Investment Q&A

Q: I know 5i favours SLF over MFC. MFC is cheaper, but I was surprised to see on Morningstar that it isn't by a whole lot.

I am a long term investor. I am looking at MFC from a 10, 20 year perspective. l did own it back when they cut the dividend, but am now considering adding it back in.

Is the company much improved from 10 years ago? Cash Flow metrics seem to be good. I was unable to find debt ratio though, and whether or not it was at an acceptable level.

How do you see MFC going forward, despite the present events in China?

Q: I want make some changes to my portfolio with the goal of getting closer to your Balanced Equity portfolio. I am overweight in CNR.ca, 10% loss on MFC.CA and have gain of 120% for PIF.CA. What would be your suggested 5 equities to replace these? The rest of the portfolio does not have any Consumer or Tech and CNR is only industrial.
Do you think it makes sense to sell all of PIF.CA?
Thank you for your advice!

Q: Please rank the following in terms of your preference for a new buy now in a dividend focused portfolio: MFC, SLF, IFC, POW, PRU

Q: Hi 5I,
With China implications affecting Manual Life, would you consider selling my position and purchasing SunLife or would you have another solution?
Thanks, Earl

Q: Peter; Could the China debt problem affect MFC’s investment ? Thanks. Rod

Q: Retired, dividend-income investor who normally holds for the long term. I own a half position in Manulife and am down roughly 7%, including dividends. My long term plan was to sell MFC and rebuy a second Canadian Bank (I already have a full position in Royal Bank).

I have compared the various metrics (P/BV, P/CF, P/S, ROE, technicals, analysts estimates, etc.) for the above mentioned banks as well as against MFC.

Looking at the banks in isolation and already with a full position in RY, I've narrowed it down to either BNS (International exposure and current laggard due to Covid) or TD (more US exposure and 1 year laggard). Of the banks that I do not own, please rank them in order of the best total return over a sufficient period of time for Covid to have subsided (1-2 more years for improved vaccination coverage?). Do you agree with my rationale?

If you include MFC into the bank comparisons, where would you place MFC in the rankings? I have read to buy the banks when their P/E is < 11.0 and buy the insurance companies when their P/BV < 1.0. This would lead me to buy TD (P/E of 9.7) or keep MFC (P/BV of 1.0).

So...keep MFC versus take the loss in MFC and then buy BNS or TD? Your thoughts?

MFC is held in a taxable account and I have no problem taking a loss.

Thanks for your help....Steve

Q: Hi Peter,
With reported earnings and the potential for dividend hikes later this year, what looks better to you now; Cdn Banks or Cdn Insurance Co's ?
Is there any noticable advantage or disadvantage to holding a covered call on a Company etc if/when they raise their dividend ?
Thank you.

Q: I would like to add a few (2-4) financial companies to my non-registered investment portfolio. Would appreciate 5i's help in ranking the above names based on total return potential for a 3-5 year hold. Please add any names you feel belong to the lineup, ranked appropriately, Thank you.

Q: Hello, a great service and learning lots from the Q&A. I have a small Canadian portfolio with MG, OTEX, CNQ, BIP.UN and MFC. And also DIS from US side. I am looking to charge it up with some growth performers over the next 5 years. How do these holdings rate and any suggestions on additions? Would you replace any of these?

Thanks for the feedback. Have a great day.

Q: Please comment on Q2 results for both ADW.A and MFC.
Thanks...Steve

Q: Any reasons that 5i can see that would account for the large difference in 10 year and 5 year in the performance of these companies that operate in similar industry. Companies outside of Canada have dramtically outperformed

10 year # including Div AON 470 MMC478 MFC 105 GWO 135 SLF 235

AON and MMC are 2 long term holdings in MAW120 and I am thinking of selling SLF and adding to MAW120

Q: Hi 5i
I bought POW at $24 about a year ago so have made over 70% with divs. I am tempted to sell it near all time high to buy MFC about 15% off 52 week high. Yields are the same, MFC has lower PE (9 vs 11) and lower PEGY. (Also own SLF which I will continue to hold long term). Thoughts?
Greg

Q: Hi Folks,
I currently own the following in my RRSP account (weightings in brackets ) - PG (4%), TD (13.5%), BNS (10%), MFC (3%), ABBV (6.5%), PFE (12%), BCE (14%), T (14.5%), AQN (6.5%), BIP.UN (6%), and ENB (6.5%).
I want to reduce my exposure to TD, BNS, BCE, T and PFE to bring them in line with the others - can you suggest some names that will complement the portfolio, keeping in mind I am looking for Income with some growth - long term hold.
Thanks

Q: Can you describe why sunlife is a better holding than manulife? Is manulife a good holding? Would it be better to own both of these or consolidate to the better insurance co?

Q: Please explain the June 24/21 Obatan offer and what it means to retail investors like us.

Is it somebody sniffing around trying to get MFC cheap before it eventually starts to grow again?

What are the growth expectations for the next 2-3 years?
Thxs...Steve

Q: Last earnings were hampered by an "inverted bond yield curve", which cost $800 M.
Is it reasonable to assume, that they will correct this issue before reporting again ?

Q: At under $25.00 would you purchase shares of MFC -

Q: I have the following companies in my RRSP account - I am looking to replace PG - can you give me some suggestions ? Something with some growth potential and dividend.

Thanks

Q: For investment into one of these companies from none to full position would you say that MFC has a reasonable potential for growth and share price appreciation? I am aware that your preference is for SLF ,based on your comments. However the lower share price and higher dividend associated with MFC have me leaning for the MFC. Are the other metrics of the SLF versus MFC make the SLF far superior over the MFC? Some recent portfolio managers featured on BNN market call recommended MFC rather then SLF. Thank you.

Q: In your response to a reader's question about MFC's earnings you said "The stock remains very cheap at 8X earnings, and can benefit if interest rates rise."

While I agree with you, I have now held MFC for 15 years and am beginning to lose patience on the turnaround. MFC pays a nice dividend, for income in my RRIF, but on MarketCall today, Norm Levine is still negative on MFC. He says they may not benefit as much as you might think if interest rates rise.

I have done well on SLF, which is 1.8% of a diversified portfolio,. Should I just throw in the towel on MFC and double my position in SLF?

If not SLF, what would you recommend? Or should I be patient with MFC for a few more years?