A recent article by Mawer, discussing executive compensation states "Constellation Software is a good example of a company we like because it has chosen to align its managers. The CEO draws a $1 salary and they don’t use securities to link the alignment. Instead, all their key managers are shareholders with a genuine stake in the company’s success, earned through years of share-based compensation."
Could you recommend some other companies like CSU with top notch management and similar alignment?
Q: Good Morning
Their are rumblings about The Ontario Government tearing up their pricey Renewable Energy contacts (National Post-Solomon). What is the probability of this happening and what renewable companies Transalta, Brookfield, Algonquin etc would be damaged.
Q: What are the prospects for Canfor Pulp? I bought a small position in 2011 for the dividend, which held for a while, but ended up being slashed. Should I cut my losses and redeploy?
Q: I have had ESRX.us for some time. I show a loss (it's down another >5% just in recent months). The company pays no dividend. Are its prospects good enough to advise patience? (I can’t use the tax loss). I saw your comment on CVS on Oct 7. That comment prompts me to ask you whether ESRX is worth holding? I looked at some analyses done by 'less superficial' analysts. I found opinions are at significant variance. I therefore ask your opinion , which would be more substantive and more trustworthy. Your opinion on what might be the optimal action would be very helpful. Thank you.
Please provide your opinion on the BMO "Blue Chip GIC"
It offers 100% capital protection + 1% rate of return (total over 5 years) and a 100% participation in the S&P TSX Low Volitility Index.
I have seen many equity linked GIC's before but never with a 100% participation.
Fine print indicates that the maximum allowed by law is an average of 60% per year. The negatives I can see with this;
Possible opportunity loss of only a total guarantee of 1% over 5 years.
Money is locked in for 5 years.
Returns will be considered as interest not capital gains, so it would only make sense in a RRSP and or TFSA.
Is there anything else I am missing here?
Thanks,
Q: Hello Peter,
Any idea why these stocks:Pacific Insight, Fairfax, Knight, and Stella Jones have been declining of late, especially Pacific Insight. It has been hit very hard after their earnings. Is it a good time to pick up these 4 companies given the current decline? Thanks very much.Umed
Q: If you roughly applied the same thinking you do to identify your Canadian "Growth" "Income" and "Balanced" selections; would you be able to suggest a few ( say 3 Balanced, 3 Income and 2 Growth) US stocks that would fit into each category?
Q: Good Morning,
Have you done any work on where you think base metal prices might be headed in the next 12 - 24 months? Specifically the zinc forecast? Which metal is your favourite at this time? Any names to recommend?
Dennis
Q: Hi team - I know you don't cover Novo Nordisk. I'm trying to find the dividend tax consequences holding this ADR in an RRSP. I have no success finding out what agreement we have with the Danish government. Are you able to help?
Is there any concern about competition for this company? Will margins suffer?
Q: Could I please have your comments on this stock. I am considering it for a long term investment. It is a top holding in the Mawer Global Equity fund. Is there another US stock in this sector that you would prefer? Thanks Brian
Q: What's your advice for a younger investor with regards to TFSAs and RRSPs versus non-registered accounts? Should we direct all our savings to registered accounts until we max out our contributions and then direct excess to non-registered accounts? Is there a case to be made for the tax-loss advantages of non-registered accounts before looking at RRSPs? I see TFSAs as a more liquid savings account and an RRSP as much less so. Thanks.
Q: Hi, I tendered my PG shares to receive COTY. But since then the COTY shares have been dropping. I am assuming I should ignore the daily share movements and just consider this as a long term investment. Please let me know your thoughts on this. Thanks. Shyam
Q: Is United Health (UNH.us) one to sell given the unusual political volatility? My question was also prompted by my renewed awareness that I may have over-allocated funds to bio-tech companies, and older-line pharmaceutical companies listed in the US and Europe. UNH is neither bio-tech nor pharma, but would it be safe from the ongoing and apparently increasing Congressional frustration with the entire industry.How would the abolition of the Advanced Health Care Act affect UNH? I am fine riding out the political yelling, so long as you think UNH still has a good future, with dividend growth and some price appreciation.
The following 5 companies are on my buy list to complete my portfolio:
PBH
TOY
NFI
BCE
CAR.UN
I have room for two in my TFSA, two in my non-registered and one in my RRSP. How should I divide the above 5 stocks into these accounts?
My plan is to buy on pullbacks. But I'm thinking about buying CAR.UN now because it has already pulled back on the mortgage news. Does this make sense?
Q: If you held Aya at approx $34, would you sell Aya ahead of anything happening with William Hill? What will it mean to me in an all share merger?
Thanks
Kathy
Q: HI 5I, for investor in the high income tax bracket , is there tax advantage to invest in stocks with high dividend in non-registered account and stocks with high interest in registered account. And how to find out the yield is paid in dividend or interest ?