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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: Hi Peter
I am reviewing my so called balanced portfolio.as we head into 2017
Right now this is where its at.
NON STAPLES 10%--STAPLES 9%--FINANCIALS 18%--HEALTH 9%--ENERGY 9%
INDUSTRIALS 11%--TECHNOLOGY 10%--MATERIALS 14%--UTILITIES 4%
TELECOMMUNICATIONS 2%--
AS YOU SEE IT IS OUT OF WHACK--COULD I PLEASE HAVE YOUR COMMENTS ON ANY
SECTOR YOU THINK I SHOULD REDUCE EXPOSURE AND ALSO ANY I SHOULD ADD TO-
IF YOU WANT ME TO ADD ANY STOCKS TO SAY UTILITIES OR TELCOM--WHAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST---I CURRENTLY HAVE AQN-BEP.UN-FTS AND T--I GUESS I COULD ALSO TOP THESE UP----IN THE OTHER SEGMENTS I HAVE AT LEAST 4 OR 5 STOCKS.
THANKS --HAVE A GOOD 2017

PETER
Read Answer Asked by peter on January 09, 2017
Q: Can you give me your opinion on analysts or advisors that give their evaluation or opinion on a stock based on their 'model'. You probably know some analysts that appear on BNN Market Call. They talk with confidence about the 'model price' of a stock that is above or below the market. Tell me if I am wrong but, an opinion which is not substantiated by explicit critiria be it technical or fundamental, should be avoided if one does not want to follow an advisor blindly. I know that these guys do not want to give up their recipe and appear on BNN to recruit new clients but it should be clear that when they are on TV looking at their crystal ball, it is actually an 'infomercial'. Unless you intend to purchase, there is no point in following their advice because you do not know on what it is based on.
Read Answer Asked by Jean on January 09, 2017
Q: Hello 5i
My main question is similar to a previous one.
We have 2 RRSP, 2TFSA, 1 non-registered, 1 non-reg. corporate accounts. We are presently with a full service broker(approx. 140 positions), but will be transferring to a discount broker. We are now taking income, mostly from the corporate account.
1)Would you suggest treating them as one when we build our new portfolio?
2)Our intentions are to have 30-35 positions. Is there a point where spreading over too many different accounts can make the portfolio less effective?
Thank you in advance, Bill
Read Answer Asked by William on January 06, 2017
Q: Please enlighten me on how bought deals work, using the most recent EIF bought deal as an example.

EIF floated new common shares at $42.45 per share recently and it was a bought deal so the underwriters bought the entire issue (plus the over subscription shares) for $42.45 per share. Thereby EIF received $42.45 per share (less the underwriter fees), while the underwriters assumed the risk in case if they cannot sell those shares at $42.45 or more. Am I correct so far?

In that case, with the EIF SP lingering under $42 a share, can I assume the underwriters will suffer a loss? After all why would you buy the new shares from the underwriter at $42.45 if I can get them cheaper in the open market?

Also if I were the underwriter, would I not be trying to drive up the EIF SP to over $42.25 to protect my deal?

Kindly shed some light on this type of transactions. Much appreciated.
Read Answer Asked by Victor on January 05, 2017
Q: Hello

I am going to re-balance my family portfolio (by sector/industry mix and bond / stock mix) once the Dec 2016 statements come in.


In my family we have 2 RRSPs, 2 TFSA, and 2 RESP accounts.


In the past I would add up all the portfolios together and make a pie chart in Excel to find out our bond & stock mix and our sector/industry mix.


Before I start this exercise this year I wanted to have your opinion.

How do you recommend balancing? Each account separately or other???

Should I even consider BONDS inside my kids RESP since they are just 2 and 4 years of age?

Thank you for your help.
Regards
Stephane



Read Answer Asked by Stephane on January 05, 2017
Q: Income investments - preferred shares
On Jan 4, you posted an answer for an income investor, expressing approval of ZPR (BMO Laddered Preferred Share Index ETF). I am somewhat cynical about preferred shares, their being subject to the interest rate sensitivity of bonds, lacking the upside of common stock and generally lacking a fixed redemption date or any other assurance of capital preservation. I wonder whether, even on a reset date, they would necessarily trade at their face value. If I am right, I can't understand in what circumstances they would be suitable (without fixed redemption or as an interest-rate play with a high coupon). What am I missing?
Read Answer Asked by Carl on January 05, 2017
Q: Hi Peter, Can we request to please include top 5 buys in each portfolio along with monthly portfolio reports. This will help us in directing new money.
Also, do you think there is strong case of putting new money into stocks within coverage summary that have high ratings but has dropped over last 12 months . Like ABT, BOS, ENGH etc. Since they have a good rating ( B or over ) are these good candidates for rebound or would rating may be slashing once the review comes up.Thanks
Read Answer Asked by RUPINDER on January 04, 2017
Q: Earlier today part of your reply to a security question was: "On any account there is, at first, insurance protection through the Canadian Investor Protection Fund, up to $1 million". What is an account? At TD they breakout you account into tfsa, rrsp, us, and Canada. Are these each individual accounts? As well you can have another account number with a similar breakdown. Would that account be covered by a separate $1,000,000 insurance? Would it then be wise to open another account at another broker, if you liquid assets exceed $1,000,000. Thanks, Mark
Read Answer Asked by Mark on January 04, 2017