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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: Hi there,

I currently own a slightly modified version of the Balanced Equity Portfolio (MG/XTC, SLF/GSY, BNS/ZZZ and ENB/BLX). In addition I also own SHOP, ZCL and PHO. In your opinion, do these 3 names from the Growth Portfolio represent your best ideas or would you substitute any of them at this time? I know SHOP had been one of your top ideas when it was trading at a much lower price - does it still remain as one of your top ideas with the recent run up in price?

Also, I noticed Peter had selected BOYD as a top pick when he was last on Market Call. I was curious to know if this is somewhat of an indirect play on the auto sector and if I should swap XTC for BOYD at this time?

Thanks for your excellent service and advice!
Read Answer Asked by Michael on June 21, 2017
Q: Hi I want to increase my position in Consumer Stocks by about $40,000 to be balanced and defensive plus receive some dividend income, currently hold Conagra ($20K); Lamb Weston ($8K);Magna ($18K); Mondelez $18K);Rogers Sugar ($21K); and Saputo ($25K).
Are there some better choices out there I can buy, your ideas appreciated, thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Kim on June 21, 2017
Q: Good day, I understand (from your responses to other questions) that you like EFN, and, looking back a few months ago, it was that you held in your model portfolio (and switched out of it just before it dropped somewhat significantly), my question is this, at what price will you find it compelling value to add back into your portfolio? Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Michael on June 21, 2017
Q: Could you comment on the Shanta Gold offer for Helio Resource.
It looks like there is very little premium on the offer. I'm debating whether to cut bait and sell my HRC position now or take a chance that the "sum of the parts" is worth more and the Shanta share price appreciates into the August deal date.
Read Answer Asked by Ralph on June 21, 2017
Q: My wife and I are voting these days on a number of proxy votes. My questions are about directors:
-- For some companies, particularly oil and gas companies, the proposed directors sometimes seem to be affiliated (director or executive) with a competitor. Is it reasonable that directors are affiliated with competitors?
-- Some directors who are a Chairman or CEO of one company are also directors of multiple other companies. How can they have the time to do this? How many outside directorships is it reasonable for a Chairman or CEO to have?
Read Answer Asked by Doug on June 21, 2017
Q: I presently have no exposure to Europe in my portfolio and wish to add a 5% position by buying a ETF. Should I buy edge or not edge ETF, seeing the weakness in the currencies? Income is not the primary goal but I want good total return of course. I prefer good quality companies, participating in the recovery as opposed to momentum plays or startups. Could you suggest one or two Canadian ETF.
Read Answer Asked by Rene on June 21, 2017
Q: If memory serves me well, at one time you were recommending the FEZ ETF for European exposure. I bought some two years ago. More recently you have been recommending VE. What I like about FEZ in the current environment is that it has no direct exposure to the UK, a country that seems to have a cloudy economic future these days. VE, in contrast, has 29% of its assets in the UK. FEZ’s MER is a bit higher, but not by much, and its yield (before withholding tax) is also higher. FEZ has 50 holdings while VE has 1262. Are you leaning more toward VE these days because it can be bought directly in Canada while FEZ must be bought in the US market? Or is it the (modest) small cap exposure in VE that you like? Or the much greater number of holdings? Or something else?
Read Answer Asked by Philip on June 21, 2017
Q: I would appreciate your assessment of this exploration and development Lithium company.
I realize that it is a very small micro cap company (25 million) but it has been performing very well recently and just purchased a 17 % stake in project in Chile. Could you also comment on the Lithium space in general. Thank you. Ian

Read Answer Asked by Ian on June 21, 2017
Q: Hi 5i Team:
A couple of thanks first before getting to my question.
1. Thanks for the fantastic job you did on my portfolio review and the suggested transactions.
2. Thanks for your opinion and feedback on annuities.
I have some money to add to my fixed income. Are you still liking CLF for government bonds and CBO for investment grade corporate bonds. Time horizon is very long term. Or do you have some other suggestions.
Thanks so much.
Read Answer Asked by Dennis on June 21, 2017
Q: Is Cargojet a possible beneficiary in the expansion/growth of Amazon ?
Are there other Canadian companies in the transportation / logistical /distribution sectors that might also benefit from Amazon's success?
Read Answer Asked by robert on June 21, 2017
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