Investment Q&A

Q: Hi Peter and Team! I know that Us stocks are not something you specialize in, but I was thinking that I might like to invest in a Us bank with good stability and growth potential ,or an ETF that holds a basket of US banks. Any suggestions? Kind Regards, Tamara

Q: I'm an income investor who purchased 5000 shares of ECI at $16.57. As I am holding about 7% of my portfolio in ECI, I am wondering if now is the time to sell half of these shares and invest in some real estate as this is an sector I don't have any holding in.

Q: Would you be comfortable to have 3-5% FFH now?
Thanks very much.

Q: May I please have your assessment of the results if First National
Thank you very much

Q: I am looking to get into a bank. Which Bank would you buy first

Q: Hello 5i
FSZ has been marking time since its run up earlier this year.
Do you feel this is a good "value like" entry point?

In light of the recent acquisition, have you heard or is there indication of how the purchase will be funded.......a share issue expected?


Looking to purchase for excellent dividend and 3 to 5 year growth prospects, 3% wieght in a conservative / diversified portfolio.

Thanks
DAve

Q: Having an Income portfolio including the above companies, I'm unsure of the effects of a potential increase in US rates in say December 2016 when at the same time the Bank of Canada holds rates or even maintains dovish tone signally near term rate cut. Will holding Canadian interest rates steady offset what would otherwise be negative pressure of a US rate increase on Canadian dividend paying stocks? Thanks

Q: I am primarily building an income portfolio for retirement in 5-6 years. It will represent about 30-40% of my retirement income. Alongside this I like to invest in some equities for capital gains. My question revolves around the need for any value investments I have owned EFV for about 10 years and really has done nothing. I also own the Chou 100 and 102 funds. My question is whether or not you think to be properly diversified one should have some money in value investments. If so, what ones would you recommend.

Thank You

Paul

Q: Peter, what is your current take on GS ... share value ... dividend ... short term ... and five years? Thanks, Colin

Q: As of December 1, 2014 BNS was at 70.50$, and is now at 70.87$.

Is this normal ? (This is an A- rated company !)

Q: Has your view on HBG changed for the positive since your last comment appearing June 30, 2016? Has it grown its assets under management much since then? Is there a minimum dollar investment required in this ETF within an RRSP? Mike Newton of I believe Scotia Bank recently had HBG as a top pick on BNN around October 6-7/16 or thereabouts.

Q: I was comparing banks and was intrigued by comparison between these 2.
YOY, BNS is about 14% higher than CM, whereas 5 yr return shows both very similar return. Is there a merit in switch from BNS to CM,to take benefit of relative discount on cibc. Over longer term banks have moved in locksteps. thanks

Q: I am a little confused by your answer to Richard's question yesterday about HCG. On the one hand, you still consider HCG a good long term investment, while on the other hand, you said that you took it out of the Balanced Portfolio on short term prospects. I had thought that your advice was based on long term investing, not short term trading. I would appreciate your clarification.

Thanks,

Q: Have held this for 18 months ,been very patient as a lot of BNN analysts have liked it with the promise of "unlocking value" when the company splitting into 2 ,but they only thing that has happened really is the stocks "dropping in value" any reason why and your thoughts for the next year on these 2 companies..thanks.

Q: Interesting comments from David Baskin yesterday on why he still holds HCG. Only 8% of their portfolio is insured, so new mortgage rules should have a limited impact, and estimated earnings are $4.00 so very cheap at current price. As a longterm holder I'm considering averaging down. Appreciate your advice.

Q: Hello Peter and Staff
Please dock whatever questions you feel are appropriate. I believe HCG is only residential mortgages which caused you to drop it from the portfolio due to recent rules introduced. I also believe First National is in the same boat,ie beaten up because of its residential nature lending to home owners. I guess the CEO was on BNN and said the banks may take 20% of their business. FC and AI and TMC have not suffered the same fate so far. Are they not affected?
Also ,if you were to buy TMC for yield to replace FN, do you buy TMC or TF?
Thanks for all you do
Dennis

Q: Looking for financial sector allocation suggestions as replacement for HCG/mortgage sector. Already have positions in EFN/ECN/CXI/BNS/SLF...any suggestions? or okay with going to 20% on tech vs current 15% 35 years old, money is all in registered accounts, little debt, and no need for money in next 10-20 years

Q: I am resending question thanks for your patience. I was curious whether tf would be affected much by the new mortgage rulings, as it is a short term commercial investment grade mortgage lender. The share price seems to be climbing since the new laws were announced. It appears to have a high dividend with adequate coverage.. Thanks Tom

Q: Does the governments recent changes to mortgage criteria change your opinion of FCF in light of the fact their only holding currently is Dominion Lending.

Q: I sold not only HomeCapital but EQB, because Cohodes, our nemesis, is now shorting it as well. Now I'm left with First National. As much as I'd like to think I'm a long-term investor, my gut tells me once retail investors read about the news on alternative lenders this weekend, the stock sell-off will accelerate. Some insiders are also selling, even the CEO of HomeCapital who sold a massive amount of shares at 34.50 right after that buyback announcement? Another insider sold over 400k at 27.50 less than two weeks ago? For me, the last nail in the coffin was Sherry Cooper's interview yesterday on BNN (Dominion Lending). Most surprising, the CEO of First National came on Bloomberg basically saying: "It's bad for us and banks will take 20% of our market". Question: Would you sell First National and replace it with Surge Energy, which is back in an uptrend? Thanks.