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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 am a bit surprised that there isn't more talk about the potential effect of lifting the U.S. oil export ban on WTI pricing, and of course, by extension, on Canadian oil. My thinking is that it narrows the gap between Brent and WTI favourably for WTI. I have read the recent EIA report which suggests the effect will likely be fairly neutral but I wonder what your thoughts are and if you know of any good links on the subject. Thank-you very much.
Read Answer Asked by Alex on December 14, 2015
Q: Please provide your general insights about this company, the insider ownership levels and the quality of the stewardship, thank you.
Read Answer Asked by MG on December 14, 2015
Q: Peter et al.

With the current OPEC decision to raise the production ceiling to their current production level of 31.5M BOPD what is your current viewpoint of a timeline for a turnaround. We have had the following occur:
1. $200B worth of capital shelved worldwide in 2015 and it expected to be the same for 2016.
2. Rig counts at their lowest since 2010.
3. Production starting to decline in the US to about 8.7M BOPD
4. Inventories still at record highs of 487M barrels in the US.

When will these reductions start to appear. Heavy Oil in Canada has never made any sense to me economically as it gets a lower price (~$15 less than WTI) and it costs more per barrel to produce. It is impossible for non-Opec counties to reduce production because they are privately run so OPEC expecting this is impossible. This is reminding me of 1998 - 99. The worst part is I am heavily invested in the oil industry percentage wise and also it is where I work as well. What should I expect?

Thanks,

Brendan
Read Answer Asked by Brendan on December 14, 2015
Q: Hello Peter
I can't believe the price for some of these stocks,the banks, the pipelines, etc. etc. There are so many of them.
If one has some cash, is it better to wait for better opportunity or buy and collect the dividend and wait.
RRSP and TFSA season will soon be upon us. Is the world coming to an end or is this just a good buying opportunity.
If there was a sale like this at Best Buy or Apple Store or other major department stores, we would be running there in an instant. You understand these thing better than I do. What is your opinion? Would you wait or buy??
Merry Christmas to you all.
Read Answer Asked by Jean on December 14, 2015
Q: In light of current oil prices,how safe is the dividend ? What is their payout ratio.
Thanks,
Phil
Read Answer Asked by Philip on December 14, 2015
Q: What do you think of Torc at today's prices? It's my only holding in O & G right now, at 2.8% of my portfolio, down from 5% because of the beating it's taking with the rest of the sector. Is this a good time to add ... or is it a good time to sit on my hands? I would only take it back up to 5%. If I did this, I would be selling my position in Diversified Royalty. Any thoughts on this move? Thanks for your help!
Read Answer Asked by Sylvia on December 13, 2015
Q: hi experts; if they get a sale what would be the possible out come be to the debentures. thanks brian
Read Answer Asked by brian on December 13, 2015
Q: Hi, I realize O&G is clearly out of favour right now, but would like your thoughts on Interpipe and Whitecap. Both seem to be very good companies with good managment, but both are being hammered by the general market, and oil in particular. Both are yielding about 7.5%. Do you prefer one over the other, or should we just stay away from both for now? Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Ian on December 13, 2015
Q: Looking for your opinion / ideas on ways to play the renewable energy theme.

Thanks for your time.
Read Answer Asked by Bill on December 13, 2015
Q: Hi Team! Looking at the XEI high-dividend ETF. The energy weighting is 27%. I believe that at some point next year, all energy companies will cut their dividends to below 2%. If that happens, wouldn't the ETF manager sell energy companies? It's called "high-dividend", so the rule must require a stock has a yield > 4% to remain included? If they didn't, it'd be a nice way to go long energy (diversification + 0.2% MER). Better go with ZEO or XEG and bite the 0.6% MER. What do you think?
Read Answer Asked by Matt on December 13, 2015
Q: Peter; First a Merry Christmas and the best in 2016- can you get oil up to $60.00 ! But I want to thank you for your comments in the spring of 2014 re TBE. I sold mine at $1.85 and sort of forgot about it until today when I saw the report on them trying to sell the company- and the price of just .12 cents. Really a lesson in taking a loss quickly and not averaging down. Hope the Fotums work out. Rod
Read Answer Asked by Rodney on December 11, 2015
Q: With all that has happened in the global oil patch, has your opinion of TVE changed or is it still a buy or hold? Ted
Read Answer Asked by Ted on December 11, 2015
Q: Hello Peter and 5I team,

What is your current view for BTE. I am down about 70% and would consider adding more. Is this a good entry point?

Or, is there an alternate small or mid-cap name that has also come down in valuation in this sector that you would consider a suitable alternative to BTE?

I look forward to reading your thoughts.
Read Answer Asked by SG on December 11, 2015
Q: Hi team:

What do you make of the RRX Viking acquisition and its $190 million budget for 2016? What's this company's prospect going forward? I already have a small position in this name, should I consider increasing my holding?

This is one O&G company that seems to be going against the grain in 2015 as its share price actually increased about 10% this year. Perhaps it is one of the few keepers in a much depressed sector.

Your overall comment on RRX would be much appreciated.
Read Answer Asked by Victor on December 11, 2015
Q: Is there any reason to continue to hold Twin Butte Energy ? Would it be better to take a tax loss an move on. my energy exposure including TBE is 5.7%. TBE is .4% of my total portfolio. $1.07 is my cost base. Thanks for your thoughts.
Read Answer Asked by Don on December 10, 2015
Q: I have five energy positions, excluding pipelines, that make up 4% in an overall diversified portfolio. Looking at a 3 year chart for CVE, IMO, CNQ, SU….CNQ is down 40% in the last year and half, while CNQ is down 80%. When there is a recovery, it seems from the chart that there might be more upside with CNQ over CVE. Would it be reasonable for me to sell the CVE position for one of the other three, like CNQ? Or from the fundamentals, should I just hold CVE?.....thanks
Read Answer Asked by Tom on December 10, 2015
Q: Have position in both want to consolidate ---which would you keep ---long haul

Thanks ----- Don
Read Answer Asked by Dr. Donald on December 10, 2015