Investment Q&A

Q: Comment on the abuse of question and answer with multiple companies etc.

You have mentioned that changes are coming in the New Year. I hope this simply just doesn't encourage abusers to ask that type of question in December. I know the new year is a natural break and a good time to implement new policies but we want you to survive until the New Year. An earlier time line might be considered.

Bryon in Elmira

Q: Hello Gentlemen,
I dont agree with mr Paul, me too I am investing for 40 years, and having only 2 stocks it's more luck than investing.
Best regards

Q: Hi Peter,

I have been a member since Day 1 as well. I would partially agree and disagree with the comments posted regarding questions. I think it should be at your discretion to respond to questions definitely and you are at liberty to respond or not respond.But people will always ask questions about smaller and micro-cap names. This only adds to the database of companies which we search and decide whether to invest or not. Regarding portfolio's I agree that since the last couple of months this trend has increased and even I have asked a few questions like that and I also agree that one company per question is good for the search function as well.

Q: HI Peter:
I agree with Tim 100% asking about portfolio questions takes up a lot of time, because someone does not read what is being said here. The idea of having 12 stocks in a portfolio does not make any sense, when 4 or 5 will do nicely. I have been investing from the age of 22, and I am now 65. To be an investor requires you to have the patience of a spider ,not that of jack rabbit!!
My portfolio consist of two stocks which are up 72% from March. This is an excellent service, if you just read, and understand what you want. Be a spider, then you will do fine over the long run…. Stocks go up, and they go down that’s just the way it is.

Q: Following up on Tim's November 25th comment, I only recently became a member of 5i Research and I, too, find it irritating and pointless that some members ask your opinion on half-a-dozen or more stocks or describe their investment strategy at length in the hope you'll approve. If it ever comes down to a vote, I'll go for on one stock only per question.
Thanks for the valuable service you provide.

Q: I second Tim's comments. I would much prefer to see detailed responses on individual companies rather than multiple companies that members are asking about. I think that the prize goes to the subscriber that asked about his 30 position portfolio. Also subscribers are asking about speculative stocks and requesting various portfolios including one meant for gambling. I have some money with an investment firm that provides various 'portfolios' and after a while it is easy to lose focus and become confused as you try to cherry pick from each and end up with a mish-mash of companies in your personal account. Your model portfolio is excellent( and preferred) as it brings together a well thought out mix of blue chip larger companies with more aggressive smaller companies. As I saw it, your service was set up to identify real companies with good management and good track records that generate profit and free cash flow. And I think that your rating system does a great job in this regard. I think some of your subscribers are losing sight of this. I suppose that it comes down to time and resource management on your part but I would much prefer detailed information on individual companies and timely updates to your 5I reports. Otherwise as Tim said we could all be losers.

Q: Hi Peter, I think some of your members are abusing the great service by asking questions about their entire portfolio. Others ask about multiple companies. They are not paying for that level of service, but are taking that level of your and your staff's time. I would much prefer to get a detailed reply about one stock than see the replies become more generalized. I've been a member since the early days and have noticed a trend to less specific replies. If we project that scenario down the road, I think we all lose.

Respectfully

Tim......

.

Q: Hi Peter, here's an excerpt from a note I sent to a friend asking about your service. As a completely satisfied customer, please feel free to use any or all of my response to him.
The head of the firm is Peter Hodson, he has been a Bay Street superstar for 30 years.
His funds outperformed The Street significantly almost every year,. His last gig was as as Vice President at Sprott Asset Management.
He made a crap load of money when Sprott went public and decided to “retire”.
He says he was always bothered by the conflict of interest Bay Street has with its clients and now had the money to provide the service the way he wanted.
His firm has no ties to any companies, neither he nor his people own any stock in any company they cover and they have no investment banking interests either. In short, No Conflicts.
5i instituted a model portfolio in March and it’s up almost 30% year to date. The research reports are written in plain English and companies are given high-school style grades.
Couldn’t be easier.
As well, you can ask questions about any company you’re interested in.
They official cover only Canadian firms, but I have asked a number of questions about U.S. and foreign companies and have always received good, straight answers.
I don’t simply fill my portfolio with the 20 names in their model portfolio because my goals have changed and I’m now a dividend investor and not all of his model portfolio pay dividends or not generous enough.
But picking from his research list and answers to my questions, I’m up almost 30% this year.
I’ve been a member for two years and can’t recommend them highly enough.
If all this wasn’t impressive enough, it’ll cost you about $110 a year taxes included.
I don’t think there’s a better deal out there.
Hope this helps, Gordon.
Keep in touch
Kyle

Q: Good morning Peter,
Enjoyed meeting with you at the recent Money Show in Toronto.
Just a comment on a question from Ray, 11/25/13 regarding his wife,s RIF. If they don't need the cash, they might consider an in-kind transfer to a non-registered acct. sufficient to cover the minimum withdrawal from the RIF.

Q: Cautious comments. Notice your mentioning all the cautious comments you have made over the past 2 weeks. Were these stock specific or market generally? If on the market itself could you summarize for us?

TIA

Q: Re: November 25, 2013 (asked by robbie)
Question: Would you ever consider providing A,B,C,D portfolios with 5 or 10 stocks in each.
IMHO we need two portfolios:
1) widow and orphans
2) Gamblers anonymous with the 5i blessing
LOL
Feel free to publish if relevant.
Thanks PB

Q: I'm interested in hearing your opinion on selling covered calls as an "extra money" strategy... I'm looking at the financial sector, but maybe stocks like BCE, MDA, JNJ, AVO, ATD.B, HCL, BEP.UN, GIB.A, MG, STN, TRP
I realize that stocks can be taken away, thereby creating the need to repurchase good companies at higher prices, but if they aren't taken away, it's "free money" for the option proceeds.
Comments???

Q: Would you ever consider providing A,B,C,D portfolios with 5 or 10 stocks in each to appeal to a range of investors.( I.e. widows and orphans thru borderline gamblers)? Thanx

Q: My wife's RRIF has two larger positions (BCE,GWO), one smaller position (SVC) and a group of roughly equal in between positions (BIR,BEP.UN,CTY,CAG,PKI,YRI). She has reached that age when she must start her compulsory withdrawals . Going forward, are there 1 or 2 weaker stocks here or should I just reduce some positions to raise the necessary capital? Appreciate your thoughts.
Thanks

Q: Hi Peter i'm a newcomer,and based on your model portfolio i will start to establish some positions,what criteria should i use.
Thank You
Dan

Q: Hi guys, great service. Would it be possible to expand your search to include all tickers being asked about. Many people ask about 2 or more companies in the same question, but the search only looks at the one chosen in the header. Thanks, Ian

Q: I am building a self managed RRSP and TFSA portfolio which is the model portfolio and a touch of the B+ and better rated stocks. Thank you for the great results. With a 15 year horizon I am slowly adding laddered bonds, in addition I have XLY, IBB, IWO, YUM and TAL for US holdings.

I am transferring, in kind, my BMO managed Blueprint stocks to a self trading account, some are already in the model portfolio. Should I keep any of the stocks that are not in the model portfolio or should I dump them all and buy the model portfolio?

AGU ATD.B BCE BAM.A CAE CNQ COS CP CVE GIB.A CM CNR ELD ECA WN G IGM IMO K MFC POT PWF RY RCI.B SLF SU TLM TRI THI TD TRP
US$ are EFA & SPY

I'm not attached to any of them, not concerned with the trading fees.

Q: Peter; There is an interesting article in today's Globe , pge.B14, on how much fees can seriously impact a portfolio.

Rod

Q: While on the hunt for a lottery ticket or two I keep running across the management teams of Stan Bharti and Sheldon Inwentosh. Can you give me any info on these guys ??--(good bad or indifferent). Thanx Robbie

Q: Peter,
As not much seems to matter anymore (LARRY SUMMERS THINKS THAT BUBBLES ARE "THE"PANACEA FOR BOOSTING ECONOMiES... Well.. we knew that all along, but neither Greenspan nor Bernake dared to say it openly before him but he obviously had the excuse of being rejected from the job lately and we understand his frustration..) I would be happy to share a little trivia on the market:

What was the lowest in 2002, 2009 for the S/P?
2002: 777
2009: 666

What was the Dow closing price on the first day it passed 16000
11/21/ 2013: 16009.99

The nagging question that remains is: will the Nasdaq close its highest at 5222, 5333 5444 5555 or 5888(5666 and 5777 have already been taken)?
who dared say blondes had more fun when we have Wall Street??

Cheers, and publish at your own discretion, of course!