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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: Hi Team,
I received notice from Economical Insurance, as a policy holder, that it plans to go public (demutualization). Apparently if I choose to participate, I can receive shares (or cash in lieu of shares). I have been informed I am an "eligible non-mutual policyholder." This affects 630,000 policy holders.

I am completely unfamiliar with this process. Do you have any information you can share about what this means and do you have an opinion on the value this may offer?

Many thanks. Michael

Read Answer Asked by Michael on May 12, 2016
Q: Where to go now, NHC has done me wrong, should I just get out. I know you don't really like it, do you have an opinion going forward, where to head.
I feel the U.S. may be better than Canada for a while. I am thinking of buying SHW-COST-GOOGL notwithstanding they are all in different spaces, where would you put your money. I kinda favor SHW because it seems to have good 3rd and 4th quarters, more paint sold no doubt. Now the last last question, I own WSP and it is down somewhat, should I perhaps switch over to SNC. Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Maureen on May 11, 2016
Q: Hi! I did some spring cleaning and had to pick between drt and pur. The two were small positions and I ended selling pur and adding a bit to drt. In hindsight it looks like I should have done the opposite. If pur looks better now I can still make the change if you suggest so. Thx, Dominic
Read Answer Asked by Dominic on May 11, 2016
Q: Could you suggest 5 companies with a dividend and with some growth projected in the next years. The objectives is to start using the dividend in around 4-5 years as an income source. I would appreciate if you could focus on companies that are 'cheap' right now or at a discount to their usual price ratio.
I already own AW.un, DIV, KBL, NFI, PBH, ECI, GSY and WSP that sort of fit in the kind of companies i'm looking for. Note that the portfolio is more diverse than that with around 30 names. I'm looking to slowly move from pure growth to dividend with some growth. So i will select names from your list and rebalance the portfolio accordingly.
Read Answer Asked by Olivier on May 11, 2016
Q: Peter, I'm looking to invest in one of the three companies above. I won't need to touch the investment for 5 - 10 years, and I would be content with an average annual return of 6 percent (including dividends). Please rank these three in order, based on the combined criteria of capital preservation and the goal of achieving the hoped-for 6% or better. (My portfolio is otherwise diversified.) Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by James on May 11, 2016
Q: Hi,
Thanks for the tip of TMXMONEY to identify the sectors. It turns out I had miss-classified 3 of my stocks (SJ, IPL and ECI). I'm now questioning my weightings. I currently have the following:

Cons. Cyclical 11.9%
Cons. Defensive 0.0%
Financials 17.1%
Healthcare 3.6%
Energy 14.7%
Precious Metals 13.9%
Real Estate 0.0%
Industrials 9.2%
Utilities 0.0%
Technology 24.5%
Materials 4.6%
Communication 0.0%

I'm ok with some risk, which is probably evident from above. My precious metals may be a little high due to the recent bounce in this sector.

Based on the current market environment, do you see these weighting as appropriate? Are there any particular red flags that you see?

Thanks, Ian
Read Answer Asked by Ian on May 09, 2016
Q: Of my Industrial holdings, I currently own WSP, BYD.UN, XTC, and MG. Industrials are about 15% of my portfolio overall, which I think is decent, but am wondering if having BYD.UN, XTC, and MG carries too much exposure in the auto industry. Is there ever such a thing as too little diversity within a section?
Read Answer Asked by Mike on May 09, 2016
Q: Pertaining to stock charts, I use the free Globe Investor Stock Charts which are user friendly but periodically they act up. I tried freestockcharts.com and I found them not user friendly and seemed to be for professionals only. What I am looking for are other free stock charts that are user friendly like Globe Investor. Any help appreciated. Thank you Dennis
Read Answer Asked by Dennis on May 09, 2016
Q: Down 80% on PHM and 20% with AYA. Thinking of selling these turkeys and buying SIS. SIS is currently overbought, but seems to have generally good fundamentals. I bought GUD almost 2 years ago at its all time high and just broke even on that purchase. I am concerned about the current valuation of SIS and if I am giving up too soon on AYA. My new rule to avoid this mess in the future is to sell half when down 5% and sell the balance when down 10%. Thankyou
Read Answer Asked by Richard on May 09, 2016