Investment Q&A

Q: I hold BAC and am underwater about 10%. In the present investing climate do you think there would be more upside potential by switching to AIG? Either now or just into the new year? Thank you.

Q: Richard's has one of the most precipitous slides in the past 6 weeks (-20%) of the year.

In other market corrections during the year the stock has been very stable eg Feb.

It's unlike this stock to be that volatile. Any speculations as to why?

Thanks


Sheldon

Q: I have held sgy ,wcp and xeo for several years and am down substantaily. I recently added more sgy and wcp on the hope of benefiting from tax loss selling. Both wti and wcs prices are rising this past week but these oil stocks are continuing to go down. If oil prices continue to rise slowly where do you think these stocks will be in the new year. Andy

Q: Hello there,

Can you rank the top 10 of the most talented management teams (in your opinion) in the all cap canadian stock market ?

Thank you for the great work

Q: These ETFs are described on their websites as active floating rates bonds with very similar timeframes. HFR has more US focus thought. However, their yields are drastically different; FLOT~5% and HFR~2.3%. Can you explain why the big difference. Which would you recommend?

Q: Just wondering what brought this slow horse up 6 percent today? Is it that it has been disclosed that a third party has been interested in buying it? Perhaps a better third quarter?
thanks

Q: I am looking at the PB ratio for Laurentian Bank (0.74) and I find it hard not to invest in it, except if it is really in trouble. What is the historical PB value for this company? Why is it so different than all other canadian banks? If they just increased their dividend, it must be a sign of confidence? Thanks.

Q: I have a question re IFC

I have a full position in SLF, and a partial position on IFC

I wonder if you would prefer SLF to IFC if I have some additional money to put in
insurance stocks

thanks

Michael

Q: gentlemen,would appreciate your opinion on efx
thanks for your great service.
gaston.

Q: Received corporate action notice
Appreciate your advice
Conversion privilege as if dec31/18
I am presently down $5400 loss
1. To receive one cumulative floating rate préf share of series 4 CPX for each capital power Corp cumulative rate reset pref share series 3 converted If you recommend this option can u explain what it means going forward
2 those who do not convert need not submit — I assume this means it’s cashed in in dec31/18
Appreciate your advice

Q: In the past I have had very good results from investing in Mawer Equity Funds. In world markets, I have found that they typically outperform the comparative benchmark. I have virtually no exposure to emerging markets so thought that I would invest a small percentage of my assets in the Mawer Emerging Markets Equity Fund. Currently, because it is a small fund, the MER, all in, is in excess of 1.9% and at mid year they were underperforming the emerging markets index; however, I believe they have outperformed since that time. I understand it can be a very volatile area of the world to invest in but thought I should be there so hopefully have picked the fund that will perform best over a 10 year or so period of time. I recognise that this fund has a much higher MER than an ETF but thought that this may have value in this area of investment. I appreciate very much your comments. Thank you.

Q: Is this a buying opportunity ?
thanks!

Q: I've been comparing these two funds and while they appear to be essentially taking the same approach. HFR has Canadian & US holdings and FLOT has exclusively US holdings. Yet their is a substantial difference in their yields. But FLOT yield is 4.3% and HFR 2.3%. I don't get it.
Yield is nice to have but I'm more concerned with capital preservation through the end of this business cycle. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Q: Hi there, going into 2019 I'd like to re-balance my portfolio to start the new year. I'd like to use your BE Portfolio as the Canadian exposure of my portfolio and add ETFs to add diversity. I'm in my mid 30's and have a 15/20 year outlook with a private DB plan at work. In terms of risk and volatility tolerance, I am okay with the profile growthier names in the BE Port (ie: SIS, KXS, TOY, CSU, PBH etc) but usually stay away from the Growth Portfolio names, as the volatility is usually too much for me. At first glance I was thinking of the following but am not very experienced and am completely open to your advice and expertise:

50% BE Portfolio
40% HXS/VFV
10% HXQ

Could you suggest a 1) TSX ETF only listed portfolio make up and 2) TSX and/or US listed ETF make up? Please remove as many question credits as required.

Thanks for your advice and guidance!

Q: Your update sent to subscribers on Thursday: "Amid all the negativity, investors can find solace in remembering that volatility is a part of investing in the market and solid long-term returns are earned by accepting this risk in the markets."
Your article on the Post on Friday: "One of the most important things to watch for as an investor is when there is a market or economic ‘shift’... We may be entering a shift in the economy right now. Companies are guiding to lower growth. Stocks have been weak. The market is in a slow train-wreck crash. The Fed even has indicated the economic party may be winding down."
The 'tone' in your Q&A section and all your updates has been to stay the course, don't sell, and even to add to numerous names. This is a completely different 'tone' than your article on Friday. Please clarify.

Also, your Balanced Portfolio has a significant growth tilt that doesn't seem appropriate at all at this time. Over the last 3 months, it's down almost 16%, 7% more than the TSX. Are you planning to 'shift' the portfolio?

Q: With the additional 6K TFSA contribution room nearing, I was wondering if I could get your current top 10 USA growth stocks you’d suggest come 2019. I will not need the money for at least 20+ years. Sectors and market cap is irrelevant. Just your best ideas for 2019 and beyond. Thanks as always

Q: Hello,

We live in "interesting times"!

I have been patiently waiting to add more of AQN but price keeps rising without respite, even during major pullbacks! What magic is going on at AQN?

1) Does it look like a Top is forming around $14?

I'm sure the stock is very compelling as a momentum vehicle and maybe I should nibble both on the Up and on the Down.

As ever, your helpful thought appreciated.
Regards

Q: I know you like Vermillion. What is your present opinion of the company? Is the dividend safe? And what is the payout ratio? Thanks very much. And a Merry Christmas to all of you at 5i

Q: What is happening at this company? The stock is going down. Should I sell?

Q: I would like to add some income stocks or ETF's for the US side of my RIF that pay the income in US dollars. Income is the primary focus and growth is secondary. Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks you.