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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: Hi 5i,

I currently have a small investment in each of these two companies (NLC:CA and SLI:CA). The share price for both companies has increased significantly in the last couple of weeks and has generally been fairly volatile. I invested into the companies in the expectation that lithium mining will prove to be more lucrative in the near future due to the need for lithium in producing batteries for electric cars. I'm not sure if the share price is too high though at the moment or if this is only the beginning of the growth. I am unsure whether I should invest more into these companies right now or hold off for now. Do you have a target price for either of these companies? Do you have any reservations about either one? Is there a better Lithium mining company that I should shift to? Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by William on August 13, 2021
Q: Cybersecurity Question: Morningstar Canada suggests these three equities as candidates in the expanding cybersecurity sector. Your comments on these, please. Are there ETFs with similar sector exposure, but with more diversification?
1. CHKP - Checkpoint Software
2. OKTA - Okta
3. PANW - Palo Alto Networks

Thank you
IslandJohn
Read Answer Asked by John on August 13, 2021
Q: Thinking of moving some shares from a non-registered account to my TFSA. What would be the guiding principles to follow in such a move?
Read Answer Asked by Jacques on August 13, 2021
Q: Two part question. 1) What do you make of the company holding their conference call to discuss the (very poor) quarterly results FIVE days after releasing their results? You would think that management would want to get in front of these bad numbers and try to minimize the damage. 2) This company has transitioned into a turn around story with declining sales. Is this not an indication to sell?
Read Answer Asked by Joel on August 13, 2021
Q: Hi 5i,
Regarding the preferred shares of ECN and the proposed sale and $7.50 dividend. This might be to simplistic, but here goes. ECN is selling the First Service division for $2B US. Paying out approximately $1.5B with the $7.50 dividend. Leaves $500M US. The preferred shares outstanding are approximately 7.6 million units of A and C issues. Total redemption value at $25 would be $190M Cdn. Their 5 year anniversaries are coming up on December 31, 2021 and June 30, 2022. With coupon rates of 6.50% and 6.25% on the prefs, I would think there would be redemptions coming using the proceeds of the sale and do any refinancing with cheaper debt.
What are your thoughts on the above scenario?
Thanks for all your professional insight and advice.
Read Answer Asked by Dennis on August 13, 2021
Q: Hi there, I’ve held ECN ever since it was spun off from EFN and added to it along the way. I’ve read your comments that the stock could fall by 7.50 when the special dividend goes ex-div. So if it’s trading at 10.50 approx now and assuming it’s around same level at ex-div it’d fall to 3.00 which is close to my cost. How should proceed ie should I sell it now or buy more? Thanks
I just asked a question on ECN and whether I should buy more or sell due to probability stock may drop at the 7.50 ex-div date. So if I don’t sell and receive the 7.50/share and since I am DRIP’ing would I receive the DRIP shares based on 2.50 per share?
Read Answer Asked by Robert on August 13, 2021
Q: Please rank the above listed stocks and an explanation for #1? I am more focussed on growth as I have a significant time horizon. Also, which account is preferred for the following? Tfsa or rrsp?

Also these are currently my holdings in my tfsa. Would you sell one of the following for one of the above listed stock, or wait for new money? Thanks

Nick

AQN
TD
WELL
NVDA
SHOP
BAM
KXS
LSPD
PLTR
PINS
Read Answer Asked by Nick on August 13, 2021
Q: I seek clarification please to your response dated July 29, 2021 about converting my father’s RRSP to a RRIF. You wrote:

“ #1 Essentially, yes. The tax liability is the same, but the benefit comes from more money in the account left to compound (as less $$ comes out initially).”

However , if securities are left to compound, once funds are withdrawn, the additional capital gains accrued would be taxed in full. But if the capital gains are accrued in a taxable account, only half of such gains would be taxable ( and only 50% of capital losses would be allowed). Is this correct? If yes, the advantage you mentioned of funds left to compound in the RRIF needs to be offset by the fact that incremental net capital gains in the RRIF are fully taxed on withdrawal (or death). Is this not likely to offset the advantage you mentioned? Is it also correct that dividends on a Canadian company do not get the benefit of the dividend tax credit if held in any registered account, including a RRIF?

I apologize if my understanding of your July 29 response is flawed. I trust you will understand why I seek clarification before I make an error on a parent’s savings. Thank you so much.

Read Answer Asked by Adam on August 13, 2021
Q: After reviewing your response to my question on Porsche, I also looked up VW. I understand VW is expected soon to become the world’s largest maker of EVs. I then stumbled into the ETF "CARZ First Trust NASDAQ Global Auto Index Fund" (not in your data base). CARZ includes Japanese, German, and American automakers ( unfortunately not not parts and other suppliers).

I am light on industrials. Would CARZ be an attractive addition? If capital would be better used elsewhere, I would appreciate your alternate suggestions very much.
Read Answer Asked by Adam on August 13, 2021
Q: Morgan Stanley just issued a warning that the “commodity-type” semiconductor companies (DRAM and other) have entered late-cycle. MS adds that earnings going forward for such companies will be challenged. I hold more than a full allocation in semis once I include semiconductor securities held directly.

My question is on SOXX which is held in a taxable account. What components in, and what percent of, SOXX would be considered DRAM and other commodity-type companies? Would I be correct in thinking if the percentage of the said commodity-type companies is higher than 15% , it would be best to trim? (I would not be trimming securities that are held directly).
Read Answer Asked by Adam on August 13, 2021
Q: Hi

i have couple reds ( Xbc - 54%, REAL -46%, BBTV - 30%, ABCL - 25%, GUD - 16%, EGLX - 12%, MX - 11%, SYZ - 10% ) in registered account. Looking for your opinion whether to sell/hold/buy or replace with some other stocks in same sectors or any good replacement you think based on valuation irrespective of sector.

Thanks
sk
Read Answer Asked by S on August 13, 2021
Q: EWY iShares MSCI South Korea ETF seems to be losing much ground in the last month. I am wondering if I missed something significant on her economy or the related geopolitics. Would you care to comment on what is going on that affects EWY much more adversely than SPY:US. It does not appear that exchange rate was part of the reason, but I may have miscalculated Forex.

EWY has a heavy concentration in Samsung and Samsung-related entities, companies that one would likely be happy to own— or would you disagree? Would this be a good time to add? If yes , would you add to EWY or buy FLKR instead (and why please). Thanks.


Read Answer Asked by Adam on August 13, 2021