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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: Retired dividend-income investor. I currently own ZLB (in RRSP, max'd out, love it) ZRE (Cash account, purchase for LT hold-distributions, plan to add to it over time) and ZWC (Cash account, purchased for LT hold-dividends).

I have a sizeable capital loss in ZWC....2 choices. #1 = Keep it, top it up over the next several months. #2 = Sell it, save the capital losses for future years (don't need them for 2020) and replace with either CDZ or XDV. I flushed XDV right away due to the very skewed asset allocation (to financials & utilities).

So that left the comparison between ZWC and CDZ. Their metrics are, for the most part, similar (beta, P/E, P/CF, ROE, MER).

ZWC is down 39% YTD, pays a current yield of 11%, has a reasonable asset allocation (the 22% energy allocation initially may seem high but might be good for the eventual rebound). However, I don't have the knowledge on how the Covered Call part of ZWC may impact the comparison with CDZ.

CDZ is down 43% YTD, pays a current yield of 6%, but has a slightly more diverse asset allocation and has performed better than ZWC over a 3 year period, but has a higher Beta.

I entered the comparison exercise believing I would conclude to sell ZWC. Now however I might just periodically top it up. Your thoughts please?

Thanks....Steve
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on March 24, 2020
Q: I have approached my stop losses in these investments, should I sell to try to preserve capital to re-enter the market later after a bottom is more likely?? Say when the VIX is below 40? I kronor you can't give personal advice, just wondering what you would do, I'm 68 and retired, thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Pat on March 24, 2020
Q: I managed to do well during this down market. I got out early and have put 83% in DOG, 15% in cash and have 2% in TSLA with and avg price of 189.

I am going to slowly start selling some DOG and deploying some cash. Can you recommend 3 to 5 stocks that I can start small positions in. I have a high risk tolerance and a time frame of 10 years or longer.

Thanks in advance.
Read Answer Asked by Richard on March 24, 2020
Q: Thanks for your great insight as we move through these uncertain times. U.S. Banks will be under pressure with the current virus and oil crisis taking it's toll. Some (or all) may need a bailout. What is your opinion on the risk going forward for U. S. banks, and are there U.S. Bank ETF's that trade in Cdn. $$'s on the TSX, that you feel are reasonably stable longer term, and offer the best way to play this sector at some point going forward. Thanks. Warren
Read Answer Asked by Will on March 24, 2020
Q: David Rosenburg said on BNN: "I think that in short order we have all gone from talking about a recession to a steep recession, and now I think that we are talking about some form of Economic Depression, which might not have a formal definition, but it is a steep plunge in economic activity over a period of time, and then coupled with a very abnormally weak recovery."
The market is very spooked. Can I get your reaction/opinion, please.

Carl
Read Answer Asked by Carl on March 24, 2020
Q: Lots has happened since your March 9 special report. Which ones are now your favorites?
Any other names you find interesting or sectors to avoid at the present time?
Thank you,
Read Answer Asked by Pierre on March 24, 2020
Q: I have asked a question today and here is another question that is related and comes with the same caveat that i do not know much about bonds/debt/fixed income; beyond the basics.
From what i saw on TV, the selloff in equities would force pensions to sell debt.That should depress the corporate debt prices? The central banks would buy mortgage backed securities. Who would purchase corporate debt, specially high yield? Would that also make the fixed income bonds issued by canadian banks more attractive(cheaper)? Would it also indicate that equity selloff is near bottom or reached bottom?
Would you prefer to buy bonds/debt or equity when there is a little stability? And could you please suggest some?
Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Rajiv on March 24, 2020
Q: What do you estimate the remaining decline in the market will be? I have read that the decline could be between 10 to 50 percent. Also, what do you think the market will end up at the end of the year?
Clayton
Read Answer Asked by Clayton on March 24, 2020
Q: Could you please discuss BAM/how it is structured with the other subsidiaries (infra, renewables)? I'm a bit confused as to how it all works.
Would you say it is best to buy BAM, or the infrastructure company or the renewables one and why?
They have all fallen a lot... but are they "cheap"?
Read Answer Asked by Max on March 24, 2020
Q: Hi,

What type of account (cdn, us, rsp, tfsa) should I hold reits in to minimize taxes?

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by David on March 24, 2020
Q: Hi, I think, Monday's 10% stock price decline, could have been as a result of company's press release after close of markets on Friday March 20th. The NR for MTN Debenture issue NR had a paragraph on " COVID-19 Update ", which read as follows.
" Due to the speed with which the situation is developing and the uncertainty of its magnitude, outcome and duration, we are not able at this time to estimate the impact of the COVID-19 situation on our operations or financial results; however, the impact could be material. "
Read Answer Asked by rajeev on March 24, 2020
Q: On March 9th a special report was shared with 5i opinions on ten potential stocks to consider in the near future. That seems like eons ago considering all that has transpired. Would the advice on these stock picks remain the same today or would there be changes made with the selections? Thanks Dennis
Read Answer Asked by Dennis on March 24, 2020
Q: Assuming a youngish investor with a high risk tolerance and no cash flow/liquidity concerns, would it make sense to consider dipping into some "reserve" ammunition now and over the next few months in the form of LOC's/margin? Thinking being, from these levels, over the next 5 years imaging a 7% total return seems highly probable. With credit available below that rate, along with the ability to deduct the interest expenses, profitability seems likely. If this is a tactic you could even begin to condone, would you have any guidance such as a maximum amount of credit compared to invested capital to deploy? Also, assuming HELOC is not an option, any tips on finding the best rates and sources of credit?
Read Answer Asked by Andrew on March 24, 2020
Q: Can you please provide a few of your favourite US companies with low beta, high ROE and no debt that would be worth buying now for long term growth? Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Marco on March 24, 2020
Q: What US stocks is 5i staff currently buying and why?
Read Answer Asked by Marco on March 24, 2020