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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: Thank-you for your excellent article on preferred shares providing much needed perspective on a very complex and misunderstood asset class. The comment below however could be unintentionally misleading. Other than a default situation (which can occur in any asset class), an investors capital would never fall to essentially zero. While there could be a decrease in value of these securities in certain market environments (like we are in now) there will always be an open market for them and they can be sold relatively easily to raise capital. Thanks.

"In other words, the investor could deal with the invested capital declining to essentially zero, as long as the income is maintained to meet whatever the cash flow needs are. Preferred shares can make a lot of sense when you need cash flow, but do not need the capital."
Read Answer Asked by Gary on April 21, 2015
Q: I am looking for safety, income and some capital appreciation, like to have your choice, and or additional others.
Read Answer Asked by Joseph on April 20, 2015
Q: Just new to 5i. I am working my way out of mutual funds and own this one that has performed well but has a MER of 2.5%. What would you suggest ...a similar ETF with a lower MER or ?? Thx
Read Answer Asked by Kenneth on April 17, 2015
Q: I hold 500 shares of TA in aRRIF with a capital loss. Would you recommend selling TA and purchasing RNW? Or hold neither.
Thanks to all.

Read Answer Asked by Warren on April 17, 2015
Q: I plan to invest in GIC's through my self directed accounts. Second tier providers such as BTB and Equitable Banks offer significantly higher rates than the Schedule 1 banks. Assuming I keep within the $100,000 CDIC limit is there any additional risk, disadvantage or consideration investing in these smaller providers vs. the big banks. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Gary on April 16, 2015
Q: You would consider TCW to be a good buy now (to hold for 3 to 5 years)?
If not, what other stock would you recommend (regardless of the sector). Looking for growth with some dividend while I wait.
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Jose on April 15, 2015
Q: Can you name any companies who have recently just released their first dividend in the last 6 months that you would recommend?

Thanks,

Wes
Read Answer Asked by Wes on April 13, 2015
Q: Hello -- Am looking for a technology equity that has good growth over the past 1-3 years and is projected to continue on that path, with an associated dividend. Between the two mentioned, which would be the best choice for my TFSA. Also, it you think these are not worth considering, what would your recommendation within their current value? Thank you for your excellent coverage and support. Much appreciated. Jim Alsop
Read Answer Asked by James on April 13, 2015
Q: Hi Peter & associates:

I own 500 shares of GM in my RRSP, partly to gain some foreign exposure and partly because the dividends aren't subject to U.S. withholding tax within an RRSP. Given the federal government's recent announcement to unload its shares onto the market in order to help it balance the budget, is it a good time to buy more?
Read Answer Asked by Robert on April 13, 2015
Q: I heard it suggested yesterday that MBT will never be taken over because the system it uses is "not compatible" with Bell or any other. I have not noticed this point in any analyst's review. Is it a valid issue?
Read Answer Asked by Douglas on April 13, 2015
Q: Could you please compare the price-to-cash-flow (P/CF) ratios on BIP.UN, BEP.UN, IPL, AQN, ALA. I hold all of these. Would you sell or replace any of them? For example, I wonder about BAM.A instead of the subsidiaries? Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Noel on April 13, 2015
Q: Hi 5i,
I need help trimming back the utilities in my portfolio. I currently hold 11 utilities (out of 33 holdings):

AQN,
ALA,
BIP.UN,
BEP.UN,
CU,
FTS,
GEI,
IPL,
PPL,
RNW,
VNR

All have gone up quite a bit since buying them so I have fallen in love with them all. I already sold EMA, TRP, and KEY (and cried like a baby). Utilities make up about 30% of the value of the portfolio (and that is not including BCE and T). I am worried that rising rates will hit me hard. Which do you recommend I cut?? My primary goal is for dividend growth.

Thanks in advance!

Read Answer Asked by Wayne on April 10, 2015
Q: The chesswood chart looks interesting. Your opinion, please
Read Answer Asked by jim on April 10, 2015
Q: 10:14 AM 4/9/2015
Hi 5i staff
You show Metro having a 4.1% dividend in your "5i Filter - Very Shareholder Friendly" Blog Table today, but when I search various sources I get a 1.80% dividend at the Morningstar website, and a 1.29% yield from the TSX website. What is correct.
Thankyou... Paul K
Read Answer Asked by Paul on April 09, 2015
Q: I have owned Transalta for 15 years and have had it on dividend reinvestment for the same period. All of the other utility stocks that I own have performed well (ema,fts,trp,enb) but TA has been an underperformer. I am considering switching TA for Capital Power (CPX) and was wondering if you would agree with this switch.
Read Answer Asked by Mark on April 09, 2015
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