Investment Q&A

Q: With potential pressure on the CDN mortgage market would you advise the following trades. Sell AI.Db.A and FC.Db.A, convertible debentures form 16% of my portfolio the 2 mentioned 4%, and buy VCN. Would this really be just a circular trade?

Thanks again for your much valued input.

Q: Today in a response to Joanna regarding softness in the banks you stated "worry about the housing market in general". I would appreciate expansion on what you meant by that statement - what in the housing market would cause the banks to worry? Are you referring to housing markets generally or to markets in specific parts of the country?
Thank you.

Q: why do you think the banking sector is so soft?

Q: I am curious if you guys have any thoughts on the newly listed Inspira on the venture exchange?

Q: Peter and team,
I have been trying to get a quote on CXS for the last week or so without any luck. I found today that it is going as SCB (Street Capital?) Is there any significance to the name change (I thought Street Capital was a subsidiary)? What do you think of it at this time?
Gary

Q: SCB took a hit this morning, I suppose because of HCG's news. Do you still find SCB a good value and perhaps worth adding some at this lower point?

Q: what's going on with FN price action? Can't find any news and don't have all the market data. Is it related to Alberta exposure? Thanks

Q: Can you give us your thoughts on HCG in light of their new outlook. Is this a buying opportunity?

Q: I piled into GNW.us just days before management confessed to large capital shortfalls causing shares to fall off a cliff. Management would have known about the significant deficit in reserves months ahead of releasing results, yet I see no actions pending against them by US regulatory bodies.

I compounded my buy error by anchoring on my much higher cost, a logic error well documented in behavioral economics. I thought GNW.us owned a chunk of the Canadian company Genworth (MIC.to) . I could not confirm whether GNW.us still owns a significant percentage of Genworth Canada. I browsed your two earlier comments on GNW.us but things are said to have changed since then.

Is it best to sell and salvage what’s left? Or do you now see some benefit in waiting? Is it wishful thinking that the remaining value is now less likely to evaporate?

Q: Thinking of purchasing some shares in my TFSA. Of the Canadian Banks which do you feel is the best one to buy now? I do hold a full position of Royal, and a smaller portion of TD, and BNS in our Taxable account.
Your thoughts on this or another stock for the TFSA would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks John

Q: Good Afternoon Peter, Ryan, and Team,
In my wife's RRSP she holds a position in Fiera Capital (FSZ-TSX). Her account holds most of the companies in your Model Income Portfolio. She will start taking money from this account in 2-3 years. I see that you now have included IGM Financial in the Model Income Portfolio. FSZ has had better dividend growth (lower yield though), is as cheap or cheaper than IGM, and FSZ is run by a savvy management team. Does it make sense to switch from FSZ to IGM ??? Thank you, as always, for your sage advice. DL

Q: What is your opinion on this company ?

Q: FYI BNS was punished because of their exposure to Puerto Rico's financial crisis, huge debt load. Is that bankruptcy - for Puerto Rico, not BNS?

Q: Hi
Would appreciate your thoughts on Elements buy of GE's fleet business.

Q: An article in today's Globe highlighted that a few of the top analysts and execs seem to have done quite well for themselves in 2014, with their top investment banker making more money than just a couple of bank CEO's. Unfortunately for me, and I am sure many others, the stock price has not been as rewarding to me.

I understand that that industry can pay well and aside from my initial knee-jerk negative reaction, are these types of bonuses in-line with industry norms? Or is this a reflection on management paying themselves first and not giving a lot or thought about shareholders (which maybe is the industry norm)?

Thanks for the insight.

Paul F.

Q: Hi Peter
With the current downer caused by Greece why would BNS get punished the most ?
Regards Stan

Q: would appreciate an update on CEW...
the lifeco's are on the rise but the banks are in the doldrums!
what is your outlook for the banks for the short term?
do you think it would be a good time to add to some more CEW to
portfolio (currently at about 2 1/2%)
many thanks - ed

Q: Afternoon folks, this stock was in an article in the FP today identified as a preferred financial stock by Lightwater Partners. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Q: Wouuld this be a profitable stock to have in a portfolio.Eddie.

Q: Do you think AHF is worth holding at this time? Is there any light at the end of the tunnel? Thanx Robbie