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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 am an income investor in my 80’s, largely in large cap Canadian equities and with 30 percent in GIC’s. Approximately 5% in U.S. stocks through ETF’s. I feel that I should have a larger U.S. presence but lack the knowledge to invest in that market. Can you make a few suggestions, bearing in mind that preservation of capital is important?
Read Answer Asked by Gail on October 11, 2023
Q: Re: the Bank 30Yr Mortgage Amortization Question asked by James... Could you explain the impact of more or less 30Yr Amortiztion Motgages ? Why is it important ? Also how would you rank the Cdn banks for purchase now and which could recover the best ? Which likely has the lowest impact from mortgages renewing ? Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on October 11, 2023
Q: My Consumer Descretionary % is a bit low.

1. I'm a little gun shy buying this sector right now due to economy slowing in the face of higher interest rates. It seems the consumer may be struggling here for awhile. Would you bump up a low sector waiting right now or just wait 6-12 months?

2. How would you currently rank the following watchlist for capital appreciation over the next year+? Are there some you would not really consider Consumer Descretionary - seems to be quite a range of business.


SHOP, QSR, ATZ, DOO, TSLA, MG, AMZN, ULTA, CELH, BKNG, GLBE, CROX.
Read Answer Asked by Kel on October 11, 2023
Q: I currently own Sagicor and I'm thinking of swapping into Trisura (which I know you like). SFC pays a 6.1% dividend while Trisura seemingly pays no dividend. Or maybe I should sell half my SFC and put those funds towards TSU ?? Is owning both advantageous ? What do you think of these ideas and can you provide some insight into the reasons for any recommendation?
Read Answer Asked by Randy on October 11, 2023
Q: What are your thoughts on BIR? It has lagged for the year and more so over
the past month. The dividend is in question, I recall $70 oil and $3 gas covers it. Is there any rationale to it being in question?

The other news I see is a new CEO coming in Jan, any thoughts on this?

Would you buy in here or would it be safe to wait for tax loss selling later in the year?
Read Answer Asked by Robert on October 11, 2023
Q: I need to add to the utility sector. Is this a good time to buy?
Could you please provide 5 names and rate them in order of preference and why.
Would prefer U.S. exposure though Canadian is fine as well.
Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Lorraine on October 11, 2023
Q: Do you see interesting dividends stocks down that we should keep an eye on with potentiel harvesting tax-loss season coming? Canadian and US stocks with a good balance sheet.

I have been looking at dir.un, plc, ko and pfe
Read Answer Asked by Francois on October 11, 2023
Q: who are the major competitors to FTNT?. what percent of FTNT revenue is recurring? how are FTNTs revenue divided worldwide? what is the degree of insider ownership? thanks Richard
Read Answer Asked by richard on October 11, 2023
Q: Hi 5i,
I understand each investor has their own idea of risk but I would be interested in getting your thoughts. In regards to small caps stocks I believe I choose quality at an attractive price with a plan to hold forever (of course they don't always work out and I may eventually sell them). I struggle with whether to buy them in my TFSA and/or NonReg account. TFSA is great if the stock appreciates dramatically and the NonReg is great if I pick a loser and I sell it for a capital loss. Can you perhaps provide some words of wisdom how one can approach this dilemma. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Ian on October 11, 2023
Q: Two questions about the Veralto (VLTO) spinoff from Danaher (DHR) (I acquired 125sh as a result of owning 375 shares of DHR), in a taxable account:

1. Would you add to this VLTO position? (In general, per my previous experience, spinoffs are usually attractively priced in the first months following their creation, due to numerous shareholders disposing of relatively small numbers of shares received). Plus, I initially purchased DHR several years ago in large part due to its “water business” (now spun off as VLTO), and so am keen to continue to invest in this sector.
2. Do you know how a Canadian shareholder would account for these shares (in a taxable account)? It looks like my brokerage account has valued the spinoff at US$9631.25, and has not changed (at least, not yet) the book value of the DHR shares (US$113,231). In other words, would the spinoff just be considered as a one-time foreign income event (US$9631.25 or ~CAD$13,200, at ~1.37 exchange rate); sort of like a special foreign dividend, but without any withholding tax applied, with the cost basis for DHR unchanged (US$113,231) and US$9631.25 as the cost base for the acquired VLTO shares (with me paying tax on ~CAD13,200 of foreign income)? Or should this event be considered non-taxable, with the pre-spinoff cost basis of the DHR shares split proportionately between the two entities, DHR and VLTO (something like US$103,600 for DHR and US$9631.25 for VLTO)?

Ted
Read Answer Asked by Ted on October 11, 2023
Q: To follow up on James’ question today on Canadian banks over 30 years mortgages:
If customers don’t default on these mortgages is this good for the banks or this means troubles ahead? Feel free to elaborate and deduct as meany points as required.

Happy Thanksgiving!
Read Answer Asked by JR on October 11, 2023
Q: Hi, Will there be a recording of Peter's event on Oct 17? I can't make the webinar. thanks
Read Answer Asked by John on October 11, 2023
Q: In Dec 2022, you answered Ron's question "Is the current inverted yield curve predicting a recession in the next 6 months?"
Can you answer it again almost 1 year later?
What percentage of time does a recession happen when the yield curve inverts, and on average how long does the recession last?
Would you move your money out of high risk investments at this point anticipating a recession?
Read Answer Asked by Connie on October 11, 2023
Q: Could you please give me your top five dividend aristocrats. Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Anne on October 11, 2023
Q: This morning you responded to a question from Ralph regarding TXPDDV. I checked my SDRIF and I see that for my shares of VFV I receive a TXPDDV. I understood that there was no withholding tax in a SDRIF.
Read Answer Asked by Dennis on October 11, 2023