Investment Q&A

Q: Been doing some research on Canadian Tire (CTC.A) and along with growing earnings per share, a share buyback in full swing, and a history of regular dividend increases, it also seems to have a controlling shareholder, in Martha Billes with 61% of the voting shares.

Just from some reading, it looks like Ms Billes is getting on in age, doesn't have any children (that I read about, anyway) and her history with the rest of her family is at times contentious.

Do you think Ms. Billes has an exit strategy in place regarding her controlling interest in Canadian Tire and what do you think those options are?

Thanks, again.

John

Q: Peter and Team:

I am down about 20% on full position of TFI. Sector weightings are good. I was wondering what the prospects for TFI are and if perhaps I should take the hit on TFI and put the proceeds and double up on BIN.
Long term hold. Unregistered account.

Thanks

Phil

Q: I read your reply to Morgan Aug.where he down huge; however the decline has cont. & is prob. close to -35% YTD?
I do not own any prefs right now; but, hold all the common shares of the companies rep. in this ETF in my non registered account. I was thinking of converting my RRSP to a RRIF before the end of the year: would a long -term strategy to add this ETF be good with the possibility of cap. appreciation in the future. I also own the XRE ETF which I've held for a long time as well.

Q: Hi Folks:
Can you recommend 3 or 4 Canadian infrastructure stocks that may benefit from all the election chatter we are hearing about new roads, bridges, etc. going to be built in Canada? Do any of them do business in the US also?

Q: At what point is it feasible to allocate a percentage value to stocks in a portfolio, as opposed to a dollar value? For instance, if an investor starts out with $100,000 in cash, it's easy to pick 20 stocks and allocate 5% to each to come up with a nicely rounded, well diversified portfolio. But, if an investor is starting out with only $50,000, or $25,000, does the same principle apply? Or should one arbitrarily assign a dollar value -- perhaps min. of $5000 per stock, and build from there ... so that a $25K portfolio might only have 5 good stocks in different sectors? Would that be enough protection/diversity?

I'm asking this to set the course for a few young adults in my family (nieces, nephews) who are starting out on their investment life, and are inheriting some funds.

As a follow up to that thought, would you structure this amount of cash differently for a 25 year old than you might for a 45 year old, with the same amount of cash?

Thanks for your help and insight, as always.

Q: Just a quick question before I click the "transfer dollar" button.
If US interest rates go up as predicted will that weaken the CDN Dollar? Some "experts" on BNN are saying 70 cents for CDN Dollar.

Thank You

Q: Hi Peter & Co,
Do you know any Canadian info tech companies with a "cloud" focus? I think OTC is one.
Thanks,
Antoine

Q: I know these are apple to oranges comparisons however, I would like to buy some of these eventually. Do you have a favourite to start out with? I already own some of wsp. I am heavily leaning towards uni-select. I know all are good cash flow machines but I would like to have some growth also.
Thanks guys

Q: I bought a half position in the following 2-3 weeks ago. Please tell me which of these you would double to hold a full position. I'm interested in income and the safety of capital. Thanks

POW, CSH.UN, SIA, AD, BPF.UN, ECI, VNR, FSZ, TMA

Q: To follow up on my question regarding adding to CXI, would you prefer ESL or CGI for a 1-2 year timeframe. I already have ESL and it makes up about 3.5% of my portfolio. CGI seems to have had not the greatest past 6 months.

Thanks,

Jordan

Q: Hi team:

the above is a conglomerate, would you classify it as indutrial ?
would you consider it to add to your balanced portfolio as a 3 plus year hold ? would you rank it as a "B" or higher in quality ?
as it pulled back to about $ 41, thinking of adding a small position in my balanced portfolio, thanks

Q: Your thoughts on Labrador Iron Ore going forward as a long term hold. It has fallen considerably this summer. Is the dividend safe?

Q: Regardless of sector or risk what are your 5 favourite stocks today? Thanx Robbie

Q: Announced today that they retained a banking firm to review potential strategic and financial opportunities. Does this sound like the company is considering going private/selling itself, or looking to grow by merging with or acquiring another company? As a shareholder I would be more pleased with the latter as this allows me to participate in the growth of the company.

Q: HI Peter,
Any idea why Currency Exchange is dropping every day? Also, I thought Fairfax had mechanisms in place to ensure it does well if there are market corrections, but the stock is stagnant. Any comments please

Q: I noticed reference to some portfolio changes being done but I don't seem to be seeing where this information is posted on your website? Ian

Q: Hi Folks: Does ESP have any involvement with the Internet Of Things? If no, does it have any potential for future involvement? Aside from Sierra Wireless, are there any other Canadian listed companies that have any involvement with the IOT?

Q: What is your take on Martin Armstrong and his Economic Confidence model?
Thanks for all you do

Q: Hi, I'm looking for some recommendations for low risk, slow, steady medium growth stocks? I'm considering CTC for a 3% position in my portfolio. What do you think of CTC now and are there other alternatives you like better?

Q: Hi, I'd like to follow up on Alex's question regarding an NDP election victory. Among their election promises is to treat all capital gains as income, and tax it 100%, not as is present, at a 50% rate. Would you expect this, if implemented, to result in a large outflow from small caps, especially high growth companies which don't give dividends, into dividend paying stocks?