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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 retired, conservative, dividend income investor and have 1/2 to 2/3 positions in each of these securities. I trim-add to my stocks when my asset allocation needs adjusting (recently topped up BCE, BNS). I am considering topping up these 4 stocks, but am fully aware that Tax Loss Selling Season will soon be in full swing. Having said that, all 4 of these stocks have already been beaten up a fair bit.

I know you are NOT a market timer, but does your crystal ball foresee further downside as we work our way through the next 2 months of Tax Loss Selling? Using TCL as an example, you just added 1% to your position. I am sure you must have had quite an internal 5iR discussion about "when" to add that position vs. your 10% cash position at that time and the need to deploy some of it. OR...is it as simple as...this stock has been beaten up so much, it has excellent value now, we know we can't time the bottom, so let's just buy it now?

Thanks...Steve
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on October 23, 2018
Q: Considering tax loss selling NFI and TCL (and possibly ALA) then waiting 30+ days to rebuy. Using TurboTax, the loss saves me 15%. Does your crystal ball foresee any quick rebound potential for these 3 stocks that would cause me to rethink this strategy? Thanks...Steve
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on October 15, 2018
Q: With the recent sell off, have any of the above stocks (contained in either the Income or Balanced Portfolios) reached the stage where you would call them "table-pounding buys"? In other words, has the market overreacted and the pendulum has swung too far?

Obviously, there is always the chance of a continued downdraft, but at some point you just step in top up your holdings.

The Income Portfolio is sitting on 10% cash...any thought to deploying some of it soon? Thanks...Steve
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on October 11, 2018
Q: Hi 5i:
I've been struggling with what to do about some questionable decisions I've made over the last year or so and would greatly appreciate your advice.
Since we began handling our family RSPs 2 years ago the overall value has increased 58% (not including contributions) which we're pleased with. But that gain could be much better if not severely weighed down by Corus (4.5 % of portfolio & down 46%); Firan (2.7% of portfolio & down 43%); Freshii (2.3% of portfolio & down 51%); Extendicare (2.4% of portfolio & down 27%) and, more recently Transcontinental (6% of portfolio and down 18%).
I look at these and don't know what to do - hold or sell - and that indecision is creeping into the rest of my decision making to the extent that I'm pretty much doing nothing but letting the whole shebang sit where it is, which I don't think is a good investment strategy.
We have 6 years until conversion to RRIFs.
Could you tell me what you think would be my best next step for each of those listed above. If sensible to sell any or all and put the proceeds somewhere more useful I will, but before I take that step (and that loss) I could sure use objective advice as to whether that's the right thing to do on a case by case basis.
Thanks - your thoughts will be much appreciated. And if your answer requires more than 1 credit that's completely understood.
Peter
Read Answer Asked by Peter on October 09, 2018
Q: of all the companies listed, I currently have the same percentage of holding that is in the 5i portfolio. Which of these stocks would you be comfortable buying today and making it a 4-5 % holding as I have some cash and would like to average down. I am a young investor with a long horizon as these stocks are all in my RRSP.

Thanks
Read Answer Asked on October 09, 2018
Q: I am getting beat up by the above companies --all down 20 to 27%.
I am not comfortable with these kind of losses--usually bail out around 10%
Which proves to be a mistake sometimes.
What is your reccomendation SELLor HOLD and for how long if you are suggesting I hold.
Thanks
Peter
Read Answer Asked by peter on October 04, 2018
Q: Hi, I see other members are selling stocks for a tax loss. In my case I only have investments in my rsp, so will not be able to use this strategy. How much of the downward momentum on stocks like DOL and TCL can be attributed to selling for a tax loss? The recent negative market reaction to both of these stocks was quick and as you have stated possibly an "over reaction". How much of the drop can be attributed to sellers seeing the chance to take a tax loss. This is a part of the market I don't understand all that well. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Dan on October 04, 2018
Q: Good afternoon 5i
Kelly today asked a question regarding Transcontinental. In your answer you said that you would prefer another package because they seem to be having trouble with their acquisition. I was thinking about selling Transcontinental for a tax loss and buying it back in a month. After your answer I was wondering to what extent you had lost confidence in Transcontinental? Would buying it back after 30 days look like a dangerous proposition to you, now?
thanks as always
Read Answer Asked by joseph on October 02, 2018
Q: Both these stocks are in my portfolio at a substantial loss. At what point does one, or for that matter you, decide to sell a position as it slides downward. Some have argued that if a stock slides 10% that it should be sold. Perhaps not the best rule of thumb but it would avoid the substantial losses in the company's share price. TCL continues to slide each day seemingly without a bottom. So at what point do you pull the plug on a position and move on? Recent research I have seen on TCL sees potentially another $3-4 of downside, Where do you see each of these companies forming a bottom?
Clearly the market is not in love with either of the two at this time. What will change this?
Read Answer Asked by John on September 26, 2018
Q: Good afternoon,

PHO has been a nice ride, TCL.A not so much so. Is this dead money ($3,500) for the next year?
Looking at COV. Any other suggestions? Currently hold: BNS,SLF,BEP,GSY, AQN, SIS, TOY, BEP, MX, PBH & RAY all in my TFSA.

Thank you.

Larry
Read Answer Asked by Larry on September 20, 2018
Q: Hello 5i team
Chrystal ball gazing time again. I am thinking of selling transcontinental for a tax loss. I just bought it seems strange to be selling it. I have a feeling that it won't move much until the next quarterly report, if at all. would you agree that it is relativly safe to sell and buy bak at a similat price in 30 days? i would wait a bit, though, to see if it bounces up a bit in the next week or two, as it has been heavily sold and could be in for at least a little bounce.
thanks for all the help.
Read Answer Asked by joseph on September 18, 2018
Q: Hi, Transcontinental Inc shares are down almost 20% within less than a week, due to an unexpected hit on earnings mostly caused by delay in Coveris contribution. From a long term perspective and with cushion of dividend yield of 3%, does it make sense and would you be comfortable to take advantage of the dip and overweight to 5-6% for income and growth. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by rajeev on September 10, 2018