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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: In answer to Patricia I would like to say I have been with Qtrade for 4 years and have not experienced any significant problem. In addition their website is very user friendly and clear. They have excellent customer service and were chosen as #1 by the Globe & Mail for many years (I didn't check their present ranking). The only web interruption I experienced were brief and on weekends (probably for maintenance).
Read Answer Asked by jacques on April 08, 2015
Q: Hello- Well, Td Waterhouse is not functioning AGAIN this morning. I find that this happens much more frequently than acceptable, especially including days when there is heavy volume on the open. I am thinking of opening another account with another trading firm and wondered- does this happen frequently with the other bank or Questrade etc trading accounts? Any recommendations for better service would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Pat on April 08, 2015
Q: Greetings
My TD WebBroker service is experiencing a major online outage today. Very limited quotes or online order entry is possible. I am sure they are available by phone but likely swamped with calls. Warren Buffett talks about buying stocks that you would be happy to own even they closed the exchanges for 5 years, something to think when you can't get an immediate quote on your position.
Post at your discretion.
Tim
Read Answer Asked by Tim on April 07, 2015
Q: This is rather a naive question from the trenches, I’m afraid, but nonetheless, I’m here to learn and hope you don’t mind.

In regard to stop loss orders, which I use on occasion, despite the very wise caveats I have garnered on this site, I am still at a “loss” on a certain aspect.

In the event that a certain stock plummets in after hours trading, at what point is one’s stop-loss triggered? Could I potentially lose far more than I think I will? Do stop losses provide only the illusion of safety?

For instance, if I put a stop loss on ABC company at $50, and in the after hours trading the stock drops down to $20, at what point does my stop loss get triggered? Does it get triggered in "after hours" or does it wait for the next day when my losses could be even greater? Does my stop-loss immediately become a market order once it reaches $50? And, if I haven’t put a limit on the loss, at what price will it sell? If the drop is immediate — and huge, — (i.e., if it drops from 50 to 20 without intervening bids), does my stock then get sold at $20?

I’m beginning to uncover a lot of “smoke and mirrors” in the trading-investing game, and it seems fraught with a lot of dangers that initially appear benign and helpful.

(That being said, if the stock drops from 50 to 20, I realize it wouldn’t matter anyway, but I’m using this for illustrative purposes only.)

Thanks for any help you can provide to demystify the stop-loss game. As ever, your answers are always appreciated.
Read Answer Asked by Sylvia on April 07, 2015
Q: I am very pleased with your services and feel that the retail investor is getting outstanding advice from your service. I was wondering if you could recommend a similar type of service that provides expert advice on US stocks.
Read Answer Asked by Todd on April 06, 2015
Q: In regards to the double-down strategy....what 3 stocks are the best candidates at the present time. I use it in addition to the portfolio approach and do have the appropriate risk tolerance for double down....thanks
Read Answer Asked by Mike on April 06, 2015
Q: What are the metrics most used to value roll-up companies or companies that use acquisitions as a staple in revenue growth? BCI,VRX,CXR,CSU,SYZ,PHM,BYD,AQC,CXV etc.... I understand these range in market cap and therefore their valuations will differ due to "size" risk.
Read Answer Asked by Kyle on April 06, 2015
Q: Just a suggestion regarding Peter's question today (April 5) on how to review/find his questions history.... What I do is save all the emails the 5i team sends me answering my questions...I flagged them to make my search for them easier.

Read Answer Asked by Silvia on April 06, 2015
Q: Hello
My father in law gave me two share certificates (100 shares ea) of the following:
Northern Eagle Mines dated 1967
North Briar Mines dated 1966

The transfer agent on the certificates is Guaranty Trust Company of Canada

How can I find out if they are worth anything?

Wish they were TD or BCE shares from 1966.
But then he wouldn't have given them to me if they were..haha

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Carlo on April 06, 2015
Q: A number of your stocks amongst all 3 portfolios seem to have options available to trade.

In the instances where options are available do you see a problem in buying long maturity options, then rebuying when they expire till they exit the ports?

A)That would give more leverage
B)Would require much less capital then buying stocks long.
C)Would limit downside risk in the event of a company blowout.

Would you recommend this type of approach? If not , why?
Read Answer Asked by Sheldon on April 05, 2015
Q: Hello 5I
Is there a method I can use to review my question history where I can review my previous questions and the answer you provided, without having to scroll back in the hope of finding it?
Read Answer Asked by Peter on April 05, 2015
Q: For those interested in dividend growth stocks I recommend the "Canadian Dividend All Star List". The list is comprised of Canadian companies that have increased their dividend for 5 or more calendar years in a row. The list is updated monthly in excel form and can be accessed/downloaded here:
http://www.dividendgrowthinvestingandretirement.com/canadian-dividend-all-star-list/
Read Answer Asked by Bernie on April 04, 2015
Q: Where does one find your "suggested sites" list? Thanks
Read Answer Asked by chris on April 03, 2015
Q: To answer Mike's question of April 2 concerning ex-dividend dates I use this web address: http://tsx.exdividend.ca as a source of upcoming ex-dividend dates for all the tsx and/or for tsx 60. Included useful information are date, yield, frequency and pay-out ratio. Also the TSX website has a new tab called Dividends where next dividend date is indicated plus all past dividends important dates.

Derek (the dividend hunter)
Read Answer Asked by Derek on April 02, 2015
Q: I have a general question regarding the number of positions you suggest holding in a portfolio. With $50K I consider 12-13 positions as adequate. 15 to 16 positions for a $100K portfolio, and 20-22 positions for a $200K portfolio. Is this reasonable? Also how many positions would you suggest holding for portfolios of $400k, $600K and $800? Thanks for you help.
Read Answer Asked by John on April 02, 2015
Q: Hello Peter and Team
Thank you for creating the Growth Portfolio , i have created a mix of your Balance and Growth Portfolio along with some large Blue chip company to lower my risk .
Much Thanks
Claudio
Read Answer Asked by claudio on April 02, 2015
Q: Hello Everyone,

This might help others so I thought I would share. Every now and then we hear from a member that their question is not answered. I think I know what is happening here. If you take too much time to write and then send your message, the browser actually fails to send it. You need to make sure that you see confirmation as oppose to going back to the question box after you click on send. The best way to avoid this is to type your long message in word document and once you are ready cut and paste to 5i question box. By long message I don't mean just the wording. I mean if you take long because you are doing some research or getting information from your portfolio to share with 5i as you are writing. If you take long it is also prudent that you copy the message you typed on in the box before you send it just in case. This way if you don't see the confirmation you don't have to retype the entire thing again. Happy trading every one.
Read Answer Asked by Saeed on April 02, 2015
Q: Can you please post your note 'Alerts' versus stop sell orders. I have looked and could not find the answer that Rick had given.

SS
Read Answer Asked by Sirish on April 02, 2015
Q: With microcap stocks I sometimes see stocks where the number of shares on the bid is small, say 500 shares and the bid price is higher than the last trade. When I check later a buyer has bought say 3000 shares at that bid price. Do pros often conceal the amount of shares they want to buy by only putting in a small bid? Do you understand my question?
Read Answer Asked by Murray on April 01, 2015
Q: Hi Peter, In your survey you had asked about interest in creating etfs' based on your portfolios which I am interested in. I am wondering if this is now in your plans. For me this is a far more managable option. Dale
Read Answer Asked by dale on April 01, 2015