Investment Q&A

Q: Conservative, retired dividend investor. I've held Sentry in my Cash account since 2012 and sold 25% in 2017. My current weighting is 3.8% of my equity holdings. I didn't mind paying the hefty 2.44% MER when it was performing well. The last few years I have periodically compared it to ZRE and XRE, hoping for a turn around but my patience is running out. Now to be fair, Sentry reconfigured their REIT Fund a few years back to make it a global fund. Therefore the comparisons are a bit or apples vs oranges.

For the 1-3-5 year periods as of Dec 31/18, Sentry has returned -1.5%, 2.5% and 5.7%, while paying a 6.7% dividend.

ZRE = 3.2%. 11.3%, 7.3%, while paying 5.0%

XRE = 5.8%, 10.5%, 7.0%, while paying 4.8%

Question #1 = please confirm that all of these returns include the dividend payments.

Q#2 = while I love the higher dividend via Sentry, it really is all about Total Return over the long run. Is the global nature of Sentry (diversification) worth the lower returns?

The goal for this allocation is for stability, income, then growth, in that order. I am leaning towards selling Sentry and buying ZRE, due to the equal weight allocation. There are minor income tax ramifications.

Your advice is appreciated...Steve

Q: Thinking of taking a position in Baylin - do you have any opinion if it is worth a go?
Sounds like they might do good when 5G use starts to get going?

Q: Thoughts on MAV after its big decline?

Q: Do you know what the reasons would be that some of the companies that have had DRIP”s are starting to get rid of them? A couple that come to mind recently are Enbridge and Canadian Utilities. Thanks

Q: The US$10 billion offer should get the share price around US$11.5. Yesterday the share price was closed at US$10.4. Is this a buy then?

Thank you so much for your advice.

Q: Even though your balanced portfolio is down 13% in 2018 the yield of 2.13% is very low for a BALANCED fund. Any plans to improve the yield?
What was the yield when this fund was started in 2013 and has the various sector weightings changed much?

Q: I read this morning that the U.S. Justice Department federal law bars all internet gambling, reversing its position from 2011. It is something new or as often a misinformation? If I don't misunderstand, that could have a serious impact on the futur of Stars Group. I thoughts please.
Thanks

Q: In the same vane as Vineet's recent question , I am interested in spreading the stocks of the balanced portfolio across two TFSA's and an unregistered account. To that end I am wondering which 12 of the balanced portfolio you would consider the best for growth and inclusion in the TFSA's.

Many thanks
Mike

Q: Are these ETFs complementary...or overlapping? Considering putting both in my RSP. Thank you. Similarly, would you consider RYT and QQQ complementary or overlapping? Thank you.

Q: My wife tfsa holds these 3 names only (down 37%) CLIQ and ZZZ the main reason. 6k to add this year, would you add to above or can you provide a name for consideration. Any thoughts on these 3 existing names?

Q: I have the above Reits which I would like to consolidate into much smaller number. Appreciate your opinion on your preference of which ones I should keep/switch to, based on expectation of total return over 3-5 years period.
Thanks

Q: What would you replace ALGN with in a non-registered semi-growth focused account? I already own ISRG and am looking for something in the US health care sector with some good growth.
Thanks Nancy

Q: Over the past 2 years I have slowly adjusted my portfolio to be more growth (overall return) focused as opposed to heavily dividend focused. I am considering selling EIF and purchasing WSP. WSP is a larger company with a higher valuation which I'd be okay with as long as I'm paying for a better company with higher growth prospects. Your thoughts, please.

Q: I received a notice of the certification and settlement of the Concordia class action.
They have $5,294.365.61 less legal fees. They state: "Qualified shares disposed of on or before the 10th trading day after the public correction (Aug. 25, 2016)". I myself along with a lot of 5i people (who sold on or about that date) sold my shares on August 18 (settlement date). The rules of this are very convoluted. It doesn't look like I qualify. If I did, I would have to send the information to you to have it interpreted. Hope you can shed some light on this. Thanks Dennis

Q: I have a question about 1213
https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.4975682?__twitter_impression=true
Is this info about ZCL new?

Q: Hi,
In your answer to Cliff on January 14, you mention WSP as having a 10% annual dividend growth over 10 years. It is not the case, WSP does not have any dividend growth over 10 years.

Q: I currently have zero exposure to the Communications sector. Do you recommend having at least one company from this sector in one's portfolio, even it it already has other dividend-paying companies (BEP.un, SLF, CSH.un, etc)? What is your favourite Canadian company in this sector, and why? Do you suggest staying with a Canadian company to address this sector in one's portfolio, or would a US Communications company be a better option? Thanks in advance.

Q: How would you rate and rank these technology stocks as to growth and investment potential for 3 to 5 years?
Thank you, as always, excellent advice!

Q: Does the following make sense, or is there a flaw I'm missing? For a beginning RRSP with 35 yrs to retirement: 50% VGRO and 50% equal amts TD, EMA, PBH, BEP.UN? ( to increase Cdn exposure and to make a little more conservative)
Thank you.

Q: This momentum ETF, with a 5-star ranking (Morningstar), seems to provide a good selection of US stocks, with an excellent rate of return. Would you agree?
Is there a similar ETF structure for the Cdn market?
Thank you, Team!