Investment Q&A

Q: Hello Peter and Ryan,

Saw three big volume trades crossed right at the opening bell,in which Scotia Capital crossed 3.75 million shares at $9.81, while RBC Capital Markets did two crosses at the same price, one for 2.5 million shares and the other for 1.25 million. Just wondering the implication of doing this since the buyer and seller are the same broker? Thanks!

Q: My parents have a long forgotten quantity of shares now trading on the Venture exchange. They do not/are not able to remember anything about them. Where would I start to find the holder of these shares and sell them to at least realize the capital loss? Thanks.

Q: I read that 20.9% of their float is shorted. Does that raise any concerns or issues?
Thanks

Q: Where do you find ready available free cash flow statement ? Is it better then pe ratio ?

Q: Could you please provide a link again to your list of 2019 tax-loss candidates?

Q: I understand there are tax benefits to donating stock (that has appreciated) to charity. Can you tell me, is the actual ownership of the stock transferred (which I assume means the charity would need a brokerage account) or can the brokerage sell the stock and send the proceeds to the charity? I'm considering a small charity, which likely does not have a brokerage account. Thanks.

Q: I read an article earlier this week about convertible debt in the cannabis industry. I think the company was Canopy. The exercise price on the convertible debt was reduced considerably to entice the bondholders. I assume creating more potential downside for the shareholders. In any case, my question relates to the management rights to proceed with such a move. Is it voted by the shareholders ? What would the alternative be ? Borrowing at higher cost ? If no event of default has occured on the bond (maybe there was a default?), why give a better deal to the bondholder ? Can you please provide general comments about debt holders rights vs management/shareholders rights. Thank you.

Q: 1. As I approach retirement I am looking for options to at least slightly improve the dismal returns from the fixed income portion of my portfolio (currently in bond funds, PSA, GICs, returns 2.2-3%).
I am wondering what you think of market linked GICs? The 5-year TD Canadian Banking & Utilities GIC offers an annual guaranteed minimum interest of 2.75%, and maximum total return 25.00%. The 5 year Oaken GIC rate is 2.85%. With 100% principal protection, a competitive minimum interest rate and the potential for a modestly greater return I cannot see any downside to the TD product which makes me think I must be missing something.

Q: This is tax loss selling time. Is it a good time to buy or sell, neither or both?

Q: I notice that when asked 5i is able to give the payout ratios to members seeking companies(reits banks pipelines utilities etc) that provide. yield but more importantly the sustainable payment of their dividend/distribution. .. the payout ratio for me is a key metric when making an investment decision. it would be most useful if 5i could include payout ratios as a regular part of their metric checklist thanks Richard

Q: In yesterday's update there is a reference to an article featuring Peter..." five sins investors should avoid" (click here to read full article)." but the link takes you to an advisor only section of the Globe. Do you have another link?

Q: Two questions: One, would you consider ZMI as "fixed income" for that part of my portfolio? Or is there too much of an equity component? Second, so many ETFs have a return of capital; when the fund reports a yield, does this include the roc? If so, isn't that reported yield misleading? Is there a way to learn what the actual yield ( ie without my own capital) being included? Thanks for your excellent service.

Q: Hello Peter and team,

Is there a tax efficient way to have US exposure in a taxable account? Would you recommend a ETF? Trying to get more US exposure in my sons portfolio and the taxable account is quite a bit larger than the RRSP's and TSFAs (both maxed) so if we want more US exposure, it has to be in the unregistered.

Thank you,

Wes

Q: With reference to Thomas' unfortunate friend who has 92 absurd positions he should check to see it the account is charged trading fees. In some cases with a million dollar account the fees area percentage of the face value and no other charges i.e. trade fees apply. If so he could consolidate without costs.

Q: When donating securities to a charity where there is a capital gain that will not be applied, is there any restriction on replacing these shares? Can I buy them right away or is there a 30 day wait period?

Q: hi guys thinking about buying an etf would like a clarification on the fees that are charged and when and how they are paid and to whom thanks as always

Q: I have a friend who has trusted his advisor completely . His basic investment account has 92 positions ... less than one third of the value in US and Canadian equities ( all in odd lots, like 14 shares of AAPL @ a profit of $56.00 ) , but most are in Mutual Funds ( everything under the sun ) . RBC have convinced him that because it is a million dollar portfolio, he gets a very “low fee”, You have trained me well ... stop this insanity right ? Buy great stocks and where you want broad exposure and indices buy ETFs ...right ?

EXCEPT
I don’t know how he can get out of 40 mutual funds and 50 stocks without incurring ridiculous trading fees . His RSP,RESP and TFSA are all structured in the exact same manner ... same exact funds
If , for example , he directed his broker to transfer all positions to RBCdirect investing , would he avoid the initial hit of over 350 trades at 9.95 each ? OR does one make a deal with the advisor to get him out of this stuff ? OR does one make a deal with a different broker altogether ? OR does one complain to the securities people ?
I don’t know what strategy to use , but as per your video , he will be giving his advisor hundreds of thousands in fees and commissions .

Q: Thanks for adding the MER calculation. I find that number very useful.
I was wondering what a reasonable MER percentage should be on a larger portfolio of approximately $1.0 million. Should the range between .05 and 1.0 percent or should it always be less than .05 percent? It seems like paying $10,000 per year on a $1 million dollar portfolio is a fairly significant number.
Thanks for your great service!

Q: EVERYONE IS IN ON THIS OBSERVATION.
DOES MAKE SOME SENSE.

https://ritholtz.com/2019/11/value-has-never-been-this-cheap-vs-momentum/

Q: Co. stock buybacks are not what the mkt. wisdom says.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJkF2FdHAiM&t=328s