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Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: I have enjoyed good profits with this stock and good returns. I see there are no questions logged with 5i and would like to know your thoughts on this stock. I expect it to do well moving forward, but based on other sector stocks, am wondering if it's time to move on?
Read Answer Asked by Eric on July 13, 2015
Q: You rate AFN & XTC as B and WSP as B-. Do you prefer one company over the others at the present time? Which company has the bigger capitalization and share float?
WSP has been acquiring smaller engineering companies and I heard on the grapevine that some of the "Principal" level engineers in one of the acquired companies are thinking of leaving. I am in the engineering & construction business myself. Turn-over in this line of work is not unknown however generally "principals" don't leave. (Just small fries like me tend to hit the road).
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by James on July 13, 2015
Q: I currently have 20% of my RSP portfolio in US stock. I would like to increase it to 50%. My question is - at the currency levels today does this make sense? I thinking is - I don't see the CDN $ getting stronger anytime soon & I do see the US $ getting stronger over time. My other reason for wanting US is the companies I can't get here.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

Thank You
Craig
Read Answer Asked by Craig on July 11, 2015
Q: In fairness to the principals of PHM, each sold 1.2M shares @ $1.46 for proceeds of $1,752,000. Both men cashed in 3.9M options for a cost of $1,920,000, so it appears they sold just enough shares to almost finance the purchase of their options, leaving both with 2.7M shares with ZERO cost.
These guys are so smart but they are not dumping shares other than to recoup their cost as they obviously see a long term benefit in holding the millions of shares they still own including the free ones detailed here. Oh, to be in their shoes - I own a chunk of this stock and will never sell it before it gets taken out at north of five dollars.
Any opinion on the stream of negativity on future oil prices due to oversupply, low demand, China, OPEC, etc., etc., would be appreciated. Do you see any strengthening in the price over the next two years?
Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Steven on July 11, 2015
Q: Hi guys. Was there anything in the previous Saputo's earning report that may lead one to suspect future earnings contraction?

I have 22% in what I consider the "consumer" portion of my portfolio made up of names like atd.b, gil, emp.a, l, hlf, dol and the only stinker of the group, SAP, with 2.3% position. Going forward, do you think SAP is the type of company you can slowly allocate a 5% position at current valuations?

Thanks, again.

John
Read Answer Asked by john on July 11, 2015
Q: You have probably written an article about this and I would like to read it. I see a lot of questions that start with the phrase "there is a lot of SELLING of BLANK (example "phm). Could you not insert the phrase "there is a lot of BUYING of phm".

It seems to me that when the volume goes up on a stock it could be caused by a number of people seeing an opportunity to get in cheap on a stock and start making ridiculous bids in the hopes of picking up a growth stock at a great price.

Day traders must love a stock like phm. If they know what they are doing they can make 5 or 6 percent a day.
Read Answer Asked by Bryan on July 11, 2015
Q: Hi Guys, in my long journey of reducing the number of stocks in my portfolio, does selling MFR.UN (under water) an adding to L and PKI make sense. I am looking for income and a little growth.

thanks,

Jim
Read Answer Asked by jim on July 10, 2015
Q: what is going on with Saputo to get knocked down as it has.
Read Answer Asked by rick on July 10, 2015
Q: WITH THIS VOLATILITY GOING ON ARE THERE ANY SLEEP AT NIGHT STOCKS IN YOUR OPINION/.
Read Answer Asked by Nizar on July 10, 2015
Q: Peter and Ryan ... OK it would seem to me that now would be the time for either of you to please give your opinion on where the world economy is going and could you also reassure everyone that it is important to stay the course ...and not panic. TY.
Read Answer Asked by Alan on July 09, 2015
Q: Magna got hit hard today, while Exco did not. Do you think this might be because Magna is exposed to China, and to some extent Greece, while Exco is a local Canadian company with no overseas assets? Might we see continuing falls in Magna?
Read Answer Asked by John on July 09, 2015
Q: CHC announced today that they were pulling the financing and not raising any capital In addition the board has not declared any dividends Generally what does this mean I take it is not a good sign

How will they complete their announced acquisitions I did not buy the stock but I am putting it on my watch list

Thanks
Paul
Read Answer Asked by Paul on July 08, 2015
Q: Am doing a tiny bit of portfolio rebalancing. What would be your best name, to buy today, for growth and dividend, in Consumer Defensive, other than Alimentation Couche-Tard?

In terms of asset allocation overall, I see that the TMX rates BAM.A as Real Estate, and yet I'm sure you've noted in this Q & A section that you would classify it under Financials. (Did I dream this, because I can't find the answer anywhere?) If it's listed under financials, which presently sits at 10.88%, by adding BAM under this sector, would move me to 18.1% in financials. Overall, I'm quite happy with these allocations, but was wondering if I should add anything to Real Esate -- or does BAM.A act as a good cross over for both.

Please feel free to deduct two questions, as they are separate equities -- but it just seemed silly to send in two different questions.

Thanks, as always, for your advice.
Read Answer Asked by Sylvia on July 08, 2015
Q: Hi Peter and the fabulous team,

I know you most likely disapprove of this plan so I thought I would ask you before I proceed. I am planning to refinance our house and invest 250K in stocks in a taxable account. My wife and I have a combined portfolio of 400K in non taxable accounts. I have been a member since early on and more less follow the stocks I have been learning about from your service.And we are about 20 years from retirement. The plan is to buy 10 of the best managed companies in Canada whether or not they pay dividend and hold them for 10+ years. Now here are my specific questions:
1- Why should I not do this when the interest rates are so low and money is so cheap?
2- What 10 stocks do you suggest regardless of this crazy idea?
3- This is in a taxable account and I wonder if I do get a tax-slip for the dividends from the bank or do I have to manually find out how much I have earned in dividends?

I know and I appreciate the fact that I am lucky to have your unbiased and caring advice. Thank you very much indeed.

Read Answer Asked by Saeed on July 08, 2015
Q: With the health of the canadian economy looking more questionable again and interest rates here looking like they will hold or decease would it make sense to tweak a portfolio that encompasses virtually all of your model, growth and income stocks and increase holdings of REITS and/ or bond etfs? With health care and tech about the only sectors showing some growth, it is hard to foresee any 6-9 month stock price appreciation n th other areas. As usual your perspective is appreciated. By tweak I mean add about 5% in total by taking say 1-2% from places like energy, gold, financials.
Read Answer Asked by Donald on July 08, 2015
Q: I currently have the following breakdown by percent for each savings plan: RRSP -28%; RESP - 13%; NRSP - 59%. Within each plan I hold the following asset classes:
RRSP: 5% Can. Eq.; 25% Intl Eq; 70% Fixed Income and cash
RESP: 20% Can Eq; 20% Intl Eq; 60% Fixed Income
NRSP: 92% Can Eq; 8% Intl Eq; 0% Fixed Income
Within my NRSP account ATD.B, HCG, GIL, SJ make up 65% of my portfolio.
Would the concentration of these 4 companies be a concern?
Note that I have had exceptional returns for the past 3 years and it is largely due to these 4 companies which I have all owned since 2000.
Read Answer Asked by Robert on July 08, 2015
Q: Hi there. Can I get your opinion on WEF. Western Forest.
Read Answer Asked by Robby on July 08, 2015
Q: I wanted to comment on a question asked by Fred about DRIP - I hope this is acceptable.
Wanted to say that DRIP has really served me well over the years. As a longterm holder, DRIP has helped me in two ways
1) some of the companies offer a small discount to market price (although this advantage is being cancelled, sadly)
2) more importantly, If you just leave the DRIP alone you will avoid the temptation to "time the market". Through DRIP, I was still buying great companies at bargain prices right through 200-2009. Not sure I would have had the guts to do that with cash (actually I know for a fact I did not!). Psychologically, for me anyway, DRIP keeps me on track and out of trouble with my long-term holds. It has worked out.
Hope this is useful to some. Good luck fellow investors!

Read Answer Asked by john on July 08, 2015