Investment Q&A

Q: Seems like the stock is trying to make a move up, do you think the shorts are giving up on it for now, and do you know what the short position is?

Q: What are your thoughts on the recent front office shakeup of PTG AND THE OVERALL PROSPECTS thanks for great service

Q: Can I please get your assessment of PBH. I like everything about it except valuation.

Carl

Q: Are you still okay with owning this name for the generous yield and small capital appreciation? It's been hovering around it's 52 week low for a number of months now, and company insiders have been buying lately.

Q: I have $400k in cash that I plan to use over the next year to build a cottage. How do I invest that? Use term deposits maturing at 3,6,9 and 12 months? The interest rates are so low I'm wondering if there is a better way?

Q: Good Morning Peter, Ryan, and Team,
My question this morning is general in nature. I manage an RRSP account which I pretty closely follow the 5i Income Portfolio. However in several cases I substitute companies in the Income Portfolio with the following:
- Sub PKI for SPB
- Sub T for BCE
- Sub FSZ for IGM
The above subs have better growth rates which should translate into better dividend growth over time. I would like your opinion of the above subs please ??
Also you have removed IGM from the Income Portfolio. Does this mean you are bearish on the asset manager sector generally or just IGM in particular ??
Thank you for your sage advice. DL

Q: Could I have your thoughts on the preliminary results on SEV. Could you also tell me the insider ownership and debt levels. I have a small position in it but would like to increase it to a full position. Your thoughts please. Thanks

Q: I didn't think I would ever want to buy into auto retailing but you make a compeliing case for the company. Two followup questions. First, how much should be made of Mr. Landry being hired? It would seem to be quite a coup to retain the former head of Chrysler Canada to run what is a much smaller business. Do you know Mr. Landry? I don't mean this to sound mean spirited or indelicate but do you think this is a case of him needing a job or do you think he sees this a fabulous opportunity?

Second, you note parts and service account for 13% of revenues but what percentage of profits do they account for and is that number within or greater than industry norms? I would think that the greatest impact ACQ could have on a dealership is how this area is run. I am assuming that owning several dealerships would lead to greater buying power (thereby lowering costs) for certain parts (not OEM) like tires, wipers and consumables, lower advertising costs ect. in addition to providing state of the art management and IT infrastructure. However, given that they own various name plates, I assume their ability to improve margins via volume purchasing on new car sales would be minimal.

Appreciate your insight and again, apologies to Mr. Landry.

Paul F.

Q: A general question, in your analysis of ACQ you include a chart of the stock with the overbought and oversold graph. What metrics do you use to figure out if a stock is either overbought or oversold?

Q: Hi there, I recognize you do not advocate short term trading, but could you please provide some suggestions of stocks that are good day (or week) trading candidates that are high quality stocks that could be held for the longer term in case the short term trade does not work out well. Thanks.

Q: Hi Peter, So tomorrow probably would be a significant down day as this futile attempt by this credit holder to ask for default. Can you give me reasons why some rational investor should not buy(as company already promised filing by April 30th)? I see these positive short term catalysts. 1. 10-K file by 30th April, 2. New CEO in weeks, 3. Probably some analyst upgrade days after 10-K filing, 4. 2nd quarter report showing nice cash flow. On the negative I see 1. Hilary Clinton's posturing and other headline risks. Can you please think of any other negative catalysts I am missing? Your detail analysis please.

Also is there an opportunity in Valeant bonds? Can you please provide some tickers of their bonds(probably those are maturing after 2018) from your Bloomberg? I could not find it. And your detail analysis on their bonds please. Much appreciated.

Q: Hi Peter, So my RBC Direct Investing just removed the ticker from my portfolio for Guestlogix. So my $8K is worth zero now. I called the Guestlogix IR department but no one is picking up the phone. Is there any way to get any dollar back from Guestlogix? I meant should I keep trying their IR department? Do you know any other way?

My worry with PHM is similar, I am 80% down on it. Do they have any debt? What kind of cash flow they are generating? Are there business fundamentals improving? Can you please provide their price to cash flow and price to earnings for 2016? Last year when they was acquiring did they issue debt or issue shares? Do you think it would go higher if I just keep it for 2-5 years? Can you please name any other public company in the same business like PHM(and what is their valuation?)?

Q: Onex is now down about 12% this year. Did I miss something or is this just the market reacting to a lack of new transactions?
Many thanks,
John

Q: I currently hold mfc in my rrsp, down about 15% on it(less with div's). I am considering switching to slf as I am somewhat frustrated with mfc, however, I am thinking mfc will eventually get more value out of the us aquisition, asian expansion, and recent standard life addition transferred to the bottom line. it does seem to take forever with these guys as opposed to slf's performance. would you do the switch or give mfc more time. brokerage fees are not an issue

Q: We have a sizable GIC coming due next week with considerable room in our TFSAs. Please provide 4 or 5 of your best growth suggestions. Much appreciated as usual.
RAM

Q: Hi 5i - if oil runs up to $50 by the 2nd half of the year, what are the prospects of BTE and ERF? Do you think they can survive 2016 (ERF had a recent asset sale)? Thanks, Neil

Q: I currently own WCP and CJ for smaller cap oil exposure and would like to add two more names that have the potential to go up quickly if oil continues its up trend.

Q: After more than a thirty percent rise in the last week would you buy this stock or wait for a pullback?

Q: My girlfriend is building herself a small portfolio with low to medium risk stocks, she owns equal parts DOL, CP and ATD.B. She now has the cash to add 2 more stocks in her portfolio. I was suggesting her L or MRU in retail .I was also thinking MTY,BPF.UN or AW.UN in the food sector. What do you suggest ? Thank you !

Q: Based on their current earnings report, what risk do you see with Sandvine and at what price would you consider it a buy. What is the lowest you think the price can go?
Appreciate your general thoughts about the company, management etc.