Investment Q&A

Q: My question has to do with selling shares due to the "opportunity cost" of continuing to own them. As we go through tumultuous times, we are being coached by you (and many others) to stay the course, maintain a diversified portfolio and remain with companies that have not experienced fundamental changes to their businesses. Supporting this thesis is that you can't time the market and a good company is a good company - until it is not.

But then on the other side we seem to have situations where stocks go down for no apparent reason, other than investor irrationality, and they then seem like excellent buys. This is where the question of opportunity cost arises. I own BDI, SYZ, BAD, AVO to name a few stocks that are down but continue to be largely viewed as good companies (ok, maybe we should have left AVO out of this). But are we investors suppose to contemplate selling these stocks because it appears that it may take a year or two for them to come back, hence the opportunity cost, to buy things we think will rebound faster? If so, isn't that then trying to time the market? It seems to me that while I am eager to buy up some "bargains", I am fully invested and am not adding to my savings and therefore I do not have the cash, so I will just have to sit and wait for this market to rise again. Or am I being too doctrinaire and making the amateur mistake of not selling my losers?

Sign me a little confused! Appreciate your insight.

Paul F.

Q: With reference to Bryron's question, I am also very concerned with deflation as opposed to inflation. There is way too much debt worldwide. As an experienced money manager and I know you don't have a crystal ball, would you lean towards deflation as opposed to inflation? I can't see how inflation can rear its head in this environment and is deflation in a short period of time a real risk to the stock market?

Q: Hi guy,s Thanks to you I bought a 1000 shares at about 7.30 per Share. Right or wrong I cashed in at 18.55 today . Where would you put $20,000 today excluding the oil patch as I am over weight in this area. Thanks for your advice. Regards Cliff

Q: Note that you are adding the above 2 stocks mainly due to value resulting from recent sharp declines.Please advise what is FX as You stated that ENB only has small exposure to FX.Both are related to the very weak energy sector,so I assume that that valuation overrides the sector in this case. Also,would BAM.A a better choice than BEP.un? Thanks a lot for your usual great advices & services.

Q: I have a question about the upcoming election. Most polls show the NDP leading. From your experience do you think it is reasonable to expect something of a market sell-off (perhaps leading up to the election if the polls continue to show the NDP leading or after the election itself) if this continues? Please note I am not asking anything partisan here. I am just considering whether or not there might be a good reason to wait until after the election to buy a few things. Thank-you.

Q: FSV rated on summary portfolio as B- but report shows B. CIG is not rated anywhere. Please advice, should CIG be sold and is FSV a B.

Q: Good morning Peter and team,
I have some cash to invest and the 2 stocks I am still underweight from your equity balance portfolio are SYZ and ATD.B. I tend to favor ATD.B over SYZ although SYZ has dropped significantly. My portfolio is well balanced and would remain so after the purchase of either Co. Which one would you favor for a long term investment portfolio? Thank you for your unmatched service.

Q: Peter & team, can I get your perspective on PSG and their last results? Thanks.

Q: Hi Folks,

I'm looking to make an investment in the auto parts sector. I know you tend to favour MG but I'm looking for a little more torc. I was thinking of MRE or XTC. Which would you recommend or would your prefer a half position in each?

as always, thanks for your help.

Q: Hi Peter and Team,

In my RRIF,I have 1425 shares of ABT with an average cost of $9.7042. (ABT closed today at $8.33).

In today's mail, I received an "Offer to purchase for cash, up to $50,000,000 in value of its common shares at a purchase price of not less than $7.75 and not more than $9.00 per common share". If I want to accept the tender offer, I need to inform my broker by Sept. 30.

I am confused as to what course of action I should take, or should I do nothing and hope that this share buyback will increase the value of my shares, hopefully above $9.7042? It's obvious that I bought high, and would feel better if I was able to sell at at least for what I paid. Or is ABT's range for this tender too low, and they think that the stock isn't worth any more than $9.00, and I should tender my shares for $9.00 in their "Dutch Auction"? (The other alternative offered by Absolute is to let them determine the price which could be as low as $7.75 or as high as $9.00).

Sorry for such a convoluted question, and as always, await your timely advice.

Q: Hello 5i Peter and Team, I need to diversify, I have not rebalanced in years!
I currently own AD, BMO, DH, IPL, MCD, WCP. What stocks would you recommend to add to this list for more diversity over the next 6 months. I like dividend payers but do not need income yet. I am comfortable with a certain amount of risk.
Thank You

Q: Are you a fan of the frequently expressed strategy of having your per cent of fixed income match your age? I suspect this is a personal decision based on one's risk tolerance, but as a general rule does it make sense? For myself, 50+ in fixed income seems like a lot.

Q: Hello 5i,
I am presently underweight the tech sector. Assuming I own equal weights AVO,DSG,GIB.A CSU and MDA which one should I add to today? Or bring a new company into the portfolio?
Many thanks, Doug

Q: Me again, I emailed Intertain and this is their response (a relief?):

Hi Silvia.

This call is to discuss the existing MIP as outlined in Intertain’s Management Information Circular dated May 20, 2015

Q: Hello Peter, Ryan & team, "Manag. Incentive Plan"...what are you expecting out of this? And, how would it affect the stock price?
Thank you!!

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Aug 31, 2015) - The Intertain Group Limited (IT.TO) today announced it will host a conference call with members of the investment community to discuss its Management Incentive Plan on Tuesday, September 1, 2015 at 8:00am ET.

Q: I'm looking to increase my exposure to the materials sector and invest in either ADN or WEF. Could you provide your analysis of each and which is the better investment.

Q: Please update your opinions of West Fraser going forward. Thank you.

Q: Hi peter - I recently sold BYD.UN - LNR (did very well) - I want to buy a Canadian company and then have my broker switch to a US account. I believe that @10% I am underweight in the US. The Canadian dollar is still falling /not showing any sign of - The struggle I am having is I really still like the auto sector. LNR has really dropped from its $89 Cad high. Do you believe that (a) the Cad $ is headed lower. (b) MG has still got room to grow compared to LNR. (c) I am better off buying AGU and get out of the Auto sector? Any other suggestion would be welcome I am a moderate investor who likes stability/growth ...Thanks for your advise

Q: Hi 5i team. Thanks for the great service. BAM recently invested in infrastructure in India. Does that in any way affect Brookfield Infrastructure? It seems, to me that sometimes the assets are passed on or are sold to the subsidiary. Can you comment please if this might have long-term impact on Brookfield infrastructure?. I have been focusing on building positions in Brookfield Infrastructure and Brookfield Energy Partners

Q: Dear Gentlemen,
I want to re-balance by adding in Industrial sector 6.%. from 10 to 16%
I hold these stocks in different PF: BDI 1,1% (-50% in value) MDA 1.6%, STN 3.3%, & WSP 4%.
For a balanced medium aggressive PF, your suggestions, adding new stocks or increasing actual stocks?

Thank You
Best Regards