing positions? SOME growth would be nice but secondary to dividend amount and safety of dividend. Industry and country are not important.

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Robert on June 15, 2020
Q: I see AQN and CAR.un will be added to the TSX60 and the others mentioned will be added to the TSX Composite as of June 22. Would you consider any of them a buy at current levels based on this news and their underlying fundamentals/valuations??
Read Answer Asked by Chris on June 15, 2020
Q: These banks have been "hammered" in the recent downturn (for good reason due to prospective loan losses, and near zero rates). That said, do you see the Fed mandating dividend cuts/eliminations in the future here, or is the market just really skittish about it? They all look "cheap" right now, but an elimination of the dividend would be a real reason for me to leave this space if it were as distinct possibility vs. a "tail risk". What is your take on this and these companies - do you see much risk in dividend cuts here? Or is it just a reflexive thought in that the European banks were mandated to eliminate dividends...
Read Answer Asked by David on June 15, 2020
Q: Hello 5i,
I have owned ZPW.U since 2016 and I am down ~ 20%, of course I receive ~7% dividend paid monthly.. regardless, I am getting frustrated with this investment as it doesn't seem to participate in any gains when the market declines as I assumed the puts would. In your view, what are the reasons for the decline since 2016? and do you see a possible rebound? or just exit this horrible investment.
Thanks
CR
Read Answer Asked by Carlo on June 15, 2020
Q: I am curious why the above energy infracstructure supposibly defensive due to their yields have been weak this week.
They took a hit today despite falling yields in cnd and
u.s. bond yields and a slight rise in wti and natural gas prices.




Read Answer Asked by Terry on June 15, 2020
Q: Good morning,
I own a small house in Ottawa that is free and clear with a current market value of approximately $350,000.
A recent discussion with my trusted mortgage broker confirmed that a 5 year term (Closed & Fixed) term mortgage can be obtained at a rate of 2.29%. This mortgage is said to be:
a. insured through CMHC,
b. portable, and
c. transferable.
At that rate of 2.29% and given that the interest paid would be tax deductible if I use the funds for investment purposes, I'm seriously considering borrowing around $200,000 and investing this amount for an initial 5 year period with an expected net rate of return on investment of 4.5% .
Q1. With $200,000, what are your thoughts of splitting this amount in 5 different chunks of $40K in the following instruments:
a. Mawer Tax Effective Balanced Fund,
b. Mawer Global Balanced ETF Fund,
c. Vanguard Balanced ETF Portfolio,
d. IShares Core Balanced ETF Portfolio, and
e. BMO Balanced ETF

Q2. As an alternative to the above and given the 5 year time frame, would your preference be to invest the $200,000 in a selection of best in class individual stocks split between different sectors and if so, would you be so kind as to provide me with ya listing of your best ideas at this time.

I thank you and look forward to hearing your thoughts on both of these investment strategies.
Francesco
Read Answer Asked by Francesco on June 15, 2020