Investment Q&A

Q: Hi Peter and staff
Question is regarding changes In TSX composite index. When I read in Globe today that the index is down 20 percent since ..... Does that assume you spent your dividends or you lost 20 percent of your investment and the dividends as well- same question when they say for 2015 the index was down 11 or 13 percent - by the way which one was it - 11 or 13
Thanks for all you do

Q: What are your thoughts at starting to take positions in these giants. Great diversity and both are great stewards of capital with lots of cash. If not at these levels where would you see more value. Thank you

Q: I currently own:

5i balanced equity except for goldcorp
6 Blue chips - TRI, BIP.UN, TD, L, BCE,FTS
10 stocks from the growth portfolio

I would like to take advantage of the market pull back. But I can't top up everything. Should I focus on the blue chips because we are entering a bear market, the 5i portfolio or would the riskier stocks be better because they've been hit harder?

Q: I trade through the National Bank and they charge $468.00 per year to use there trading platform which is market Q. Is there another platform I can use at a better price with the same advantages I have with Market Q. I know there are free platforms but to date have not found anything suitable.

Q: Any idea why the price of this stock dropped 8% today ?

Q: The plummeting share price has become a worry. What do you see going forward?
Thanks for the great service.
Philip

Q: Hello.
Thanks for the quality reading about companies. This subscription has generated educational and financial benefits.

After review of many income and quality holdings held through 2015, I find myself questioning Portfolio Management strategies. While I attempt to have a long time horizon and focus on the company not the ticker, I have to question the practice of an Investor holding companies that rise nicely in price only to fall from high prices (pick any reit or quality income oriented investment).....essentially doing a round trip ..some into a negative position. (IPL, BEI, WSP, TCN, CGX will be there soon)

Often accompanying the Investor along this journey are comments like, good company, good to hold for income investors, fundamentals look good or the dividend should support the stock price.

Can you offer thoughts on the above general scenario and either how to overcome the sense of loss as stock prices tick lower for companies previously sporting gains or what alternative strategies/ Portfolio actions are out there (not trying to be a trader) to help reduce the downside action of a Retail Investor's portfolio?

Thanks for your efforts.
Dave

Q: Shanghai index down 7% so trading suspended. Hong Kong & the 3 major European indexs down some 3%.The US futures also down sharply.Oil down 4%.Please advise us what to do.Always appreciate your usual great services & views.

Q: I'm interested in investing in Potash Corp. On Dec.10/15 you stated that it is priced for a dividend cut and in November stated that the company has stated that the dividend is safe down to potash prices of $200 per ton. With potash prices being fairly flat in the $300 per ton range since the latter part of 2013 are you foreseeing a dramatic fall in potash prices to the sub $200 range ? Trading at 10.5 times earnings with a close to 9% yield I find the company tempting. Your thoughts on the company in general ? What are the earnings estimates going forward ? And the safety of the dividend ?
Thanks for all you do.

Q: Are we in a bear market? How should retail investors like myself position ourselves in the current environment? Thank you.

Q: Hello Peter & 5i team,
A few small queries:
1) BNS is in the balanced portfolio and yet it is the worst performing of the big 6 (3.8% 5-yr compound total return vs 10.6% for TD and 10.4% for Royal)
2) You switched Stantec for WSP Global last year; why not own a half position in both (for a chicken like me)?
3) For an indirect exposure to the US residential housing, I'm debating between Interfor and Western Forest; which would you suggest? (or should I be a chicken here too and own both?)
Thanks,
Antoine

Q: Hi guys, wondering which sector or sectors as of the new year , has been seeing the most money inflows in both Canada and the Us. Also any recommendations for tech companies in the Us?
Many thanks for your service

Q: any news for this company? the share price dropped over 6% so far today.

Thanks,

Lin

Q: Hi Peter
Why when running stock screens under criteria in which you know certain stocks should pass,they don't come up,I notice this happens quite often.
The free screen I have been using is at Zacks, I find the large selection of criteria to be better than most.
I subscribe to both Morningstar & The Globe & Mail and find their stock screens lousy.The Globe Investor Gold advanced filter screen was the best, but they closed it down because it was to costly to Maintain.
Gord

Q: In your post about sustainable dividends please explain what is meant by CAGR, CFO, PCT and LFY. Thanks.

Q: Hi Guys, I'm a little nervous to start the New Year. What are your favorite defensive stocks right now in the healthcare, staples, utilities, telecom space etc..maybe get cautious and collect some dividends for a period of time until the global economy markets settle in a bit.
Thank-you.

Q: Hello Peter & Co,
In my previous question, I was enquiring about exposure to the US Housing sector to add to a position I already hold with TCN; in your response you mentioned a few REITs but I was surprised that you did not mention any of the Canadian lumber companies such as Interfor or Western Forest.
Needless to say that I greatly value your opinion
Antoine

Q: I see the Globe and Mail has an article about CAE. They say that CAE will benefit from increased defence spending . Would this be a good time to invest with CAE. looking at putting it in my TFSA.

Q: Happy New Year! Thank You for the great service. I hold HCG, BAD and ACQ in my TFSA. All 3 have losses ranging 40% to 47%. I'm a buy and hold type of investor and not looking at selling my positions. What is your long term outlook for these stocks (greater than 5 years).
Thanks
Kevin

Q: Hello Peter and the 5I team
I am wondering about HLF as a good value pick at the moment. But I notice that the low canadian currency seems to effect them negatively, since I believe that the canadian currency will continue to be weak should I stay away from this stock? What is your general feel for this stock ? Is the div safe? Another stock I am considering is AD. Is the div safe with this stock? I realize that these 2 stocks are very different but if you had to pick one which would you pick and why.

Thank you