Investment Q&A

Q: Hi There,

Is there any concern about toys r' us bankruptcy, and how it may effect Spinmaster going forward. I was told by a friend that they were the largest retail partner. Do you have any info / numbers pertaining to this?

Thanks!

Q: Both CTL and AT&T I believe have extended acquisition closing date deadlines.

Do you have any information and or opinion on the odds for them closing their respective deals?

Thank you!

Q: What do you think of this company for income and some growth.

Q: Good Afternoon,

Can you kindly provide the earnings dates for these companies.

Thanks,
Dave

Q: I have the above stocks in the energy sector and am at a 7.2% total. I'd like to sell two and increase either my holding in C. Non. Cyclical or Healthcare. Which 2 would you sell and what you you buy?

Thanks for the great advise.

Q: Good morning Peter and team,

In the 10th anniversary edition of his book The Little Book of Common Sense Investing John Bogle states:

"My own total portfolio holds about 50/50 indexed stocks and bonds, largely indexed short- and intermediate-term."

Warren Buffett famously wants a 90/10 indexed stocks/government bonds mix for the trust fund he is leaving to his wife.

Given that interest rates will certainly go up from today's levels which will drive bond values down, wouldn't an investor be better off holding cash instead of bonds, cash drag notwithstanding?

Thank you.

Milan

Q: One of the Risks this company mentions in it's recent filings is "Contingency Risk" which they state is an estimate of the liability expense for claims NOT covered by their Liability Insurance. However I do not see any amounts set aside for Contingency Risk on any of their statements. 1st) which statement would I look on for this item - Income Statement, Balance Statement etc and 2nd) If there is no amount recorded on the statement which should carry it, does that mean they have no uninsured liability claims or perhaps that any such claims are in fact handled by the primary medical centers majority owners?

Q: Hi,
My question is about AT&T (T:US). I know you don't focus in depth on US companies. Do you have any general comments on AT&T's share price slide this year and if the fundamentals have changed in a material way? I understand the merger with Time Warner was delayed a bit but both parties have agreed to extend the deadline. Are there any major regulatory roadblocks you see? Do you think T still has potential going forward as an income holding?
Many thanks, Michael

Q: I have some US cash to invest and would like your thoughts on DQ and AMD. I realize that DQ is pretty far afield but if you happen to know it I would appreciate your comments. AMD is getting hit today, any thoughts on earnings and the price reaction?

Thank-you, once again.

Q: hello 5i:
referencing "Dennis'" question of October 20th, BNS AT1 hybrid security.
Can you expand on the answer? I'm having a great deal of trouble trying to find out EXACTLY what this is. And, if the statement, this debt is cheaper for the bank (Hymas), then won't all banks be doing this? Or, what about non-banks? And what effect do you see this having on the preferred market? Would this increase the yield of new prefs being offered, as older prefs will be seen as less attractive? Many questions here, but as I said, I am having trouble finding answers anywhere else, not subscribing to Hymas as there maybe answers there.
thanks
Paul

Q: Which has the better growth profile?

Q: CJ has been going south pretty steadily this last month. Is there a reason other than the high debt load?

Thanks, Alan

Q: Latest news ?

Q: About 1/3 of my US stocks are GE. They have been good in the long term. Should I continue to hold them?

Q: Hello Peter and Team,
The article;Filling in Portfolio Gaps for a Canadian Fund Investor by Ryan Modesto makes the point that passive investing in the TSX 60 ETF is not proper diversification.

The 5i Balanced Equity Portfolio is actively managed with a strategy to offer a balanced diversified approach to sector, style, market capitalization and does not aim to mirror a broad index (BE Portfolio holds 15.62% in technologies and 2.41% in healthcare).

1. An investor with risk tolerance comfortable for the BE and a time frame of over 10 years would it be advisable to add two or three positions like ZQQ (US Technology sector exposure), ZUH (US Healthcare sector) and or ROBO (robotics and artificial intelligence)?

2. Would you consider these ETF not in line with the BE strategy and would create over diversification and or not to be in risk tolerance of the BE portfolio?

Thank for the great no conflict service that you provide, Ronald

Q: Peter and His Wonder Team
GE... the giant has stumbled. A large 3rd Q. miss, a possible dividend cut and continued reorganization... So with all that uncertainty the stock is hitting new lows. I also presume tax loss selling may increase after the CEO provides his vision for the company on Nov.13th. So do you think it is possible that this stock may fall another 20% before it hits bottom? Better to hold or bail now because it looks like a long rough road!
Thanks for your great insights which are always of value to us little guys!
Dr.Ernest Rivait

Q: Hello 5i. I have a sizeable gain in this company and wondering if I should take some profits or keep accumulating it. (as you say averaging up is a good thing!)The investment thesis still seems sound but can I get your assessment on pbh. What is it's projected annual growth rate for the next few yrs? debt load? What valuation do you give it? Are there any red flags?
thanks!

Q: I have a 3 % weighting in my portfolio and have been patient for close to 2 years . Still under water by about 2 % . Feeling like breaking away with the recent run up. is it looking like this rebound might continue in the next 12 to 24 months.

Q: Hello Peter & Ryan,

Could you comment on the latest quarter?

Thanks,
Stéphane

Q: In a previous question, you thought that most of the uninvested cash in the Income Portfolio would be deployed by the end of September. Just wondering what your latest timeframe would be? I'm sitting on a little bit of investable cash, but am willing to wait for the right opportunity.

Thanks...Steve