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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 considering adding some lifeco to my portfolio due to what appears to be a rising interest rate environment. Currently banks are at 8%. As Sunlife has recently had a run up I was thinking of FLI as a play on both US and Canadian lifeco's with some covered call protection . Do you recommend this strategy as opposed to individual companies and if not what lifeco would you recommend ? Buy now or wait for US policy in December ? And do I need to deduct FLI's mer of .93% from the indicated yield of 5.35% to find the true return ?
Read Answer Asked by Garth on November 16, 2016
Q: My question concerns asset allocation. I understand how rising interest rates can affect utilities that have a lot of debt or low oil prices affect energy companies but I am less clear why other sectors should be declining in what is being generally viewed as an improving economy. For example, why are consumer staple stocks declining in an atmosphere where economic growth is expected? Does sector rotation fully explain this?

In the same allocation vein, my one weighting anomaly is in industrials, where I have a 25% weighting. I hold EIF, MMM,ECI, HEI (a US airplane parts manufacturer), STN and SIS in fairly equal proportions. Most models suggest this sector should be at most a 20% weighting but when I look at the list I see companies in different industries and businesses and I wonder what a water heater rental company and an engineering company have in common. Am I being too slavish to an asset allocation model or is there something that ties these companies together that I am overlooking?

Appreciate your insight.

Paul F.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on November 16, 2016
Q: I have Ryan's read excellent article dealing with the impact of the US election on Canada.

However, I am somewhat bewildered by recent market activity - especially on the downside here in Canada.

The opinion has been expressed that interest rate incrases are/were already baked into the market. Can you quantify that in any way? e.g. 3-5%; 1-2% .... to what degree they are "baked in".

The reason I ask is that, it seems like all the media had to this week was mention the likelihood of inflation driven interest rate increases in the USA and sectors here like utilities and REITS took it on the chin.

How much more downside can we expect given the impact of just a few words about possible Trump moves to drive the USA economy when the decision(s) are made to actually increase rates in the USA?

Could this downward pressure be magnified if, in addition, we see US corporate taxes reduced and see some companies start to shift production to the US.

How likely is it that we are facing the prospects of a signicant bear market lasting a few years here?

Or is this a knee jerk reaction right now like Brexit that will likely reverse itself over the next few weeks?

Any light you can shed on this will be greatly appreciated.




Read Answer Asked by Donald on November 15, 2016
Q: A number of the companies that grow by acquisition seem to be under greater pressure right now. I was wondering, if we are now in a context in which interest rates are likely to increase, whether companies of this kind (and thus their stock prices) will be impacted in terms of their capacity for growth and their ROEs. Decisions regarding any given company require more detailed financial assessments, so your general thoughts are what I am wondering about.

Thanks for the wonderful guidance that you provide.

Read Answer Asked by Alan on November 14, 2016
Q: Good Morning.

I would like to buy stocks in this dip. Which would you recommend of the ones I noted or others? As well, a small position in each or full positions? I currently own full positions in SIS, OTC, EFN, ECN, GOOGL and HOT.UN and small positions in TIO and CXI (to name some). I also have a large position in US cash. Any suggestions for it?

Thank you!
cathy
Read Answer Asked by Catherine on November 14, 2016
Q: Hi team,

Based on the U.S. election result and the change in tone in Washington towards a more pro growth and pro inflation scenario, can you recommend some CDN and U.S. cyclical stocks that could do well in this environment? I'm looking to trim defensive and interest rate sensitive stocks and establish positions in more cyclical industries.

Thank you,
Jason
Read Answer Asked by Jason on November 14, 2016