Investment Q&A

Q: After analysis of my portfolio, and finally realizing that building a diversified portfolio is key to limiting risk as much as possible I've discovered that I need to add to the following sectors. Would you please suggest 2-3 companies that I could add to these sectors to help my diversification. Since I'm retired some yield and a company's ability to sustain and increase it would be helpful.
1. Utilities (currently 5% of portfolio) Already own BEP.UN
2. Industrials (currently 7% of portfolio) Already own BIN and WSP
3. Info Tech (currently 5% of portfolio) Already own ESL and XLK.US
4. Energy (currently 4% of portfolio)Already own HSE
5. Materials (currently 0% of portfolio) I own no companies
Thanks again for your guidance.

Q: Hi Peter, I'm just starting out with a view to manage the bulk of my portfolio myself. I would like to take advantage of the stronger returns in the US market, and thought I would allocate about a third to this market. What are your thoughts?With a 3-5 year view, I am wondering whether the loonie will be stronger by then and as a result, I could realize a currency loss - the loonie couldn't get much weaker it seems, and will surely rebound by then, or is this the new "normal"? I'm guessing most people believe the potential of the US economy vs the Cdn, more than outweighs the possibility for future currency losses, correct? I also would like to know whether most people put in stops, or not - what is the general strategy bebind doing this, putting them in near purchase price or well beneath it. Do stop positions have priority in the queue ahead of on the day sellers? Thanks, Kristine.

Q: Which stock do you believe has more upside potential, IT or AYA.
Thx\Jim

Q: What is your take on IM's problem?

Q: Having looked at the US government spending it appears that medicare, medicaid and social security are rising at a double digit pace making a balanced budget impossible. Makes sense given the baby boomer impact. But my question is, do you take this into account when assessing investment risks or do you file it away for tomorrow's worries.

Q: Would appreciate your comments on today's results from HRX.

Thanks!

Q: Hi- your comments on the results today and outlook. Also can you explain the Amaya deal - will they need to do a financing and what is the upside potential? thanks

Q: I know you explained this in the past but I can't remember how I can access the growth portfolio. When I click "portfolios" it does not appear.

Q: Hello Peter;
I need your help rebalancing my portfolio. Using your suggested Sector weightings, I am far too high in Financials (25% v 10%) and too low in Resources (5% v 10%), Industrials ( 10% v 20%) and Utilities (0% v 5%).

In Financials, I own Bank of America (BAC); Wells Fargo (WFC); First Service (FSV); Home Capital (HCG); Brookfield Asset Man (BAM); Currency Exchange (CXI); and VISA (V).

In Resources, I own Keyera (KEY) and Inter Pipe (IPL).

In Industrials, I own Boyd (BYD.UN); CCL Ind (CCL.B); and Exco Tech (XTC).

I own no Utilities.

I am OK with my holdings and percentages in all other Sectors which are mostly mid-caps from your balanced portfolio. In your deliberations, please assume equal $ amounts in each position. Also assume a 3-5 year hold and that I am fine with moderate risk.

It looks as if I need to sell 3 Financials and with the proceeds, buy 2 Resource, 2 Industrials and 1 Utility!

I look forward to your thoughts and recommendations.

Michael

Q: Hello- I'm thinking about adding EQI, CRH and DBO. Good ideads or bad ideas? Thanks

Q: Good day, with some PE ratios getting above normal levels would it be a good time to take some money out of US index funds. I have these for diversification as I am slowly acquiring 5I model portfolio and growth portfolio. It is 8% in my one account and 4% of my wife and I's total portfolio.

Q: Balanced portfolio and revenu from pension: What would be the best approach if one would want a balanced portfolio considering the revenu from a fixed pension revenu. As an example, if one would need a yearly revenu of 75K$ and receives a 50k$ from pension, you would have 66% in fixed income from pension, would the 33% remaining in a portfolio be invested in all stocks growth or value. How much would the portfolio be balanced with growth and value stocks considering the revenu from the pension. In essence, is the revenu from pension considered like bonds because it is fixed income. Thanks
John

Q: Hi Peter,

You mentioned in an earlier question that BAM.A is likely to have a tough year earnings-wise. Can you please elaborate? I was under the impression that it has good growth potential and is an very strong company. Would you recommend holding it? Or is there a better place to put my money? I purchased it close to the high last month, so I'm a bit underwater on it.

Thanks,

Jordan

Q: Peter and His Wonder Team
I realize you are "wary" of this stock and it does not qualify for your watch list. However I am wondering if it might be a reasonable 'contrarian play'...please give me your current assessment of Transat.I realize they are near multi year lows, stiff competition and the USD. I am looking for a strong balance sheet, good management and an indication that the company has made adjustments which gives it a better prognosis.
Thanks in advance for your prompt and enlightening perspectives!
Dr.Ernest Rivait

Q: My semi retired brother has no income except OAS and a small CPP and essentially no assets except approximately $50,000 from our mother's assets following her death. He lives extremely modestly in his own home so needs very little month to month but has asked for my help in structuring a relatively safe portfolio from the $50,000 that will grow modestly with time while providing dividend income. I tried to develop a list with fairly low PE's, potential growth, good dividends, some diversification and some international exposure. From your list of stocks plus my own thinking I have come up with the following: Scotia Bank (BNS), Bell Canada (BCE), MacDonald Dettweiler (MDA), Power Financial (PWF), Sunlife (SLF), Boardwalk Reit (BEI.UN), Chartwell (CSH.UN), and TransCanada (TRP). There are only 8 in the list and I would prefer 10. Can you please comment on and add to my list and possibly suggest alternates (for example I struggled with TRP instead of Enbridge but opted for TRP because of higher dividends and lower PE understanding that ENB could have higher revenue growth). I considered Dream Global Reit (DRG.UN) but felt there must be a problem when the PE is very low and the dividend is very high. I very much value your opinion.

Q: Hello Team,
What were you impressions following todays conference call-particularly regarding the possibility of circumventing Fx costs in International trade when payments are made in Bitgold.It would appear that it would provide a gigantic competitive edge to the platform.Any other thoughts in considering this novel business.Andrew

Q: I'm helping my retiring parents clean-up/rebalance their portfolio. This is a two-part question that's related.

i) How important is it to compare their portfolio's performance to a benchmark?
ii) If i) is important, which funds/etfs can serve as a good benchmark considering their desire to generate a 3.5% dividend in a balanced portfolio?

Q: Hi Peter and Team!!! I am looking to add the following to my portfolio...Sunlife, SNC, BAM.A and Russell Metals. Your thoughts on these choices?? any caveats??? Thank you so much for your service!! Cheers, Tamara

Q: Can I have your thoughts on the latest quarter. Thanks.

Q: How would you compare Bam.a and Davis Henderson going forward long range ?