Investment Q&A

Q: Hi,

I am looking to replace ZRE in my non-registered accounts with 2 - 3 REITs. I am trying to adopt a best-in-class approach, versus holding the "basket". Do you have any suggestions for best-in-class REITs, that will hopefully endure as best-in-class (versus a flavour of the month)?

Second question (please don't hesitate to deduct another credit): I am not quite sure what constitutes best-in-class but would guess a promising growth profile, strong management, manageable risks, and a reasonable distribution. Am I missing something? What do you look for or consider important when evaluating a REIT as a stand-out, best-in-class? Or are they generally all the same?

Thanks,

Derek

Q: I bought shares in EFL 5 days ago and it has since gone up by 92%. The surge seems to be due to a contract for a 200 million euro deal to provide residential energy storage (using its own lithium batteries) to a Europe provider over the next 3 yrs.

The stock has seen sharp pops and drops in the past (it was $8 back in 2001) but may be in for a prolonged growth phase. So my question is what kind of price target to give a stock like this. With other microcaps, I have generally taken my start out capital out once a stock doubles, but I am wondering whether that would be prudent in this case. Would it be better to use stop losses?

"Toronto, Ontario – June 15, 2016 – Electrovaya Inc. (TSX: EFL) today announced that it signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with a Global Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for the delivery of battery modules for Residential Energy Storage with volume quantity deliveries starting early Q1 CY2017. Electrovaya will provide its battery modules with integrated cells and battery management systems (iBMS). Electrovaya's battery modules have unparalleled safety and cycle life performance which is the critical performance required by the OEM.
The demand for Electrovaya's battery modules by this OEM, is estimated to be up to Euro 199 million (Cdn $ 288 million or US $ 223 million) over a period of 3 years. High volume deliveries are scheduled to start in early Q1 CY2017 with smaller quantities with delivery in CY2016."

Q: I bought shares in CSIQ after their last earnings, which I saw as quite good. The stock has not reacted well since then. Do you see any reason for this and what do you think of the company? Thank-you.

Q: Hi,

I am looking to buy some REITs. I would prefer to own a few (4-5) rather than purchase an etf. Which names do you have a preference for? Also, should I follow the supposedly conventional wisdom to buy only after we see a hike in interest rates? Also, since the Vancouver and Toronto seem saturated, is it best to look for exposure in other cities?

Many thanks

Q: I've been considering a 3-ETF portfolio composed of the following.
35% CDZ
45% ZWH
25% ZWE
Comments please.

Q: I am looking to invest about $200K (non registered) for a minimum of 5 years into a moderate growth couch potato type portfolio. I am 5 years from retirement. I am considering the following portfolio and would like to know if you would agree with these ETFs and distribution.
XIC or VCN 25%, VUN 25%, XEF 20%, XEC 5%, VAB 15%, CBO 10%

Q: As per your comment that any declines in stocks/market present an opportunity,I am thinking of adding/buying the following companies:Sis,Mnw,Inn($6.79 despite take out offer of $7.25 with a $100m deposit),Bos,Kxs,SH,Syz & Atd.b.Your opinion please. Thanks for your usual great views & services.

Q: Your thoughts, please, on recent their acquisition.

Q: I am aware that you dont follow US stocks as closely as Canadian securities, however I respect your opinion and feel free to respond if you are comfortable with the topic. Visa has lost Walmart Canada as a customer and although it is a small portion of their overall business do you see this as a start of a trend towards lower fees and therefore lower earnings. I have held this stock for several years and have done very well. Should I move on? Thank you.

Q: Realising you are more on to Canadian stocks I am wondering if you could comment on USBI United Security Bancshares on the Nasdaq?

Thanks again
Larry

Q: Your opinion on Golar will be appreciated
Claude

Q: 1 The space is on fire as costs are becoming enormouslly competitive
2 The company is "mostly " in this space
3 They have done some time ago a financing that I thought was way out of line with the company fundamentals, but you have in response to my question looked at it as more benigm that I thought
4 With no surprise to my part, the stock is now at 3,9 (financing was at 5)
5 They have just changed auditors and I never like that for small caps
6 I own a tiny piece of the company and at that price I may be interested to buy more.
Your opinion would be appreciated

Q: I have a full position in Xsr I am down about 24%,can you advise me if I should hold or cell thank you

Q: Hi folks,I am perplexed at performance of West Fraser,touching new lows even though Lumber has recovered somewhat to $300+ & Wft/t supposedly best in class of lumber stocks.Just started 1/2 position @ 39.12 but before I avg down for other 1/2,would like your thoughts & opinion on stock. Thanks as always,wft/t now in $37's

Q: Hi 5i,
Are you able to provide any more detail on the rumour that Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners (BEP.UN) might be interested in Transalta Renewables (RNW)? At the current share price, is there sufficient value for them to pay enough of a premium to have a chance at a successful bid and still stay within an earnings-accretive price range? Thanks!

Q: Hi, Friday was the monthly expiry of June listed monthly options. I am trying make some inferences out of the trading activity for these two companies on Friday June 17. CSU had very large individual orders (22,000 shares or more) on bid and ask about $510, just before market open. Stock opened and closed with large volume on open and close, without much activity and price change during the day. As for PBH, there was not much activity for most day and stock dropped like a rock in last hour of trade with almost 225,000 shares changing hands and closing at its low. Was it as a result of traders covering their positions on long or short side and does it signify future direction of these co.'s ? Thanks for your valued insight.

Q: Portfolio weighting a aside. For a young investor if you were topping up two of these, which two would you choose? Cheers

Q: You seem to be concerned about Brexit and ignore the very real huge deficit the federal government is incurring in Canada which seems to be more important to me. The Canadian economy is NOT growing. RR

Q: Good Morning Peter, Ryan, and Team,
I manage an income oriented account which pretty much mirrors your Income Portfolio except for several higher growth, high conviction names from the Balanced Portfolio. This account still has SLW from when Silver Wheaton was part of the Income Portfolio. I would like to continue to have some precious metals exposure in this income oriented account. Is SLW still a good holding or should I switch into another precious metals name ??
Thank you for your help. DL

Q: Hi, Sylogist continues to buy back its stock significantly under new NCIB, most recent being 99,700 shares for $9.99 on June 17. I know it's a solid vote of company's confidence in its own stock being undervalued. So, is it a good strategy to add to my position alongside the company at current levels $10. My second question is if Sylogist prefers using its cash chest to buy its own stock, does it indicate that new acquisitions are not near the horizon ? Thanks