Investment Q&A

Q: Could I get some up-to-date numbers on PIF please - How much debt? How is cash flow? What is the current payout ratio? Any recent insider activity? Any other cautions or comments on their financials would be appreciated. Also, how much political risk is in this company given the location of their assets? Thanks.

Q: I'm down 30% on POT. It was bought for income but I also wanted to preserve capital. Of course, now they have cut their dividend too. What criteria do you use when deciding to sell a losing stock? What is your recommendation for me (I also own Agrium and am down on that too but I know you prefer it). Thanks!

Q: PBH vs Loblaws?
Thanks

Q: Hello Peter & Co,
I know you are a proponent of the portfolio approach; however, (1) if I were to fully participate in your 3 portfolios, I would have to own some 60 holdings; that is, in my humble opinion, too much to handle whereas 30 to 40 would be more manageable.
(2) Supposing that 60 holdings is OK and I just duplicate your portfolios, what would be the economically optimal and practical size for each portfolio in $ terms?
Thanks,
Antoine

Q: Any updated thoughts? Financial post article recently.

Q: Have you heard of this small company?

Q: Please provide your opinion of BAM.A. Do you think the Zach's downgrade and the recent Barron's article would account for today's pullback? The stock is closing in on the 200 day EMA. Would you have any concerns adding to an existing position at his price level? Best, Don

Q: I'm unable to find any news on BAM.A today, which would account for its 4.6% drop this morning. Is it event related?

Thanks

Q: I realize it's tiny, any opinion on this company?

Q: Good Morning 5i
Please provide your comments on NYX/Openbet deal? Thanks.

Q: Having reviewed a few small companies that I have been following for a long time it appears that there is a turnaround in a number of different resources. Would you consider any of these or maybe others in similar areas as "buyable".
Thank you for your hard work, Peter

Q: In 2013-2014 you could feel the animal spirits. Many stocks where hitting new highs and smallcaps were going up. Then we got the oil crash and the party was over. But then, it got nasty: the short attacks. Some were based on little facts, but many gave us reason to second guess putting more than two paychecks on companies like AYA, AVO, WIN, PHM, VRX, IT, CRX, etc. For example, a post about Intertain and its CEO stepping down: http://calvinayre.com/2016/02/22/business/intertain-ceo-quitting-following-committee-report/. In 2014, reading your answers, I was under the impression that Intertain was a simple business, cheap and safe other than its debt. However, now I see a company that was milking shareholders with its compensation plan. Suddenly, I see a reason for the cheap valuation of this previously big performer: the management is questionable. Question 1: Are you surprised by the number of companies with 'question marks' and those where the management negatively surprised us, relative to previous years in your career? Is the lack of growth tempting management teams to do illegal/riskier/unfriendly moves? Question 2: Are you surprised by how much stocks pullback these days, such as the 40% pullback of IT and ESL?

Q: I see oil slipping some what in value. I personal don't see anything that is going to push the price up. ($35.00 - $45.00). So I don't understand the bullish effect on the Canadian Dollar. I would appreciate your option & what the general consensus is. The reason I am asking this is I have U.S. dollars that I was thinking of transferring into cnd. dollars. So my next question is, Do you think the Ontario & Federal budget will send the dollar down in value. Do you know when their
budgets are due.

Q: I am 66 and only have blue chip Canadian dividend stocks for my self created pension [non-sheltered]. What do you think about getting into annuities [ out of stocks, gradually ] every 5 years? Annuities have a most high ROC this year. I understand the ROC rules change next year. I have no fixed income investments at all. Thanks.

Paul

Q: Hello. Can you please share your top 2 picks in the Utilities (electric) and Forest and Wood sectors for 3-5 year holds? Thanks!

Q: I am over water on my SEV. I assume it has risen because of FB Oculus. Is there any hope for a takeover or should I sell at a slight profit.

Thanks.

Grant

Q: Hi 5i
Hope your day is going well, and looking forward to a spring weekend.
Reviewed your site, and just wondering if it was April 1st that you were planning on making changes to the portfolio. Could you please confirm and many thanks for your help.

Q: Any idea on why Cargojet has been so weak the past two days?

Q: Is Cara a reasonable price today after buying St Hubert. Market seems to like the deal. Used to own Cara years ago. It went private and now back public. On another note there does not seem to have been much merger and acquisitions between companies. With the strong US dollar what companies in Canada would be attractive to a US company since they could buy at a 20 percent discount?

Q: Hi Peter

I have never seen WFP on the most Active traded list like it is today. Plus the stock is up. Any idea why this might be - perhaps an offer on it pending.

Thanks