Investment Q&A

Q: Are there any real world scenarios where the Brexit negatively impacts Winpak's business over the long term?

Also, I heard a rumour, that as a result of the Brexit, no one is ever allowed to walk into a Tim Horton's again or order a Whopper (QSR). Can you confirm? ;)

Q: Hi folks
Two questions.
I have held both these for some time in my wife's LIRA account. She can not access this for about 12 years, so a long term hold is very possible. Have held these for a couple years. Both are down about 10%, I have held on because I see the ETF as a long term play on our aging population, and ACHN (hopefully you have a little info with this) as a risky but likely takeout target down the road. I have trimmed this one down and made a bit of $ in another account with it, so it isn't as bad as it looks.
Looking back, which is always easy, there are better options, however I am in now and wondering if I should stay the course.
Don't mind volatility, actually kind of drawn to it. Any thoughts?
Excellent job btw, your cheap at twice the price!
Cheers ;)

Q: I did my Brexit Wed. and plan on staying about 50% cash untill after the US election. Would like some ETF's that pay a relatively safe div. Thanks Al

Q: Comment re Lind Equity Fund.In early 2014,I tried to pick a fund for my investment.In the end,narrowed down to Linde newsletter(mainly US stocks) & 5I.I am 100% correct to choose 5I

Q: Per BNN,it is a frustrated reaction to slow economic despite stimulus in the form oflow interest rate.People are angry over rising inequality & are anti-globalization,anti-immigrant & anti- elite. There are 4 last ditch efforts that could stop Brexit.the referendum is not legal binding & UK parliament(majority of MPs are on remain side) can vote against Brexit.3mil had signed a re-do referendum which will required Parliament to debate.Eu concessions as to immigration.Unlikely.Scotland & N.Ireland will veto decision of Brexit. As of today Parliament still has not triggered the process, Appreciate 5I blog of 6/24.Positive reaction from Asian markets,US futures,Oil & British pound tonight.Hopefully,N American & Euopean markets will be ok tomorrow

Q: Hello I just read your comments on the Brit exit I agree with what you say and selling into this kind of created market turmoil is suicidal .This is a classic example of the Pigmailia effect the remain side said the market would fall as vote getting strategy and when they lost investors panic but nothing changed Boston pizza is still the same
Stan

Q: Could you give me your opinion of the Linde Equity Fund from Vancouver?? Thanks so much. JACK

Q: Could you please provide your candid opinion of Patrick McKeough and his Successful Investor franchise ? Thanx Robbie

Q: Hello, on my online broker website I see a short ratio (short interest ratio) of 7.58 for LIF, and of 1.00 for CSH.UN. What does this ratio mean? What should be the ideal short ratio for Canadian companies in general? Best regards, Gervais

Q: Yesterday, I received an email from my online discount broker Questrade announcing a new service which they described as follows: Securities lending is a strategy used to generate additional income by loaning shares you already own to other financial institutions. Individual investors in Canada can’t do this just yet but Questrade is thinking of offering it to its clients.

Questrade then went into some detail (but not enough to my satisfaction) about how to proceed. Can you shed any light on this practice and what potential problems might arise from participating in it?

Robert

Q: Hi Ryan and Peter,
My question is of a general nature and concerns a problem many seniors are having with portfolio construction. I'm 70 years old, have a defined benefit pension which, along with my wife's defined plan, covers our monthly commitments. We are underinvested in the fixed income part of our portfolio but because of the lack of returns on bonds and GIC'S, are hesitant to commit a large portion of our savings to this sector.
As with many seniors who have their monthly expenses covered by pensions, we need guidance as to what percentage of our funds should be in fixed income. What percentage do you think is appropriate and could you suggest a few specific investments.
If you believe, as I do, we would be better off investing in Canadian Blue Chip companies that offer relatively safe growing dividends, could you suggest several such companies.

Thank you in advance for your much appreciated guidance.

Q: In addition to 19 specific U.S equities in my portfolio, I would appreciate your opinion on the following which I also own, including comments on any apparent duplication, and suggested additions.
BBH; FEZ; 1WO; SCTY; KRE; XLK; XLF. Thank You.

Q: Hello,
I have approx 25% of my portfolio in my US$ account and those funds will remain in US$ for the long term. When the CAD$ strengthens vs the US$, my overall portfolio balance drops as a result of this.
Are you aware of an ETF or other product that would protect my overall portfolio balance and act as a hedge from a strong resurgence in the CAD$ to more or less prevent losses simply as a result of the CAD$ going up in value? Also, if there is such a product, how much would I need to buy to cover 25% US$ balance?
Conversely, is there a pairs trade that you could suggest that would keep my accounts balanced at the current levels regardless of which way the Cad$/US$ goes? Again, is there a percent amount of my overall portfolio balance that I would need for each of these to more or less keep me revenue neutral and not have to worry about currency fluctuations?
Thank you.

Q: I've been considering a 3-ETF portfolio composed of the following.
35% CDZ
45% ZWH
25% ZWE
Comments please.

Q: I am looking to invest about $200K (non registered) for a minimum of 5 years into a moderate growth couch potato type portfolio. I am 5 years from retirement. I am considering the following portfolio and would like to know if you would agree with these ETFs and distribution.
XIC or VCN 25%, VUN 25%, XEF 20%, XEC 5%, VAB 15%, CBO 10%

Q: Hi, Friday was the monthly expiry of June listed monthly options. I am trying make some inferences out of the trading activity for these two companies on Friday June 17. CSU had very large individual orders (22,000 shares or more) on bid and ask about $510, just before market open. Stock opened and closed with large volume on open and close, without much activity and price change during the day. As for PBH, there was not much activity for most day and stock dropped like a rock in last hour of trade with almost 225,000 shares changing hands and closing at its low. Was it as a result of traders covering their positions on long or short side and does it signify future direction of these co.'s ? Thanks for your valued insight.

Q: You seem to be concerned about Brexit and ignore the very real huge deficit the federal government is incurring in Canada which seems to be more important to me. The Canadian economy is NOT growing. RR

Q: Hello Peter,
In your latest Market Update you are suggesting:
"....We would view any declines in the market/stocks during the lead up to the Brexit vote as an opportunity to add to names that investors may have been waiting for 'better prices' on...."
Providing that there will be opportunity,I am planing to buy PBH,SIS,NFI,JKHY.US and AMZN.US .
My question is: when do you think is better to buy ,on day of voting for BREXIT , before day of voting or after day of voting?

Thanks

Q: I was wondering if you could elaborate on the concept of a "short attack". It does not specifically have to apply to Concordia. From past discussions, I know that individuals or companies that short a stock may then proceed to discredit the company through planted stories, innuendo and maybe even spread outright lies in order to create a lack of confidence and thus benefit as investors sell the stock, causing the share price to drop.

But is that the extent of the "attack"? Can short sellers manipulate the stock in other ways? People often ask what the short position of a stock is. Why is this important? Is it just to see how many other investors think they are wrong about the stock, meaning the psychological impact of a large short is what is at play here, or is there something else?

Appreciate yoru insight.

Paul F.

Q: Hi 5i team,

My interest is first time dividends as a trigger for an initial purchase. This based on Peters article in Moneysaver magazine many years ago.

I follow the 5i Twitter Feed to watch for dividend news (raises and reductions), but especially for news of first time dividends.

Womder if you have considered providing a summary of first time dividend stocks (an ever-increasing list, or by quarter, year, whatever) ? I would really value that.

Thanks for the great service.