Investment Q&A

Q: I'd like to start a DRIP plan for my son
What is a good choice for a DRIP plan stock?

Q: A couple of questions on the financials. Your Jan/14 report showed $360 million in cash. The most recent quarter you noted shows $1.3biln ($14 cash per share).That's quite a jump for a company with a market cap of $700mil I am wondering where all the cash comes from?
Your report also mentioned $8 of book value. Equity as of the most recent quarter is $1.1biln with pref stock of $206mil. Does that mean $12.50 of book value?
The current ratio is just over 1, is that normal for this kind of business?
Finally you mention principal trading as a risk.Is this represented in the $1biln of short term investments?
Thanks
Mike

Q: In the event that CXI does not get its banking license, what are the implications for this company? Is the license approval imminent? Does anyone really have a timeframe on this or could it drag on for years? (I'm not certain how long a process, or how arduous, it is to be granted a banking license.) I was thinking of selling my Surge Energy and replacing it with CXI to see if I can inject a bit more torque into an account that has seen a 50% loss, but I don't want to be selling/buying a pig in a poke. (Any suggestions would be welcome, including a different company.)

Thanks for your advice! Happy New Year to all at 5i!

Q: A&W Food Services of Canada Inc filed an "Early Warning Report" this morning wrt A&W Revenue Royalties Income Fund. The text is long; can you explain; what impact might this have on the current share price.

Q: I noticed your caveat about AYA with regards the ongoing insider trading investigation. As I recall (never having owned a stock that was under one) these investigations can take a remarkable long time to get to first base (if the "raid" is considered putting the ball in play)even. Surely months if not years. With the growth that AYA has displayed (a good Q4 expected) it seems likely(to me)that a recovery of the share price is a reasonable assumption. Would you comment around these observations for me please?

Q: We have a 1.5% position in WSP Global and 1.5% in Stantec (STN) and no holdings in the Transportation sector. Do you have a recommendation re adding to WSP versus buying Trimac (TMA) or Transforce (TFI), or other thoughts.

Q: Looking to add one stock to my TFSA.Which one would you choose between CXI and DHX.B?

Q: How secure is their dividend?

Q: I have a quarter position in Rifco that has not been working.
Would you trade this for Currency Exchange International(CXI)?
I would like to ensure my $ in the higher risk/higher growth portion of my portfolio are in the names that have the best chance of working.

Q: I hold two tech stocks at present, ESL and GIB.A. I would like to add a third and wonder which of the following you favour at this time: CSU, ET, OTC, SYZ. Thank you.

Q: I see that there is still a bit of insider buying in Aston Hill with net buying overall. Do you have any insight regarding how AHF is progressing with restructuring their Assets Under Management ? Would you consider them a speculative buy here ?

Thank You
Clarence

Q: Hi Peter/Team,

What's your opinion on putting new money in DH at this time.

Thanks,
Jim

Q: STN has averaged 17% for last 10 yrs (source: G&M). Total 10 yr. is ~410% - nearly all of this was made in a parabolic move of ~1 ½ yrs starting in mid-2012. Since Sept it has dropped like a rock. Do you suspect it will continue falling this year? (I am interested in growth stocks). Thanks.

Q: Just a basic, general question. Do you think currency exchange intl would be a better investment than avigilon (avo), over about a three year time frame, thanks?

Q: hello 5i:
I'm currently slightly underweight financials and would like to add to a small holding of FSZ. I've read your reply to a question in December (FSZ vs CF),and am slightly puzzled by the response. FSZ currently trades at a PE of 13.7 vs a normal PE of 21.5 and a cash flow of 15.4 vs a normal of 24.5. This appears, to me, to be much more upside than CF offers. Do I have my figures right? Do you consider FSZ a buy at the moment, or should I be looking to add to positions in BNS, or other areas of the financials that show more opportunity?
thanks
Paul L

Q: Hi Everyone and Happy New Year to All
I am hoping you can help with an analysis of CSU.My broker shows expected earnings for 2015 of $15.09 although that is up from 14.89 60 days ago.Is this what you are expecting? Also I am wondering what cash flow number you expect.
Is cash flow a better figure to look at here? I notice they record Goodwill and Intangibles separately but only amortize Intangibles?
Would a declining Euro have much impact on their numbers?
Many thanks
Mike

Q: I have held on to this stock in order to take the gain in 2015. There was some talk around the time the takeover was announced about an extraordinary dividend upon closing. Do you have any news or information about this? Should I sell or hold on until closing?

Jim

Q: I wish to invest in Canadian non durable consumer goods as I think Consumer money saved from lower gas prices will go there.
Which one is better CCL, WPK, RPI.UN or GIL, sh I follow your rating?

Art

Q: Happy New Year. I have a 30 stock portfolio that is equal weighted. One of the position is BPF.UN. I have concerns that Boston Pizza will face headwinds this year given 103 out of 358 stores are located in Alberta and that part of the Canadian economy will taking it on the chin due to lower oil prices. Is this a concern? If you held this would you continue to hold? many thanks.

Q: Hi Peter, Regarding the closing of acquisition of Pioneer Energy:

"Parkland announces that its 2015 guidance of $235 million to $265 million in EBITDA will be reduced due to this delayed closing. Parkland's 2015 guidance will be updated once the consents and approvals have been obtained, and the anticipated closing date for the Acquisition is determined. Parkland does not expect the annualized EBITDA of the Acquisition of approximately $55 million to be affected by this delayed closing."

What are your thoughts on this? How would this affect the stock price? I own it @ 21.50....if affected negatively, would it be a good idea to sell and repurchase at a lower price?

Thank you! and I wish you, your team and all the members a Healthy, Happy and Prosperous New Year!!