Investment Q&A

Q: I am considering purchasing this company based on the potential upside. What do you think of this company at this point

Thanks

Q: Along the same lines as my previous question about FNMA, does SLM (Sallie Mae) offer superior quality? Conceptually, I am optimistic for its prospects, given the state of the interest rate; however, it was "tarred with the same brush as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac" at one time. Is it an Investment or, more properly, a speculation at this point?

Q: Greetings,
I see you believe ISRG to be one of the best managed companies in the US. I take that as a strong recommendation! Are they managed similar to CSU ie they don’t issue stock and the executives are made to purchase company shares? They appear to have little competition so I conclude they must develop their own technology instead of buying other companies to acquire their technology. How would you asses their growth - is it driven primarily due to organic growth or acquisitions? They appear to have a large cash hoard - are they buying back shares, planning to introduce a dividend or keeping it in reserve for acquisitions? You note growth is likely to be muted for the next 2 to 3 years so, all things being equal, is it reasonable to expect the share price to languish for the next 24 months or so?
Thanks
Jim

Q: Hi 5I,
Could I have a general opinion on this US REIT, specifically, as a new position for income - would timing (considering interest rates) or valuation be of concern. This is expected to be for a roughly 3-5 year holding, possibly longer.

Thanks for your insight
Mike

Q: Goodmorning 5i,
I have noted your positive views on Premium Brands and have been considering purchasing it. I don't want to have too many stocks and so I have thought of selling Conagra in order to purchase it. This is also because companies like Conagra seem to be having trouble negotiating the change in habits and diets of people today. Although analysts seem to think it has a little brighter future at the moment. I generally have a well diversified and relatively conservative portfolio. My concern is that pbh seems to be quite narrowly focused in comparison to a company like CAG. Do you think this would be a reasonable switch?
thanks for the great service, as always

Q: Can you please comment on $ISRG. I am planning in initiating a small position. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Valter

Q: We have a 3.5% weighting in JNJ. We like it for its exposure to the USD, its steady dividend income, its blue-chip size and very modest share price growth. However I am concerned about the potential losses arising from their "baby-powder" lawsuit. We have owned the stock for years. I am thinking about switching out around 2% weighting into PFE. Its dividend appears to be higher and its chart seems to be better.
Reading over 5i responses on JNJ you seem fairly sanguine about JNJ so I hesitate to sell. We are retired but not currently spending our USD dividends - they are kept for foreign travel.
I must say I like XBI's chart. However its dividend is much lower so potentially we would need to sell stock if we needed USD. XBI should lower our risk profile as it is an ETF which is probably a smart move.
My questions are...
1) Would you recommend selling all our part of our JNJ or just do nothing?
2) Would you recommend purchasing PFE or XBI or both?
Please deduct as many credits as you feel my question(s) justify.
Thank you for your assistance.
Jim

Q: Greetings 5i,

As a generally conservative investor with a long time horizon (I am 36), I am very partial to "less exciting" blue chip stocks with a high potential for long-term stability. And while I am in no rush to add any single positions at this time, I would like to ask your opinion of two large cap names to augment my research. Please feel free to deduct as many credits as you deem appropriate.

Could I please have your opinion on UPS and MMM as potential "buy and hold" names for a long-term time frame?

Thank you.

Q: Fannie Mae infamously crashed in 2008. Even now, it is listed on the Pink Sheets. Given my hesitance to wade through the various 10(k) reports, etc. I thought I would ask for your opinion. That is, is this suitable for bottom-feeder interest or should it be "written-off" as a potential speculative buy? FNMA

Q: Greetings 5i,

I have been considering adding a position in DWDP, as I view it as an excellent diversified blue chip in the materials sector (which I view as the weakest sector in my portfolio). Moreover, as a fairly young investor (I am 36), I also view their holdings as very appealing long term prospects, as I cannot envision a time when practices like agriculture and chemical manufacturing will not be essential. However, given the impending breakup, I am unsure how to proceed, and would like your advice. Please feel free to deduct as many credits as you see fit.

First, could you provide your overall assessment of DWDP as a buy and hold name for a conservative, long-term portfolio, where neither funds nor proceeds will be needed for the foreseeable future?

Further, would you recommend purchasing the shares as they are now (perhaps a half position to start), or would it be prudent to wait for the breakup to occur, and reassess at that time (I am not in any rush to add to my portfolio, but do not want to miss out on an opportunity either)?

Finally, is it known what will happen to held shares once the breakup occurs (I was unable to find any stated plans in my research)? If not, could you please explain the most likely scenario in your opinion?

Thank you.

Q: I understand the WH has authorised only partial bank regulatory reform, with the associated benefits denied to the larger institutions. Could you please comment on the implications of this announcement and provide one or two suggestions. Thanks.

Q: Greetings 5i,

I currently hold a full position in BCE, and consider it one of my "core" holdings. Moreover, I very much like the prospects of the telecom sector as a whole, given its (at least in theory) ability to hold up well under adverse economic conditions. Thus, I have been considering adding a position in either AT&T or VZ to diversify my geographical exposure to the sector. I have a fairly long time horizon (I am 36), and am in no great rush, but would, nonetheless, greatly appreciate your insight into each as a long-term "core" addition to a generally conservative portfolio.

Thank you.

Q: I know you don't follow many U.S. stocks. but wondering if you would have an opinion on Alamo GRP Inc. I own 100 shares of this company and would like to add more.. Tihanks. Ernie

Q: Good Afternoon,
I'm looking for a US ETF which includes high dividend payers , also please is USD.
Thanks

Q: Of my 3 US stocks my 3 laggers are GOOG, ICHR and ANET. Which one would you sell as I intend to buy TRHC or NFLX so out of these 2, which one is better? Thanks again. Dennis

Q: Down 17% from 2yrs ago.Opinion on what I should do?
tnx u.

Q: Can you suggest a reputable, safe American stock that pays approx a 5% dividend for my RIF. I want to replace Altria.
Thank you.

Q: Was considering a position in Equinix. I’ve read that the company lowered it’s Adjusted Funds From Operations (AFFO). Would you say this is reflected in the stocks chart. I understand that AFFO is typically used for Reits. Would you look at Equinix as a tech stock or a reit? Would it be a good time to buy, do you think they have a good future, do they have a good moat?

Q: Your thoughts on GE - is it time to get back in ? The stock has been on the rise the last couple of months. Looking to add to my RRSP account - pays a nice dividend.
Thanks

Q: Peter and His Wonder Team
Guess is crashing...your thoughts please!
Thanks!