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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 was listening to David Burrows on BN last night, he believes the next 2 years could be quite good in some investment areas and not in others. Because of what he was suggetsing, that utilities, REIT's and Telco may be in the not so good area, I was thinking of selling my Telus, Artis and Dream Industrial.
I would like to rotate those funds into, financials, materials, technology and industrials in Canada in midsize companies. I was wondering if you might be able to suggest some companies with good growth potential that pay dividends in those areas.
If I make the change my core would start with Scotiabank, Royal bank, IPL and PPL, and a little bit of ECN.
Read Answer Asked by Don on November 25, 2016
Q: There seems to be renewed enthusiasm for mining stocks, with the likes of Teck, Quantum and Hudbay going up like rockets. What do you think of the mining sector (excluding gold)? My impression is you've been fairly lukewarm over this in the recent past. My portfolio has a very small bit of Teck (about 1%) and am wondering if I should be putting more money into this sector.
Read Answer Asked by John on November 23, 2016
Q: Tax loss season is upon us. Can you name 2 small caps and 2 large cap stocks that will be largely affected by tax loss selling, but have a chance for a strong rebound. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Jean on November 22, 2016
Q: Although I typically look at some ratios when purchasing stocks, I never have used the Relative Stock Index (RSI). Although I understand roughly how it is calculated and understand that an RSI above 70 is an indicator of an overbought situation, I was interested to know if you use this tool as part of any of your recommendations or when you are answering Member's question and why or why not.
Also, if I am asking a question that has already been asked in the past, how can I search the history of questions asked to find questions related to a specific issue. The only place I can find anything seems to be in "MISC" however there does not to be any means to search this specific area to determine if a specific question has already been asked.
A specific company I was looking at in regard to RSI was Manulife. In the last month the RSI of this company has risen from about 50 to the current level of about 85 as the share price has increased from about $20 to $23. Obviously, if I look at RSI, I should not buy until the RSI drops to below 70.
I appreciate very much your thoughts on RSI and what if any value you would assign to it.
Read Answer Asked by ED on November 21, 2016
Q: Hi 5i,

I am retired and have a 5-10 year investment horizon. I love your Q&A database and find it provides almost all the answers I need.

My question is a general one around interest rates, but I have provided A&W as an example.

I have heard for, it seems like more than a decade, that when interest rates rise, then the price of dividend producing equities will suffer as folks move to bonds and other more growth orientated companies or funds. I have always thought that, say A&W with a 4.4% dividend (and a visible healthier food strategy driving higher sales) would retain its value unless interest rates rise "a lot". The dividend is likely very stable and tax beneficial, so very attractive.

Now, with conditions forming out there that may lead to rising interest rates, and maybe "a lot", how concerned should I be with, say, holding my A&W.

General comment. I notice that some of us who ask questions like to define our status (retired) and time horizon (5-10 years) as we pose a question. I would be supportive in providing a general profile that is maintained at your end so you can "look me up" when answering questions. Optional for us, as some might not want to share. Just a thought.

Love your service.
Read Answer Asked by Jim on November 21, 2016
Q: Could you please explain why Spin Master's Q3 earnings have been higher than the aggregate of the other quarters combined? Would you anticipate this to change in Q12017 with several new products coming online for the holidays? I'm not very comfortable investing in companies like TOY, PBH and PKI due to valuation so do you think that starting with small positions in each and adding to the winners makes sense?
Read Answer Asked by Patrick on November 18, 2016
Q: My question concerns asset allocation. I understand how rising interest rates can affect utilities that have a lot of debt or low oil prices affect energy companies but I am less clear why other sectors should be declining in what is being generally viewed as an improving economy. For example, why are consumer staple stocks declining in an atmosphere where economic growth is expected? Does sector rotation fully explain this?

In the same allocation vein, my one weighting anomaly is in industrials, where I have a 25% weighting. I hold EIF, MMM,ECI, HEI (a US airplane parts manufacturer), STN and SIS in fairly equal proportions. Most models suggest this sector should be at most a 20% weighting but when I look at the list I see companies in different industries and businesses and I wonder what a water heater rental company and an engineering company have in common. Am I being too slavish to an asset allocation model or is there something that ties these companies together that I am overlooking?

Appreciate your insight.

Paul F.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on November 16, 2016
Q: I have Ryan's read excellent article dealing with the impact of the US election on Canada.

However, I am somewhat bewildered by recent market activity - especially on the downside here in Canada.

The opinion has been expressed that interest rate incrases are/were already baked into the market. Can you quantify that in any way? e.g. 3-5%; 1-2% .... to what degree they are "baked in".

The reason I ask is that, it seems like all the media had to this week was mention the likelihood of inflation driven interest rate increases in the USA and sectors here like utilities and REITS took it on the chin.

How much more downside can we expect given the impact of just a few words about possible Trump moves to drive the USA economy when the decision(s) are made to actually increase rates in the USA?

Could this downward pressure be magnified if, in addition, we see US corporate taxes reduced and see some companies start to shift production to the US.

How likely is it that we are facing the prospects of a signicant bear market lasting a few years here?

Or is this a knee jerk reaction right now like Brexit that will likely reverse itself over the next few weeks?

Any light you can shed on this will be greatly appreciated.




Read Answer Asked by Donald on November 15, 2016
Q: A number of the companies that grow by acquisition seem to be under greater pressure right now. I was wondering, if we are now in a context in which interest rates are likely to increase, whether companies of this kind (and thus their stock prices) will be impacted in terms of their capacity for growth and their ROEs. Decisions regarding any given company require more detailed financial assessments, so your general thoughts are what I am wondering about.

Thanks for the wonderful guidance that you provide.

Read Answer Asked by Alan on November 14, 2016
Q: How would you suggest I invest $100,000 in fixed income today, or would you recommend I hold the cash position into December? My only fixed income holding at present is a $200,000 5 year GIC ladder. Thanks, Barrie
Read Answer Asked by Barrie on November 14, 2016
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