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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 doing a bit of spring clean up on my portfolio. My question relates to insurance companies. I have a 3/4 position in Sun Life and 1/2 positions in Manulife and Power Financial. Manulife was purchased for its Asian exposure and Power Financial for its European exposure and its dividend. What insurer would you eliminate and is there a reason to keep more than one Canadian insurer?
Read Answer Asked by eric on April 03, 2018
Q: i have roughly more than 100 thousand investment room in rrsp resp and TFSA. i am thinking buy some reit or stock?

pls help me>

appreciate.
Read Answer Asked by liang on March 05, 2018
Q: Hi 5i,
I have a pretty balanced RRSP with these stocks and FUND. I am only up with the FUND and BEP.UN. I have about $10, 000 to add to the mix. Should I buy in to any of the losing stocks, add a new one or wait and see . Possibly ranking the "losers" might help me.
Many thanks. I enjoy the Q & A daily.
Great coverage.
Cheers
Paul
Read Answer Asked by Paul on March 02, 2018
Q: Over the past few years, we regularly heard that insurance companies' share prices could not perform well in a "low-rate" environment, or more particularly in an environment where the difference between long-term and short-term government bond rates is small. However, over the past year, rates have markedly increased, and the difference between the 10yr and 1mo rates is now at or near a multi-year high.
Quite logically, I expected my Canadian insurance holdings to show a significant increase in share price. However, this did not happen (or, at best, only very weakly). Why?
Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Gregory on February 28, 2018
Q: IAG stock has recently taken more of a hit than I believe can be explained by interest rate sensitivity alone. There was news last week of a potential liability for IAG and MFC re predecessor companies and investments in "side accounts". Why then has IAG stock been hit so much harder than MFC? I hold SLF as well and it remains solid. Unfortunately I hold IAG, MFC and SLF in a ratio of 2:2:1 with the total of all three making up about 7% of total investment portfolio. Would you recommend any adjustments here?
Read Answer Asked by Gordon on February 27, 2018
Q: Hi, could I have your opinion on the statements below as they pertain to MFC. Should I be worried?
Thanks

Market Chatter: Side Accounts Could Bring Two of Canada's Life Insurance Giants To Their Knees; IAG and Manulife Cited
23 Feb 2018 10:12 ET

10:12 AM EST, 02/23/2018 (MT Newswires) -- In an era of higher interest rates in the late 1990s, two predecessor companies of Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc. (IAG.TO) and Manulife Financial Corp. (MFC.TO) issued life insurance policies that allowed holders to invest in side accounts that guaranteed rates of up to 5% and 4%, respectively, George Lewis has written in a Special Report published on the Financial Post's website.

According to Lewis, "these side accounts did not contain an explicit limit on the size of investment, which means in today's low-rate environment they are potentially lucrative for their holders and a significant liability for the companies that wrote them."

He added: "At least three limited partnerships purchased such policies several years ago in Saskatchewan, one of only four Canadian provinces that permit the purchase of insurance policies from their original holders. These investors are in court in Saskatoon to force the insurers to accept their money."



Read Answer Asked by Valdis on February 27, 2018
Q: Over the last little while I purchased the above securities because of a rising rate environment. All have performed as expected except ECN.pr.A. Is there any particular reason for this. Would it be wise to average down . I’m still thinking that with rising interest rates their will be more demand for their services. What about the margin will this increase, decrease or stay the same ?
Read Answer Asked by Roy on February 08, 2018
Q: Good Day Please rate in order for dividend safety, dividend growth and stock growth. I have no life insurers in my portfolio. Looking for an 8 year hold
Read Answer Asked by Gordon on February 05, 2018
Q: Banks-increase in interest rates, no increase in savings rates, spread widening.
Insurance Co’s-increase in yield on long term bonds,thus spreads widening.
What is your opinion on owning the above securities. I currently own all except FLI. Thinking of buyingFLI to diversify into insurance Co’s. Thank you for your help
Read Answer Asked by Roy on February 02, 2018
Q: Hi,
I live in Ontario and we have private medical benefits through my husbands employer that cover 80% (to a limit) of our medication costs. I recently refilled my son's asthma inhalers. The government covered the entire cost and our private coverage (which we pay a portion for) now pays nothing. The government / tax payer now pays the entire amount and private insurance now pays nothing even when the customer has coverage. Do you think this will have a significant impact on any health insurance share prices/earnings? If so what companies would benefit the most by having a large client base in Ontario?
Thanks,
Kerri
Read Answer Asked by KERRI on January 24, 2018
Q: Hello,
I am quite new to the investing world and just looking to get much more involved. I currently have some mutual funds through a balanced portfolio in a TFSA that I have discussed with my financial planner. I have a TFSA open through Manulife and RBC. I am looking and hoping to get into some index funds and passive investing as well. Looking to just get average returns with low fees. Any suggestions on the best way to start this and go about this on my own? Recommendations on which ones I should start with through the TFSA accounts I have? I seen some through RBC, but just find it tough to get answers from financial advisors as I always feel pushed toward active investments (which I am open to down the road as well).

Thanks from a early and trying to learn investor,

Matt
Read Answer Asked by Matthew on January 22, 2018
Q: In light of the Globe's vague yet suggestive article yesterday, https://www.theglobeandmail.com//report-on-business/streetwise/manulifes-us-arm-swept-up-in-ges-95-billion-insurance-writedown/article37628227/, how would you interpret this to impact manulife's overall business? The article implies that many insurers are ill prepared for the degree long term claims with this aging population. I recognize this is regarding the John Hancock business in the US and I am interested in your take on how this might impact the stock overall? Is it time to switch to Sunlife? Any of your well thought out advice is much appreciated.
Read Answer Asked by Loretta on January 18, 2018
Q: Hi,
I am a big believer in the benefits of holding shares of solid companies with DRIP and SPP plans. As such, for part of our investment portfolio, we currently hold BNS, BMO, FTS, and SU in these direct registered plans. I would like to add other companies to these, with a 10-15 year holding period. Looking for your thoughts on the following that offer both DRIP and SPP plans.
CAE- Seem financially solid and long term returns have been good
ALA/EMA- Does it make sense to add one of these since I hold FTS already? If so which would you recommend?
ENB/TRP- Best option for security and rising dividends in a rising rate environment?
T/BCE- Best choice for growth and dividends?
IAG/SLF/MFC- Over the long term, (I think my screener went back to 2000), IAG has dramatically outperformed in share price appreciation, but dividend is lower. Your choice here?
Deduct credits as required.
Kind Regards
Read Answer Asked by Robert on January 15, 2018
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