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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 noticed that ITP shows "share based compensation expense" every quarter (for several years) as an item to be excluded when calculating "adjusted earnings", thereby considerably increasing "adjusted earnings" over what would be otherwise. It is a reasonably consistent number, and a very large component of their earnings. It seems to be just a variable "employee expense". Is this sort of accounting common in financial reporting of "adjusted" earnings, and is it something to watch out for?
Read Answer Asked by David on March 02, 2017
Q: 1) i am a little bit confused , is the growth portfolio = the summary
2) you said that you have trim ` SHOP (shopify) ` but dont see this stock in either portfolio (balanced, income or summary )
3) you added BSM TECH (gps) but again dont see in either portfolios
4) suggestion: when you add or delete a stock IT SHOULD BE REFLECTED IN THE PORTFOLIOS AT THE SAME TIME
THANKS
Read Answer Asked by Donald on March 02, 2017
Q: I have a question about QIS. They've had really positive news recently. The stock responded by moving to new highs. That said, the price action is happening on low volume (16 K shares today). Looking at the valuation (Price/Sales, Price/Earnings for example), the price seems extended. counter that with seemingly very high growth. What do you think is a reasonable price or valuation to assign to this company given the growth profile.
Read Answer Asked by Elie on March 02, 2017
Q: Just an endorsement: Subscribed yesterday to the ETF and Mutual Fund newsletter for two years and within an hour learned a couple things that will far more than pay for the subscription. I know there's lots of etf information available online, including within 5i. However, I find it beneficial to have it focused in one trustworthy place without ads, questionable motivations, or other distractions. So thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Jerry on March 02, 2017
Q: Bos has moved up nicely from its 52 week low and is coming close to a golden cross.

I got burned previously on BOS but am not averse to taking another run at.

Would this be a good move or am I better off deploying spare "higher risk" cash into one of your other favourites? I have just added to SHOP, KXS and SIS. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Donald on March 02, 2017
Q: I currently hold about 13% of my portfolio in financials. FFH, IFC, GSY and FSZ in Canada and the XLF and BLX in the US. I am planning on topping up to 15% financials. FSZ is my smallest holding. Would you add to it at this time? The stock has been performing very poorly in the last two weeks while the others have done much better. It would be added because of its high dividend.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on March 02, 2017
Q: I understand your negative opinion of (most) mutual funds due to
high fees and human factors. I've found a few actively-managed funds that appear to "earn" their high fees by delivering superior returns over time periods up to 10 years.

Two examples: Fidelity Special Situations-FID1298 and Sentry Small/Mid-Cap Income-NCE721. Morningstar gives both 5 stars.

Comments please on these two funds and on the broader idea of willingly paying higher fees for higher returns.

Cheers, IslandJohn
Read Answer Asked by John on March 02, 2017