Investment Q&A

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 ?

Q: I am in the camp of sale in may do you think I am making a mistake?Where can I keep my money very conservative but not intrest bearing account/.

Q: Hi Peter
I am attempting to reduce the number of smaller holdings. Which
one of Gibson, Teck or Trican would you keep for long term growth and income?
Thanks

Q: Dear 5i team,

In the current economic climate could you provide an appropriate percentage attributed to each of the main sectors to comprise a diversified portfolio?

Q: Hi Peter and group, I presently own LNR (Linamar) and am up 80%.I am thinking of selling it to buy MRE. I believe that MRE may have more upsize/growth potential. LNR has had a great run but am thinking any more upside may be limited. Your thoughts please

Q: We have 1.8% weighting in CU. I think I either need to increase the weighting to about 3.5% or sell CU and buy HLF to a 3.5% weighting. Our only other utility is ALA having at 6.2% weighting. We own no consumer stocks. There are no tax implications. What do you think?
Thanks in advance for your advise.

Q: I have 3% positions in each of the following companies: AVO, DRT, LMP, EFN, PHM and GUD. I require cash for an emergency and am forced to sell 2 of the listed positions. Please give me your thoughts as to which two companies you would let go today. Thank you.

Q: hi peter;i have money to be invested for 8 or 9 months .as our new house is being built,do you know where I can get a better rate than 1.05%and be totally safe.tangerine have a special but only for new customers. thanks brian

Q: I bought NFI below $6, and now the dividend is below 4%. At some point I have to reap my capital gain and move on. How much more upside do you see in this stock over the next year or so?

Q: WEF is on the move. Is it a good growth opportunity with latest earnings and forest product cycle due to US housing etc. Would it be a good addition to portfolio (5%)?

Thanks!

Q: Good morning; I own WestJet. The stock is down 20% since I bought it. I look at the chart and it doesn't look pretty. I am debating whether to wait it out and hopefully it comes back or take the loss. The stock keeps going down. Thanks

Q: What is you current view on HWD in conjunction with the U.S housing market? I see two analysts on TD Waterhouse call it a Strong Buy. HWD increased their quarterly dividend. Is there potentially more upside ?

Thank You for your help
Clarence

Q: Hi Peter, For a retirement portfolio needed after 5 to 7 years, can you please recommend a) a mix of equities versus bonds / fixed income, b) the percentage of Canadian vs us vs international equities c) a sector mix.

In the ideal situation, I am aiming for an average annual return of 8% with manageable risk.

Q: Hello 5i team. In portfolio I hold 3 banks (TD, RY, LB) & 2 pipelines (ENB & IPL). I am thinking of selling RY, LB & IPL and buying CNR & FSV for diversification. Can I get your thoughts please.

Thank You
Craig