Investment Q&A

Q: Just a comment, really.

It's hard to avoid somebody talking about the stock market today if you have a radio or TV on. Now, if you also consider the huge volumes (which none of the talking heads mentioned - at least none that I heard) I suggest we are seeing the capitulation and the end of this rout is nigh. Maybe even tomorrow. That of course, doesn't mean we have smooth sailing from here. Only for now.

Q: As I attempted to buy couple of companies (SJ, BOS) when they were significantly off their open price I was confronted with "order pending" messages from CIBC Investors edge. I called the help line and they said due to high volume it all trades would take at least an hour to be looked at before they could move to "open" (or filled) status. I was also told "all firms are experiencing similar difficulties". Is this in fact the case with all firms that offer online trading? I am not a super active trader and prefer to buy and hold (usually based on your great advice) but I was very frustrated with the unacceptable delays I experienced today. I realize that tis was an extraordinary day but should their systems not be more robust than this? Any comments or advice would be greatly appreciated. If you are not comfortable leaving in the name of my brokerage firm feel free to omit it. As always thanks.

Q: Thank you for quickly answering my earlier question today on REITs. Can you please suggest some of the preferrd "larger, residential companies" referred to. Are you suggesting that individual companies would be better than buying an ETF?
Again, Thanks.

Q: Which is most likely to be able to grow and to pay dividends
for the long term ( ten years )

Q: Given the current market volatility, would you recommend buying Andrew Pellar in the $17.50 range or would you recommend waiting to see if there is a lower entry point?Thank you.

Rossana.

Q: I would like to add a utility to my portfolio. I've compared Emera and Fortis. Would you recommend one of these over the other or an alternative?

Thank you.

Rossana

Q: I have a balanced portfolio across my TDSA and RRSPs. I recently put some money in my non-registered and wanted to use it as a separate portfolio – the idea being to buy things that should bounce back well from correction. In the past I've sold on correction and this time I want to take advantage of low prices. I would but 1.4 position per week for the next 4 weeks. These are the positions I would take. Do you think this is a good strategy? Its a small amount of cash which is why I picked only 7 stocks. Please note I added a US and Canadian ETF to add some stability. I’m hoping fort gains over the next year but could hold for 5 years if need be.

Efn 10%
Xtc 10%
Aya 10%
Gib 10%
Csu 10%
Ccl 10%
Crh 5%
Vrx 10%
Cdz 10%
VGG 15%

Q: feel free to post if helpful. delete if not of use.

this second decline, from down 100 points to now down 660, has been occurring after the US Press Secretary appeared to be saying the White House and Yellen will not make any knee jerk reactions regarding QE4 or interest rates based on a few bad days in the market.

This morning, many "talking heads" were calling for Yellen or the White House to "do something". My favorite, so far has been Suze Orman before market open:

"I am taking this year off but it is hard to sit silently and watch these markets. Fed Chair Yellen help us out. Commit to no rate increases".

I don't know if I should laugh or cry at her tweet.

Q: Just would like to thank you for your RED "do not panic today"!!!!
Issaku

Q: I'd just like to thank you for your red letter notice trying to soften the panic among retail investors. It's odd but as I logged on I was thinking to myself it would be nice at times like this for an experienced adviser to try to calm people a little. People who sell in panic are foolish. The TSX was down 750 at the open, now down less than 100. As someone said earlier, for every panicky investor who screams "sell" there's a person at the other end of the trade thinking he's getting a great deal on that stock. Who's likely to make money?

Q: There were some big swings in lots of 5i covered stocks today, not just CSU. I'd like to add my thanks for the "Don't Panic" message up top! I almost regret not dabbling a bit in some buying today but I wonder if it's early for that game. I am assuming this could go on for some time. What do you think?

Q: Short Selling: I was wondering about Short Selling in this down Stock Market. What are the details in the placing the order and then coverings the order later. You can give an example to provide clarification. I understand, you have to pay the dividend while the Short is on. Herbert

Q: When the markets opened this morning, stocks appeared to be down sharply, and many slowly increasing. How do you time buying in a market like this, where there are opportunities. Is here a better time to buy during the day? And generally how do you buy in a market like this?

Q: Would you please elaborate on your answer to Joel as to which companies you would recommend to buy whose dividends have been increased and whose stock value has softened?
Thank you for your great service

Q: BMO and NA seem to have been hit harder than the other banks today. Can you advise why? I have full positions in both as well as TD, CM, RY. Any thoughts on that? I do need the dividends as I have little pension.

Q: Good morning. At 0.58 this morning, at what point does PHM become screaming buy?? Any thoughts?
GUY R

Q: I was wondering if North West Company would be a company to buy at this time. It seems to be gaining momentum after years of trading in a range. What would you recommend? Thank you for your wise advice.

Q: Good Morning Peter and team,

With the sell off we had in the market this morning it is nice to open 5I home page and see your comments highlighted in red. It's kind of like the weather channel when a storm front approaches.

Thanks again,
Charlie

Q: Anyone who put in a “STOP” was murdered today .
CSU traded as low as $454.00 today … shares were picked up by traders who had software that shows the stop orders on their screens…
By US standards CSU trades relatively thinly - buying the entire sell board of CSU is a no brainer for Goldman and others ... the retail investor is a victim who can't even protect his wealth.

There is NO price low enough to prevent deep pocketed vultures because Level 3 Quotes are available to the privileged few . This is unfair ... and I am angry. I guess this is why you aren't a fan of Stops.

Q: Banks took a big hit at the opening. CM yielding north of 5%. Looks like a bargain. Agree/disagree??