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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: hello Peter:
I am in full agreement with you on the topic of analyst upgrades and downgrades (got to keep people trading). Having said that, how can I trust the very same analysts for earnings estimates? Or, is there a better way of tracking companies earnings that I'm not aware of? I've read that an average of 63% of companies usually beat (reduced) earnings. Your comment please, as this affects the entire stock selection process (obviously).
thanks
Paul
Read Answer Asked by Paul on January 19, 2014
Q: Hi 5i Team,

I recently read through "is there a perfect stock" and "selling too early..." in the blog section of the site, great articles. Myself, knowing a lot of the technical analysis aspect of stocks I would like to strengthen my fundamental approach. Could you please give a checklist that retail investors could use, for example, return on equity(ROE). Or even describe your process of buying/selling. It builds confidence to act on buying the dips when you know the fundamentals are strong. Anyways, thanks guys for having the first market advice service WORTH paying for. Keep up the fantastic job.
Read Answer Asked by Marie on January 19, 2014
Q: Hi Peter

I am a new subscriber and I am not sure if I understand the letter grades in a the reports. Do the "A" and "B" grades mean a good time to buy where the "C" grades mean hold, etc?

Is it reasonable to think the higher the grade the more attractive the value to "buy first"? Thanks. Greg
Read Answer Asked by Gregory on January 18, 2014
Q: What is your view on HAC -Seasonal Rotation ETF?
Read Answer Asked by Kirk on January 17, 2014
Q: Peter, I have $15,000 to deploy after clearing my own unsuccessful picks from last year. The rest of my portfolio is as follows: purchased recently ACQ, WEF, CGX, ENB, CSU, STN. These picks are all thanks to you ! And I am already up on almost all of them.
Now, what to do with the $15,000 available capital ?
I am after decent dividend, but my main aim is growth, so I can make up for the loss of last year.
Read Answer Asked by Ivan on January 17, 2014
Q: In response to the question about using margin to purchase dividend stocks. I suggest looking at interactive brokers who have the lowest margin interest rates I could find. 1.5 to 2.5 percent based on your balance.
Read Answer Asked by Chris on January 17, 2014
Q: I would like to know what is the rule of thumb for evaluating the risk/reward of using leverage to buy dividend stocks in a marge account. For example, buying BCE on margin with a tax bracket of 50%, what would be the cost/benefit of being charged 4,5% interest vs the 5.03% income in dividend from BCE. Finally, is there a link to a calculator where I could plug in specifics and get an estimate of the limits of scenarios. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Jean on January 17, 2014
Q: after previous 5I recomendations for portfolio adjustment could you please reanalys as it now is.phn balanced fund 20% cig686 div. mthly. income 20% xtr div. mthly. income 30% xgd5% xsu5% xhd5% vus12% and international fund 3%. this is a retirement growth and income portfolio . i also keep my tfsas and operating cash as gic and bond fund seperate as a bearmarket reserve and cushion. i am considering selling the phn fund for the current 5I model or waiting for the growth or income one that is in the works.the phnfund sits at 100k.and the tfsas and cash are about15% of the core. do you think i should leave things as is or could you suggest some allternatives. greatly appreciated. larry
Read Answer Asked by Larry on January 17, 2014
Q: Hi, just wanted to know if anybody was aware that on top the MER of 0.73 percent BMO also charges 0.22 percent "trading expense ratio" for a total of 0.95 PC for the etf ZWB. This was brought to my attention in a summary document I received in the mail. When one looks on their website it only states annual management expense of 0.65 PC. I phoned them and confirmed this extra charge has always been there but is not disclosed on the website. I find this rather misleading and wonder if there are other etf providers who don't make the total fees black and white on their website. Any comment would be appreciated. Post this if you feel it is relevant. Thank youverymuch.
Read Answer Asked by Adam on January 17, 2014
Q: Hi Peter & team - My portfolio includes AFN(30%), CGX(13%), INN.UN(10%), WIN(4%), HCG(13%), SGY(17%), G(4%), AHF(3%) and AQN(6%). AFN, CGX & INN.UN are up 42%, 20% & 13% respectively for me and the rest are all up or down within a +5% to -5% range. With a focus on growth, what positions, if any, would you sell or reduce and what would you then add? Thank you for your response. Dave
Read Answer Asked by David on January 16, 2014
Q: Hello team, thanks for the well reasoned reply to my AYA question. I am thinking it may be time to add an industrial mining company to my portfolio, like a VALE for iron ore or TCK or FM in the coal or copper space. I have no miner exposure presently. Your only miner is in gold. What would you do here? Are you tempted to add one to your portfolio as a value play on eventual global recovery to include these stocks. Many thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Keith on January 16, 2014
Q: Re: Member comment about brokerage Cdn-US$$ exchange rates , perhaps a look at "Norbert's Gambit : The Complete Guide" ( Google search) may be of interest - Peter, I'm sure you folks can comment - regards Don
Read Answer Asked by don on January 16, 2014
Q: Hi Peter
I try to monitor short positions before entering a new TSE position (or an old position for that matter). Do you think this is worth doing? How do you find this information? I know that the TSE releases data that is 2 week old of the top 20 stocks, which I do not find all that satisfactory.
Thankyou, Mark
Read Answer Asked by Mark on January 16, 2014
Q: Do you currently see markets as over bought? If not, where would you put new money? Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Curtis on January 16, 2014
Q: Hi team:
I already have SPY and VIG in my investment account
I am planning to add IWO as well which is a good choice from advices from the e-mails
If I put it in a investment account vs TFSA vs RRSP
I am aware of the tax withholding of some of the US funds,
could you let us know re: the differences in tax holding in the above accounts ?
Read Answer Asked by Michael on January 16, 2014
Q: There's an excellent article in today's Globe amplifying and supporting Peter's views of analysts reports. It's "What to read,(and what to ignore) in analysts reports." by Chris Umiastowski.
Read Answer Asked by Tim on January 16, 2014
Q: Peter, regarding TFSA holdings, I am unhappy with the performance and looking for suggestions. This TFSA is maxed out for contributions. Total value is only $34, 932. The holdings are ax.un (26%), zwb (9%), BCE (40% ) and Rei.un (7%). The remainder, almost 18% is cash. The yields on ACB are as follows: artis..9%, zwb... 5.4%, BCE..5.9%, and Riocan is 6.9%.

I would appreciate your suggestions for restructuring this portfolio. I am looking for some solid growth.

Ruth Ann


Read Answer Asked by Ruth Ann on January 15, 2014
Q: Hello Peter and the whole 5 I Team

Could you please rank 5 companies/etfs that you currently cover in terms of which is likely to have the best growth for 2014-15.

Additionally could you share some insight with regards to Badger and CSU as to how the team accurately gauges projected income to better understand true value as the current PE multiples are very high.

All the best and keep up the good work!

Phil

Much appreciated in advance!

Read Answer Asked by Phil on January 15, 2014
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