Q: I am thinking of investing in VXC (or maybe XAW) in my RRSP. I understand that since this is a fund of funds and some of the underlying ETFs are US based, that there will be foreign withholding tax of some amount. To avoid the tax, am I better off to invest in the underlying ETFs (Canadian versions only) specifically VFV, VIU and VEE? (small cap I could not find). How much of an issue is the foreign withholding tax? Is it small enough to not bother buying all these underlying ETFs directly? Your thoughts please.
Q: Please comment on filing of mixed shelf to a max.can$4B .Initial negative market response .Appears may be making another acquistion. as still has $800m as at last Q end.Txs for u usual great services & views
Q: This is an excellent response to Charles’ question asked on May 27 about what to do when stocks are down 50%:
Diversification and position sizing are two items that can help mitigate this 'pain' so the drawdowns do not hurt as much. Otherwise, the best answer we think is just understanding what one owns both on the stock (what type volaitlity might we expect) and on the company (does the short-term volatility 'matter' vs long-term). The optimal answer can only be known in hindsight unfortunately. While we typically don't like averaging down in names, [once drawdowns like this pass and settle down, it can be an opportunity to add to a position once/if momentum starts to work in a company's favour again]. We not generally like stops either. Good companies, over 15 years, might have 7 or more very large drawdowns that might get stopped out (my emphasis added).
My question: how do we know when momentum is starting to work in favour again? A few days of share price increase with more volume? What I generally do is ask has anything fundamental to co changed. If not, and based on the fact that I was prepared to buy at a higher price, I simply buy more understanding risks and do not try to time the market, which can drive one crazy. I do though want to understand more about what generally signals a turn for the better.
Q: Well I love a good mattress and more recently impressed with the Waterloo beer products. thoughts on these two companies going forward and thanks.....
Q: At the end of the day yesterday (Thursday) there was large volume trades - is there any news to go along with the volumes of shares trading hands? I assume is was not retail traders.
Clayton
Q: What are your thoughts on STC . Low pe and positive earnings forecast. Would you view it as a buy at this time or are there other companies in the sector that you would prefer such as State Farm? Thanks for the analysis.
Q: I'm interested in Hammond and would like your input. They both seem very inexpensive but HPS has a larger dividend (and a higher P/E).
Do you like either right now? Prefer one over the other?
Q: Softchoice went public today. It was priced at the high end $20. Closed at $20.30
I am thinking of taking a half position. Your thoughts please.
Thanks
Q: Why are renewable stocks (such as BEPC, AQN, INE, BLX, etc.) so weak of late? Thanks. With all governments promoting renewable energy these stocks should be doing much better.