Investment Q&A

Q: I'm gradually transitioning more and more of my portfolio, so as to mirror your model and growth portfolios. Which companies in each of those portfolios would you see as the best buys at this time? My portfolio is relatively well balanced, but I'm a bit heavy in financials and technology. I'm under weight in energy and materials, but a bit nervous about adding in those areas at this time. Thx for keeping me sane during this tumultuous time in the markets!

Q: What do you think of Boyd's inclusion to the S&P/TSX Composite Index announced yesterday? I thought this would be a positive for the stock, but it's off ~4% since the news release.

Q: Just a comment regarding Dave's question on HCG...
When I have a stock that is overweight in my portfolio (or I have made a nice profit on), I often will write a covered call at a strike price that I am comfortable with. This ensures that I keep my weighting appropriate and removes the "emotion" from the decision to sell. Why not get a premium for selling a stock you had planned on trimming in the first place.

Please publish if you think this would benefit others.

Thanks,

Q: In your opinion, is there more upside potential in purchasing Concordia over Valeant at today's prices?
Thanks in advance

Q: Not seeing any news that would drive the volume increase. What am I missing?
Thank you,
Nancy

Q: I have a similar (nice) problem to that posted by David. I bought a half position in HCG and saw it go up 15% in a couple of weeks. Tempting though it is to cash out and take my wife out for a good dinner, I still want to purchase the other half position as it was my intention all along (I am a long term invester). I am not trying to "time" the market, but it is 1) a small cap (the other financials I hold are RY, BNS and MFC); and 2) the market is gittery to say the least. So the question is: what is the reason for HCG to rise so fast? Short covering? As always, thanks again. Henry

Q: On BNN this am Lmp was listed as one of the top 5 stocks increase in short interest. Can you comment as to why this is the case.

I realize the stock is struggling and down 30% since June.

Q: What effect do you think a minority Gov't might have on Canadian stocks? Perhaps consider if it was to be Conservative or some other dreaded party. Thanks

Q: Hi Team,

I have some AYA and was considering lightening up and buying some Intertain to maintain my sector weighting. I cannot understand the recent drop as it now appears very cheap. Why do you think it is being punished and would you jump in now or wait?

Thanks Peter

Q: any idea why SYZ is down so much today

Q: Considering buying Enbridge here, don't have any energy related stocks currently(except for what's in VCX). Would you suggest adding ENB or adding to MDA already held and down over 25%. Adding would bring it a percentage point or so above equal weight in a 12 stock portfolio, having already averaged down once at around $86(bought at around 96 originally)Thanks.

Q: AGT stock has been quite weak lately. Is there any particular reason for the downward trend in price or is it just normal market fluctuations?

Thanks!

Q: How do you handle situations where you initiate a position and in less than two weeks it runs up 20%. This happened in Home Capital and I am struggling with the decision on keeping or selling.
There has been much volatility in the markets in general and on this name that it would be hard to see it drop back to the 25-27 range and not have taken profits. I feel my position is not large enough to sell just half and keep half to trade around the name.
Thanks

Q: Hi, 5i.

I'd like to purchase some US dollars to buy a US listed company or two. It doesn't strike me that now is a good time since our dollar is so low compared to the US dollar and so I'm having trouble grasping the correct thinking on this.

Say, for example, I buy Disney today and get a 20% total return in the next 5 years. However, say that our dollar is trading around 20% higher in 5 years than it is today. Would I effectively have no return if I sold Disney after 5 years and converted to Canadian dollars?

Thank you for your help.

Robert

Q: Hi Peter,
I have Davis TEA shares and they are up 10 percent. Fairfax is down quite a bit and given what happened to Amica, there is a chance of greater upside for Chartwell Retirement. I was thinking of selling Davis Tea and load up on Fairfax as it is down a lot; however, I am debating whether to apply the monies to Chartwell Retirement. Fairfax and Fairfax india represent 6% of my weighting, Chartwell represents 3% but I also have XRE (the REIT ETF) at 2%. What would you suggest at this point? Thanks again.

Q: Hi Peter,
Any idea why Home capital is surging ahead in the last few days? Thanks

Q: Savaria just raised their dividend again citing good cash flow next year. I own prism medical but sis looks real good here. Seems like demographics on on their side. Would you buy?

Q: pleas explain the announcement by DHX this morning regarding dual class shares to be treated as single for purpose of early warning reporting and take over bids. Have they been approached? thank you for all your help.

Q: Suggestions Only: No question today. : )

1. I would like to add my vote for a 5I report on Ten Peaks coffee.

2. You have mentioned that you are re-vamping the website and wondered if one more suggestion might come into play. Is it possible to add some additional sub-headings to cross-reference all companies by sector? You have a few sectors delineated on the sidebar, such as Energy, Technology and REITS and Gold, but was wondering if more could be added to reflect TSX sectors -- so if one is looking for a Consumer Cyclical, for instance, or an Industrial, we could just comb that section without doing a massive search.

Anyway, just a thought. As the Australians say, "No worries, mate. All's good."

5I continues to be the best there is in the industry! Thanks for such a great place to find so much.

Q: My question is what is the proper asset mix, percentage wise, for a Canadian equity portfolio in today’s market conditions. Presently my asset mix is Financials 36% - Utilities 16% - Bonds & GICs 12% - Communication Services 10% - Preferred Shares 6% - REITS 5% - Energy 5% - Cash 3% - Stock Mkt Indexes 2% - Consumer Defensive 2% - Industrial 2% - Consumer Cyclical – 1%. Would you change these percentages & are there asset classes that you would add? I am finding the most difficult job of managing my portfolio is determining a proper asset mix. Thanks … Cal