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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: Hello Peter, I want to have a reasonable allocation to US industrials, including companies like UTX and Texas Instruments, those in the defence sector, etc. I'd like to do this via a well-priced ETF but am a bit lost in the growing ETF jungle. I already have small 2% positions in IWO and QQQ. To best gain exposure to the US industrial sector (including industrial technology stocks that are more economically sensitive), would you suggest I just add to these two ETFs, or can you suggest a better or more targeted one? (I do have a preference for Vanguard as a company, but that's not essential.) Thanks in advance!
Read Answer Asked by James on October 31, 2017
Q: My 22 year old son is a great saver with a long term horizon. His current investments are as follows and he holds approx $3,000 - $4,000 in each name:

$40,000 in a balanced TFSA with the following stocks: BCE, CHE.UN, CPH, ECN, KXS, MRE, MAXR, NA, PTG, SHOP, TOY and WEF

$12,000 in a Cash account with: OTC, PBH and SIS

He has another $10,000 to invest in his cash account. What 2 or 3 stocks would you suggest he adds - either to increase existing holdings or to establish new positions? To make it a "teachable moment" can you please give the rationale for your suggestions.

I have been a subscriber for a year now and my portfolio has never done better. I recently renewed for a 2 year period and never make a move with any of our family's investments without checking with you first. What a FANTASTIC service. Thank you



Read Answer Asked by Scott on October 31, 2017
Q: Been in SIS since 6 Thanks to you. Enjoying the ride and how Company has Grown. You were right on for the last acquisition that ended up being for Span America.
Given the Situation that Savaria sits at now. Where do you see their Plans moving ahead. Plus any other small cap companies like how SIS was couple of years ago that you like right now. Thanks. Barry.
Read Answer Asked by Barry on October 31, 2017
Q: Following your comments about retail REITs a few days ago, I reviewed my REIT holdings and my only retail REIT is CHP.UN. Their properties are almost exclusively Loblaws-branded grocery stores, with a small mix of other retailers. My view in buying this a few years ago is that people have to eat, but at that time there was really no alternative like the recent Amazon move. What is your view of CHP.UN in general, and would you continue to hold it for income.

Thank-you
Read Answer Asked by grant on October 31, 2017
Q: CPX took a hit following their last quarter, but they did raise their dividend and still have around a 50% payout (correct?). With the lower price, I am considering buying some, mainly for the dividend as opposed to capital gains (I'm retired and always looking for income). Some questions:
- has their coal-plant issue been satisfactorily resolved
- is their debt level in line with other power producers
- what do you think of their movement towards renewables
- do you consider the dividend sustainable (yeah, I know . . . )
- how successful have they been in meeting estimates
- would you buy today for income (I already hold AQN and NPI)

Thank-you
Read Answer Asked by grant on October 31, 2017
Q: Peter,

I want to compare performance of various mutual funds on my electronic watchlist. This will involve equity funds as well as balanced funds. I have no interest in bond funds. I will be looking at both small cap & large cap. What companies to you recommend me comparing. I know you like Mawer and have owned various of their funds for a number of years and am very happy with the results.
If specific mutual fund families have a specific successful niche ( ie small cap etc ) please indicate. looking at Canada, USA, non North America as well as Emerging Markets.

Thanks for allowing us to renew at old prices early.


Thank you

Paul
Read Answer Asked by paul on October 31, 2017
Q: Hi,

My question is regarding their recent offer for convertible debentures and I would appreciate any thoughts you might have on them. The cd's will bear 7% interest paid semi annually, with a conversion price of 2.20. There is also the chance THCX would force the conversion of all of the principal amount of the outstanding cd's on 30 days' notice if the average trading price of the common shares be greater than 3.15 for any 10 consecutive trading days. I do agree with your skepticism of this sector, but can't help but wonder about this one partly because of it's location and partly because we have a government that seems to be willing to move forward with setting standards that might help this industry to become more established.
On the other hand, it also occurs to me that with the recent rise in the US dollar, I should just buy MSFT, INTC or more NVDA, the latter which thank you - I bought on your recommendation some time ago.

Dawn

Read Answer Asked by Dawn on October 31, 2017
Q: I own equal amounts of these bond funds in an RSP. While CBO has a 2.3% return over the last year, and is considered one of 5Si"s "core" holdings, I am thinking that I should retain this position. XSB is off about 1% in the last 12 months, and its return over the last 5 years is dismal. XSH has about a 0.4% return in the last 12 months , with a 3 year return of 2.1%. Is there a benefit to selling any or all of these positions, and purchasing higher yielding bond etf's? If I were to sell, should I seek US or Canadian bonds fund, and which specific etf's might you recommend?
Thank you for your consistently good advice.
Read Answer Asked by doug on October 31, 2017
Q: Hello 5i,
Which preferred do to you prefer? Pardon the pun.
I'm seeking USD dividend income from Canadian companies to take advantage of the div tax credit. Can you suggest other vehicles or strategies to achieve this?
Are these perpetual or rate reset? With rates increasing, why aren't these going down in value? The yield seems to be north of 5%. Any obvious risks I may be overlooking?
Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Carlo on October 31, 2017
Q: I intend to reduce my equity holdings for two reasons – I need to free up some cash for other projects and, secondly, I am concerned about the current risk in the equity markets and want to discharge an investment loan I have against my house. I am happy with the securities I own and their % in the portfolio. Consequently, my plan is to generally reduce across the board.

I own both ENB and ENF. Should I sell one and keep the other or reduce both?

I also own ESP. It has been a wild ride and I am presently down about 25%. What is your outlook on this stock over the next couple of years? Given my plans for portfolio restructuring should I sell and book the loss or continue to hold?

In the US portion of my portfolio I own GOOGL, AMZN and FB among others. If the market enters a severe correction do you see these as more risky than the US market in general?
Read Answer Asked by Ross on October 31, 2017
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