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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: Western forest Products just made a deal to sell 14.500 hectares of forest land to Eastwood Forests. Considering that wef's debt is around $83 million (could you confirm that please) I would call the transaction substantial from WEF's perspective. Do you agree? WEF says they will use the funds to reduce debt and invest in equipment that will allow them to make higher value wood products, such as another kiln. I never sold my small position in WEF but this might be the catalyst to move it up a smidge. Do you agree or do you think this transaction is going to hurt wef in the future since they will have to buy their logs instead of harvesting them from their own land?
Read Answer Asked by Paul on February 18, 2025
Q: Could u rank these co. from most prefer (10) - in terms of dividend + growth - to least prefer (1) in the next 12-24 months ? Would an ETF in this sector do just as good?
Read Answer Asked by DAVID on February 18, 2025
Q: I'm looking for an unhedged Canadian etf that tracks the nasdaq 100. When comparing ZNQ to HXQ I see that ZNQ doesn't pay a dividend but rather reinvests it. Also it has cheaper fees than HXQ. But HXQ pays a small dividend. The returns over time seem marginally better for ZNQ. But when the div's are factored in, is this more of a wash or does the tax preference of no div's help more? This would be in an RESP for reference. Thx
Read Answer Asked by Adam on February 18, 2025
Q: Hello 5I, I am in my late 30s and have been a contractor my entire working life. Seeing as I have no pension, my business account is essentially my retirement fund. If you could pick 10 stocks (doesn’t matter if they are Canadian, American, or international), as potential retirement stocks (some combination of capital appreciation and yield), to potentially live off of 15 years down the road, what would they be? I do have a TFSA and RRSPs invested more aggressively.

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Mackenzie on February 18, 2025
Q: At 62, I purchased MFC as a fairly stable income stock with some growth. Its growth over the past year has surprised me and I have substantial unrealized gains in an unregistered account. Which is all to the good, but the stock has been trending fairly steadily down the last three months. Did it get too expensive or is this sector-related? I note SLF has also done nothing good the last three months. Do you see further downward momentum (especially if inflation worries come back) or a return to stability for MFC? If the former, would you advise a trade to a more stable company/sector and if so which?
Read Answer Asked by John on February 18, 2025
Q: Would appreciate your ETF suggestions for a non-registered account that provides some growth and reasonable (3% + ?) dividends that qualify for the Canadian Dividend Tax Credit. This is new money going into an existing account that has no capital losses available (yet!). Current holdings are BAM, ENB, EIF, ZUT, VDY . Have other registered accounts with diverse equities. Looking for something that is not too volatile & would like to keep the number of total holdings at no more than 7. Could increase or replace ZUT &/or VDY if recommended. The ETF landscape is very challenging to wade through !
Read Answer Asked by Alexandra on February 18, 2025
Q: Any red flags with QS’S latest numbers? They state the yearly loss is within guidance…do you agree? I don’t mind the loss provided the company is meeting its internal metrics, the loss is within guidance and company profits are within the realm of possibility. Is Bill Gates a shareholder through one of his funds? Thanks for all you do!
Jim
Read Answer Asked by James on February 18, 2025
Q: Hello 5i,

The quarter has been quite a ride so far. Get a sniff of a miss or lower guidance and stocks drop faster than a toboggan coming down Mt Everest.

Do you have any recommendations that appear to be Buys if you don’t already have a position? Some examples are: DDOG, VRT, TTD, TMDX, SPSC, CELH, CLBT, ROAD, CECO, APPF, ASPN, POWL, (electrical grid suppliers), and any other intriguing opportunity? The purchases would be for a 3-5 year hold.

If feels like the tipping point for earnings for many companies has been reached. If a looming reporting date is like a 5-alarm fire warning to get ready to bail water and run for the hills, which sounds like… opportunity!

Thank you for all of your help and wisdom.

D&J
Read Answer Asked by Jerry on February 18, 2025
Q: Can you comment on latest press release regarding the Valory option to purchase Summit Coal Inc. From Maxim. It looks like a fantastic deal and a great cash injection for the company. Also can you comment on AI power play opportunity and Alberta jurisdiction opportunities. It looks like a good risk/reward proposition. Maxim Management also looks solid. Am I missing anything.
Read Answer Asked by Frank on February 18, 2025
Q: I purchased these 4-6 months ago thinking I should diversify away from stocks and equity based ETF's. All 3 of them are down (from 3.5% to 8%). While they all pay a healthy dividend (~8% to ~ 18%), I am wondering if I should continue to hold. Can you tell me what it will take to get them improving in value (identify for each). And the likelihood of an improvement in value in the next 6-12 months. As well, if you recommend selling and moving on, in what order would you sell?
Read Answer Asked by Randy on February 18, 2025
Q: You recently answered a question on selling covered call options. Most of the options you sell, I believe you said went out about a month. I imagine these are on volatile stocks. But you said options can be sold on longer time frames. Just wondering which stocks would go with which timeframe. More stable stocks with longer time frames? Just to get an idea, how would stocks such as Google or General Motors fit into an options selling strategy?
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by joseph on February 18, 2025
Q: Hi 5I Team,

What are your thoughts at this time on International Petroleum? With its sustained share buyback program the outstanding float is being constantly reduced. Would this factor make it a compelling investment?

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Scott on February 14, 2025