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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 have a few shares in Salix Pharmaceuticalds which is in the process of potentially being acquired by Valeant. There is a significant breakup fee if Salix does not go through with the sale which would seem to be a barrier to a competitive bid coming forward. Salix is currently trading $2 below the Valent offer of $158 perhaps because there is always a chance that the transaction will not close.

Should I sell my shares or wait to see if a better offer is tendered?

As always, thank you for your advice.

Don
Read Answer Asked by Donald on February 23, 2015
Q: My holdings include ' Constellation Software Unsecured Subordinated Floating Rate Debentures Series 1 Exp. 31 March 2040'. Quite a mouthful!

What do I do with these? What are these? Do they entitle me to something now or later?
In essence keep or sell.
Thanks, Klaus
Read Answer Asked by Klaus on February 23, 2015
Q: Hi Peter and team
Are you aware of any reason for the sudden pop in this stock? I can't find any headlines. Thanks.

Harvey
Read Answer Asked by Harvey on February 23, 2015
Q: Just a correction to someone's comment about Currency Exchange International: For Canadians, the private placement is a four month hold and not twelve months which is the case for Americans. I think its important to note.
Read Answer Asked by Norman on February 23, 2015
Q: Hi - in an answer to a question on Friday re BCE prefs - you referred to Benchmark 5 yr Gov bond yields of 1.75%. Here is what you said:

"The benchmark 5 year bond yield right now is 1.75% (from the BoC site), but yields are much lower now."

I read the latest benchmark 5 year yield as .80% - from the BOC website. Am I missing something. I am looking at rate reset prefs so would like to be clear on the benchmark for the reset.

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Gary on February 23, 2015
Q: Hello, I would like to have your thoughts on Fairfax preferred share issue. The 4.75% yield seems appealing. What is the major risk ? If rates go up could I be stock with a capital loss and not be able to sell the shares in 5 years at par ? I think that is what stopped me from buying preferred in the past. The reset rate seems appealing to me.

http://www.fairfax.ca/news/press-releases/press-release-details/2015/Fairfax-Announces-Preferred-Share-Issue/default.aspx

I also saw a TRP issue at a yield of 3.8%. Can you please comment on this one as well.

I am considering buying a good position of FFH and some TRAP for the fixed incomre portion of my portfolio. Thank you.

Read Answer Asked by Pierre on February 23, 2015
Q: InnVest REIT INN_UN
There has been an uptick in insider buying on the public market. The next Ex Div date is 25 February. Is this one worth jumping into at current price? Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Adam on February 23, 2015
Q: What is your take on the results and why the drop .. Should I add on this pull back ... Thx
Read Answer Asked by Bob on February 23, 2015
Q: I am thinking that the oil glut is a lot larger than prices are indicating. I base on the very unscientific observation that even with the record long term freezing temperatures in the US, the price of oil seems to actually be dropping(although apparently heating oil is up). In the past, again based only only my recollections, a weekend of cold weather seemed to cause a spike in the price of oil.

I am therefore left wondering if there is too much optimism in oil prices and are we really looking at an extreme glut? Or is all this quite quantifiable and the market probably has it right?

Thanks.

Paul F.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on February 23, 2015
Q: Do you believe the American banking sector is a good place to be right now or would chasing the tech sector make more sense. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by jason on February 23, 2015
Q: Hi Team,

Looking for some advice between 2 U.S Utilities....AT&T or Verizon.Growth and Income would be my main criteria in my decision with a 2-5year time horizon. I'm thinking of placing the position in one of my U.S registered accts for tax benifits.

Thanks

Stephen
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on February 23, 2015
Q: Hello Peter and the 5i team
My question's are concerning Stella Jones.
1. Who are Stella Jones competitors and how much market share do they have in the rail tie business?
2. Which rail companies are customers of Stella Jones?
3. I have heard that some rail companies are starting to go with cement ( or some other material) for the use of their ties. Is this true? and will it affect Stella J?
4. How much growth do you see in this company over say the next 4-5 years?
5. What is the payout ratio of SJ and is it sustainable?

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Darren on February 23, 2015
Q: My former advisor put me into these securities. I don't know whether I should keep them (I have enough financials otherwise). Your opinions greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Astrid on February 23, 2015
Q: SVC vs RKN ... which stock do you prefer ... briefly explain why.

Thanks for your insights.
Read Answer Asked by Owen on February 23, 2015