Investment Q&A

Q: What are your thoughts on PRGO? It’s been in a downtrend for almost nine years.

Q: FOM

Has good backing Prem Watsa. FFH Ontario Teachers. and FNV Where is property situated. How good is property. Is it in Flinn Flon area of MANITOBA

Is it a BUY ? RAK

Q: Hello 5i Research
If you had to pick just one of these stocks which one would you choose and why?
I know that it is like comparing apples and oranges.
Thanks

Q: I was looking to sell CSH.UN and buy either CAR.UN or IIP.UN because of its high payout ratio but I didn't because it started showing momentum. I recently heard on BNN that most reits have a high payout ratio so I wondered if I am being overly cautious.

Can I get your opinion on CSH.UN. should I be concerned about its high payout ratio? Would you sell it and buy one of the other reits.
I own all 3.
thanks

Q: Retired, dividend-income investor. I bought a 4% position in ZWC in 2017 and it has just been "ok". I'm probably going to give it a few more quarters to see if/how it recovers from it's current price. Over the time I have owned it, I have averaged around 4%. The dividend I get is directed to other investment opportunities.

If I decide to flush ZWC, I am interested in purchasing a USA-focused ETF that pays a reasonable dividend and is eligible for the Cdn dividend tax credit. It should cover the various sectors of their economy and include the magnificent 7. I am more of a value investor and hesitate to buy something that has already had a big run-up. However, there is the theory that there is still room for the Mag-7 to run.

Do you have a few ETFs that I could research...thanks...Steve

Q: I've marked this question as private but if you feel the broader membership would possibly benefit from it - and more so, the answer, feel free to post it as a public question.

We have one kid who has just finished their first semester of university and a second one who is expected to enter their first year next September (2024). We have a decent sized family RESP consisting of 39% CASH.TO, 35% XWD, 14% HEQT, 7% XBAL, 3% KXS and 2% in cash.

I know portfolio weightings are personal but I'd like your take on maybe dialing back the potential risk of the current holdings, given both kids are/will be in university within the next nine months and the relatively short overall timeframe (4-5 years) the funds will be used in.

I came across an interesting article by Justin Bender on the Canadian Portfolio Manager Blog from Jan 2023, looking at an RESP "glide path strategy" based on the age of the kids that recommends by the time a kid started university that - to err on the side of safety and capital preservation - equity exposure should be 0%, with the RESP funds divided between short term bonds (ETF's) and cash equivalents (HISA ETF's) on a sliding scale of 75%/25% bonds/cash equiv year one of school, 67%/33% year 2, 50%/50% year 3 and 100% cash equivalents by the time they're starting their fourth year.

Can I get your opinion on this particular glide path strategy and if you agree with it or if you would do things differently? If you'd do things differently, what would you suggest as an alternative strategy?

Many thanks for your insight and perspective and all the best for a very Merry Christmas.

Q: Looking for some high safe dividends. What are your thoughts on these three.
Rate 1-3.

Q: Between the high interest savings account ETF’s CSAV, PSA and HISA, would you have any preference for one over the others for an RESP where the kids are in and soon to be entering university? Thanks and Merry Christmas!

Q: I still have my small position in Lucara Diamonds and it still a diaster. CEO was replaced a couple of months ago and the former CEO came back. Under the former CEO Lucara made an agreement with an Antwerp gem polisher (HB)where they would send there large special diamons, which the Karowe mine in Botswara often find, to HB for polsihing and cutting. Lucara would then get cash flow from the finished products, (potentially higher margin and more steady cash flow). Well the new CEO wants to end that agreement. The open pit mine is still profitable but the development of the under ground mine has hit snags (namely water filtration in the raised shafts) and the finish date has been pushed back another year. What 5i could help me with is a better understanding of the outlook for diamond prices. Every where I look for on outlook on diamond pricing requires a subscription and my position is simply too small to warrant paying a subscription. In the end, should I just dump this dud or hang on a while longer (It is in a TFSA so no tax benefit.)?

Q: I have been looking to add some exposure to preferred shares. In the USA there is a fund with the ticker PFFA which is trading well below par which makes the yield just shy of 10 per cent. If, or better said when yields start falling (And I hope that doesn't happen too soon.) this yield would be even enticing and the fund should move up in price closer to par which would give some capital appreciation. Also the CAD is nearing 75 cents which I see as on the upper end of its trading range. Am I missing something? It has a safe (ish) yield, potential for capital appreciation and is in USD all of which I like. Merry Christmas and a Joyful start to 2024.

Q: Which 5 Canadian and 5 US companies would you buy for pure growth over the next 6 months? Can you provide a bullet for each on risk and main reasons for selection?

Q: Which growth US$ ETF's would you recommend that have low dividends, low volatility, and good past performance.

John

Q: I believe that MEQ announced earnings in the recent past. Can I please have your take on the earnings results and your overall thoughts on how this company will do in the next 3 to 5 years. Thank You.

Q: I saw last week that PPL bought some operations from (I believe) Enbridge for app $3.1 Billion. Was there any indication how they were planning to finance the acquisition? I am wondering if they will be selling additional shares in the public markets

Q: this is a gold rated etf with morningstar, but if relied on for retirement income , what are chances the distributions could drop well below the current stated 6.4 %

Q: can you recommend a US mid-cap ETF that sells in US and one in CAD?

Q: Payer; Does RUS even come on the screen for an acquisition re todays Nippon /US a steel deal ? Thanks.
Rod

Q: Questor QST is at 52 week lows and still can't seem to get an traction with their sales or rental of equipment that burns waste methane emissions. The CEO was ousted and then quickly reinstated. I understand that she got a termination settlement and then a signing bonus when she came back. If so is true then the BOD is really a bunch of clowns posing as buiness people. The auditor has also been switched, Does this happen oftem? I still have a small holding in this loser company. I don't think I will sell before 2024 in case tax loss selling is driving the the share price even lower, but I think it is time to run from this dog of a stock. 5i used to kind of like this company. What is your opinion now?

Q: I have room for one Cyber security stock. Can you compare PANW to CRWD for growth.

Q: Hi There,

I never sold my MRS shares. In my brokerage account it shows that I still own 9000 shares. I noticed that MRS no longer trades. How do I sell my shares so that I can claim the loss on my 2023 taxes? If I cannot sell them, do I still get to claim the loss on my taxes since they no longer trade?

Any guidance you can provide will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
PS - I use Questrade if that helps. Don't know if I have to make a 'request' to take action on the shares, etc.

Thank you!
Gone