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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: Hi Peter

You recently wrote an article about investing versus gambling which neatly explained why investing was not gambling. I had no issue with your explanation, but must admit that lately I am concerned that investing is starting to feel more and more like gambling. You just do not know what Trump is going to Tweet or do next. China’s reactions are another issue. I am not confident that Trump fully understands what he is doing. Case in point , his remarks that China is adding all kings of money into the US Treasury due to the tariffs he is imposing. Look at the reactions to his plan to impose further tariffs on China and subsequent devaluation of the Chinese currency. You just do not know what he will do next. But it does look like China is digging in for along term battle. Your comments please. Uncertainty is extremely high now. So why not sell most equity investments and move to the sidelines?
Read Answer Asked by John on August 07, 2019
Q: Hi. I am senior who owns TD, ENB and CN in a TFSA. I have a lot of cash and am looking for advise on whether to invest some of it now or wait for a pullback. If it’s time to invest, I would appreciate suggestions on how to balance my portfolio. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Dona on August 07, 2019
Q: I am continuing to try and "perfect" my portfolio allocations. Your Portfolio Analytics program has been a huge asset, and has caused me to really re-think things. I am close to retirement, and can accept some risk but not looking to create an above-average risk portfolio.

For equity investments, I am aiming for about 35% US, and 35% international. I would like safety and growth, and am willing to have some risk. Once I am happy with the final portfolio, I hope to be able to "walk away" for the next few years and let it grow. I have a preference for the "dividend growers" strategy.

Does this allocation make sense to you, for both international and US equities? Are there any changes you would recommend?:

US Dividend growers (e.g. DGRO, VIG): 20% of equity portfolio
US Quality: 10% (e.g. VOO)
US SME: 5% (e.g. IWO)

International dividend growers (e.g. VIGI, iGRO, ZDI): 20% of equity portfolio
International Quality: 10% (e.g. XEF)
Emerging markets: 5% (e.g. VEE, ZEM)

Thank you so much for this amazing service!
Read Answer Asked by Dale on August 07, 2019
Q: What are some high yield ETFs that sell in US dollars?
Read Answer Asked by Robert on August 07, 2019
Q: I'm considering one of these ETFs to hold in my RRSP for the Canadian portion. They only have about $4M assets under management and I'm curious what the downside to this is. This would be a long 20+ year hold so should I be worried about the low trading volume or anything else that comes with small ETF's? Do you see an advantage to one of these ETFs over the other?

Also this DRMC claims to have a 4.07% weighting in the energy sector but Enbridge has a 6.4% weighting. Do you know why this would be?

Thanks and deduct credits as you see fit.

Read Answer Asked by Dennis on August 07, 2019
Q: Hi 5i
According to the Portfolio Analytics, I should be reducing my exposure to consumer cyclical stocks from 15% down to 10% of my overall portfolio, and I agree I should reduce 3-5%. I currently have MG-3%, CCL.B-4.5%, BYD.UN-4.5%, GIL-2% and the big laggard TSGI-only 1% of my portfolio now.
I'm considering selling TSGI (50% loss) as I'm getting fed up with it, in addition to one of either GIL or MG. What is your opinion on this approach, and would you sell GIL or MG at this time? I'd also like to hear if you would advise a different approach to reducing my exposure. Thanks very much!
Read Answer Asked by Lois on August 07, 2019
Q: I have $100k, in my Tfsa in cash, want to buy 5 equities equal weighting, in us and can markets,, 7 year time horizon, high risk tolerance, given where markets are today. Any thoughts, on the best 5 positions you would start with both us and can stocks?
Read Answer Asked by John on August 07, 2019
Q: I am trying to get a handle on how defensive EIF might be given weakening economic growth and weakening oil prices, which presumably means lower fuel costs for their airline services, some of which appear to be independent of economic circumstances. However that independence is not clear nor is their reliance on local or other economic prospects. Can you clarify any of this please. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Mike on August 07, 2019
Q: Given your answer on July 23rd, has Amazon over corrected in your view? Do you see any near term catalysts that may cause it to return to the $2,000 range? I assume Bezos’ selling as of late caused some of this fall. I am considering calls on it but am gun shy due to the prospect of getting the timing wrong. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Jason on August 07, 2019
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