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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 am retired, have a 50/50 asset mix, moderate risk tolerance, and hold GWO (along with financials TD and BNS) in a diversified portfolio. If interest rates stay low (or go lower) for say the next 5 or 10 years, this could reduce insurers' income, push them to consider riskier investments, and raise their actuarial liabilities. Interest rates have been declining for years, so insurers have faced this reality for years already, but I'm wondering at what point the low interest environment really hurts their bottom line and financial strength. What am I missing in this assessment? Should I sell GWO? Thank you for your advice. Ted
Read Answer Asked by Edward on July 14, 2016
Q: Good Morning 5i,

I am looking to replace my shares in Bank of America ( BAC). I have held it in my US account now for more than 2 years, and it really has done nothing, it has actually in that span of time gone down in value. No growth what so ever.

I realize the US market isn't your field of expertise, but i thought you would know of a US Financial ( including Investment banks), possibly something smaller and more Regional that looks good going forward that pays a small dividend, and has good growth prospects?

Thanks,

Stephen



Read Answer Asked by Stephen on July 14, 2016
Q: My 1st week as a brand-new member and I have to say, just love your site! I'm a small investor with $5000 that I would like to put into the financials, in some way. Sounds like you're not fond of the ETF commissions but maybe with this amount, that would be the best option for someone like me? Or, should I buy say, $1500-ish of 3 banks or would you put the whole amount into one bank and if so, which one? I don't really want the life insurance companies at this time and wondered if you could recommend an ETF that doesn't have them in it. I'd be very grateful for any help you can provide. Thanks so much, Peter.
Read Answer Asked by Jill on July 13, 2016
Q: Good morning,

I own GWO and IFC for an aggregate position of about 3.5% in my portfolio. What do you recommend as a guideline allocation for "insurance" in one's portfolio?
If I'm low at 3.5%, would you recommend I add to my existing holdings or initiate a position in Sun Life?

Thank you,
Robert
Read Answer Asked by Robert on July 08, 2016
Q: I noticed that you sold igm in your model portfolio and made a comment about being glad not to be in the mutual fund business, as this month they are required to disclose all their fees. I notice that igm hasn't been doing well lately. I am kicking myself because i did not get out when you did. I know you don't have a crystal ball, but i was wondering what your feeling is about igm? Best to bail out now, as it may continue downwards or hang on for possible upside before selling. If i had sold when you did i would be fine. Now, i am a little down. C'est la vie, eh?
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by joseph on July 07, 2016
Q: Gentlemen - Wondered if you had any thoughts on Accord Financial? Seems to fit many of your criteria. It is small, pays a nice divi which has grown, is well owned by insiders and has no analyst coverage nor raises any money. It reminds me a little of Prism Medical in that you can hold it, collect a nice dividend and wait for a potential take out down the road. Cheers.
Read Answer Asked by matthew on July 04, 2016
Q: Hello Peter, all of these CIX, POW and MFC have been on a down hill slid. My losses are 20% plus, should I keep holding them or should I take my losses and replace them. I like to have your advise, perhaps can recommend alternative replacements. Many thanks for your advise, regards, J.a.P. bURLINGTON
Read Answer Asked by Joseph on July 04, 2016
Q: Recent news of mass closures by Caribbean customers of their Royal Bank accounts due to sudden imposition of service fees suggests to me that Royal Bank either doesn’t know or doesn’t care what its customers want. It sounds like an idea generated by greedy head-office bean counters with no knowledge of what is going on in the field. If retail banking is all about service, then once the reputation for customer service is lost, won’t the business inevitably suffer ? In your opinion is this event a “tipping point” for the Royal Bank, presaging a similar abandonment by Canadian customers ? Or will Canadian retail customers simply shrug and carry on with business as usual ?


Read Answer Asked by Don on July 01, 2016
Q: Prior to Brexit there was considerable discussion about the need to address Cdn house price overvaluation, likely through mortgage terms. I note that both MKP - MCAP and Timbercreek have worthwhile dividends, provided their pricing remains stable or positive. I note that you like MCAP but the question is what do their future prospects depend on?

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Mike on June 30, 2016
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