Investment Q&A

Q: Thanks for answering my previous question on WEF (western forest products). I have been taking a closer look at wef and trying to decide if I should liquidate my smallish position. One thing I noticed is that WEF has nearly $300 million 'on deposit' with the USA government. This is for the softwood lumber tariffs that they have had to pay over various years. This is a unique situation but what does it mean to be 'on deposit". Does any of this money ever get returned to a Canadian lumber producer? If not, then why does WEF even mention it? I found out about this in a WEF press release and I made a perfunctory search of the balance sheet and I could not find anything, although I am certainly not any expert navigating balance sheets. Does it appear on the balance sheet but I just missed it? Is this a complete non-issue or is it a hidden source of future revenue for WEF?

Q: Western forest Products just made a deal to sell 14.500 hectares of forest land to Eastwood Forests. Considering that wef's debt is around $83 million (could you confirm that please) I would call the transaction substantial from WEF's perspective. Do you agree? WEF says they will use the funds to reduce debt and invest in equipment that will allow them to make higher value wood products, such as another kiln. I never sold my small position in WEF but this might be the catalyst to move it up a smidge. Do you agree or do you think this transaction is going to hurt wef in the future since they will have to buy their logs instead of harvesting them from their own land?

Q: how much of sales are to the us, with cfx, how much will the tariffs affect the bottom lines of forest companies. On a side note it is nice to see Canadians pulling together, I for one will try not to buy any us products I willing to pay more for Canadian products
Thanks
Auftar

Q: Good morning - can you give us a sense as to what Cdn companies (say 10) that would be most adversely affected by a tariff war with the US? Many thanks as always.

Q: ANY GOOD REASON WHY THE SHARES HAVE GONE UP 25% IN JUST THE LAST MONTH. THE HIGH DIVIDEND IS ATTRACTIVE AND THE STOCK IS TRADING WAY BELOW ITS MARKET VALUE. YOUR OPINION WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANK YOU.

Q: Western forest Products (WEF) has really taken a pounding. It reports its second quarter results on July 31. west fraser already reported and the shares have been rising. I know they are different forestry companies but was the lift in share value because there is optimism in the forestry industry or was it specific to West Fraser. I was thinking of averaging down on my WEF holding just because the share price is so low. The market cap is only about 130 million and I believe that WEF still has little debt so my way of thinking is, "this can't go much lower!!" Surely all their 6 sawmills, industrial land, three manufacturing plants and all their timber rights have to be worth more than 130 million!!! Or am I looking at this all wrong?

Q: I need to clean out the dogs and take some losses for tax purposes. In which order would you sell? Are there any keepers here?

Q: Has anything changed in your view on your February 14, 2024 response to a question on WEF. i.e. may as well get out? Or has all the bad news been baked in and the stock is bottoming?

Q: I am holding WEF for years in registered accounts. Looks like it cut the dividend but this was not easy to find a report on. It reports tomorrow after close.
It looks grim for this company going forward. What do you think about getting out before earnings report? Of course no tax loss to lessen the blow. Any thoughts whether this might ever be bought out?
Thanks so much for this opportunity to pose questions!

Q: Peter et al:
I have big losses on canfor pulp and western forest products, and have included them in my tax loss selling? Should I buy them back? Interest in these stocks has completely subsided, which makes me think that in a few years when the price is up a lot, we will hear about them every day! Please advise, with a detailed explanation. Also, would you kindly render your opinions on canfor , which Jimmy Pattison wanted so badly, and now no one mentions. Also, opinions on Interfor, and WFG, which you like a lot more, but never get any questions about. A big shortage in housing, and lumber stocks in the dumpster!!!!. They will have their day in the sun. Help me to determine that time frame. Charge me accordingly. Much appreciated.
BEN.

Q: Please comment on WEF's Balance sheet and key risks facing the company.

Q: Is this a good entry point and forward outlook for WEF?

Q: Are you aware of any correlation between notable wildfire seasons and stock prices for lumber co's?

Q: Greetings 5i,

Been a while since we’ve looked at WEF. P/E and P/B looks value. With the surge in immigration, sustained housing shortage, possibility inflation rolling down, and a pause in interest rate hikes, maybe this company and sector in general is just unloved enough to dip a toe in..

Thoughts?

Q: Wow! I spent an hour on a bunch of questions and it was all lost. Here is the summary:

WEF. What is your take. Credit it me if it becomes a 5i pick. : )

WELL: seems it popped because of Ford's medical privatization options. Should I wait for a share price decline? Sometimes prices seem to drop before earnings just so that they can pop more when earnings are announced.

CIX moving nicely. At point would I sell? My breakeven is 20.

Maybe 5i could float their own mutual funds...as Motley Fool has done I believe.

Idea: some kind of software to remind people to buy certain stocks?


Chiefs or Eagles?

Tar and Infinity Pool were boring movies.


Prediction: Dollarama will drop briefly on some manufactured "dire" situation. Things have been going too well for too long there.

Is it illegal to short a company having created the conditions for that shorting? Example: short A&W then get everyone to boycott A & W.

Q: What order and at what price would you nibble at the stocks listed (already own them all at this point but no full positions other than Cost) + brief explanation why?

Is there any other screaming buys you would recommend at this time regardless of sector , Thanks for your help with my portfolio

Q: What are your thoughts on WEF? I'm thinking to move on as I'm up in my TFSA and it makes up less than 1% of my portfolio and add to WCP

Do you think current war environment is bullish for lumber ? WEF is my only exposure.

Q: It seems like interest in forestry products companies is starting to increase. Do you have a favorite?

Q: Hi group can you please comment on recent weakness in these shares and what you see going fwd in the next 3-6mths Buy sell or hold Appreciate your comments

Q: Western Forest Products is dropping substantially while Canfor and Interfor have been going up. Also the daily trading volume for WEF has increased. Any ideas about why?