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investor clinic

It’s time for that festive holiday tradition – the annual Investor Clinic money quiz!

I’ve included a mix of easy and challenging questions to test your knowledge of money and investing. If you’re stumped by anything, drop me an e-mail and I’ll explain the answers in a future column.

E-mail your questions to jheinzl@globeandmail.com.

1Santa Claus is planning to sell his marijuana stocks and claim a tax loss. The last day he can sell his shares so he can claim a loss for 2019 is:
A. Dec. 26
B. Dec. 27
C. Dec. 30
D. Dec. 31

Answer: B. Dec. 27

2As of Jan. 1, 2020, the annual contribution limit for the tax-free savings account will:
A. Rise to $6,500 from $6,000
B. Rise to $6,000 from $5,550
C. Remain at $6,000
D. Rise by the same percentage as the consumer price index

Answer: C. Remain at $6,000

3Which of the following companies did not cut its dividend in 2019?
A. SIR Royalty Income Fund
B. SNC-Lavalin
C. Kraft Heinz
D. Corus Entertainment

Answer: D. Corus Entertainment

4Which of the following companies did not raise its dividend in 2019?
A. Russel Metals
B. Rogers Communications
C. Cineplex
D. Toromont Industries

Answer: A. Russel Metals

5As of Dec. 17, the yield on the five-year Government of Canada bond was about:
A. 2.29 per cent
B. 1.67 per cent
C. 1.23 per cent
D. 0.98 per cent

Answer: B. 1.67 per cent

6As of Dec. 17, the three best-performing stocks on the S&P/TSX Composite Index for 2019 were, in descending order:
A. Home Capital, Air Canada, TMX Group
B. Boyd Group, WestJet, WSP Global
C. Shopify, Ballard Power Systems, Alacer Gold
D. Chorus Aviation, WSP Global, BRP

Answer: C. Shopify, Ballard Power Systems, Alacer Gold

7Years ago, Mrs. Claus purchased 200 shares of Rudolph Transportation Co. at $21 each. On Dec. 19, when the shares were trading at $53 each, she donated the shares to charity. If her marginal tax rate is 40 per cent, she would pay capital gains tax of:
A. $6,400
B. $2,560
C. $1,280
D. zero

Answer: D. zero

8For an individual who started Canada Pension Plan benefits in 2019 at age 65, the maximum monthly CPP payment is ______. The average monthly CPP amount is ______.
A. $717.87, $651.76
B. $921.35, $870.19
C. $1,038.76, $345.15
D. $1,154.58, $679.16

Answer: D. $1,154.58, $679.16

9North Pole Candy Cane Co. trades at $87 a share and pays a quarterly dividend of $1. If the stock has a price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 21, the company’s dividend payout ratio is about:
A. 97 per cent
B. 68 per cent
C. 4.6 per cent
D. Not known

Answer: A. 97 per cent

10In a non-registered account, Steve buys 300 shares of XYZ Corp. at $55 each. A month later, he sells 200 shares at $80. Finally, he transfers the remaining 100 shares to his tax-free savings account when the share price is $90. The transfer results in a capital gain of:
A. Zero
B. $500
C. $1,200
D. $3,500

Answer: D. $3,500

11Assuming the S&P/TSX Composite Index finishes this year with a gain, it will have risen _____ times and fallen _____ times on an annual basis in the 20 years through 2019.
A. 18, 2
B. 16, 4
C. 14, 6
D. 12, 8

Answer: C. 14, 6

12On Dec. 4, the Bank of Canada _____ the target for the overnight rate, which is currently ______.
A. Left unchanged; 1.75 per cent
B. Left unchanged; 2 per cent
C. Lowered; 1.75 per cent
D. Lowered; 2 per cent

Answer: A. Left unchanged; 1.75 per cent

13If you’d purchased $10,000 of Royal Bank shares 20 years ago and reinvested all of your dividends, as of Dec. 16 your stake (ignoring taxes) would be worth about:
A. $42,100
B. $83,300
C. $136,200
D. $2.1-million

Answer: C. $136,200

14All else being equal, when a stock price rises:
A. The dividend yield and P/E both rise
B. The dividend yield and P/E both fall
C. The dividend yield rises and the P/E falls
D. The dividend yield falls and the P/E rises

Answer: D. The dividend yield falls and the P/E rises

15Which statement is false?
A. Old Age Security benefits are taxable
B. Minimum RRIF withdrawals are not taxable
C. Return of capital reduces the investor’s cost base
D. Reinvested distributions increase the cost base

Answer: B. Minimum RRIF withdrawals are not taxable

How did you do?

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Trouble doing this quiz on our app? Visit this link in your browser: tgam.ca/investing-quiz-2019

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