Investment Q&A

Q: I last wrote to you about OZM.us on October 1 2014. After reviewing your input, I held on to my shares. Unfortunately, OZM is down another 60% since that date. I would be thankful for your comment on OZM’s prospects. I cannot use the tax loss. Nevertheless is it better to sell and move on? OZM.us looks like great value. But then many companies do, just before heading into bankruptcy.

Q: Hey folks. I'm looking to buy AFAM, but the 1 year chart looks lousy and the stock peaked about a year ago. Can you tell me the reason for the steady fall? Any insider trading going on? What is the short interest? Finally, what do you think of the company's financials and prospects? Thanks for all your help.

Q: Hi Peter and 5iResearch team,
I bought this company a year ago, as I believe the need for hip and knee replacements will continue to rise. I was also in an Alberta hospital recently and realized that the beds in the recovery room were also Stryker. Has had a good run, do you still like it for long-term hold or is valuation to high and ready for pullback. Thank you. Linda

Q: Can you comment on this fund.
Thanks.

Q: Hi Peter and 5iResearch Team,

Can I invest in US treasuries and TIPs in an ETF? Investing in both traditional bonds and inflation-protected TIPs?
Thank you. Linda

Q: Hi Peter and 5iReseach team,

Can you recommend the best US Dollar S&P 500 ETF?
Thank you, Linda

Q: I know that you generally do not cover US stocks but I would appreciate any thoughts you might have on Fly. It is down approximately 12% over the past year. The yield is 7.72% and I wonder how safe you felt was and is it sustainable. I also see that there is a class action on going with this stock. Any other info would be greatly appreciated.

Q: Hello 5i, last fall you were not "overly worried" about the dividend but on February 8 you said cash flow is not covering the dividend. When I look at ratios on GlobeInvestor-Gold the cash flow has not covered the dividend since 2011. How have they been paying all this time and has anything really changed? Thank you

Q: RDCM put out a shelf-filing for $50MM last night, which is almost half their equity market cap. Why would they do this/what is a shelf filing?
Thanks

Q: Peter and Team,

As someone with a portfolio largely in line with the Balanced Equity Portfolio, I am starting to work on building some US positions.

I have initiated what I would call a half-position in SBUX and am looking for the best names to start a US portfolio with. I still want the style of investment to match the style of the Balanced Equity portfolio. What are the top, say, 5 names in the US to move forward with? My first thoughts were AAPL, JNJ, and VISA but I don't know if I am out to lunch here. I always prefer names that pay a yield.

Thanks,
Marc

Q: I have held Novartis for a few years but it has dropped significantly over the last 6 months. I still have a 35% profit. I wonder if I should sell and invest in a more profitable company in the US or keep it. I have well balanced portfolio and Novartis represent <0.5% of its value. Could you suggest a few US names to consider?

Q: Hi, would welcome your latest update on this company. Is it still a good company or your general views on bottlers in general. Was there not a merger happening with this company this year or not? There has been no updates when this is going to close. I'm not sure when or if there are now concerns with the deal transaction. Thanks.

Q: could i please have your thoughts on this c-hedged u.s. momentum fund.

thanks, david

Q: I am a senior with RRIFs and TFSAs. I am not currently living off these but could in the future. I read questions in this space about income producing products such as XHY. These look good but, frankly, I have a great deal of difficulty investing in a product with a total return of just 21.08% over the past five years, or just 4.2% average per year, when I can invest in XST (Canadian Consumer Staples) with a return over the same five year period of 168.8%. Yes, XHY has a great yield but almost no capital gain. And yes, XHY is less volatile but am I wrong, at my age, to be more interested in total return than just yield? I am not afraid of some volatility and am not a believer in the old outdated dictum of holding bonds in proportion to your age. And the total of my investable assets could not produce adequate income if I relied on yield. The standard deviation of the Consumer Staples ETF is still quite low at 0.35 to 1.2 and it has been by far, the best performing Canadian sector of the past 14 years. No, I don't currently own either of these products but may in the near future.

Q: I have a Scotia rrsp tirade account. I am looking to purchase some US stocks in this account. What are the advantages and disadvantages of purchasing these stocks with Canadian vs US dollars. At present my account only allows Canadian dollar purchase, I would have to open a US dollar account at $30/quarter.

Q: Further to my question on PayPal, do you think this stock has momentum or can you suggest a few that do for a diversified portfolio? I am OK with moderate risk.

Q: HI,
Your views on NVDA please.

Q: I was thinking of buying PYPL. Can you tell me what you make of the latest Apple news: a damaging hit or ?

Q: Hi. What is your opinion of Skyworks Solutions? Also I was wondering what the analysts'&#146; 3-yr projected revenue and eps increases are for it? Thanks, JR

Q: Hi 5i: Over the years I have heard several advisors on BNN say that Unilever is a good way to access emerging markets. I just checked RBC Direct and found 5 or 6 different codes for Unilever (including UN and UL) and am not sure which I should buy (if I buy). Could you advise? And what do you think of the Unilever for EM thesis? Thanks