Investment Q&A

Q: Hi guys,
I have a half position in FSZ (Fiera)which has been trading sideways for the last 2 months. Would now be a good time to top it up to a full position.
Thanks Peter.
t

Q: Hi,
Can u give an opinion on Ocwen Finacial OCN-N. Buy/Sell/Hold. Is it a strong company that is out of favour? I own & it performed well during the us housing recouvery last year but tanked when that fizzled as well as possibly on the news of an invester law suit.

Q: I have been doing some private 2nd mortgage investing and even though they pay and attractive 16% annually, you are locked in for 2 year. Instead, the Life and Bank Split Corp--symbol LBS has been recommended to replace some of the more riskier 2nd mortage investments. Can you please provide and opinion?

Q: Realizing you don't cover American stocks that much, but could you comment on Aflac [AFL] and Medtronics [MDT] as to which would be your preferential hold in an RRSP? And why if possible. Thanks

Q: This may very well be outside you area of focus, however thought I would still ask as I respect your opinion on equities.

Contra the Heard was on BNN yesterday with three very small US bank recommendations and a previous small bank recommendation. I am starting my due diligence and chart work. Any thoughts you may or may not have would be appreciated.

The stocks in question are FUNC, MCBC, CACB, BUSE.

thanks in advance, Mike

Q: I’ve been wondering if I should make some amendments to some of our investments in the financial sector which amounts to 20.75% across four registered portfolios for me and my wife. We are both close to 70 and need a little income from our investments. Dividend payouts are barely keeping up with withdrawals from the RRIFs.

We own stocks in four major Canadian banks:
Toronto Dominion TD – 3.43%
Scotiabank BNS – 3.43%
Bank of Montreal BMO - 2.87%
CIBC CM – 3.51%

We also own:
Power Financial PWF - 2.42%
Sun Life SLF - 2.87%

And
Ship Finance SFL (US) - 2.22%

The four banks were bought at different times and have all done quite well overall, some seeming to move ahead while others were lagging and then the picture changing and the positions being reversed. I know you like BNS, but I was wondering if it is a good thing to spread the investment over four institutions for diversification.
Same question for the insurance companies. This time around, I bought them both at the same time, but Sun Life has done better than Power Financial.
Ship Finance is a recent purchase and too soon to comment on.
In separate correspondence after my initial message didn’t get through, I note you answered my question that that you think the financial sector should be 15% – 20% of a portfolio.

Thanks for your advice.
John M

Q: Aston Hill? It truly baffles me why AHF trades down on a positive press release about AUM. Does this company hit a wall of selling because it issues stock to make acquisitions. It acts like no other stock I have owned and despite apparent good news it has not shown any stength for a very long time. What am I missing?

Q: Hi Guys
Can i have your opinion on Goldman Sachs, and do you see it eventually getting back to its old highs.

Thanks Gord

Q: According to my G & M watch list, TD has a roughly 34% dividend payout ratio, which seems very comfortable. BMO and BNS, however, both have negative payout ratios of 118 and 134. Does that mean they are making that much more than they pay out? and does itmean they are a better "bang for the buck" than TD? .
I own all three and don't plan to sell any. Just wondering Thanks again for your wonderful service. I can't overemphasize how much I appreciate it.

Q: Your opinion on FSC, Fifth Street Finance Corp. Is it a buy at today's prices? It just raised it's dividend. How does it look as to valuations? Is this new dividend sustainable? Thanks.

Q: CFN Carfinco Just wondering what you make of the most recent news coming out of CFN? Record loan originations does not speak to rising delinquencies of loans but...

Q: Hello Peter,
Hope you are feeling better after the accident? I have a question in regards to National Bank, do you think it is the best buy of the banks at this time.
Thanks for your answer

Monika

Q: Hello team, my question is about Mastercard. Last year after reading in the Toronto newspaper how dominant MA is and is going to be - with the world carrying less cash for small purchase needs - and seeing the stock ramping up consistently, I purchased a significant amount of the stock. In very short order the stock had a 10-1 stock split and i was hopeful that it would continue to increase. From over $800 (split to over $80) per share its dropped and floundered in the mid $70.00's. I compare the MA results to my Canadian funds and realize I would have been much better off keeping with my home grown stocks. For added perspective, I'm 55, doing well financially, I own my property, have a very small debt. I hope to retire comfortably within a year. My goal is to achieve 10% annual earnings on my portfolio once I retire. At this time, between my business and my stocks i am heading towards the $2.5 and $3 million dollar mark in my investments. Currently MA is 6.6% of my portfolio. My stock portfolio and rrsp's is my future, I have no pension. I live alone and have no other secondary source of funding or financial responsibility.
What are your thoughts on MA as part of my portfolio overall and with your learned crystal ball - what is your opinion of the stock - say over the next year.
Many thanks, Dave

Q: Hi Peter,
Any insight as to why Gluskin Sheff (GS) has been decininig so much lately when the TSX and financial stocks are making new highs.
Thanks
maggie

Q: I would like to add BNS to my portfolio, but it is at its 52 week high. Do you still recommend buying it at this price? Or should I wait for a pull back? Also, BCE has been rated a hold by some analysts. Any idea why?

Q: Hi I would like to know your opinion on Prudential Financial (PRU-US)? Thank you. Jean

Q: Good luck with your recovery,I will be making a contribution towards your ride.Thank you for excellent service.
Would like your thoughts on EFN Element Financial.
Thank you Doreen

Q: Please help me to decide which stock 0r stocks should I buy now or later at the right price. The 3 stocks are listed on US market and they are: MA.us, V,us, AXP,us. Your advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you

Q: Could you recommend a couple of high quality Canadian companies with US exposure that might substitute for holding US companies? I own Stantec, TD, and CN, all of which I think quality as having at least some exposure. Thank you.

Q: Is csx counsel corp a buy? Someone on bnn compared it to home capital group. Said it could be the next home capital? Do you agree?