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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,
Can I please get your general comments in regards to the rate cut and central bank reaction to the "worst week for stocks since 2008" followed by the "best day for stocks since 2009" It seems these headlines have taken over the decision makers, and more QE/ lower rates because the market has fallen to now Dec 2019 levels- from all time highs! BIG DEAL! There will be no where left to lower rates and so much debt on the government balance sheet when things do truly get ugly. As a young investor am I the only one that feels we should let the free markets play out before the fed steps in, or is this necessary to avoid a recession. It would appear there is really no risk in buying equities since as soon as they start to go lower central banks will prop everything back up
Read Answer Asked by Kyle on March 03, 2020
Q: Hi 5i
I greatly appreciate and follow your US recommendations. My LIF has suffered serious losses and I wound like to build it back up with one of these US holdings or another you could suggest for a 2-3 year period. If all are suitable, please list in order of preference based on growth over risk.
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Gary on March 03, 2020
Q: Re Acuityads Results just released look good to me. Do you agree?
Thanks John
Read Answer Asked by John on March 03, 2020
Q: Could I have your outlook on CGI for a 2 year timeframe please.

I was planning to sell the position in a couple of years when I am retired and in a lower tax bracket. I am now wondering if I should take the tax hit, and buy something with a dividend and more growth like MSFT.

Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Greg on March 03, 2020
Q: Hi Team,

Central banks coordinated rate cut intervention will be negative for bank and insurance sector profitability considering growth expectations are minimal and recession fears also growing. Both BNS and TD are at a 3 year low and dropping further. US banks like JPM have performed much better compared to Canadian banks.
For new money should I wait for further price stability in bank stocks

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Ninad on March 03, 2020
Q: Today it has been reported that MEG has asked the Alberta Energy Regulator for a 3 year delay in the approval process for the May River Project that would add 164,000 barrels of bitumen per day. MEG is down 0.97% on this news so the market doesn't seem too concerned on this deferral request. Would you agree? What are the pros and cons to this delay and given MEG is considered to be a take over candidate would this be seen as favourable by a potential purchaser? Thanks Gordon
Read Answer Asked by Gordon on March 03, 2020
Q: I'm looking for ways to hedge exposure to the perpetual preferred market?
I own a large portfolio of Canadian bank, insurance and utility perpetual prefs. All of which I have profits on. This weeks carnage bled into the pref market. I don't try selling because the spread between the bid and the ask is too wide. Not to mention triggering capitoI gains tax.
I was able to place shorts on CPD, ZPR and HPR the day they went ex dividend and that has worked somewhat but to little to late. I don't like using shorts simply because short gains are considered income to the CRA. Plus the duration of the short trade is small as to not payout someone elses dividend!!
There must be a better way to solve this issue? I'm unable to find an ETF that is the polar opposite of CPD. I'm open to all suggestions....options, inverse ETF suggestions, TLT maybe??
Help...
Read Answer Asked by nicholas on March 03, 2020
Q: Hi...just read your March 1 email....very timely. I have been evaluating some of my current equity holdings from the point of view of topping up some or all of them over time...to reach my asset allocation targets. I do a monthly review of all of my holdings using metrics like P/E, P/BV, P/CF, ROE, Beta, Analyst targets, charting vs 200 mda and higher highs-lows. Mid-Feb I raised roughly 5% cash (basically trimming oversized positions that also appeared to be stretched) and could direct it to the above list. I am a retired, dividend income investor.

The 4 BNN Market Call guests on Thursday-Friday indicated that legging in to this buying opportunity should be considered, as, in their opinion, the market is extremely oversold. In your past life as a Fund Manager, what metrics did you use to guide your process on whether to buy or sit on your hands? For example, "when the VIX is high, it is time to buy"...the VIX is now at 40.

If this is a fair question, could you rank the above 9 equities for topping up to existing positions? My process, for example, has identified LNF as one of the priorities.

Take as many credits as you think appropriate. Thanks...Steve
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on March 03, 2020