Investment Q&A

Q: BNN.ca Thursday October 5, 2017

Shopify responds to short-seller, ‘vigorously’ defends business model
Ian Vandaelle, Chase Producer, BNN

Shopify has responded to allegations levelled against the company by short-seller Andrew Left of Citron Research.

In a statement released early Thursday, Shopify defended its business model, which Left said relies on pitching a “get rich quick scheme” comparable to Herbalife.
“We vigorously defend our business model and stand resolutely behind our mission and the success of our merchants,” Shopify said in the press release.

“Shopify has always strived to take the path that leads to more entrepreneurs by designing its platform to remove the technical, operational, and financial barriers to enable anyone, anywhere, to build, grow, and scale a business.”

Q: I recently sold my last bit of AAOI and am looking to replace it with something in the tech space. I own enough Canadian tech stocks so I am looking to the US where I own GOOGL and SQ. My question is, what do you think of ORCL? I am looking for growth and stability for a long term hold.

Q: is the yield on these justified? also what is the growth rate going forward on these ones?

Q: greetings, looking to top up one of my reits - i have 1/2 positions in all three. If you were to add to one which one do you believe is the best value today assuming the alberta market continues to recover. Looking for a modest stable dividend as i am nearing retirement.

Q: SHOP issued a statement/rebuttal last evening in response to Citron's attack. How do you think this will play out in both short and long term.

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4111761-shopify-response-citron
Would appreciate your comments and how you think things will play out.

Q: What are your thoughts on this company? Would you be a buyer at these levels?

Q: I am a retired, conservative dividend-income investor with a company pension, CPP, annuities, Fisgard Capital and the following equities:
1. 17% Mutual funds (RBC Cdn Equity Income, Sentry Cdn Income, Sentry REIT)
2. 10% ETFs (ZLB, XIT, ZWE)
3. 41% stocks (listed above)
4. 32% fixed income (annuities, Fisgard, but not including my pension nor CPP).

I plan to reduce my Sentry Cdn Income holding from 9% to 5% and purchase ZWC. The benefits would be a) saving $1k in hidden MER fees, b) receiving an extra $1k in dividends and c) a better asset allocation. I like the covered call strategy that ZWC provides, as well as the 30 companies inside the ETF.

Question = is this the right ETF product? Are there other Canadian Covered Call ETF choices that offer this diversified asset mix that I should consider? Are their other ETFs that have slightly less financials, less utilities, and more industrials that would result in a better asset allocation for me?

Thanks for your help...Steve

Q: Dear Gentlemen.
I want to add 2%+ on my healthcare sector. I Have GUD 1.5% &IBB 1.5% for at least 5 years. To complete the sector which stock or ETF (C$ or U$) to add to the sector
Thank you.
Best regards

Q: Peter and His Wonder Team
I accept the fact that you cannot time the market and that no theory or metric is always right or correct. If so we would all be rich! Ha!Ha! However, I do try to minimize risk by having the odds in my favour. So here is the question ...in your experience what tends to be the worst and best months of the year for stocks? For example I notice that August and September many stocks go sideways or drift down because buyers disappear. On the other hand in February, March and April they seem to do there best and peek. Your observations please! Is there any correlation between large and small cap? Thanks again for your great service!
Dr.Ernest Rivait

Q: Given the some of the uncertainties surrounding DIS, including how their new ESPN streaming service will perform, Bob Iger's impending retirement and the stock's poor price momentum of late, do you think it would be reasonable to exchange DIS for PCLN (after its modest pullback) for a very long term hold in the US consumer cyclical portion of my portfolio?

Q: Hi Team,

I am a real estate investor and I have been for the last 15 years. Real estate is my passion and I enjoy it very much. I am trying to balance this with investing in the stock market. I enjoy researching companies, but I don't want stocks to take up the majority of my team. Is it best to construct a portfolio of high quality, low expense ETFs and add to it monthly or quarterly? Or is it better to follow a model portfolio like 5i or invests in particular companies. Less risk of picking a wrong stock in the ETF approach, but potentially also less reward. Real estae is still going to be my focus and I plan to use the real estate to fund my retirement.

Thanks for your help,
Jason

Q: I see ITC has had a nice bounce in the last few days. Any news on this or just normal small cap volatility? I know you said you were getting impatient with this name, how much longer would you give it?

Q: I presently hold BIP.UN in a RIF. This is primarily to simplify the tax situation of a limited partnership. Does BAM.A have any tax ramifications other than capital gains if held in a trading account?

Thanks

Ron

Q: Hi team, Cameco is in a space of its own I guess. What would it take for this stock to move up again. I have a 1% position in it with a 50% loss in it but in no rush to sell it. I don't mind holding it, would it be worth adding to it for a long term, very long term position. Thanks, Nick

Q: Just sold my house and not planning to buy one within half a year. I am using part of the proceeds investing in 5i stocks. I want to park the rest of the money somewhere relatively safe for a quarter or half a year. Looking at XHY.to, CVD.to, CPD.to, even KWH_u.to, ALAr.to. A bank is giving you nothing. Please advice

Q: Was wondering what you thought of Couche-Tard? Seems to be in the doldrums right now and a pretty high valuation - with Metro taking over Jean Coutu and owning 5.7% of ATD.B - they might sell this position to take on less debt for the acquisition - their sales per store in the US wasn't that great either - would you hold, sell or buy more on this dip?

Q: I got in on ATD late and have lost my gain. What is the outlook for ATD.?
What do you think about ADT and buy Alta gas for the yield.
Margita

Q: Since their loss of a large contract and their last earnings report the stock has been trading poorly. With third quarter earnings coming up and the stock still trading poorly, do you thing this company could have other problems.
Thank you for your expertise.

Q: Greetings 5i,

Just curious and for fun, do you have a "DOG of the DOW" pick?

CHeers!

Q: I know it is psychological and makes no difference but for some reason investors prefer to buy shares when it is perceived to be a low price. So Premium Brands at $100 a share would you see a company like this thinking of splitting their shares to make them seem more affordable to investors?