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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: The management team has not changed, the company strategy has not changed and the company still has net cash to buy more POS companies to continue with their acquisition strategy. The only thing that has changed is people’s perception on what price they will pay for the price of owing LSPD shares. Am I missing anything?
Clayton
Read Answer Asked by Clayton on April 20, 2021
Q: JEPI is a fairly new actively managed ETF (it is not in your data base). In its description of that JEPI ETF.com says JEPI “... is invests in large-cap US stocks and.... ” .

1. What are equity-linked notes and what do ELNs do risk vs. reward?
2. Would you agree with the following statements:
(a) If any investors are uneasy about current valuations, the covered call strategy the manager uses would likely be acceptable.
(b) JEPI would not be good to have in a major draw down, but...
( c) JEPI would not necessarily be a safety net in a major draw down, but would likely be something of a net in routine dips of up to 15%.

If you have other ETFs that you consider better, I would appreciate if you gave some symbols that one could do further research on.



Read Answer Asked by Adam on April 20, 2021
Q: Having been horribly burned by investments in oil and gas companies , I have been much too shy to even glance at any (scared is a more honest word, but shy is more polite— and sounds better). Since energy is a sector that is too stubborn to exit markets, please suggest an ETF that would cover the pesky allocation thing. I would prefer , if possible , companies that are primarily refining and distribution , not so much exploration. Also prefer US or Euro listed ETFs.

If you think one decent energy company would likely be better than the diluted results ETFs give, please suggest two names that would be one can buy and just forget— company listed in Canada or anywhere I developed Europe.
Read Answer Asked by Adam on April 20, 2021
Q: In your answer dated April 19, 2021 to a question on CRM vs. PINS you write
“ ...[we] and would see PINS as having more potential [than CRM] today”. That is a rather odd thing to say, and you have me baffled. SO baffled that I started to make enquiries about what might have been added to your water supply.
I would be thankful if you would confirm—or correct me— on the following:
1. CRM has a wider moat.
2. CRM’s customer base is much bigger and customers are better able to pay CRM (and certainly less fickle).
3. CRM’s business model is sturdier (superior, stronger) and customers tend to be sticky.
4. CRM has a MUCH LARGER total addressable market.

A concern I do have is if CRM is able to close its proposed acquisition of Slack , integration is costly and will be a risk. AND CRM is unlikely to compete well with MSFT post-acquisition of SLACK.

Although CRM has been trading in a flat range and has been underperforming for almost a year, I was thinking of adding to my position in CRM . I would be happy if you corrected me, so I do not make one of my unfortunate and classic mistakes .
Read Answer Asked by Adam on April 20, 2021
Q: There are a lot of prices outside of Tech, that are higher today than 2 - 5 Yrs ago. The ratings on a lot of these individual stocks, can also vary from "strong buy" to "overvalued". Given what we are going through with Covid, this has me concerned.
I really just want the dividend's and the original investment back, in say 15 Years. How ill advised would I be, to drop down to the above and maybe a few more like them. I will not out live hydrocarbons.
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Cacey on April 20, 2021
Q: Attention turned to industrials earlier this year and many have already done well. Is it a late to buy 3M ? If no, do you believe 3M to be a good investment assuming we are going to see a healthy recovery in major developed economies. In particular:
1. Do you think there is a high probability of further US$ weakness or is that mostly done now? If the US$ weakens further, would I be correct in thinking that that in itself would make little impact on 3M’s prospects, given that 3M has global facilities?
2. Would you consider 3M to be fairly priced today? I cannot tell if it is GARP or overvalued. (The Dr Dooms are getting to me).
3. Have the most recent quarters been meaningfully good for 3M sales due to Covid ( ventilators, medical supplies?) Or do you believe 3M still has great sales prospects going forward or are comparisons going forward going to depress share price?
4. What is 3M’s PEG ? I see conflicting numbers.
5. I thought 3M had a good MOAT , a business model that is hard to replicate EASILY. Am I correct?
6. Any reason to wonder about management strength?

(Disclosure : I am biased in favor of 3M for reasons that I myself find unfathomable)

Read Answer Asked by Adam on April 20, 2021
Q: I bought a stock and sold it 15 days later at a lower price. Can I take a capital loss on this?
Read Answer Asked by Ric on April 20, 2021
Q: Top 5 CDN and top 5 US small caps gauged on anticipated growth with 5-year minimum hold, ranked in one list, 1st-10th.
Thank you,
Ian.
Read Answer Asked by Ian on April 19, 2021
Q: Hi Gang
Great job you guys do
Been with you guys a long time
Can you give me your top 5 small caps with good future upside for next two yrs all Canadian
Thanks Mike B
Read Answer Asked by Mike on April 19, 2021