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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 have an RRSP holding of WEF (1/2 position) that sits about where I purchased at 2.00 a long time back. It seems to trade in a range up to 2.35 and down under $2.00. This has been tolerable given the dividend but I would like your advice on where you see it going in the next 6 months given the seasonal cycles and the general environment for lumber producers. Also, do you see a reason to hold or do you have a better alternative to recommend?
Read Answer Asked by Tim on August 19, 2016
Q: Hi 5i,
Although they have both been good investments, it seems that since 2010 BIP units have outperformed BEP units by a decent margin. Are the profit margins lower in BEP's focus area or is there something about the energy project investment arc that delays returns in the renewable energy space? I'm wondering what the BIP unit outperformance is attributable to and whether it is a factor that is likely to continue or whether, in the future, BEP is more likely to keep pace, or even to do a little catch-up. I'd be interested in any thoughts you may have on this. Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Lance on August 19, 2016
Q: I have a small (1%) position in Solium and am up modestly. I was pleasantly surprised at the modest share price bump after the poor Q2/1H earnings. Perhaps the market is looking at the improved topline and giving the company time to convert that to a better bottom line. However, I'm thinking of selling SUM and buying more GUD, which is also a small position. I could also keep SUM and just add to GUD. Could you provide an outlook on SUM for the next 2-3 years and the relative merits of these two? Thank-you.
Read Answer Asked by David on August 19, 2016
Q: I have no current exposure to oil or gas. Thinking it may be time to acquire some. Is an etf the better way to go or perhaps going with Birchcliff, Seven Generations, Peyto. Which etf if thats your choice and what % of a portfolio should a person consider at this juncture.
I asked a question 3 or 4 days ago, can't tell if the credits have been reduced but I did not get an answer. The question referred to a choice between TXN vs NVDA. I currently own about 18% in technology,CSU,IT,GC,GOOGL but was thinking that perhaps I should sell ULTI in exchange for TXN or NVDA, or whatever recommendation you think is best. Thank You.
Read Answer Asked by Maureen on August 18, 2016
Q: I appreciate your answer to Brian on the results today. It seems to me they were very strong, but the stock has been down 1 to 2 % this morning. My question is, that on any given day, (on average) would a rise in the Canadian dollar have an inverse effect on the price of this equity? I seem to notice that the dollar fluctuation often seems to affect the valuation of stocks that trade of more than one exchange quite markedly.
Read Answer Asked by Jim on August 17, 2016
Q: I would like to commend Peter, and poster Robert and his post.

Right ON!!!

98% of people need a diversified portfolio and no one gets every investment to work out. No one.

Even though I am one who prefers a more concentrated portfolio with more effort and patience put towards my selections I never get everyone to work out as I had hoped and predicted. However, patience even mends the bad ones over time to some degree if they have good management.

During my continuing education in this investing in businesses thing (25 years) I have learned that even the big guys/girls that manage $1/2 billion and more routinely have an investment go the way of the DoDo bird or at least they end up selling after 2 years for a smallish loss (lottery win size for most people).

We all have to take ownership when we plunk our money down. 5i gives their opinion which is what we pay for. We may not agree always but ultimately it is our choice. 5i cannot get into more detailed explanations and analysis because many members do not want that nor would they understand it. This is just they way it is.

And I agree the markets are at all time highs which is scary. My finger is on the Shorting button, LOL. And am waiting for good companies to go on sale to buy.

The Shiller PE on the U.S. market, an often watched indicator, is at 27.0 today which is considered explosive, unsafe and dangerous area. Anything above 23 is unsafe territory historically. 15 is normal.

So be careful out there. Diversify and have some cash (amo, ammunition) sitting on the sidelines for good buy opportunities as they present themselves. PATIENCE is always rewarded.

Incoming dividends is lower our cost base, ACB, on many of our stocks (at least for me) so my at risk $ is getting lower as time passes.

Heck, even the road from Toronto to Calgary is not a straight ride. It goes up and down, and left and right but it gets one to the destination with some patience. And think of all the things one gets to see and learn along the way.

Have a great day.
Read Answer Asked by Stan (1) on August 17, 2016
Q: could you please comment on the recent activity regarding the Crescendo Partners' Letter? I have held this company for some time (avg price $4.75) and kept expecting to see it return to those levels only to be disappointed each new quarter. The letter definitely sums of my feelings, but not sure if it was the proper way to do it. Any guestimations on the sum of the parts if RKN decided to sell. p.s. wasn't too impressed with the response letter.
Read Answer Asked by Jim on August 16, 2016