Investment Q&A

Q: Hello 5i;
I don't understand your reply to Hector's question today about "whether it is best to convert money to the US and then buy stock or just buy stock and then convert to the USA stock". You say "........there will be no difference". If he converts cash, he will be paying a FX fee. If he buys a stock on the TSX and then moves it to the US side, are you saying that there will also be a FX fee involved?

There is obviously a lot of confusion about US/CDN conversion, be it cash or stocks, the question of dividends, etc. The subject keeps coming up, resulting in a lot of fragmented Q & A's. I wonder if you could come up with an informative blog that would address this whole issue (incl. Norbert's Gambit)? I think we would all find it very useful!

Q: I am considering entering into a 2% position in ITC or STC. Or alternatively increasing my position in Namsys from 2% to 4%. Which option appears best?

Thank you,

Q: I am trying to hunt down highly defensive, high performing companies that do well if a recession hits. Two that I am considering are Ross Stores and Waste Connections. Which do you prefer for it's upside potential in the long run? Which do you prefer for in a large market correction?

Q: I agree that Trevali needs to show consistency in earnings but having beet expectations last quarter, and with a strong balance sheet, could investors show frustration and pushing the stock price to a yer low?How do you see zinc prices in the neat 24 months and would this be a good time to buy an undervalued overly "punished" stock?
Many thanks,
Jean C.

Q: I understand this is a US company but I'm curious if you have any thoughts on it or what you think the biggest red flags are. I like the space they're disrupting and looking at the runway that's in front of this company, valuation seems good compared to many other pre earnings growth companies.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Q: A member reported that TD Direct charges a fee for moving funds (via Norbert's Gambit) between CAD- and USD-denominated RRIF accounts. I cannot confirm that this is the case, but it bears noting that, not long ago, TD added a transfer function to WebBroker, such that account holders can execute Norbert's Gambit themselves. I have used this feature for this purpose (between CAD/USD RRSP accounts) and paid no fee - except, of course, the trading costs for opening and closing the position, which, at TD, for a smallish currency move, might well exceed 1.5%. Put another way, being thrifty with brokerage expenses might have more to do with minimizing trading costs than with occasional service charges.

Q: Which one of these 3 technology companies would you pick (for a 3-5 year hold) and why

Q: Hello 5i,

We are looking for advice on stocks that should be held in a US account rather than a CDN account. Our RBC RRSP has both CDN and US funds available. After reading several questions and answers it is clear that we are very confused about this topic. We are hoping questions below can help us grasp a general rule of thumb on which currency should we purchase and hold stocks for our RRSP's.
e.g.
1. should stocks that pay dividends in US funds be held in the US account or CDN account if they can be purchased in either currency? i.e. AQN, BAM
2. if we buy a stock such as Google (no dividend) to hold for a long time should this be purchased with US funds or CDN funds. Is this a stock that should be in a TFSA instead of an RRSP?
3. if we buy and sell lows and highs on stocks without dividends such as AMZN, and BABA, (2-3 transactions per year) should this be purchased on the US or CDN side of our RRSP.
4. if we are to purchase an ETF that pays a dividend in US funds should this be purchased and held in US funds?

Thank you for your help.
Debbie and Jerry

Q: Good Day. Is it common or normal for a utility type company (i.e. Cdn Utilities) to have a negative free cash flow yield? Tx.

Q: Can I get your opinion on the latest quarter. Thanks!

Q: Good afternoon 5i Team,
Looking for the advice on building up the portfolio.
I currently have CAD RRSP and USD RRSP accounts worth $10200 and $8500 respectively.
I hold 4.3% of OSS shares and 11.4% of TRZ shares in CAD RRSP currently.
My question is whether I should still hold 2 accounts in both currencies or consolidate them in CAD going forward?
Also, what would you recommend to invest in? Risk - moderate.
Thank you and happy Friday

Q: What drives price changes in Canadian-traded ETFs holding US securities on days when US markets are closed? Is it after-hours trading prices of the underlying securities, or something else?

Q: Moving a Canadian stock to the U.S. side in order to keep the dividend in U.S. $.
Is it best to convert money to the US and then buy stock or just buy stock and then convert to the USA stock? Do you end up paying less or is it same? (I.e Fex fees).

Thanks for the great service.
Hector

Q: Hello,
I own both of these ETF's in my RRSP. The position in VAB is higher by 3 fold as compared to XLB.
I will be adding to one of these with my 2019 contribution. Given the outlook for rates (I lean towards the notion that they have most likely peaked), I was going to increase my position in XLB. Would you agree with this decision or would you favor VAB? As background, I am retiring in 13 years if that helps.
Secondly, do you view preferred shares and corporate bonds issued by public companies comparable in terms of asset categories? Both respond for the most part to movements in interest rates as best I can tell but would like to get your opinion please.

Thanks,

Dan

Q: Hi,
Why is a small sleepy company like Cogeco growing faster (than T and BCE) especially in the last one year? Would CCA be a better bet for long term growth? Thanks.

Shyam

Q: Should I be starting to worry about this stock?
Am retired investor down $3.00 but that is OK as bought as long term investment for its dividend.
Is the dividend secure?
Are they running into problems/ cost overruns on plastics plant they are building,trouble getting financing or partnership for it?
I know anything to do with oil (especially in Canada) is acting poorly but IPL is lagging the pipeline sector.
In my RSP so tax loss available.
Is 3% of total RSP/TFSA/cash portfolio.
Does the street know something the average joe doesn't?
Comments / Suggestions?
Thanks
Derek

Q: Good day Ryan and Peter. I would appreciate hearing your opinion concerning HTL last Reports Financial for the Quarter-Ended March 31, 2019. Do you believe that the recent stock price decline could represent a buying opportunity ? Much appreciated. Stéphane

Q: hi ryan, peter...What do you think of wells fargo.. Do you think it could turnaround.. When is the new CEO going to be appointed.. . yhanx in advance, Cliff

Q: Is the Canfor balance sheet "OK"? I'm thinking about buying some shares of this cyclical stock. The sector and the stock have been hammered pretty badly. I think forest products will eventually recover. Would you recommend staying on the sidelines for now?

Thanks.
Ed

Q: Great article in the Van.Sun d/d Feb 26. on Stock Screening.1)New Highs 2) ROE(U use above 20%) 3) Earnings & Sales growth( above 20%) 4}Low debt & 5)Dividend. Under u Bonus screen,there are 5 companies that meet above criterias except the Dividend screen.Please advise the 5 companies.Are they buyable now? & are they in the 3 potfolios.Thanks for u usual great advices & services.