Investment Q&A

Q: I've been curious about the Buffett Indicator (the ratio of total stock market valuation to GDP) for Canada. Am I correct in saying that it is about 1.7X or so, whereas it should be closer to 1:1 ? If so, what TSX stocks / sectors are pushing it up so high? I grabbed three large caps from different sectors to have a look at their present valuations...

You mentioned that BNS is historically cheap with a P/B of 1.2, so I'm guessing this one is fine.

If one looks at BCE's present P/E ratio it would be approximately brought back to 2012 levels if today's BCE stock valuation was reduced by "today's Buffet indicator overshoot".

TRP's present P/Cash Flow appears to be fairly high compared to some metrics in the past decade. Again, if the stock price was reduced by that 1.7 factor, maybe the valuation becomes more realistic.

I am only able to compare to metrics going back the past 10 years, so this may be part of the problem. Or perhaps I'm analyzing things wrong here and you have a different way at looking at this (?)

Q: I'm considering adding to my relatively small position in Finning International Inc. This week's carnage seems to be bringing the share price down to an appealing level. Could you please tell me what you would consider to be an attractive entry point? Thank You

Q: I have been a canadian equity owner only but am buying a number of US large caps for the first time. With the US dollar being as strong as it is right now, would you hedge these purchases using the NEO exchange. I am in my early 70s

Q: It looks to me like a lot of stocks are trading at very cheap valuations, so I have been wondering about takeover candidates. One of the stocks I hold, Neo Materials, just announced a shareholder rights plan in case of a low ball takeover attempt. You mentioned OTEX a couple of days ago as a possible takeover candidate, but that has been the case for many years now. I know it is impossible to predict accurately, but I am wondering if you could point out some TSX listed companies that you think could be take over targets/candidates because they are now trading at such cheap multiples.

Q: Can you provide a list of 5 fallen angel stocks that you believe may rise from the ashes of this relentless market decline. Betting on phoenix companies that are down significantly so no thought to market, risk, sector.
Thanks

Q: Hi- in a growth long term portfolio, would you own both bam and wsp. Is there any overlap? What percentages are they international?

Q: I regularly read the Q and A section. Several questions mention being down 50% or more on an investment. I too have had similar losses in the past on a couple of stocks. Aren't these losses a result of inadequate risk management? In order to avoid such big losses, can you suggest a selling strategy or point readers to a discussion of selling strategies?

In the past I have employed a stop-loss but isn't that akin to showing the market your hand? In other words, as soon as you enter a stop-loss price doesn't that price then become another data point for algorithms to hunt down?

Any advice/information you can offer regarding selling strategies to minimize losses would be appreciated. No rush to get this answered. Thank you as always for your expertise.

Q: Why is this stock so cheap? Economic pessimism? STLC just bought back ~7.5% of the shares outstanding and still have ~700M net cash. Would like to hear your thoughts on the company and whether this is a good buy for a long term investor here at $33 (despite it being a generally cyclical industry). Thanks.

Q: Hi!
The recent market decline has likely created buying opportunities. Would you be able to list about 20 companies that are "cheap" right now and back-up-the-truck-able?

Q: Which would be the better buy for a 3-5 year hold? MG or TOI ? Thanks

Q: First thanks for the swift turnaround response for ADBE, yesterday. 
Now my focus is on Consumer Discretionary stock positions. I hold Canadian positions in ATD, BYD, DOL and PLC and then for the US, AMZN and HD. 
For the Cdn positions, all exceed the target weightings. But for AMZN, which I recently added to, the portfolio for this stock is underweight by 1.2% and for HD, underweight by 1.3%.
At this time, the total CD sector portfolio weighting is  13.5% compared to a target of 10% but me, comfortable going overweight this sector as I shy away from energy and materials.
I'm inclined to add to Home Depot next. What are your thoughts about adding to HD, especially looking forward to a brighter horizon?
Another one is ATZ which I have held in the past. Wondering about buying ATZ in the near term or wait awhile???
If there are other companies in the CD or Cyclic sector that you think I should consider for the brighter future, I'd be pleased to know about them.........Much thanks..............Tom

Q: Hi Peter and staff,

On Sep. 13 I asked about possible new purchases, and one of the recommendations was UPST. So I'm looking at the chart and it looks like it's on a free fall for the last year, although it has stabilized recently.
I went back and checked on past Q&A and your view was not positive for UPST. You recommended AFRM over UPST and you mentioned that the fundamentals and potential have deteriorated.
I also checked and it appears that right now there are 2 Buys, 6 Holds and 1 underperform.
Just wondering what new information you have that would make this a buy.

As always thank you for your advice.

Joe

Q: Hello Peter,
I am looking for potential double in the next 3 years or so.. which stock do you think has the highest probability ? Much appreciated.

Q: With oil and interest rates being a big topic in the Markets for awhile - I follow CNBC which provides me with good information available. When the going gets tough, they bring in two of their heavy hitters being David Rosenberg (being interviewed at CNBC studios in New York) also, being interviewed remotely is Eric Nuttall of Ninepoint (is this connected to Sprott?) Seems like the Canadians are in big demand for this type of information.

Q: Hello 5i, What sectors would you be looking to invest in and in what countries? This is for long term with a buy and hold strategy? Thanks

Q: Hi Peter,

Over the next five to ten years, what is your expectation from a risk-return prospective for the following asset classes? Please provide your ranking with a brief explanation for your rationale.

Annualized returns for the past ten years are noted below as per BlackRock:

U.S. equities – 13%
Canadian equities – 8%
Infrastructure – 7.3%
Japan equities – 6.6%
REITs – 6.1%
European equities – 5.3%
China equities – 4.9%
High yield bonds – 3.4%
Emerging Market equities – 3.3%


Thanks George

Q: These four stocks that I have an equal weighting in came to my attention because of the insider buying. Could you please comment on if this insider buying and overall ownership is significant and rank them from best to worst based on that information only. Then please rank them on which would have the best overall return based on dividends and capital gains for the next 3 years from best to worst and explain why (the pros) for the one you ranked first overall and why(the cons) why you ranked the fourth stock last.

And lastly is there any of the four you just wouldn’t buy today. Thank you.

Q: Good morning 5i
In response to a question this morning, September 12, you said:

We would agree that covered calls may limit upside potential.

I am not quite sure how to understand this response. It is always the case that covered calls may limit upside potential. The question referred to the particular time we find ourselves in, though, with stocks having fallen and now looking at possibly a more favourable climate for growth. I raise this question because I have also been wondering about cutting back on my monthly call writing. Do you think it would be wise to trim or even cut out our monthly call writing in such an environment?
Thanks as always

Q: What one to select?...that is the question for me. GOOG is trading at 20.6 x earnings and AMT at 43.1 x earnings. Wow what a difference in this metric.....Guess I go with GOOG, right?!......(Even thought keen to add to AMT)
Then there is PLC...keen to top up, like overweight as some investors are bailing out, while future revenue growth is expected to be strong for the rest of this year and 2023. PLC is now trading at 27.4 times earnings. Time to add, right?!...........Tom

Q: 3 questions

What is the annual return for ENB since it went public when you include dividends & largest drawdown?

Would a 20% position in ENB for a retired person looking for income make sense?

What are the 5 safest Canadian & US stocks that would provide the best protection against drawdowns?