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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: Hello. Enbridge Gas represents a 4% in my total investment. Other than that, my portfolio is low in energy stocks. My questions are (1) Should I count ENB as part of an energy investment? (2) What should be the ideal percentage of energy sector in a balanced portfiolio? (3) Could you suggest several energy stocks or related energy stocks that have the most potential? (4) To your opinion, it is now a good timing to enter the market? THANK YOU IN ADVANCE
Read Answer Asked by Esther on May 09, 2016
Q: What do think about comparing the current dividend yield to the historical yield of a stock as a way of assessing its value as an investment? i.e., if the current yield is greater than the historic yield (the average yield over the past five or ten years), than the stock would be a "buy" (notwithstanding other factors) or a better value than companies in the same peer group with yields lower than the historical average yield.
Read Answer Asked by David on May 06, 2016
Q: Lately there have been stories about extremely wealthy Canadians taking their money offshore. Additionally, it is well known that large US corporations are domiciling in foreign countries to avoid paying taxes. I find that this anti-investing attitude becoming so pervasive among the very wealthy that I have to wonder why I should risk my hard earned cash, when these two groups seem to be protecting theirs and not reinvesting it. Please make the case why I should invest the 75% of my money now that is in cash ... frankly, I see nothing truly compelling in the markets these days.
Read Answer Asked by MARK on May 03, 2016
Q: I manage a part of my portfolio and have some with a wealth management firm that is strictly income. My wealth management firm has been buying a lot of ETF's lately, and I am concerned that I am paying fees to the firm as well as fees on the ETF's, and that overall it is cutting into my income more than I realize. I have been searching the internet for a site that will list the fees associated with ETF's so that I can make some calculations, but can't seem to find one. Do you know if wealth management firms get any sort of kick-back for buying ETF's, and do you (or another member) have a suggested site with fee information easily available?
Read Answer Asked by Kim on May 02, 2016
Q: On my Itrade account under the April 26 news section Eric Sprott purchased 16.2 million shares of Newmarket Gold at $2.80 to bring his holdings up to 17%. On April 26 the stock was trading in the $3.30 to $3.40 range. How did he get them for $2.80? Where is the best place to find when companies earnings are coming due. There is very little information on Itrade about it. People looking for somebody who explains stock charts -- go to stock scores with Tyler Bulhorn - he has a weekly email that explains all the charts and where the markets are headed.
Read Answer Asked by Dennis on April 29, 2016
Q: What are the differences between stocks that are listed as ABC.A or ABC.B? For example as in Chorus.A and Chorus.B. I know that they usually imply voting or non voting shares but could you please expand their status more specifically and how do they effect investment potential and which are preferred and when. What does voting or non voting actually mean and when are each the best investment? Your informed comment please.
Read Answer Asked by Ryczard on April 27, 2016
Q: Although the market has had a good run lately, many companies are simply beating reduced expectations. I saw an analyst on BNN this morning note that top line revenues will be down about 7%. The economy is coasting along and showing no signs of a big jump. My intuition tells me that this may be a good year to "sell in May and go away." Or at least lighten up. Since you rely on more than intuition, I would be interested in your opinion on this.
Read Answer Asked by Ken on April 26, 2016
Q: Hi,
I have taken up a few half positions in stocks with the following details in my portfolio:
Full position = 4% of total portfolio = $6400
Half position = 2% of total portfolio = $3200
Transaction fee = $9.97

For full positions, my strategy as been to consider trimming them if they get $2000 or more above a full position. I will consider adding to them if they drop at least $1500 to $2000 below a full position. This keeps my transaction fee at about 0.5% to 0.75%

This same strategy with half positions will cost me more on a percentage basis. Should I ignore this and just be happy I'm diversified, or would you employ a different strategy? My current half positions are HCG, CXI, GUD, and PHM.
Read Answer Asked by Mike on April 26, 2016