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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 both MPC and VLO. I understand that VLO is purely a refiner and not hostage to world oil prices, but MPC does have some exploration and production assets.
1. Is my understanding correct?
2. If yes, to what extent are MPC’s earnings and cash flow DEPENDANT on oil prices? I am trying to assess the extent to which MPC’s prospects are completely out of MPC’s control.
3. Are dividends well covered?
4. Is interest coverage adequate?
5. Based on your view of each of these company’s prospects going forward, is each of these companies worth holding?
6. You previously (Maureen December 9) you identified MPC as a beneficiary of the new rule requiring ships to use more refined oil. Is VLO also a beneficiary?
Read Answer Asked by Adam on January 30, 2020
Q: Hello,
I have a full position of Disney in my investement account..I am down about 10% I had bought this for the long term..but I am wondering if I should sell it for a capital loss and perhaps come back later. Or should I wait for results..Can you tell me when they report..I was also thinking that the Coronavirus wouldn't go too well for disney but disney ++ will be good...Thanks.

Shyam
Read Answer Asked by Shyam on January 30, 2020
Q: What ratios do you rely on to assess whether a US REIT is fairly valued. Please give some heuristics that you have found generally reliable. I am looking for at least some specificity, for example:
Price to FCF should be less than .....
Price to BITDA should be less than .....
Debt should be .....
Interest cover should be ............
and so on (please do add, thanks)

Read Answer Asked by Adam on January 29, 2020
Q: In addition to my growth stocks (40% of my CDN portfolio), I have 'safe stocks' RY, T, ACQ, BIP.un in Canada and in US, I have AQN, AEP, NEE. (about 20% in US portfolio, so far). I notice that in the last year, these lo beta, ‘safe’ stocks have been performing as well as growth stocks. Because I think we’re in for more volatility, I’m interested in buying more lo-beta-with-some-growth stocks for the next few years. What do you think of these options complementing what I have? Can you pick two?
PLD
AMT
BEP
TERP
AWK
WTR
CWCO

Read Answer Asked by Graeme on January 29, 2020
Q: In finance or investing media there is often reference to portfolio insurance. I did not know such a thing even existed. The discussion often makes a passing reference to “... buy the VIX.... “ If this is correct, how would one do that? If insurance--- I assume that means mitigating risk--- is unrelated to VIX , is portfolio insurance even buy-able (OTHER than by use of options)? If options are the only way to mitigate risk, do you know some reliable sources one can go to? If I am going to pull my hair out worrying about “toppy markets” (a favorite phrase of some market commentators) I would like to be able honestly to claim I did make best efforts before the said hair-pulling.
Read Answer Asked by Adam on January 29, 2020
Q: I was left with a small position in MS due to a partial fill on a sell order. Recently however MS has stirred back to life, and I now wonder: rather than sell the remaining MS, perhaps add and bring it back to a full position.
1. I understand MS has a very good and growing wealth management business. Is this true?
2. Is MS a good buy based on:
ROE
ROCI
PEG
Price to FCF and Price to EDITDA
Dividend growth

3. I assume one cannot compare MS to a retail-oriented bank like BAC or any of the regionals. Is this correct? If yes, is MS less vulnerable to ultra low interest rates which squeeze net interest margin than , say, Goldman Sachs?
Read Answer Asked by Adam on January 29, 2020
Q: Hi guys
From what i have been reading (Tony Siba) next year is the tipping point for purely economic reasons, it won't make any sense economically to buy a gasoline powered vehicle. From his point of view Batteries are going to be a huge disruptive technology in the future in both, transportation and energy (natural gas) as they become cheaper, and much more powerful.
Have you guys been looking for any investment opportunities in this sector.?
Thanks Gord
Read Answer Asked by Gordon on January 29, 2020
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