Investment Q&A

Q: These companies were mentioned in the Globe as financiers for the small cap sector, such as cannabis. Any preference? Thank you!

Q: Hi thinking of buying cbl for income the most recent question and answer asked on it looks like maybe your positive thoughts on the company have changed ?

Q: Do you have a up to date opinion on this company, thanks.

Q: I am looking for a preferred that can be expected to hold its' value over time. I understand that it should be a decent credit rating, have a fixed reset rate and be non-convertible. Does this preferred meet that criteria, or could you recommend one ?

Thank you,

Tim

Q: Hi,
I live in Ontario and we have private medical benefits through my husbands employer that cover 80% (to a limit) of our medication costs. I recently refilled my son's asthma inhalers. The government covered the entire cost and our private coverage (which we pay a portion for) now pays nothing. The government / tax payer now pays the entire amount and private insurance now pays nothing even when the customer has coverage. Do you think this will have a significant impact on any health insurance share prices/earnings? If so what companies would benefit the most by having a large client base in Ontario?
Thanks,
Kerri

Q: I have often wondered why a large diversified company like Fairfax gets almost no analyst coverage? No buy/sell recommendations (except for 5i) and even Thompson Reuters can't give it a score? Is it simply too much work to figure out what Prem is up to?

Q: Hi,
I'd please like your opinion on whether I should swap out CWB and into LB?
Thank you,
Kerri

Q: What is your opinion on this company. I could not find research report on your website about this company. How does it grade?

Q: I understand that due to the new US Tax bill, US banks as well as Cdn Banks with US operations such as TD will take a charge in the 1st quarter. Do you think these bank stocks will take a hit this quarter as a result of this charge and thus I should delay investing in TD and US banks.

Q: How significant do you think Visa's new sensory tech will be on momentum? I am trying to add to my financial sector. I have Royal Bank and Square. Any thoughts?

Q: Greetings 5i,

I am considering adding a long-term, full position (5%) in V. This addition is attractive to me based on its international brand presence, solid track record, and the rising interest rates that will likely help profits moving forward. I am not concerned about the short-term ramifications of the recent US tax reform on its long-term viability.

My current financial exposure consists of TD.TO and BNS.TO (roughly 3.5% each), as well as full positions in BRK.B and BAM.A (although, due to the breadth of their holdings, I look at BRK and BAM more like diversified "hybrids" than single financial positions).

I am 36 years old, debt-free, conservative (although not totally adverse to risk), and greatly prefer long-term holds that do not require constant monitoring. My investment portfolio is strictly for the purpose of expediting my retirement, and I have no need of its funds for the foreseeable future.

Does the addition of V sound like a reasonable course of action at this time?

Thank you.

Q: Hi, it appears self driving cars are going to be on the streets much sooner than anyone thought a short while ago. Meanwhile technological improvements have the potential to greatly reduce the frequency of accidents and eventually may eliminate them altogether, perhaps reducing the need for insurance or significantly reducing premiums or coverages? What impact might this have on major auto insurer like IFC? Thanks.

Q: Hello Team,
Do you feel US banks have substantially more growth potential at this time than the big Canadian banks given Nafta risks and the state of the current state of the two economies?
Kind Regards,
Barry

Q: Hi, I own the above companies mainly for income and some growth. Would these be negatively impacted by rising interest rates and if so, would a switch to BNS or SLF be warranted.

Thanks

Q: Good Afternoon 5i,

Excluding the big banks and MFC, SLF, what are your top 3 picks for Canadian financials?

Thanks!

Q: Looking for suggestions for 2018 TFSA contribution for 20 year old for long-term hold, slowly building out a more diversified portfolio. Current holdings/weightings are TOY (23%), PHO (20%), SIS (18%), KXS (20%) and PBH (18%). Thanks.

Q: BNS is the worst performer of the big 5 plus NA.It ranks #5 on 1yr return @ 6.1%,last on 3mo.@ 2% & 1mo @ 1.5%(as @ Jan 11/18 per TR).Recently a $2.9b acquistion of BBVA's Chile franchise.It is a fact that the above 6 banks takes turn to lead.So it is time to buy some BNS.Thanks for u usualgreat services & views.

Q: In light of the Globe's vague yet suggestive article yesterday, https://www.theglobeandmail.com//report-on-business/streetwise/manulifes-us-arm-swept-up-in-ges-95-billion-insurance-writedown/article37628227/, how would you interpret this to impact manulife's overall business? The article implies that many insurers are ill prepared for the degree long term claims with this aging population. I recognize this is regarding the John Hancock business in the US and I am interested in your take on how this might impact the stock overall? Is it time to switch to Sunlife? Any of your well thought out advice is much appreciated.

Q: I sold EFN and bought ECN for hopefully more growth 6 months ago. Just looked and EFN is back down around 9$? I would have thought that EFN would be a big beneficiary of the strong US economy. What are you're thoughts? Do you think EFN is undervalued and a good investment?

Q: Hi Team,

What is your opinion on POW? It appears to be globally diversified and a decent bet in a higher interest rate / potential NAFTA changing environment . What is your midterm outlook for this company as compared to a standard insurance company?

Thanks!