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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 plan to invest in GIC's through my self directed accounts. Second tier providers such as BTB and Equitable Banks offer significantly higher rates than the Schedule 1 banks. Assuming I keep within the $100,000 CDIC limit is there any additional risk, disadvantage or consideration investing in these smaller providers vs. the big banks. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Gary on April 16, 2015
Q: If a TSX listed stock becomes listed on the NYSE or Nasdaq, would this generally be good news for the stock and would it likely increase the value of the stock on the TSX? Or is it better to purchase it on the US exchange? Could you please explain? Thanks for your great service!
Read Answer Asked by Pamela on April 16, 2015
Q: Hi Peter,

Do you personally use technical indicators to inform your buy or sell decisions? If so, which ones are you looking at most? Scott Barlow at the Globe and mail often summarizes the trading week looking at RSI levels for equities. If you don't use technicals, what are you using to inform your buy and sell decisions? Thanks very much.
Read Answer Asked by mark on April 14, 2015
Q: Where can I find your recent emailed report on the re-alignment of stocks in your different portfolios. ie removal of HCG etc.
Read Answer Asked by Ric on April 14, 2015
Q: What rights do shareholders have to stop/control dilution by issue of Treasury shares to anyone? Where insiders protect their positions by granting themselves options/warrants/rights to mitigate dilution caused by granting Treasury shares to new insiders can other shareholders insist on the same protection? Where dilution does take place what notification has to be made to shareholders, how and when?
Read Answer Asked by Fraser on April 11, 2015
Q: Hello Peter and Ryan,
I have a fundamental portfolio question if I may...I’m getting increasingly more concerned over how little the market is reacting to geo-political issues, in the sense that this non-reaction will possibly do a 180 into a sharp reaction at some point. I read Mohamed El Erian’s comments from his speech yesterday, and it certainly highlights these concerns.

I’m a true blue-chip buy-and-hold-type investor, but I’ve let some of my fixed income portion slide into conservative dividend stocks, as bonds stopped offering much in the way of income. I’m a true holder; I never sold in ’08-’09, I rode it through, and I will ride through any future turbulence as well, regardless of how steep.

Given all that, for someone in late 50s, no pension, and plans to live off the income generated from the investments (while planning to continually add some of the income back into capital to stay ahead of inflation) - and at this point in the cycle - what general percent should one maintain in GICs/high-grade-bond portion of the portfolio? And to state again, while my equity exposure is quite high today, 75-80%, it is in blue-chip type companies. On the margins I play the growth end, but only on the very far margins.

I realize that in this type of forum you can only provide general answers, so I’m only looking for your general ballpark thoughts, given how dramatically fixed income has changed in only the last few years.

I’ve marked this private, but if you feel it’s beneficial for your large audience, please feel free to publish. Thanks very much….
Read Answer Asked by Warren on April 10, 2015
Q: RE MY POST YESTERDAY CONCERNING THE TD WATERHOUSE OUTAGE, I SENT AN EMAIL COMPLAINT AND RECEIVED A TELEPHONE CALL BACK THIS MORNING. THE UPSHOT WAS THAT I NEGOTIATED FINANCIAL COMPENSATION.GOOD LUCK TO OTHERS.
Read Answer Asked by roger on April 10, 2015
Q: Re Brenda's comment about TDDI "President's Account":
There is definitely a distinct phone number for holders of these President's Accounts (As far as I know your voice imprint has NO affect on call routing). I am in Montreal and therefore the local # is (514) 289-1272. There could/must be a 1-800 #, but Iam not aware of what it is.
Read Answer Asked by Scot on April 10, 2015
Q: I use the TD discount brokerage. I established the account almost 20 years ago when I was virtually broke. Since then, I've used the phone #613-783-6322 (Ottawa) they've given me. In the past couple of years, I've gone to "President Account" status, still using this phone # (good memory and too lazy to look up phone numbers) and got through relatively quickly. The question I put out to members is whether TD discount brokerage gives this "less wait time" special status based on the phone number you call (in which case now many more people have it) or the phone # you have on file, or is it associated with the "voice print" sign in.
PS. The best decision (albeit, forced between a rock and a hard place) is leaving the "TD wealth advisor" and doing investments on my own with 5i!!!! I'm so truly grateful! I've done far better than I'd ever imagine.
Read Answer Asked by Brenda on April 10, 2015
Q: I am a bit confused on these stock splits. BAM announced a 3 for 2 stock split this week. What is the advantage of doing a 3 for 2 split as compared to 2 for 1 split? How is this decided? Who gains if anybody from this split?

Tnx
Read Answer Asked by Jacques on April 10, 2015
Q: Those who trade with TD should know they have a President's Account for investors with $500K+ or 5K annual commissions. Among the benefits is this - "The President's Account clients have an exclusive Priority Phone Line they can call into which will be routed to an experienced professional with quicker wait times." Streaming and Level 2 quotes is another big plus, and Globe Investor Gold. You may have to ask for it; I don't know why TD doesn't advertise it.
Read Answer Asked by Jeff on April 09, 2015
Q: As far as charts, I've always used http://bigcharts.marketwatch.com/. I can clearly read the technical indicators I need, such as RSI, MACD, OBV, and the moving averages. I also like how I can compare stocks on the same graph.

Something I found startling is that when I compare a stock such as Constellation CSU or Stella-Jones SJ, or some others, with any good etf, e.g. CDZ, CSU totally blows an etf out of the water. You can't compare a great stock to a good etf. Makes me wonder why anyone is buying etfs when they can buy a basket of great stocks recommended by 5i.
Read Answer Asked by Jerry on April 09, 2015
Q: Hello,

Members who experienced the technical outage last Tuesday at TD Waterhouse (WebBroker) might be interested to know that I emailed td.waterhousecompliance@td.com and told them the delay in one of my trades cost me an estimated $156.00 as the stock fell during the day. The agent said there is no policy to reimburse clients under the circumstances, but he did, as a "courtesy", reimburse the commission and gave me a $100 cash credit. He said if the trading platform is down, the only recourse is to call in the trade. He acknowledged the wait times were very long.
Read Answer Asked by Michael on April 09, 2015
Q: I believe you started member portfolio reviews but I am not sure of the process, time frame or cost. Can you provide an update on this.
Thanks
John
Read Answer Asked by John on April 09, 2015
Q: Where can I find a free weekly report of the increase/decrease of number of shorts and longs of companies? Am grateful for the very helpful information you guys provide. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Hildegard on April 09, 2015
Q: Not the stock. Relative Strength Index and the question is can you tell me where I can find this information when researching stocks, or how to calculate RSI if the former is not easily available online (isn't everything available easily online?)
Read Answer Asked by Kim on April 08, 2015
Q: Would like to thank Roger regarding the downtime at TD Waterhouse. I lost funds on a trade which I tried to place and 12:00 pm through webbroker, called and was put on hold for 2 hours before a response. I expressed my concern, which went on deaf years and have called and sent 3 emails. I still hold my position today with a sell order in place because of the falling price
Rick
Read Answer Asked by Rick on April 08, 2015
Q: Re the outage yesterday; For those who wish to complain here is the email address--
td.waterhousecompliance@td.com. I urge td users to complain vigorously and to seek compensation.
Read Answer Asked by roger on April 08, 2015
Q: Thought I would weigh in briefly and say that I have been with Q-Trade for 5 years and have never noticed a site crash. They come by their lofty ranking in the Globe legitimately. An outstanding site with many analytical tools, deep research, and recently, lower fees.
Read Answer Asked by Kim on April 08, 2015
Q: CMH has announced a new share offering at 5.00 per share and their stock is down 8% this morning. Newbie question: why would they offer shares at a lower price than they are currently trading, thereby pushing the price down? Is it to recognize the dilution? Thanks much.
Read Answer Asked by Rick on April 08, 2015