Investment Q&A

Q: Hi Peter,

Should the average investor consider trading options?
For example my family portfolio size is approx. +800K in
both registered and non-registered accounts.
It appears to me that trading commissions/fees are significant
and definitely erode the potential/risk from using them.
I would appreciate your thoughts.

Q: Hi Peter & Team,

A commentator on BNN predicted a 90 cent loonie compared to the US dollar in the not-too-distant future. In general, and if there's a choice, would an unhedged ETF (e.g. CLU.C) be preferable to a hedged version of the same or similar ETF?

Thanks in advance and Season's Greetings to everyone at 5i and also to the members who ask such insightful questions.

Q: I need to close some positions for 2013 tax year. What is the last trading day for closing the transaction in this year. For US and Canadian markets please. I know it looks to many like a dumb question, but I am sire the answer will be useful for some.

Q: Peter; For anyone interested in the fracking sector there is a interesting write up on it, and the very high decline rates , in the Globe & Mail page A13. TRP should send it to Obama.

Rod.

Q: I liked your 18 Dec answer to the question about Ford Equities sell recommendations. They had a sell on Pembina Pipeline earlier this week, after which my 900 shares popped up from $34.52 to $36.47 as of yesterday. Nice work Ford, I'll keep an eye out for your 'sells'! - Ted

Q: All things considered, technicals, fundamentals, and current outlook for the global economy and stock market would you say it's an opportune time to take a full position in your Model Portfolio or a half position? Why?

Q: My renewal is due sep 25/14
If I pay for 2 additional years at 86.95 I assume my renewal
extends to sep 25 2016 correct?
How long will this offer be in place.
Thanks Stan

Q: The equities in your model portfolio have grown substantially in purchase price since you set up the model portfolio. Do you recommend purchasing these stocks at these levels?

Q: Hello 5i Team,

As TFSA 'season' comes upon us in a few weeks, I'm wondering if an article discussing what should and should not be placed in a TFSA. My thinking is along the theme basis versus individual stocks. For example dividend paying energy stocks or industrial REITS, or consumer staples...

At this time of the year such advice would allow each of us to do some research into possible additions to the TFSA or increasing an existing stock.

Thanks,
Ronald

Q: Closed end funds Noticed a Q on where to get NAV for Closed end funds. Best place I found is Globe and Mail. It is updated at least once a week.

http://globefunddb.theglobeandmail.com/gishome/plsql/gis.show_closed_end_rep

Q: Greetings, all. Back in 2007-08, if one had concerns about equity markets, one could 'run' to government bonds as a safe haven with a part of your portfolio. Today, I'm not sure that is the case, with Fed Tapering being seemingly THE concern for investors today, with a somewhat ugly preview in early summer.

What do you think is the best way of protecting portfolios these days against potential risks in the coming months and years?

Q: Hi Guy's,
This is a suggestion and not a question. Why not change your "submit question" form to have a cell for the name of the company and the ticker that the member must fill in before the question is submitted. This will assist you and all the other members with the question.

All the best in 2014.

Regards
John

Q: Hello, I'm astounded by Ford Equity Research's recent sell recommendations on many of my junior Canadian mining stocks ( they have sells on NGD,HBM,DML,CS,PG,AUG for example). I checked with their website and they apparently provide independent unbiased research on approximately 4000 companies from their US headquarters. How much weight do you think a person should place on their recommendations on Canadian junior mining stocks?

Q: hello Members:
just wanted to say: Thanks very much for the information regarding the different brokerages, and for taking the time to write in. All the best.
and, btw, all of my "best" stocks are 5i picks (ie. CSU, BAD, KBL etc etc). How did I get by without you guys lol.
Merry Christmas

Q: I'm a huge fan of 5i and if appreciate your need to focus on Canada. Are you aware of a similar service covering the US?

Q: Hi Knowledgeable People:
Could you give me a quick 101 on CAP RATE? I believe it is the opposite of PE Ratio. So often on BNN I hear them talking about a cap rate of 6 or 10 etc. Do they mean 6%? Is a property with a cap rate of 12 more desirable than one with a 4% rate? Also, do you have any information on San Juan Basin Royalty Trust? I do not believe that it is an MLP ( which I want to avoid). I am concerned about tax reporting of trust income to the IRS. Probably a US Tax return would be required. Any help would be very much appreciated.

Thanks very kindly,

BEN

Q: can i get an opinion on the so called permanent portfolio. I was wondering about a tweek to 20% cash or short term bond etf 20 % long term etf 20% canadian low vol. etf 20% us low vol. etf and 20% gold IGT thank you.

Q: Hello,
I recently took a ½ position in DHX and GPS with the intention of buying the other ½ later; one is up and the other slightly down. My problem...what is "later"?
Tony

Q: HSCEI AUTOCALLABLE NOTES
I would appreciate your views and comments on these types of notes as I am having difficulty finding information on performance.
I am researching a Note- the HSCEI Autocallable Note. The note will be a 5 year note issued by xxxx bank and is linked to the HSCEI (China H Shares) index. It will have approximately an 8% coupon each year, will be callable each year if the index is flat or up from the issue level, have an approximate 30-35% downside principal protection and daily liquidity.
Example Outcomes:
The HSCEI Index is flat or up at the 1st anniversary date the note will be called and the total return will be 8%
The HSCEI Index is down on the 1st anniversary date the note will not be called and will extend to the next anniversary date
The HSCEI Index is flat or up on the second anniversary date the note will be called and the total return will be 16%
The HSCEI Index is down between 1-35% at final maturity your investment amount is returned
The HSCEI Index is down greater than 35% at final maturity the principal will be returned minus the amount by which the index is down.
Thank you.
Nadine

Q: My 2 cents on the brokerages: we dropped Questrade due to incompetent customer service, now use Virtual, itrade, and TD Waterhouse. I move $ around among the 3 but most is with TD as I like their research and tools best as well as full level 2 quote access and Globe Investor Gold which comes with President's Account. itrade is ok but has only limited level 2 for our level of assets. Sometimes access at Virtual can be down for the entire trading day, but their low low commissions atone for that.

I find it is handy to have multiple brokerages for IPO or secondary offerings such as the recent DHX issue. Virtual sold out immediately, TD didn't offer and I got a 50% fill at itrade. I hope this adds to the discussion, J.