Investment Q&A

Q: Hello,
Back in 1998 I purchased my first ever shares in a public company called Ontario Hose Specialties Inc. It was such a poor investment I have forgotten all about it until the share certificate materialized recently. The certificate is for 500 shares but the company no longer appears to be publicly traded. It does however still exist and appears to be a private company. I am wondering if my shares have any value today. If the company went private and they had to buy out the shares am I entitled to that payment all these years later? Any assistance is appreciated.

Q: I am curious about stocks such as Shop which are listed on Canadian and US exchanges.
I have noticed that the actual dollar value per share is almost identical( when I do a currency rate check) even though the trading exchanges are different. Is this happenstance or is there a mechanism that does this.
This is probably a freshman question but I thank you for your work.
Peter

Q: Hi, Any idea, why COV is down another 10-15%, today, traded as low as $3.54 ? Is it still tax loss selling or any news ? Thanks

Q: Is cov's announced issuance of stock options today, causing it to be down 13% this today. Your current thoughts on COV would be appreciated.

Q: What two REITS would you think would be a good replacement for CHP.UN. I hold HR.un as my other REIT exposure and only have a 5% weighting to this sector with the potential to raise it to 10% in the future.

Q: Hi 5i team,
With the maximum pessimism prevailing in the market, it is the ideal time to invest now at the beaten down price. My question is how an average Joe with limited resources can take advantage of this stock sale. Unless one had sold all holdings to raise cash prior to the big drop, now is too late to cash in and bet the stock market to drop further. So what will you do without going into debt to raise cash to buy? What steps would be advisable?
Let’s take the Growth and Balance portfolios, and let’s ignore the tax consequences and tax loss selling. If I hold most of these two portfolios, should I sell those names that drop the least and buy those that drop the most? Should I sell those that drop the most? Should I sell those that are unlikely to advance in the next half year, and buy the stocks that will most likely have a big rebound? Which are the candidates from the two portfolios that will fit the last approach for sell and for buy? Thanks and merry Xmas to your team.

Q: I have $300,000.00 saved to go toward a house purchase. Where is a safe place to park it?

Q: You may be aware of this already, but recently the Globeinvestorgold website was folded into the main Globe Investor website, and a lot of functionality has been lost (as far as I can tell). For instance, I used to be able to search headlines based on text such as "normal course issuer bid" to see what companies are doing buybacks, or I was able to do very specific searches of companies based on industry, size, and financial metrics (ie: all oil & gas services companies trading on TSXv with market caps under $100 Million). Both of these functions, and I suspect more, are now gone. Do you know of any websites or platforms that provide similar functionality ? Since I was (and unfortunately, still am) paying for the Globe & Mail services, I am open to a monthly subscription type services. Thanks.

Q: Bond yields are steadily declining yet these dividend growers were hit hard yesterday & today
Please explain

Q: With fintech companies possibly disrupting banking, is there an ETF that could capture the upside? I know SQ, VB and others are extremely volatile, and one or more will likely win big, but I don't have to bet on a single company.

John

Q: Hi,
I'm looking at some of the ETFs that short either an index, such as the S&P 500, or a sector like US Tech, or Industrial, etc. I am considering these as a way to hedge against longer term holdings in the same sectors and my thinking is that as a managed ETF, as long as it has liquidity, I should be able to exit it when things eventually turn around as you would with any other ETF. What are the pitfalls of doing this? If it has any merit, which ETFs might you recommend?
Thanks and have a wonderful time with family over the holidays!
Dawn

Q: Hi,
I originally got into nvda at $160, and photon at $1.20. After watching good companies climb to great highs then fall lower than ever do you ever recommend averaging down? I’m only 33 and don’t need the money back for years. Since this is my first major correction since beginning investing I actually find it exciting to see so many things on sale. Would you recommend topping off these and and other good names (bns, aqn, gsy, sis etc.) or initiating new positions In names the methanex, magna etc.? I use all drips available (including proxy drips in my tfsa to save on fees). I only have about $10-$15k available to deploy right now, but will have more in the new year, so I don’t want to spread it too thin.
Thanks and Merry Christmas!

Q: I am interested in investing USD in US companies in the consumer food sector(CPG) and specifically looking at Sysco and Lamb Weston. Both have decreased recently. Can you provide some insight and opinion on investing in these two and is now a good time or should I wait? As a separate question, would you recommend other US stocks or ETF in this space?
Thanks again and Happy Holidays to all at 5i ! John C.

Q: I'm seeing A LOT of red (-30%). I am 25% cash. My portfolio is heavily weighted in 5i growth favourites that come up in questions. Should I go shopping and for what?

Also, what should I have done in anticipation of a rising rate environment? I almost shifted entirely to money market in June but didn't want to pay the transaction fees on a whim of trying to time the market.

Q: May I have your opinion on IMG? If compare with WDO, which one is better for long term?
Thanks always and Happy Holidays!

Q: Seasons greeting to the 5i team. I hold the C series preferred shares of ECN. Like many others my cost for this rate reset preferred is much higher. I understand the company has the option to redeem these shares at a specific price at different times in the future. I am wondering if at some point in the future (if held until then) the company is obligated to buy them back at par value? In other words as a shareholder can I force the company to take them back at some point and receive the $25 par value? Thanks.

Mario.

Q: Hi 5I,
I am retired and living off my RIF. With the current volatility and market downturn, I am thinking of getting more defensive. My current holdings of ZWC, VVL, VUN and VEE are each about 8% of my RIF. I am thinking of switching ZWC for ZLB, switching VVL for VVO, switching VUN for VGG and switching VEE for VXC. What do you think of this strategy? Should I hold some and do nothing? Please explain your reasoning.
Thanks for your help and have a happy holiday season.
Dick

Q: With Bank of Canada suggesting this week that interest rates will likely not rise, but with the US Fed just suggesting likely two more rate increases, what do you think of buying Canadian Dividend Paying stocks right now? I think they are generally seen as positive when interest rates stabilize, but will Canadian dividend company stocks tend to decline in sympathy with US dividend stocks? For Canadian dividend stocks (3%+) what do you see as attractive next year - i.e. ones less affected by trade wars, lack of oil supply options, possible real estate bubbles, inter-provincial disputes, possible NAFTA turbulence!!!!!

Q: Would you rather add to brookfield renewable or start a position in superior plus ?

Also, would you prefer Corby or Andrew Peller ? or neither at the moment and quickly explain why ?

Looking at 10 yr. holding period. Thank you !

Thank you !

Q: Dec 21- Bad day for US & Can markets 2) Triple Witching Day & maybe Mo/yr end port. rebalancing. 3)Tax loss selling The big 6 can banks especially BNS dropped sharply on above average volume & near/at 1 yr low.Your take please on BNS.Txs for u usual great services & views.Merry X'mas & All the Best for the New Year