Investment Q&A

Q: Hello 5i,
Recently you mentionned that gic's might do just as well as a bond fund in this environment. I notice that a five year latter is mentionned often. Under current conditions, i have wondered whether, say, a three year ladder wouldn't be better. What are your thoughts on that? I imagine people suggest five years because it gives a bit more income. But, it also locks you in for a longer period
Thanks

Q: I sold Wajax & Transalta. Can you please advise your best picks for replacements for these. Combination of dividend and growth is nice but primarily which have the most future upside in a recovery?

Q: Hi Peter, Can you please comment on the safety of GICs in Achieva Financial Credit Union in Manitoba? The website says its deposits are protected by Manitoba credit union deposit protection. How does that compare with CDIC deposit protection? My accountant swears by it and has money in it.

Q: Hi 5i,

I often hear that the company is possible take over target. If that is the case, wouldn't it be better to be a holder of the "B" shares. "A" shares could be left with no offer. Am I missing something here?

Q: Mitel is up today, ostensibly on news that Eliott Management Corp has initiated a significant investment in MNW and combined with their holding in another similar company is urging the board, I think, to consider merging the two. (please correct me if I am wrong). This type of shareholder agitation is not new but I am wondering what to make of it. While not all cases will be the same, in general it seems to me that these types of action - whether it be calls for mergers, asset sell-offs, special dividends etc. are essentially a condemnation of current management since if these ideas are so good the management should have thought of them.

The market seems to like this latest move as the stock is way up but if it is such a good thing, why didn't the current management initiate it? Should we continue to have confidence in the current management or is someone like Elliott, who seem to have a good reputation, just a smart group that thought of something no one else did?

Your insight is greatly appreciated.

Paul F.

Q: i need basic material companies to add to my portfolio

Q: Our investment group currently hold this stock but during this year the stock price has steadily fallen. What are the reasons and what is your prediction for the future? Is it a hold or sell?

Q: Brookfield is spinning off a portion of its Business Partners division to BAM.A shareowners. The only comparables to BPP I can think of are KKR and BX, neither one having set the world on fire in terms of returns the last few years. Do you think that BPP as a much smaller entity will have better long term growth prospects than either of those two? The CEO of BAM claims the last 5 years has seen great growth in its private equity and continues to see opportunity. Do you agree? Thanks, J.

Q: This morning Larry Summers was talking on Bloomberg. He doesn't see inflation rising "as far as the horizon" and if it was up to him, he wouldn't even consider rising rates until he sees inflation. It's hard to believe rates will go up much at all and therefore, the hunger for yield should remain for years. Let's assume we knew that (a) U.S. rates stay below 0.5% for years (b) you want to minimize your exposition to Canadian housing and economy (no oil stock / office / mall REIT) (c) that you want above 5% plus income. Can you find better stocks than A&W, PizzaPizza and Sienna (AW.UN, PZA, SIA)? If our economy slows, Canadians will keep eating fast food (A&W + PZA). Sales might even go up while restaurants start to struggle (cheaper). They also have no exposition to currency or world issues. As for Sienna, I picked it because it add some growth that isn't tied to world growth or the Canadian economy. Please help me find holes in my strategy. Much appreciated.

Q: Please provide me with your comments on Restaurant Brands. Do you see this as a good long term hold and is the current price a good entry point. Thank you for your invaluable service.

Q: I am 69,retired and dependent on my rrif and cpp for income. I have put aside cash in gics which I approximate will cover the mandatory draws for 6 years which I felt would cover an economic cycle and allow stability to the equities and bonds in the portfolio. The cash does grow beyond that sum and is redeployed to best advantage. This is a different approach from the percentage models used . I would appreciate your opinion. Thanks very much for your help.

Q: Good morning

Can I have your thoughts/analysis on Mad Catz as a possible investment (projected earning growth/debt etc.)? Are they any stocks you would recommend in this sector)

This stock is behaving very well technically.

Thanks again!

Q: What are your thoughts on Wajax? Is it worth holding for the dividend or does the risk of further downward slide outweigh the benefit of the dividend. My book value is about $46 a share.

Joe

Q: Hi team, please give me your opinion on the below allocations for both Consumer Discretionary and Staples stocks (this is about a 10-15 year time frame and part of a $200,000 portfolio):

Consumer Discretionary (13% of Portfolio)
ACQ.TO, BYD.UN, CGX.TO, DH.TO, ECI.TO, GC.TO, IT.TO, KBL.TO, MG.TO, MRE.TO, PEO.V

Consumer Staples (12% of Portfolio)
ADW.A, ATD.B, CSW.A, DOL.TO, L.TO, SAP.TO, TPK.TO

Any stocks to take out of these lists or perhaps add to?

Q: For sector allocation, I have the following:

Consumer Cyclical 27.21%
Consumer Defensive 11.67%
Energy 9.10%
Financials 10.07%
Healthcare 8.0%
Industrials 11.97%
Tech 21.98%

Is this too high in cyclicals, wherein I hold Boyd, Disney, CCL Industries and Starbucks, in roughly equal weightings.

If so, which sector should I rebalance into, to optimize what's happening in the market right now?

I'm working with all 5I-approved companies, so the worry is not about individual stocks, but the sectors as a whole.

Thanks as always.

(And thanks to Geoff for correcting my "dyslexic moment" yesterday on Concordia. Obviously, my morning coffee had not kicked in. Very red-faced member, here. : )

Q: Hi 5i,

There are a couple of things I don't understand about this recent rally.

It seems to me that it is due to the US potentially slowing down, and hence delaying interest rate increases. If this is true, are we to expect this rally to end soon (since a slower US economy must eventually be bad for stocks) or does this rally have legs?

Also, if the rally is based on delaying interest rate increases why are companies like SunLife rallying. I thought these companies were going to benefit from rate increases so the current environment should be negative for them?

Any help you can give me to clear up my confusion would be appreciated.


Thanks,

Q: What are your thoughts on MarketSmart GIC's? And what would be a good alternative?
Thank you in advance for your thoughts.
Janice

Q: Hi 5i:

Further to your request regarding this info: I received a message from my discount broker with the following:

"RBC Direct Investing TM. would like to inform you that the following New Issue has just been announced.

Exchange Income Corp

Short Description: Treasury Offering of Common Shares - RE-OFFERING
Price: $24.40 CDN per share.
Settlement: Settlement: October 8, 2015."

I looked for announcements and could not find anything at that price. I ended up wondering if maybe it was just the broker dealing some of their shares at a discount after participating in the recent offering at the higher price. Hope that helps.

No need to publish this if someone else has already responded!

Q: Could you define for me what period of time you are meaning when you say "Long Term, Mid Term and Short Term" ...
and THANK YOU for keeping us on an even track during this turmoil !!

Q: Can you provide an update analysis on bird bdt and canwell as an investment for dividends and moderate growth? Are both dividends sustainable based on coverage ratios or do you prefer one over the other? Thanks again! John.