Investment Q&A

Q: This question dates some years back but it still bothers me: why did not a single money manager, commentator, etc. ever express any reservations about Manulife before the stock crashed big time? They all said it was marvellous, solid, excellent management, etc. Did noone really have any idea of its problems? It's left me mistrustful ever since.

Thanks,
Astrid

Q: I realize that there is much to like about CXI, but wonder if its post-banking-license-value is already reflected in the share price; as such, what's to prevent a sell-on-news decline? Put another way: for the price to go up, there needs to be a meaningful number of potential investors who haven't bought-in, yet, because they don't think the license is going to happen (or happen any time soon.) But there seems to be a consensus that it will, so where's the driver for price appreciation?

Q: Hi Peter & Team: Your comments to Allen's question today: "but expect a flat to declining sector..." I own this in my Riff and in a loss position, should I let it go? Thank you.

Q: I have both which would you own?Thanks for your great effort! What would you replace if you think I should in the same sectorThaks Cliff

Q: Hi Peter,

You mentioned that if you had to pick a mutual fund, you like CI Financial. I personally am very fond of the Mawer Balanced fund, which you also mentioned as a good family of funds.

Of coarse a good way to make money is to buy the fund company rather than the funds...
I currently hold IGM (Investors Group), but I am wondering if you think CIX would be a better choice going forward.

Thank you for your great service.

Q: I wrote you on MIL.us in Oct 2014. Your comment resonated with me and I held on(I have a large capital loss which I cannot use). I am still perplexed about MIL. Biases aside, I would throw MIL overboard. However MIL shows it is as generally an excellent value-growth situation. MIL looks very good on commonly used metrics ---except for momentum.

MIL has proposed to buy a small bank in Europe and is making changes on its board. I am hard pressed to find anything overly negative on MIL-- certainly nothing that would prevent it from winning the passionate love of investors.

Are you aware of reason(s) that prevent MIL’s share price from getting off the mat? Is the attractive dividend vulnerable to cuts?

Q: Can you provide an update on EFH? Do you think it is a buy at his time?

Q: We currently hold TD, BNS and BMO. Is there any advantage to holding ZWB instead of individual Canadian banks in the current market environment? Would the covered-call overlay produce additional returns over holding the individual banks?

Q: Compared to the other banks would you agree BNS is the bank with the highest exposure to commodities especially with its exposure to latin america. Also with the weakening Canadian economny how significant will loan loss provisions be in the not so distant future not only for BNS but the other banks?

Q: seems to be a lot of bank recommends lately, your feelings on that and can you give me your best advice in canada and usa

Q: Peter : How do you view todays news--Good bad or neutral Thanx Robbie

Q: Good Morning,
I have completed a review of my portfolio and have concluded I have 10% insurance exposure probably a bit too high, made up of SLF,MFC,GWO and PWF. I know GWO & PWF are basically one in the same as PWF owns GWO. Which ones would you drop to reduce some exposure here? Thank-you.

Q: HI there. Can I get your opinion on "BAC" Bank of America Corp.
I also hold it. Should I sell it or hold it.

Thanks!

Q: Financials are currently 7% weighting in my portfolio (RY, BNS, TD, CIX, MFC, JPM). I have some cash and was thinking of bumping up to 10% weight. I know you like BNS, IGM and SLF. WFC looks appealing but the 30% premium on the USD is concerning to me. Any other recommendations? Looking for something at the middle to lower end of the risk spectrum. Thanks

Q: DCI released an operation update July 15th. Thoughts on the update? How positive will it be for the stock to get a banking license?

Thanks

Robert

Q: with the big drop in share price is home capital a screamimg buy or a value trap
the announcement they made about cutting off brokers was it prudent business decision or an indication of more problems

Q: How do you see the Bac performing with rates going higher? What do you prefer regional banks or the larger banks like Bac or Wells Fargo banks? Or simply buy an etf and if so which one?

Q: I would appreciate your opinion on the retirement of Mr.Webb as well as your assessment of their assets under management and their performance fees.Thank you, Don.

Q: Would you please comment on TCM.I was thinking of taking a small speculative position and waiting for a recovery in this sector.

Q: I have two UK banks:Barclays , ADR symbol BCS.us ; and Lloyds LYG.us. I probably should not have both and thought of selling LYG especially after I saw you said BCS has 5.4% dividend in a your in Apr 2015. Between BCS and LYG , do you think LYG is the right one to shed?
FYI: In your reply of Apr 17 2015 you mentioned BCS has a yield of 5.4% p.a. Various other sources show yield at half of that. You use Bloomberg terminals which would be more reliable than the sites popular with retail investors. I have however noticed a number of securities for which you mention a yield that is materially different from other sources. I will give higher credence to data you mention . I am however puzzled about the recurring or frequent discrepancies.