The Basics of Portfolio Construction

In the tenth episode of the MoneySaver podcast we chat with Ryan Modesto, CFA and CEO of 5i Research Inc.  We discuss what an investor should take into account when creating a portfolio including assessing risk tolerance, ability to accept risk, debt, ETFs, stocks, mutual funds, TFSAs, RRSPs and fees.   2:42  How do you know when it’s time to start considering investing?   4:45 What about people who are young?  Have a small savings and really don’t know what to do with it?    6:20  Do you think it’s harder for a young person to learn how to do ETFs?   7:28  Do you pay down debt before you begin investing?   9:43  What are some of the factors to take into account when setting up your portfolio?   15:10  It sounds like you need a lot of cash to investing properly in equities?   17:30  What should be your anchor investment?   19:24  What are some signals to watch out for to sell a stock?   23:35  Can you explain what the 60/40 split is?   24:32  Can you discuss the impact of fees on a portfolio?   30:55   Taking into account the RRSP, TFSA and Cash accounts, how you decide which investment goes into which of those accounts?    34:28  How does cannabis fit into a portfolio?   39:16  Have you ever invested in a similar stock as a flyer with a small amount of money because of the potential?   40:36  What are your three best tips for a successful investing career?   42:00  How do the first time investors asses their risk tolerance?