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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: Preferred shares and fixed income

Hi 5i team : I own only common stocks in my portfolio and since I am a mature person that is near retirement, I have the feeling that my exposure to common stocks is very high. So far, to mitigate my risk, I keep daily of the market changes, so I do not get caught in a drastic downturn.
To get more protection, I have thought in buying some preferred shares , but I know nothing about them to start a position.
Are the P.S. a good way to go ?, if so, what should I learn about them and how (references, books, etc), also what would be a reasonable percentage of my portfolio to have in P.S.?
thanks for your help
Alex
Read Answer Asked by Alejandro (Alex) on July 28, 2016
Q: Did anything of substance come out of the conference call?

I was hoping the CC may calm some nerve but the selling persisted through out the day. Based on the volumes it sure looked like some of the major institutional holders may be bailing out on AD.

Anyway, should us small retails follow suit? I'm about 12% in the hole and it would take two years of "coupon clipping" just to get even, so to speak.

What's your take on all these?
Read Answer Asked by Victor on July 28, 2016
Q: Hello, Since eif and ad have both been ranked about even do you see eif facing the same demise as ad. I bought alaris the day before earnings release and took a serious haircut. As I write this am wondering if there is any relation to ex dividend and earnings release for Alaris. Thanks lots
Read Answer Asked by Alan on July 28, 2016
Q: First, let me say thank you for your excellent advice. I appreciate your service to assist us.

I have an investment in PIF and I am thinking of adding as the stock seems to be technically strong with an attractive dividend. Since the stock split in May, 2015 it has done very little and it was in a decline prior to the stock split. Do you know much about the Company's history and what are your thoughts on Company's future? More specifically would you be comfortable buying?

Don
Read Answer Asked by Donald on July 27, 2016
Q: Peter; The Alberta government just announced they are going to challenge a agreement made by the previous PC government to basically allow power companies out of contracts if they proved to be unprofitable due to actions by the government. It's called the ENRON agreement.. Can you quantify which companies these would be, and the impact, if the challenge is upheld.? Thanks. Rod
Read Answer Asked by Rodney on July 27, 2016
Q: Scotia iTrade (and presumably other brokers as well) offers two different Sherritt bonds for purchase: Coupon 8%, maturity 15-Nov-2018, yield-to-maturity 43.94%; Coupon 7.5% maturity 24-Sep-2020, YTM 29.08%.
Two questions: (1) How can the earlier bond maturity have the higher YTM? It seems it should be the opposite.
(2) I assume that an annual yield of 44% essentially mean that the probability of bankruptcy by the first maturity date is very high. Is there a likelihood of any substantial "recovery" (i.e. less than 100%) in the event of default? What is your opinion of the risk / reward if I were purchase the 2018 bond?

Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Gregory on July 27, 2016
Q: Further to your earlier answer yesterday, you referred to the payout ratio as still being high. My impression is that they have been lowering it over the last 2 or 3 years. I seem to recall it is in the 70's percent-wise, having been in the 90's. If my memory is correct (no guarantees here!), this shows very positive improvement, in line with the targets espoused by their CEO in previous calls.
Would you be able to tell me what the payout ratio is currently (based on cash flow, I assume), and also indicate how you are calculating it from the numbers off of the statements? I am particularly interested in knowing the adjustments you make, and your reasoning.
(This, I hope, falls into the category of not just giving me fish, but teaching me HOW to fish!)
Also, at least one other analyst doesn't get the seasonality of their quarterly statements (they have a slow period - the summer - when the kids aren't on the bus)and keeps referring to the falling profitability without due consideration. Do you refer to yearly stats when calculating payout ratios and such, or if not, what adjustments do you make to the statements regarding seasonality?
Thanks!
paul
Read Answer Asked by Paul on July 26, 2016
Q: Now that the Brexit vote uncertainty has diminished a bit, would it be a good time to add to European market exposure? Presently hold ZWE for income. Would you add to ZWE or open a position in another etf? If so, which etfs would you recommend for income? Which for growth? Possible ZDI ?Looking at 2-3 year time frame. Many thanks for the terrific service.
Read Answer Asked by Don on July 25, 2016
Q: Hello 5I,

This is a question about Student Transportation (STB). I have read your comments that 'it is not one of your favourites'. However a new report out by National Bank (July 6) highlights the growth opportunity for STB as it moves into asset management (school boards & other 3rd party) part of the bus fleet business. They suggest that fleet management could represent 25% of STB total revenue by 2021. They see payout ratios falling and free cash flows potentially doubling in this 5 year timeframe. Finally National suggests that STB could become a dividend growth story 'in the not to distant future'.

Would this information be a cause for you too rethink your views on STB, take a wait and see stance or are you still not inclined to view the company favourably.

As always. take your opinion very seriously.

Cheers,
Bob Ahearn
Read Answer Asked by Robert on July 25, 2016
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