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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: Good morning,
I'm 70 years old and with yet a new year upon us and a review of the holdings in my non reg equity portfolio, I'm concerned that my $650K non reg equity portfolio has slowly grown into a "hodge podge" of miscellaneous holdings that need to be trimmed, better concentrated (minimum 5% per holding) along with the addition of a few additional names in sectors that are not currently represented. My current holdings are as follows:
AQN (3.3%),BCE (11.6%)BAM.A(3.8%),CU (4.5%),DIV(2.8%),EMA (2.4%),KEY(2.2%),XIU(5.2%),XIC (33.2%),XDV(18.4%),SLF(3.6%),T(2.9%),T(2.9%),MAW120(3.1%)MAW102(3%).
I would very much appreciate your suggestions on how to best to adjust my current non reg equity portfolio to make it easier to manage and follow. I'm open to adding an appropriate mix of ETFs or Mawer equity funds as need be. My RRSP and TFSA are pretty much all populated with a mix of relatively low MER Mawer equity funds which have performed well over the years. I thank you in advance and look forward to hearing your sage advice and recommendations.
Francesco
Read Answer Asked by Francesco on January 09, 2019
Q: I have to re-evaluate my RRSP holding now that I am converting to a RRIF. Because I am looking for 3.5 to 5 % dividends, capital preservation and some growth. Please provide the 5 best core holdings that can help me achieve this goal. Your reasons for choosing these 5 core stocks would be appreciated.
Thanks and Happy New Year

Read Answer Asked by Jean on January 08, 2019
Q: Hi there,

I own a position in AQN and would like two of these 5 in a balanced portfolio. This would be for an extremely long term hold. Which 2 would you prefer and why please?

Thanks and Happy New Year
Read Answer Asked by Tim on December 31, 2018
Q: With Bank of Canada suggesting this week that interest rates will likely not rise, but with the US Fed just suggesting likely two more rate increases, what do you think of buying Canadian Dividend Paying stocks right now? I think they are generally seen as positive when interest rates stabilize, but will Canadian dividend company stocks tend to decline in sympathy with US dividend stocks? For Canadian dividend stocks (3%+) what do you see as attractive next year - i.e. ones less affected by trade wars, lack of oil supply options, possible real estate bubbles, inter-provincial disputes, possible NAFTA turbulence!!!!!
Read Answer Asked by Kel on December 27, 2018
Q: season’s greetings and thanks for your good work which I’ve been following for the last year. My wife and I are retired, income investors and recently sold out of ALA ( tax loss selling). We want to return the proceeds to the energy sector and am wondering which company or companies you would recommend for best dividend, company security perspectives. We have a little SU at the moment and it looks steady but the dividends are a bit low for our liking. thanks very much.
Read Answer Asked by alex on December 27, 2018
Q: ALA: Sorry, another question about ALA. I just want to confirm: Is your best advice to sell ALA, take the loss (in my non-registered account) and move on, despite the 50% loss in share price? Besides ENB as an alternative for a long term income objective, what other quality stocks would you recommend now?
Read Answer Asked by Helen on December 13, 2018
Q: Hi, most of my portfolio is trying to hang in with such a volatile market, but these two companies are killing me.
I see vet is now over 9% dividend which I like, but also know nothing good comes from it.
Is it time to raise the white flag to fossil fuels and go totally renewable, or would I probably be selling at the low?
I have to hand it to the environmentalist and protesters they are doing a great job against the oil companies.
Could you give me two of your favourites for renewables.
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Brad on December 13, 2018
Q: Charge as many credits as you see fit...at least 4...got lots. Annually, I follow the O'Shaughnessy system and go through the tedious process of ranking over 90 stocks into deciles. I am screening for stocks that are good value, less volatile and have a good + growing dividend. For value, I use P/E, P/B, P/CF, P/S. For volatility, I use Beta. For dividends, this year I have added 5 year growth % into the process. The resultant summary number is the cumulative of the 7 metrics, with roughly 60% value, 15% volatility and 25% dividend weighting. I then marry this up with a technical screening, using charts with a 200 mda, looking for a rising vs rangebound vs declining chart.

Question 1 = your thoughts on my screening system? I thought of adding in other metrics, but I wanted to keep it relatively simple. Factors such as payout % and ROE can always be a looked at in the next phase. Should I drop any of the metrics if they are redundant?

Most of the stocks screened as expected. However, 3 stocks didn't screen well at all and I am trying to figure out why. It may be that my population of stocks is skewed to value stocks, so if any of the other 3 stocks had growth or REIT characteristics, then they might be seen as outliers.

Question 2 = CSH's fundamentals screened horribly = 10th decile. Could it be that REITs may screen out differently, due to their very nature?

Question 3 =Both PBH and WSP screened poorly = 8th decile. Could it be their fundamental metrics exhibit more growth characteristics?

Question 4 = Reading past 5iR questions on these 3 stocks leads me to believe you are still strongly in favor of all 3. Please confirm.

Thanks...Steve
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on December 12, 2018
Q: Appreciate your advice on conversion privilege effective dec31/18
Presently down $4400 loss
1. To receive one cumulative rate reset Pref share series B of AQN for each cumulative rate reset pref series A of AQN converted
If u choose this option can u explain the reasoning and what might be expected in recovering the losses in the future with this option
2. If u don’t choose option1 I am assuming the pref will be cashed in at current loss
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Indra on December 11, 2018
Q: Hello,

We live in "interesting times"!

I have been patiently waiting to add more of AQN but price keeps rising without respite, even during major pullbacks! What magic is going on at AQN?

1) Does it look like a Top is forming around $14?

I'm sure the stock is very compelling as a momentum vehicle and maybe I should nibble both on the Up and on the Down.

As ever, your helpful thought appreciated.
Regards
Read Answer Asked by Arzoo on December 10, 2018
Q: I am down to 30K in my RSP and no TFSA, looking to have 6 total positions. Thinking SPB, TCL, AQN & DIV. I know Diversified is higher risk but I feel comfortable with that company at today's levels. Would you be okay with those 4 and what 2 would be best to add for Dividend with some growth but overall safety. Should I add a specific bank like BNS or would ZWB be better for me right now?
Same question for AQN, would I be better removing single stock exposure and going with ZWU?
Charge as many q's as necessary.
Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Craig on December 10, 2018
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