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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: I am a member of American Assoc of Independent Investors (AAII) and subscribe to their wonderful database product Stock Investor. AAII is a fantastic place to learn, search using outstanding strategies and collect investment knowledge through osmosis. But alas there is no Canadian equivalent. Various screeners provided by brokers are rudimentary and do not support well known strategies.

I would urge 5i to create a similar service. They use data from Reuters and so could you. Since Canada is primarily resource based market, many screens may not work as they are. Here is a chance to create a Canadian solution tilting towards resources. 5i could do it independently or even with collaboration with AAII. This service will be completely new idea differentiating you from other advisory services. I hope you will explore this opportunity.

Read Answer Asked by Shah on December 19, 2017
Q: There was a typo in my question. I meant UFS not UPS. For simplicities sake I have repeated my question correcting the typo.

Looking over the previous questions on UFS you note debt his a bit too high and little growth has been observed.
1) If we assume online shopping trend strengthens do you think this will increase UFS’s profitability?
2) Does UFS produce the cardboard used to make packaging?
3) Assuming UFS produces newsprint do you think any strengthening in cardboard prices will will be matched with weakness in newsprint prices leading to zero net gain (or worse)?
4) Does UFS own their electricity generation infrastructure and if so is it fully utilized or do they have surplus which could be sold?
5) How vulnerable is UFS to competition from other companies?
I note since the last question in August UFS’s share price has increased by about $8 and set a new high on December 15th on rising volume. Momentum seems to be swinging to the positive.
Thanks,
Jim
Read Answer Asked by James on December 18, 2017
Q: First, I have been a member for a number of years and I could not be happier or more impressed (or wealthier) from the service and advice you provide. You have a great business idea and the fact that one can make money and learn at the same time is quite unbelievable. Continue the good work and all the best to 5i staff for the new year.

Accolades aside, I do have a question. I tend to think of my holdings in energy as being my investments in the oil industry. I know that natural gas plays a role too, though, but the price and growth of that industry don't seem to get the play that oil prices do. Should I worry if I have enough gas exposure or is following the oil industry good enough for balancing my portfolio?

Again, thanks so much for your insight and all you do.

Paul F.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on December 18, 2017
Q: Peter & Team,

I note that you frequently talk about anticipated future revenue growth for certain companies (eg, 2018 projections). I also find that future expectations re sales/eps growth are often an available screening criteria in many online stock screening programs (eg, Finviz). Can you tell me the source of these projections as well as your professional opinion as to how much rigor there is behind behind these estimates? Are they purely based upon company projections and, if so, do analysts ever weigh in as to the integrity of these numbers or lack thereof? Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Greg on December 18, 2017
Q: Want to pass on a greeting...and at the same time, say many thanks for the investment advise and especially the insights on managing a portfolio of equities. Here's to 2018, too.........Tom
Read Answer Asked by Tom on December 18, 2017
Q: I'm thinking of selling these 2 for tax loss selling but want to buy something else right now to replace them in case energy goes up. I already own Vermillion. What might you suggest?
Read Answer Asked by Maria on December 18, 2017
Q: I am reviewing my portfolio and find myself woefully short of exposure to industrials. Could you list your 5 favourite Canadian industrials in order of preference. Many thanks and have a great holiday season.
John
Read Answer Asked by John on December 18, 2017
Q: Hi - I have an additional $50k to add to my real estate portion of my portfolio and would like the best reits in the following spaces: a) Low cost residential b) High end residential c) non-retail commercial d) Utilities and Heavy duty industrial e) Non-North American Commercial

What would be your top 5 picks for a long term hold (8 -10 yrs)
Read Answer Asked by Ron on December 18, 2017
Q: I'm new to the system, and unable to access your Reports in the Report section. For instance, under your Report category, I typed in the symbol GWO, and clicked on Great West Life. Great West Life appeared in that area ... but when I ran a search, there were no results. If I get a report in your Question area, it's not identical to the reports in the Report area. For instance, I don't see your Ratings in the Question area Report.
Read Answer Asked by Jean on December 18, 2017