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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 reviewing my holdings in Consumer non-cyclicals for my RRSP (balanced approach with 15+ years to convert to RRIF). I am underweight in this sector (4%) divided between CCL.B and FSV which you agreed in a previous Q&A that they can be considered c. non-cyclicals.

I’d like to increase to about 8-10% total by boosting one of the two holdings I already have (which one between CCL.B and FSV would be best at this time?) and/or acquiring one or two additional stocks. Here I think it would be wise to buy more typical c. non-cyclicals like ATD.B + PBH or perhaps simply just XST to get exposure to a basket of food-related stocks at once (primarly ATD.B, L, MRU, SAP). Your observations will be appreciated as always.
Read Answer Asked by Christian on August 30, 2017
Q: I own a preferred share, BAM.PR.Z which comes up for reset later this year which is currently trading around $24. I bought it for $25 at issue. I have several options available to me including the option to take the reset for another 5 years at a slightly lower interest rate which is still a decent return. I am concerned that, if interest rates rise, albeit probably slowly, that the value of the preferred would fall and my capital would be eroded. At the same time there is also the possibility that, if rates rise, BAM would call the preferred at some point and I would get the original $25 a share back. I could also sell the preferred in the market and accept a fairly small loss now. Can I have your opinion on which you feel is the best course of action.
With thanks, Lynda
Read Answer Asked by Lynda and Michael on August 30, 2017
Q: Hi, what is the business sentiment in Canada among CEOs and business owners vs a couple years ago?
It seems everywhere in the news lately that Canada is just not as an effective and attractive place to do business with its increasing bureaucracy and threats of increasing taxes. From Ontario, where the high utilities are impacting manufacturing, to Alberta and BC where the anti-oil brigade seems to be determined to kill any new O&G, LNG and pipeline investment.
Is the news painting an accurate picture? Are CEOs and business owners more/less positive with trying to perform and grow their business in Canada in the current environment?
Read Answer Asked by Curtis on August 30, 2017
Q: Aa aging seniors, my husband and I are beginning to feel our "investing for the long term" is probably less appropriate than investing for the short term. Following your observation that CGX is less reliable than it once was, therefore, can you suggest a good replacement for it? It has done extremely well for us. And we are still well "up" on it. Thanks for your continued sage advice.
Read Answer Asked by M.S. on August 29, 2017
Q: Could you please recommend some small/mid cap stocks with good growth prospects, a reasonable valuation and insider ownership that you would be comfortable taking a position in at this time. I am interested in PKI and GUD if you feel those fit the above criteria but I am also interested in you input on any others. Thanks! - Rob
Read Answer Asked by Rob on August 29, 2017
Q: I have had a substantial amount invested in CPG and SGY for quite a while and I'm down 50% on CPG ($18k loss) and 52% on SGY ($15k loss). I'm now wondering if there is such a shift occurring in energy policies that oil stocks may never recover, and that perhaps I should take the loss on these two and invest what's left into something more conservative, like POW or PWF. I'd appreciate your thoughts. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Chris on August 29, 2017