Investment Q&A

Q: What is going on at Couche Tard? First of all they tried to acquire a French grocery retailer and now they are selling 4% of their North American Stores. What do you think their strategy is for the future? Seems like they want to diversify into something other than convenience stores. What is your opinion of the company and their management? I own some shares and am up 25 %.
Thanks

Q: What are your suggestions for US and CDN Consumer Defensive at this time?.

Q: One has to wonder if the proposed sale of some stores by Couche-Tard isn't setting them up financially to purchase the convenience stores from Suncor. This has been noted here before.

I hold both so am watching closely.

Q: Please comments on the earning.

thanks,

Q: Hi 5i,

I currently own DOL, ATD and PBH for Consumer Staples. I'm getting a little bored of the progress that DOL has made over the last three years and I'm looking for a little more growth.

Looking at EMP, L or MRU as a replacement. Based on today's news from I'm leaning towards EMP. Please let me know what your thoughts on this switch, or if you'd recommend another stock not mentioned.

I have a long horizon, 7+ years, and looking for some more growth.

Thx

Q: Of the companies listed, which one would you start a new half position in today for a potential 5 plus year hold in a balanced portfolio. And would any in particular benefit from reopening? I understand that I would need to keep on eye on the cyclicals with a view to exiting if needed.

Q: I am looking to add new position in the C.Non Cycl. sector. My lean is to the balanced and income portfolios. How would you rank the above and which companies represent the best buying opportunity now( or is now not the time for this sector) and why?
Thanks,
Mike

Q: I am a 3-5 year medium and long term investor. I need to increase my position in Consumer Staples by about 3%. I currently hold ATD 3% and PBH 3% are in my taxable account. I have full confidence in the management of ATD but I now wonder if their business model has not changed a bit compared to the company I bought a few years ago.
1- If the electrification of transport raises from 2 to 10% within 3-5 years, how many customers will ATD lose?
2- If you have an electric car will you wait 15 minutes to recharge your battery in a convenience store?
3- Can ATD still grow by buying competitors at attractive prices?
4- Will future growth come in less profitable areas such as grocers and if so the P.E. will drop.

What do I do? Can you help me sort this out?
Buy more ATD? Add DOL? Add a little to the 2 already owned and add DOL, not DOL...

I'm lost.

Thank you.

Yves

Q: What 2-3 stocks would you add to this portfolio for more diversification and some growth?

Thanks

Q: Do you think ATD.B would ever take a run at (or a portion of) PKI?

Q: Could you please rank these consumer defensive stocks and why - STZ, DOL, ATD.B, MRU and PG.
Need to increase my US and International exposure, however considering selling STZ (in a RRSP)
What are you thoughts? Is there an ETF in this sector you favour with US /International exposure? Thank you

Q: I currently own ATD.B in my RRSP. I am considering selling ATD.B and replacing with BAM or BIP.UN. I would appreciate your thoughts.

Thank You

Kim

Q: in a posting this past week, you indicated that you preferred ATD.b over PKI. Both of the companies sell gas but ATD.b is listed as consumer non-cyl in the balanced portfolio and PKI as energy. Do you see them as similar? Do you see them as picking up once the pandemic is under control? what would be a good entry level price?
thanks

Q: Would it make sense for both Couche Tard and Suncor to strike a deal for the former to take over the latter's retail gas stations? Would such a deal unlock value for Suncor, and at the same time be a meaningful addition to Couche Tard?

Q: Hello,
Do you think ATD.B is looking attractive? the Circle K brand is trying to bring EV charging stations to the US market and possibly Canada eventually..I think this will be very good for the company. I am thinking of building up a full position.What are your thoughts?

Q: Which one offers the best return over the next 5 years?

Q: I wonder if you think the risk level has risen in Couchetarde? The bmo analyst that follows the stock seemed perturbed when he heard Alain Bouchard saying unequivocally on a French language interview that he needs to be, wants to be and plans to be as big as Amazon and Walmart. I don’t think that it is ego pushing him to this. I believe he honestly believes this is the only way forward in the current market climate. Great if he could pull it off. But does this news not change the perception of this company from a relatively fast growth comfortably company to something far more risky?

Q: Hi guys,

I have these "retailers" inside my portfolio, all around a half of a position. Would you recommend keeping all 4 of these or should I consolidate into two of them?

thanks
Jim

Q: Hello -
I have a concern about the grossing up of Canadian dividends (non registered account) affecting my OAS when I reach 71. By that time I will be forced to RRIF, I'll have my CPP, and I also have a company pension that I will be drawing from prior to that.

I know you are not tax experts, but wondered if you see anything wrong with my thinking here. I am leaning more towards lower paying dividend paying blue chips in that non-registered account. I already have ATD.B and CNR. Are there any other quality Canadian companies that you are comfortable with in this "lower dividend" category?

Alternatively I was thinking I could "swap" some investments. i.e. have more Canadian dividend payers in my RRSP and have my emerging market ETF's - ZID and VEE - in my non-registered account. Do you think this is worth considering?
At least those dividends would not be grossed up. Although the trade-off is that you lose the dividend credit.......sigh.

Q: Good morning
On a recent post, you commented "Shareholders are still a little shocked that it even decided to go after a low margin grocery chain, so may just be a little more wary." Balancing that, you also noted the partnership with Carrefour could help Couche-Tard 'get closer' and position them to acquire the parts of Carrefour they really want. Against that backdrop, my question is,
Does 5i feel that ATD is working to strategically reposition itself given the momentum building with electric vehicles? Do you feel ATD will be able to adjust strategically to make its network of stores still attractive in future with many more electric cars on the road? Thank you.