Investment Q&A

Q: Could I have your views on QST's first quarter earnings. The price of oil seems to hang over the results but they still seem decent considering this. Any thoughts you have are appreciated.

thanks

Q: Mr. Hodson, this stock gets a rather low rating from analysts.
For example, at TD WebBroker, the ratings are Under Perform (2), Hold (5), Buy (1) and Strong Buy (0).
At RBC Direct Investing, the Consensus Recommendation provided by Thomson Reuters is 3.13 (on a scale of 5 to 1, 5 being a Strong Sell). How could analysts have it so wrong, when the stock is clearly a strong performer for quite some time ?

The matter is entirely different when it comes to AYA (Amaya), and presumably rightly so. Amaya is much appreciated by analysts. Why the difference of treatment ?

CSU is a good stock, but is not much appreciated by analysts, while AYA is the darling of analysts. Is this a game for analysts ? Of course AYA has been a star recently, but CSU is clearly a good value stock. Maybe AYA is reaching for the stars, while CSU is only an outstanding performer...

Q: Could you please comment on Descarte's earnings release issue this morning? Thank for your incredible service. Peter

Q: Hi, there has been a decent amount of insider buying reported after recent quarterly earnings release, in past few days. The next quarter is already 2 months in and besides the dividend increase, outlook provided by management was quite positive in the recent MD&A. Do you think, it could be a signal of strong performance by the company/stock price ahead of us? I also noticed in the quarterly report that company had almost 2/3rd of its revenue coming from US operations. What are your comments on this trend? CEO also made a note that they are looking for acquisitions in Canada and US. Thanks

Q: My granddaughter has no financials in her TFSA. She holds Boston Pizza and Brookfield Renewable in eqal valuations. I am considering adding SLF or TD. Which would you recommend or do you have a preferred alternative stock that pays a dividend?
With appreciation.
Ed

Q: Greetings, everyone.

Am I reading/interpreting this correctly? Hormel purchased Applegate Farms for $775 million. Applegate Farms is expected to have sales of $340 million in 2015 (as referenced in yesterday's press release).

High Liner Foods had sales of over 1 billion in 2014 and 310 million in Q1 2015 and has a market cap of $733 million. So, to me, it looks like Hormel purchased Applegate Farms for more than the marketcap of High Liner, and High Liner is trending to generate more than 3x the sales of Applegate.

Am I looking at this correctly?

Thanks, again.

John

Q: Hi Peter,
As sun life has increased it's exposure to the equity markets via it's new partnership with Qtrade-if equity markets drop and even if interest rates are rising at the same time-will the equity partnership be a drag on the price of the stock

Q: AYA is listing on the Nasdaq. Market likes the idea and the timeline seems impressive. A few questions: Where will the shares come from to do an listing like this? How will the ETF's manage to get enough shares without blowing out the cost? Do you have any other observations to make on ay effect this will have?

TIA

Q: With the most recent disappointing quarter, can you see much downside risk, compared to upside potential over the next few years with Avigilon, thanks?

Q: Hello9 Peter & Co,
Having no exposure to Lifecos, I'm debating between SLF and MFC; why has SLF (in your portfolio)so badly underperformed in 2015 ytd?
Thanks,
Antoine

Q: Could you please provide your top two or three picks in this sector in the current market? One mid to large cap and the other a smaller cap growth? Thanks

Q: hello 5i:
We have a fairly well diversified portfolio, with the exception of Consumer Staples and Health Care. I have initiated a position in GUD at about 1.5% now. I am keying on Health Care in this question: as we are not (really) growth oriented, Health Care stocks in Canada are difficult to find. Please comment on which of these you consider the best value at the present time: CPH, CRH or PHM. I really don't want to bring the holding in GUD up higher, even if it does have more potential than the others.
thanks
Paul

Q: In the last quarterly filing income was impacted by $2.4M in share based payments to three officers. That seems high given that they also have a stock option plan. How would you view this for a company with only $7M in revenue for the quarter? As always, thanks!

Q: Hi
I have held EH for several months now and am down 20%. While I do understand that there is gyration in the market, I wonder if this is dead money at the moment given the state of affairs in the Prairies. If so, what company would be a better alternative? I hold it in my TFSA and its goal is growth. (I have BAD, BYD.UN, CGX, CSU, CXI, MDA, BIN, CDV, DRT, IT, KXS and GUD in my husband's and my TFSA) This represents discretionary funds for us as the bulk of our capital is managed by an investment advisor.

Q: I am thinking about purchasing the stock. I know the stock has been weak but insiders seem to be buying. Has anything changed with the company? Is the company consumer staples?
Thanks.

Q: Hello team -

I have a 2.3% weighting in Badger Daylighting. Lately I am hearing some of negativity towards this company - about their business not being "patentable" and "increasing competition". I know BAD manufactures their own trucks at apparently a lower cost than others in this space. Aside from this, what is going to keep this 900lb gorilla ahead of the competition? Scale? Better management team?

Will expansion into the U.S. open themselves up to even more competition? What are your thoughts on this business and their possible strategy going forward?

Q: Morning ... I have a few stocks in the Model Portfolio that are pushing their allocation up somewhat. Just to clarify ...will 5i be advising when to balance Portfolio or am I supposed to be doing this every 6 months ?? 3 months?? Its a wonderful predicament to be in. TY.

Q: With the latest move up and slight give back on price do you think this is still a good entry point or would you suggest to wait. I would like to take a small position at some point.

Thanks

Q: Would you view the latest dip as a good buying opportunity? Given some positives, dividend, etc is there still a growth potential? I'm looking at purchasing 5% on dips.

Thanks

Q: Hi Peter,
Are you still happy holding this stock. Do you see these levels as a buying opportunity.
Thanks,
Kristine