Investment Q&A

Q: Any news on PZA that would account for today's drop? I'm thinking of adding a little to my existing position.

Q: Following-up on a question about Blackberry debentures: if my broker matches my bid with an in-house ask, does the TSX find out about the trade? I'm wondering because, according to tmxmoney.com, the debentures haven't changed hands since Jan 25, nor do quotes show any ask. If they're this tightly-held, then there doesn't seem to be much point adding to the bid unless there's unreported in-house trading going on.

Of course, I could set my bid farther above par, but with the debs at 3.75% and the share price stagnant for the past three years, it seems as likely that I'd lose money. I understand that some debt is, essentially, privately-held; fine - I'm just trying to understand what's possible.

Q: When buying stocks strictly as a source of dividend retirement income, should you be
concerned about the stock price volatility as long as the dividend remains safe and is
sustainable? I am basically searching for dependable income and not stock price
appreciation.

Q: Hi I am looking to further diversify my portfolio. I have about 70 percent in the market and that is the highest I want to go. I have some tips, xbb and hfr and too much cash but having hard time with rates rising to go to bonds. The xhy seems to go with market, I was wondering about individual bonds or will they trade closely with market. I was looking at them. How does one choose the right duration, if it is over valued it could get called? and I loose money. There seems so many when I look at my investorline I don't know where to start. any ideas?

Q: During significant market corrections in the past, how much have dividend payouts by listed companies been affected? I am planning for retirement and wanted to know if I should use the current value of my dividends (mostly large cap companies) as annual income or whether I should plan that the dividends could decrease. If they could decrease, what would be an approximate percent drop to use in my plan? Thanks!

Q: just a comment re your comments on student transportation, i have owned stb for almost 2 years paying just over 5.00 a shares, it has been a huge winner, furthermore the 8 per cent u,s. dividend worksout to over 10 per cent cdn.it now represents 8 per cent of my portfolio and i am happy to hold it, i also really like the management team, they keep getting huge wins . dave

Q: I would like your comments on the payout ratio of STB and their debt situation. Some comments claimed that their payout ratio is over 100 percent and they are borrowing to cover this.

Thank you,

Walter Schwager

Q: In the Rate Reset Preferred space, what do you like? Any ETFs that you prefer for an income-focused small holding?
Len

Q: 5i

What is a covered call and what is the risk level in a covered call ETF in both a rising market and a falling market. Looking at ZWH and ZWU as my utilities segment is low as is my USA segment of my portfolio. Yield on both is good and I am looking more for income with a little growth.

Wayne

Q: Would you please comment on the purchase of Alta Gas Subscription Receipts.
Thanks,
Bill

Q: I have both Enbridge and Brookfield Renewable in my portfolio. Would it be advantageous to move to one or the other? It seems that Enbridge is setting itself up quite nicely for long term growth and income and looks to be a real good buy and hold. BEP is no slouch either. Please let me know your analysis, much appreciated, thanks!

Q: I have a question about this group of target maturity bond etfs. Are they an appropriate investment for a rrif in this rising interest rate enviroment as an alternative to individual bonds. How does one choose maturity dates apart from yield? Thanks for your wisdom.
Tom

Q: Good Morning
My average cost on ALA is $38.00 and the weight around 2%. I have two questions:
1. Would you recommend that I average down at the current stock price.
2. If so, should I be buying ALA or ALA.r (receipts)
Thank you

Q: Hi 5i,
For the 5i income portfolio, what would 5i suggest as suitable replacement for
FLOT, Loblaw, SLW, SGY, DH preferably with stocks or etf yielding at least 3.5%. Would VET be a good replacement for SGY?
For a $100,000 portfolio you have 19 stocks
How many more stocks would you add if the portfolio is $500,000 or $1,000,000
Thanks.

Q: If you had to pick one, which would it be and why?

Q: I'm looking at CanWel building materials to add in my dividend portfolio. It will pay a juicy dividend at the end of this month and with all the houses needed to be rebuild in Fort Mcmurray I think this might give a boost to there earnings this summer. What is your thought on my thinking?

Q: Hi Peter I was told yesterday that the short position on EIF3.4% of the outstanding shares .
What is normal for a bank ,energy co or a Telco.
Kind Regards Stan
PS were can I find this info

Q: Being retired I like the idea of funds that use covered calls to boost dividends. I have a limited amount of these funds because I do not want to miss the upside. However, if you assume that, in general, valuations are stretched right now, would the attractiveness of these funds not increase? In addition they are a natural source of diversification.
This question was prompted by a recent response to a question on DFN. My RBC website shows a monthly dividend yield of 10 cents or 11 % annually. Am I correct to assume that this is a calculation based on history and that if I bought this fund now, the actual distribution I will get will depend on a number of market factors and there is no way to actually predict it.
Thanks in advance and congratulations to Ryan.

Q: I like the cash flow from utilities and Transalta seems to be getting a handle on the new operating environment in Alberta. RNW is approx 60% owned by TA and that would mean the market is pricing TA only for it's share of RNW and assigning no value to the rest of TA business. Are my assumptions correct and if so do you have any idea why this would be so. Thanks
Kenn

Q: Hi: You previously made a comment on LFE in Nov 2016 about this Insurance company group. It has now paid a Dividend for 4 consecutive months. The effective yield is over 18%. Do you think this will last? What may cause this to stop paying a dividend, like it did a few years ago? Has your overall opinion changed. Thanks. Ken ....