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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 have about 9% in utilities in an otherwise balanced portfolio. All these companies have dropped from 5 to 10% in value over the last while. Can you explain this. Should I lighten up on utilities, and if so, which one(s) should I sell? Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by David on October 11, 2016
Q: Hello 5i,

Please provide your opinion on the BMO "Blue Chip GIC"
It offers 100% capital protection + 1% rate of return (total over 5 years) and a 100% participation in the S&P TSX Low Volitility Index.
I have seen many equity linked GIC's before but never with a 100% participation.
Fine print indicates that the maximum allowed by law is an average of 60% per year. The negatives I can see with this;
Possible opportunity loss of only a total guarantee of 1% over 5 years.
Money is locked in for 5 years.
Returns will be considered as interest not capital gains, so it would only make sense in a RRSP and or TFSA.
Is there anything else I am missing here?
Thanks,

RD
Read Answer Asked by Randy on October 11, 2016
Q: Hello,

The following 5 companies are on my buy list to complete my portfolio:

PBH
TOY
NFI
BCE
CAR.UN

I have room for two in my TFSA, two in my non-registered and one in my RRSP. How should I divide the above 5 stocks into these accounts?

My plan is to buy on pullbacks. But I'm thinking about buying CAR.UN now because it has already pulled back on the mortgage news. Does this make sense?
Read Answer Asked by Carla on October 11, 2016
Q: This company appears to follow the growth by acquisition model with its most recent acquisition, a US funeral home operator, having been a success based on their sales and earning improvement. It is also trading at all time highs. What is your assessment of this company and if it could be a long-term position, would you look for a lower entry point. I have no position in it at this time though regret not having bought some at $15 when I first came across it.
Read Answer Asked by Michael on October 07, 2016
Q: I was recently in NYC and impressed with the Whole Foods Market near where we stayed. Looks like the stock has been a basket case since its high of ~$63 (USD) in late 2013. It is now trading at about $28, a bit below $30 support level where it has languished since the end of 2015. The fundamentals are looking decent and it pays a modest dividend (2.93%), but I wonder whether the space is too competitive to allow for much growth going forward?

I would appreciate your opinion of WFM for a long term value play.
Read Answer Asked by David on October 07, 2016
Q: Good morning. Did you see Wednesday's Market call and specifically the guests review of his past pick's ? I thought his review of Exchange income which was up 41% on the year was lame. He claimed it was some obscure company in the restaurant business. He seemed totally unprepared and not in a position to review the company at all.
Read Answer Asked by Alan on October 06, 2016
Q: I am concerned about EIF's debt to equity ratio and the potential of aviation fuel increasing with the price of oil stabilizing and potentially rising. On that note, was the decline in fuel price a key contributor to their recent past profits? I do like the depth of directors and management. I'm inclined to think that their FAR NORTH aviation markets are a barrier to entry in and of itself and they have the market captured. Don't know if I should continue to hold or liquidate? Can you help me decide?

Carl

Carl
Read Answer Asked by Carl on October 06, 2016
Q: Hi,
You seem to favour FTS over EMA in your answers to member questions - I am wondering why. The P/E for EMA is lower (14 vs 20) and the dividend is higher (4.6 vs 3.9%). Would you please explain your preference? Have you any plans to do reports on these stocks?
Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Heather on October 06, 2016
Q: Hello 5i,

I currently hold Genworth, and have held it for a few years. I am wondering if after the new mortgage rules announced today if it's worth holding. Considering that 50-55% of their current clientele would be not be eligible for mortgage insurance under the new rules, what adjustments can they do to maintain their current earnings level? Is the dividend safe considering these facts? Is it worth holding considering the constraints to future business under the new rules?

Thank you in advance
Read Answer Asked by Gerasimos on October 05, 2016
Q: I am supposed to increase my fixed income exposure via one or more ETFs. I see you usually recommend CBO, but what about VSC. VSC seems to be a better performer over the last 1, 3 and 5 year periods. Which is better in your opinion and why?

I have about $21K in cash in an RRSP to invest in fixed income products. Should I buy two or 3 ETFs, or all in CBO or VSC is sufficient?

Should I buy now, or wait until after the US election, or even after FED meeting in December to see if they increase interest rates? Does it really matter at this time?

p.s. I have been invested in over 90% equities for the last 25 years (now 53 years old) so I am struggling to get myself to buy fixed income products. I am reluctantly buying fixed income products only because I know I am supposed to have better asset allocation and not be so heavily equity focused, but today the returns are so small I wonder if I would just be better off buying stocks like BCE, T, SLF, FTS, IPL, PPL that pay around 4% dividend.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on October 04, 2016
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