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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: just a comment. surge has been active in the market buying back their own shares. according to the tmx website sgy bought shares every day in sept. except one for a combined total of more than a half million shares so far. its nice to see a company support their shareholders. it seems to be helping the stock some but I realize oil needs to recover but its nice to see a company not so distressed to be able to actually buy back shares.
Read Answer Asked by blake on October 02, 2015
Q: Hi, Peter
which oil and gas service companies has the most to gain in the event of a oil and gas "revival".
Thanks very much
Claude
Read Answer Asked by claude on October 02, 2015
Q: do you think husky is ok to buy ?
would you recommend it?
Just wondering why this one has come down so much ,is it only the lower oil price?
Read Answer Asked by Josh on October 01, 2015
Q: Back in July you werent too positive on TDGs short term potential for any sort of increase in price...that was back at $4.20s. Now that we are in the low $2s, do you think this is a buying opportunity, or is debt and earnings going to push this lower?

thanks,
jb
Read Answer Asked by jason on October 01, 2015
Q: Hi,

What is your assessment of the current situation with TCW and their debt issues? From $13 and change to $.85-ish, it looks similar to BTE (although that could be said of many of the oilco's I suppose). Between BTE and TCW, I think I prefer BTE, it seems to be more oversold, and have a better handle on debt. What are your thoughts on these two?

thanks,
jb
Read Answer Asked by jason on October 01, 2015
Q: I go into detail because this Question concerns a larger issue related to cash levels investors should allocate to Reserves. Reserve to take advantage of opportunities in volatile times. I will normally be brief when my words need no explanation , background or context.

National Oilwell Varco (NOV.us), ONE company is 8% of my portfolio. The sector represented 20% before I reduced it to 11%. NOV has lost more than half its value (and 70% of my cost). The over-allocation to NOV was the idea of a former broker . I too am at fault: I compounded the error by not rebalancing sooner. I reduced sector allocation but failed to reduce NOV. And now I try to avert my eyes when I see the loss. Problems get worse when ignored.

I arrive now at the 5i doorstep, to obtain objective comment:
In your opinion , since NOV has fallen off a cliff , does it now represent value such that one should just hold? The dividend is decent (if it is safe ; and I can't use the tax loss)

Context: Many financial commentators advise that investors keep high cash reserves during current volatility so that you’d then be in position to pick up great values when markets over-react on the downside. The advice assumes stocks will continue the recent (and rapid) descent . I had thought major markets in the US, Europe, UK and Canada had now dropped enough such that a high cash reserve was now not crucial. Several experts think otherwise: I am referring here to the opinions of successful , real-world investors. I disregard those drama queens who scream dire warnings, no matter the facts, prospects and real business conditions. I also disregard the idiocy of conmen and bullies ---the O’Leary’s of the world--- and others like the affable but hyper Jim Cramers of the Americas. I disregard the opinions of Dr Marc Faber and others whose purpose seems to be to sell expensive letters that predict the end of the world. Their performance is not unlike results you'd get from a random coin toss [CXO Advisory and other sources have documented the poor track records of many gurus..

My question about freeing up cash (by selling NOV in my case) thus arose after I thought through the concerns well reasoned and articulated by thoughtful , successful advisors.

Notwithstanding recent market corrections, the wiser commentators continue to emphasize the importance of maintaining large cash reserves to take advantage of opportunities in these volatile times if markets descend even further. Unlike the sensationalists, the thoughtful advisors make sense . I have therefore taken seriously their views on ensuring one should today keep cash reserves higher than usual

Do you think I should sell/reduce NOV to add to cash reserves ? Or do you think NOV is now excellent value and is not now the best candidate to jettison if the purpose is just to add to cash reserve?

AO:ls
Champlain NY cc Greensboro NC
Read Answer Asked by Adam on September 30, 2015
Q: In a registered account, what do you think about a switch from CPG into WCP? I already have a little WCP in non-registered accounts, but very little oil/gas stocks overall (fortunately!)
Read Answer Asked by Douglas on September 28, 2015
Q: Not a Question Just a Thx.I am not normally a trader but on Aug. 25 I sent an email about SGY and it was trading at $2.00 then (the same as what it sold the asset to TORC for in April.%5 i helped me pull the trigger and I bought. I thought the risk reward looked good so I bought and have since sold at 2.75 plus 1 divy (still holding a 2% position).I think PC will manage the company thru this downturn so I am still holding a position.
Read Answer Asked by blake on September 25, 2015
Q: What 3 or 4 small to mid cap natural gas stocks would be at the top of your list?Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Maurice on September 25, 2015
Q: I own shares in Strad Energy Services. As you know Total Energy was in the process of making a takeover bid for their shares at $2.90 per share with 35 day expiry date. Strad in turn adopted a poison pill making any bid open for 120 days. Total Energy then said that they will not pursue a takeover bid. Based on your experience do you think there is a high likelihood that another bid may be coming? Is a 35 day expiry date reasonable? Was 120 days excessive? What would you recommend doing at this time?
Read Answer Asked by Robert on September 25, 2015
Q: I currently own CNQ with an approx -30% unrealized loss. Was wondering about realizing that loss and simply keeping my energy exposure (only 1 name) by using sale proceeds to buy Suncor. Would you recommend this switch? The goal is to participate in energy sector (only 5% weight) with an added benefit of realizing a tax loss. But if best way to earn my money back in via another blue chipper energy name then that's ok to do as well.But if they are likely to move lock step then why not take the tax loss (rhetorical!!)?
Many thanks as always!
Read Answer Asked by Doug on September 24, 2015
Q: Good Evening
Back on July 10, 2015 you indicated that it is worthwhile to hold on Peyto.I noted that one PEYTO Director sold 744,719 shares from September 14th to September 21st, 2015 at between $30.08 and $28.96.
Peyto represents 1% of my portfolio and the oil/gas sector is around 5%.
Do you still recommend on holding to this stock, selling or averaging down?

I will appreciate your comments.
Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Terry on September 23, 2015
Q: Good Afternoon
I currently own RDS.A. Many brokers recommend holding the stock. On the other hand, quite a few brokers recommend purchasing OXY. I will appreciate your comments. Is it worthwhile selling RDS.A and buying OXY?
Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Terry on September 21, 2015
Q: Gentleman/Ladies

I see you last update on BIR was sometime in Feb. Has anything changed since then regarding BIR
Read Answer Asked by Burt on September 21, 2015
Q: When assessing the prospects of a junior oil and gas company, given the current commodity price levels, how do you determine if the debt level poses a low, medium or higher risk - what metrics do you use? For example how would you compare the debt levels of Raging River (RRX), Rock Energy (RE) and Surge (SGY) Energy and the health of their overall balance sheets? You’ve mentioned previously that RRX has a rock solid balance sheet.
Read Answer Asked by Marc on September 21, 2015