Investment Q&A

Q: Hi Peter and Team,

First of all, congratulations to Peter for a magnificent ride supporting such a worthy cause.

Another question about CSS (sorry!): Even with the price of CSS hovering just under $15.00, I'm still up 30% and I thank you for that. How would you feel about me not tendering my shares, but selling CSS outright before any deal is finalized? I plan to use the proceeds to buy TMA to stay in the same sector. The reason for all of this is to avoid any "shenanigans" that seem to be occurring (or maybe I'm wrong about my feelings of uneasiness?)

Thanks in advance for your insight.

Q: Peter, what is your view on HLF and the acquisition of Atlantic Trading Company. Market didn't seem to react favourably. Thanks in advance.

Q: In comparing my portfolio to your suggested weightings a couple of sectors need to be rebalanced.

The areas where I have the least exposure are:
1. Consumer Disc/ Staples (Total 15%) vs my PF at 5% assuming I have categorized the stocks properly. Current holdings are DHX, AW.un,CGX and ACQ. What would you add to flush out this sector?
2. Telcos (10%) vs my PF at 2%. I do hold T and BCE. Should I just add to these or do have additonal suggestions?

The adjustments will be done over a period of time as much of the new buys will be funded by selling energy stocks where I am sitting at a 21% weighting - even with pullback in this sector. (Another argument for diversification. I thought I was so smart earlier this year with a heavy energy weighting. Live and learn!)

Thanks yet again for you help.

Q: Could you give an updated comment on this company, please. Also, in case you don't already know, the search feature doesn't seem to be working properly - tried ATA plus a couple of other symbols and I was getting a lot of non-related stock symbols returned.

Q: I am considering a switch from Corby Spirit & Wine to Diageo. I realize I am losing the dividend tax credit, a bit of yield, and taking on some currency risk, but gaining international exposure, size, and presumably growth potential. One concern is Diageo's volatility as compared to Corby. Any comments on this idea would be appreciated.

Q: hello- Do you have any thoughts on Aegion in the US- they are at a 2 year low - is their business similar to our Shawcor, which is still
holding up here in Canada?
Thanks

Q: what is your view between CBO and VSC.Any preference?
I see you have CVD in income portfolio,why? Have 160K to allocate to fix income in my RRSP.loOking at CBO,VSC (REAL SHORT TERM),CVD,XHY.
US industrial really taking a hit!Just a correction?UTX,FLR,PCP,BA.

Q: Do you know anything about this US company? It was a pounding recommendation of Cramer's which seems like I have held forever. Broke my own rules and am down 35 per cent. I have often heard that you if you are not comfortable averaging down on a company you own then you should just sell and move on. I thought it was a good company with all the conversion of gas stations to natural gas.

Q: I note on Sept 24 the CEO moved 147k shares ($2.6M worth) to different accounts - including $540k worth to his RRSP. Is it safe to assume this was purely for tax reasons, and can we infer he thought the stock was finding a bottom at $18?
It's amazing that the company easily raised $100M at $29 just 6 months ago. At 1/2 that price it appears a compelling buy.
Thanks for your thoughts on the company.

Q: Can you please let me know how you feel about Torc's fundamentals today. Thank you

Q: PLI looks like it has had the rug pulled from under it. How do you feel about it today and would you jump in even knowing its volatility.

Q: Hello Peter and team,

I would like to increase my exposure to the technology sector (10% to 15% of my portfolio). Currently it is 6.2% of my portfolio (4.1% in CSU and 2.1% in AVO). Should I add to these stocks to increase the weighting, or would you suggest other technology stocks to complement what I have. I am considering OTC. I am a medium risk, buy and hold investor (hold for 3+ years).

A similar question with consumer staples. I only have ATD.B and it is 3.8% of my portfolio. Should I add more to this stock, or would you suggest another stock to complement what I have.

I know it is practically against the law of investing to average down, but I could not resist picking up some AVO today at $13.52. Sir John Templeton said to “buy at the point of maximum pessimism”, and there has been a lot of pessimism lately on that stock. Easier said than done. I have not been able to tell when the point of “maximum pessimism” is reached until long after it has occurred. However, what gauges would you use to help you pinpoint the point of maximum pessimism for a company?

Paul J.

Q: Hello Again Folks:
As a retired farmer I am interested in agricultural companies. The only one I currently own is Agrium (many years) which continues struggling because of fundamental issues. Most miners including Agrium and Potash Corp are in the same difficult situation. Are you aware of other agricultural based companies with better outlooks.......I have owned Monsanto and Archer Daniels in the past?
Thank you again for your consideration.
brian

Q: Hi Peter and Team

I would like your opinion on the energy sector stocks. I am as most canadians heavily into financials and insurance. present energy weighting = zero.

I am by nature conservative with investments and fundamentally a dividend oriented investor and would appreciate your advice on 3 to 5 "energy sector " stocks with good company / business fundamentals and a track record of maintaining dividend payouts, that you believe will get through the present energy sector / oil price drop. (track record of getting through previous dips and lulls in energy sector is also desired.)

depending on my "greed" scale perhaps breaking down the choices into yields > or < 5 %.

my timeline horizon is long (looking mostly to buy and hold)

Thanks

Henry

Q: Hello: I have SGY, PEY AND GEI and wonder now with this area in correction if you would suggest names to add to my portfolio.

Q: Hi
Regarding recent question on Sector allocation recommendation, you don't mention Services. I am currently 18% in Services of which is CGX,DHX,A&W,TCN, H&R and QST according to RBC sector classification. Do you consider this appropriate? Where would these fit in your classifications?
Thanks
Kathy

Q: Hello,
I am not aware of any recent news that would justify investors dumping Sensio Technologies (SIO). Any comments? Also, is the drop in CPG mostly due to drop in oil prices? Thanks for your ongoing unbiased advice.

Q: Would it be a wise move to sell both CSS and CFN now as any gain now is limited and add to AVO with this dip.

This move would represent about 2% of my total portfolio.

Thank

Q: Just a comment on gaps: according to A.J. Monte of The Market Guys 80% of these get filled back in eventually so if you're bullish on AVO a reasonable target (to recoup some losses?) might be $25 where it gapped down from to $22 in May. $25 is also where the 200 day moving average is currently so it's not an unreasonable destination to look for. First though would be to break up over resistance at $17.50.

Q: CIBC report-there are some very good & welcomed positives beyond the reduction of the TP fr $40 to $25.Rating is SECTOR OUTPERFORM.Sales force growth ends as focus turns to bottom line is the headline.It is on track to meet revenue target & any shortfall can be made up by a accretive acquisition(s)with the $150m cash in hand($3 per share).The material drop over the past week is primarily due to investors lowering earnings expectations as well as the negative headline news. As I write,it is trading @ $14(up 0.45.3.2%)