Investment Q&A

Q: Hi,

I hold VXUS and have decided I'd like to instead concentrate my international holdings on four stocks: ASML, LVMUY, MDLZ and NVS. I was wondering, recognizing you don't cover European companies, are there any obvious red flags with these four companies. I know there is no comparison between and ETF and individual stocks. Sector is not a concern.

Thank you. Michael

Q: 5i has been very clear regarding COVERED CALL etf’s vs related sector etf’s. More specifically 5i has said covered call etf’s provide some cushioning on the downside with the offset of underperforming on the upside.

.My questions:

1. Are there any rule of thumb metrics for estimating the magnitude of the difference?

Cases in point ….admittedly these are snap shots and probably not statistically reliable…. but I do wonder if there are reliable metrics.

This information is from RBC DIRECT INVESTMENT as of today and represents 1 year performance and is an attempt to cover both ends of the risk spectrum.

UTILITY COVERED CALL ETF:ZWU -7%
NO COVERED CALL ETF:ZUT -18% / XUT -15%


TECHNOLOGY COVERED CALLS: JEPQ + 27%

NO COVERED CALLS: XLK +39%/. VGT +36%

2. Are dividends included in the performance numbers?

The data seems to reinforce the 5i information. No doubt about that…. thank you.

How about metrics to guide the buying decisions.

I am increasingly risk averse…. definitely more risk averse but still with some interest in “ adventure “ .

THANKS .

Q: Could you comment on Moneta Gold and their project update on Oct 19th. National Bank has initiated coverage at Outperform at $3.00/share which is far above the current share price. Your last answer from July 2022 indicated the company had some solid shareholders and is this still the case?

Q: Markets have been in a steady decline now for some time. TSX is now below 18875 and continues to drop. Personally I feel the Bank of Canada has successfully created the fear needed coupled with the fact that we are probably already in a recession. What is 5i feeling regarding capitulation and this market turning around.
Thanks Rick

Q: This is a tough year for investors and I think most of us are interested in the optimum timing to sell your losers (to lock in your tax losses) and then perhaps reacquired the same loser you just sold after 30 days. I've never done any such "linked transactions" before and hope to get some guidance in that regard.

I kind of look at the first 15 days of November for such sales and then the first 15 days of December for requiring those shares (if the price is enticing then). What do you think of the two windows I proposed? What do the more experienced investors do in terms of timing in making this sell and then buy back maneuver.

Please advise.

Q: Is it just me or is Propel Holdings trading at quite a ridiculously low p/e for it's growth? What do you think is causing this? Thanks.

Q: Hi, Could you provide the street estimates for the quarterly results ? What are your expectations and how would you think stock would react, based on company's recent history ? Thank You

Q: The 3rd q numbers came out.comments please.The stock still seems undervalued.

Q: Hi: what does LIF do besides own 15% of IOC? I really don’t understand their business.
Thanks

Q: What is your thinking as regards the escalating deficits the USA is allowing to occur ?

Q: Thoughts on earnings and future prospects please. Is this stock worth keeping long term. I am down significantly.
Thanks

Q: I just sold the above stocks to harvest tax losses. I intend to repurchase them in 30 days. How important (or prudent) is it, in your opinion, to purchase proxies for them? What could you recommend if your feel it is useful to do so?

Appreciate your insight.

Paul F.

Q: Hi,

I hold VIG and have decided I'd like to instead concentrate my holdings on two stocks: UNH and V. Are there any obvious red flags with these two companies. I know there is no comparison between and ETF and individual stocks. Sector is not a concern.

Thank you. Michael

Q: In January, you answered a question about Sienna with a note that the payout ratio was 99.6%. In another answer in March, you indicated it was 61%.
Could you take a look at it again and comment on the difference? Is one of these an anomaly?I am interested in knowing if their situation is improving regarding dividend safety. Should I be concerned? Is the risk level increasing or decreasing? ... Thanks! PK

Q: Hello. I am looking at getting exposure in utilities. Could you please provide me with some ETF's - U.S. or Cdn? or stocks? Please rank them as well.
What is considered a reasonable management fee for ETF's?

Thank you.

Q: Can you please provide a brief analysis of risk for this one, maybe especially with respect to their balance sheet and whether you know anything about any debt obligations that may incur higher rates at refinancing, valuation now vs historical P/E, potential headwinds etc.? I rode it up and right back down, just a little concerned about where the floor is, it is a bit of a smaller cap than I usually commit to for the full position I have. Thank you.

Q: Two companies in different sectors. My intent is to adjust my weightings. Which company:

- Has the most favourable debt situation (acknowledging that TRP is a bit different being utility-like) ?

- Has the best total return potential in the long term?

- Has the best moat if it exists?

- Can withstand the present rate environment better - assuming rates don’t drop any time soon.

Thanks.

Q: Peter; Today, Oct.26, the PBO announced that a windfall tax would raise about $4B. Could this be why the oil sector is weaker? Thanks.
Rod

Q: Celestica is down almost 14% so far on earnings (and continues downward). What do you think is driving such a fall after what seems an almost perfect report? Is it all about cloud sales? Does nothing else matter to the market?

Q: Peter; I thought AEM’s earnings were good- GOLD is basically flat today. What doesn’t the market like? Thanks.
Rod