Investment Q&A

Q: Good Morning Peter & Team :
I think there are good investment opportunities in businesses involved in financing loans to self-employed people or people with poor or no credit history, euphemistically called "bruised credit". These are companies that provide chattel mortgages [mainly car loans] and/or "Payday" loans. The companies must have rigorous and effective loan loss controls in place. Many of the widely advertised payday loan companies such as Wonga and Cash Stores do not appear to trade on any exchange but there must be others that do.

So far I have identified Easyhome [EH], Carfinco [CFN], and Rifco [RFC] which might fit into this general category of high risk loans.

I would appreciate your advice on what other companies there are that I should consider, and I would value your opinion on the best and safest way to invest in this category, for both strong growth and at least a modest dividend.
Thankyou........... Paul

Q: Hi,

I have just joined and been browsing.

With regards to your model portfoliio, is it possible to add a column to say if it is still a buy or a hold. I mean, at the time of portfolio initiation, maybe a stock was a buy, bur its price appreciation may have made it a hold and not an attractive buy at this time.

As a new member, how can I know if it is still OK to set a portfolio to match your model portfolio?

Thanks

Q: I would like to know which of your model portfolio companies would be considered suitable for an income portfolio.
Thank you.

Q: I would like your opinion on 3 names FTN,DFN,INC.U all pay large dividends, are the dividends secure and do you see any growth. thanks

Q: I suggest the portfolio to be added in the new year should be a dividend portfolio. The current model and a growth model would both be directed principally towards the younger crowd. I think there are a lot of retired/older members and we would be left out of the models. Thanks

Q: Thanks 5I for your amazing site! You've effectively replaced my "full-service broker" and done a much better job.
In my portfolio, I hold 100% Canadian stocks. Does it make sense that I compare it's 2013 performance to that of the TSE, rather than the S&P500?
Also, if you think I should have exposure other than Canadian, what do you suggest, and in what amount?
Thank you very much!!!

Q: Seasons Greetings to all at 5i: I want to slowly get back into equities; I am 67. I have 5 sectors in mind: industry, resources, consumer, finance and utilities. Do I have your blessing on the sectors I chose for diversification and if so please suggest 2 conservative stocks for each sector. Thank you, Rick

Q: goodday,your thoughts on Zinc,and if you like this metal a couple of names in this sector tkx pat

Q: What do you think of the following companies: TAO, TT, CLL, CSF, PMT, VLE, SDX? Do I should sell all of them or is this some hope?

Thanks for your advice and have a good year.

Q: Please provide me with your opinion on Pulse Seismic (PSD TSX). Thanks Gerry

Q: Retirement Planning Software

In response to a member's question about retirement planning I have used andd would recommend

OTAR Retirement Planner
Mr Otar also has a book called unveiling the retirement Myth
which seems to complement the software

The book gets into a lot of retirement planning topics and the software supports what is in the book. Perhaps a person might buy the book an then decide if he wants the software.

RRIFMETIC

This program is similar to the Otar planner , but also adds
a very accurate income tax component which allows accurate estimation of gross income required I started with OTAR and would have been fine with it ut found that I liked the income tax component of RRIFMETIC.

Both I think are designed for financial planning professionals
but are useable by lay people such as myself.

Websites can be found using GOOGLE. (Otar or RRIFMETIC should work)

I think these products are fairly proced and I would recommend either or both. Otar may be more suitable to start.


Please feel free to publish any or all of the above if you do not have reservations about the products.

Thanks on advance

Q: What Canadian stocks do you think will get the most American interest and might get the most upside next year? I'm looking for investment ideas for new TSFA and RRSP money in January.

Thanks Peter for your invaluable advice! Happy Holidays!

Q: Hello Peter
My total market value portfolio is about $136,000 it consist of:
ACQ in TFSA 10.8%
CSU in TFSA 11.4%
AD in TFSA 8.0 %
BAD in TFSA 11.1%
AYA 8.5%
STN 6.8%
BYD.UN 8.0%
MG 3.8%
ESL 5.7%
RRX 5.6%
MCB 6.1%
DHX 8.1%
LSI 6.1%
On January 01.2014 I want to invest into my TFSA account $10,500
and another $10,000 into other part of my portfolio.

I am down on AD about 15% and on LSI about 16%.
My question is should I increase existing units number or add another stocks like AVO or HCG or maybe you have any suggestions.
Regards Andrew B.

Q: Regarding AXX (Axia) what is the PE net of their cash position (once the sales close)?
You mentioned in an answer to a previous question they don't appear to have a good growth profile, however, in the most recent quarter they reported 14% YOY EBITDA growth. The covage network in France appears to have a good growth profile and the new network coming on line in Massachussets should add even further growth.
They appear to have a strong clean balance sheet and a proven ability to develop and monetize these fibre networks. I would think longer term someone either buys out their networks or they'll turn into a nice cash cow type utility company. Am I missing something here what's not to like?

Rob

Q: Hello,

Is ESL still a buy at this price?

Would you choose ESL or AYA if you could only buy one of them?

Thanks,
Carla

Q: Hello Peter and team:

Wishing all of you joy, peace and health in the new year.

I am considering adding Constellation (CSU) and VRX to my portfolio. Is it too late to add any of these or should I wait for a dip? What about the debt levels for CSU and VRX? Would you be worried?
I have small positions in HCG, MG and CCT. Some people are suggesting to sell all of these: CCT, MG and HCG? What do you think? Is there more upside in these stocks?

Thanks for a great service. Sirish

Q: HI Peter & Co: No hurry with this. Today on BNN, James Hodgins had some good things to say about Neulion (NEU). Would you give me your take on this company?

Many thanks

Q: Hi,
I have received a proxy package from Renegade Petroleum. Looks like a group headed by Rick George wants to throw out the old Board of Directors. Do you think this might be a good idea, the stock sure has underperformed?

Thanks,
Charlie

Q: Hi Peter and Team...Your self esteem must be sky high knowing you are helping little investors compete with the large financial institutions! Your ethical service will be very successful because you are fulfilling an urgent business need!
I know Eric Nutall and other analysts have promoted Painted Pony in the past. The stock has now fallen to $6.50.
I know it was probably hit hard with tax loss selling. However, I would love to get your current update on this stock. How do you rate there fundamentals...balance sheet, properties, management and ability to survive in the 'new world of oil'...Do you think there are any skeletons in the closet? If there are risks would you rate it a contrarian play?
Thanks always for your precise and concise response!
Dr. Ernest Rivait

Q: Hi Peter and best of the season.
PSD was haulted and then came back with a 10% lift. Any news there? I remember when you were regularly on BNN Market Call and often a Top Pick would get a similar bounce (you and Joseph Schachter seemed to be only ones who could do that). Jason Donville had this one as a TP on the 24th. Could this have been a Donville bounce? Thanks.