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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 been and continue to be a believer in BRK and have no concern about succession plans there. Although BRK’s performance has been dull in the past ten years, I am aware that a value style has done very poorly compared to a growth orientation. My holdings in BRKb represent an appropriate allocation and I will not make changes there. I reviewed Markel after I saw it included in “RBC Top Global Ideas for 3Q-2020” .
I reviewed both BRK and MKL and found:

Over 10 years MKL has beaten both BRK and S&P (BRK did not beat S&P in the past 10 years.
Over 5 years BRK beat MKL but not S&P
Over 3 years S&P beat both companies
Over 1 year S&P beat both companies

I have reviewed a past question and am looking for an update. Would your deep look at MKL prompt you to rate this a buy? Some regard it as a “mini Berkshire” . Based on the holdings would you agree? Would you give it a higher grade than BRKb in terms of price appreciation over the next 3 years?

I tend to buy on noticeable dips. IF you would rate MKL a buy, what would you consider a reasonable entry price?
Read Answer Asked by Adam on August 20, 2020
Q: I have been "trolling" for financially stable dividend payers in the insurance business to find quite a disparity in the perception of value for various firms. While Sun life seems to be the pre-emptive "favourite", can you recommend other insurers of similar quality whether from this list or elsewhere? Stable income is the main attraction but some inflation resistant growth would be a valuable plus.
Read Answer Asked by David on August 20, 2020
Q: On the 25 march, you indicated there were better names than QIWI in the US/Canada. What companies are you recommending? Have you change you mind about QIWI over the last few months?
Read Answer Asked by George on August 19, 2020
Q: Hi there , do you know how I can find the % of revenues and profit that BNS gets from its Latin american operations ?, following a previous question from another member : I travel to Chile often and I am always amazed at the high activity of the economy and the low service standards for banks . BNS ought to benefit from these favourable conditions.
Read Answer Asked by Alejandro (Alex) on August 19, 2020
Q: The 12 month low for bmo was $55.76 and for bns was $46.38 a difference of $9.38.
On aug 14 bmo closed at $78.03 and bns closed at $57.68 a difference of 20.35 in favour of bmo.
Do you think that a major reason for the weakness in bns is due to the coronaravirus in latin and South America and as it continues it to spread should I switch from bns into bmo or is it too late?
Read Answer Asked by Terry on August 18, 2020
Q: What's your opinion on this one? What does the future hold? Got a double and wondering if I should take some profits but still is not an over-weight position. The WE publicity that our finance minister is certainly not helping the the stock. Your pragmatic opinions are so appreciated. Thanks Ron
Read Answer Asked by Ronald on August 17, 2020
Q: Hi team

a great pick by 5i research, thumbs up

I wonder if some of the shares are owned by the Quebec Pension board
and the CPP

It would help to see if they actually let the public knows how many shares ; especially recently added

Thanks

It would greatly increase the long term outlook for GSY if the above can be confirmed

Michael
Read Answer Asked by Michael on August 14, 2020
Q: Please comment on earnings. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Rick on August 13, 2020
Q: Hello, split shares have dropped quite a lot recently. Most are well below the $5 threshold (DF-$3.08, DGS-$3.50, FFN-$3.52), where monthly dividends ($0.07-0.08) are distributed. Most of the companies that are being held in split shares are bank stocks and other high quality Canadian stocks.

I am trying to better understand the risks of owning split shares. I estimate the only circumstances I would not collect dividends are when:
1) the prices of the equity inside the split shares never go back to the normal level, and
2) the dividend-paying equity inside the split shares cuts and suspends dividends.

What other risks can you think of? Do you think the risk outweighs the rewards?

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Esther on August 12, 2020
Q: MKL has been described as a "mini" Berkshire Hathaway. Looking at specialty insurance sub-sector for value component of our portfolio - some growth with a margin of safety for long-term holding. Would you advise MKL or another with similar attributes for an initial position?
Read Answer Asked by sam on August 11, 2020
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