Investment Q&A

Q: Hello Peter and 5i Team,
I have a general investment question regarding interest rates and how they affect the market sectors.
I have done done a significant amount of reading and some research on the topic ( not to mention office debates) but find conflicting information.
I know this is a complex topic but I'm sure some of the members would like to read your perspectives on the affects of increased interest rates on the market sectors such as the Financials and 'Life' insurances companies.
Thanks,
Paul

Q: Hi Peter and gang. What can you tell me about TIL Capital (TIL)
Earning per share first quarter of 0.69 seems to bode well for a stock priced in the $9.00 range. Your insight is much appreciated.
Guy R

Q: Do you have any comments on the drop in Laurentian Bank's unit price the last few days? Being as LB seems solid and has a decent dividend history we are interested in this bank for some retirement income. Maybe it is a good time to purchase some shares? Many thank you,Len

Q: I have 4 half positions in my US account and want to top one of them up to a full position, which would you suggest? NWL,KMP,JPM,CPG

Q: Hi 5i,

Your thoughts on TMX group. Do you think it is a buy at these levels? It seems to have pulled back a small amount.

Thank you.

Q: Hello 5i: recently the Canadian banks have shown decent results. Can you tell me why their stock prices have dropped over the past few days.

Thanks

Q: PWB-T Pacific Western Bank. IAG have a $8 target on it. Is an online bank, what are your thoughts on this for a small position

Q: I am looking for a higher dividend paying Financial equity for my income portfolio and would appreciate your comments on FN, MTG, MKP, AGF.B, and CFN. Which one would you prefer for a long-term hold and why? Thanks!

Q: EQI.New shareholder,Smoothwater been buying some $322k shares @ $9.45 to $9.50 from Aug 19 to Aug 25 according to Canadian Insider.Please provide your expert advice on whether it is an entry point now CSS.Really confused & disturbed by the instructions In my humble opinion,the instructions should be FOR or AGAINST.Are the brokers biased as there maybe equity financing coming by TFI for the purchase of CSS BNS.The market today reacted unfavourably to its results.Did it make a loss provision for its operations in the Carriben It s bigger than that of CIBC($500k provision in the last Qtr) & Royal(sold its operations at a loss at beginning of the year)Both BNS & TD are the favourities of fund managers.I am waiting for an entry point Thanks a lo

Q: Why has ahf.to gone up so much, about 30% in the last two weeks? Time to buy some more shares or wait till it settles a little? I have a 2% position right now. Thanks

Q: Hi team:

I have hold CFN for awhile and lost some money
did the last quarter results met expectations ?
is the dividend still safe ?
I wonder if I could sell and put my funds in HCG
which I had a very small position
thanks!
Michael

Q: PeterYour thoughts on BNS results
Stan

Q: Hello Peter,
From my understanding, the Canadian Banks typically are considered good value when their PE ratios are under 15. I am noticing that the ratios are getting close to 15 (i.e TD). From a technical standpoint, the RSI is still good (under 70) so am wondering if you would consider the banks approaching full value on fundamentals. I understand there is more to considering full value (ROE values etc), but when the banks approach PE of 15, is it time to reduce the weightings. Thanks for your advice. umed

Q: My RY and BNS stocks have soared over 15% of my portfolio. Should I sell. If I do, which financial stock would you recommend. Do you think a switch to MFC or SLF would be appropriate. Thanks

Q: My plan is to invest in the Canadian financial sector. Not sure if I should invest in a Canadian bank etf or perhaps in a Canadian financial etf containing the banks and other financial institutions.
I would appreciate your comments.

Q: Hi 5i,

I am curious, you often recommend BNS over other canadian banks yet of the main canadian banks it looks as though TD is in the best position to expand into the US. I know the dividend yield is slightly lower then BNS yet the growth of all the canadian banks seems to match each other. Would TD not be a better choice for growth/yield over a 2-3 yr time frame? Or are we splitting hairs a bit here?

Q: With regard to Mark's question about BMO's covered call bank etf (ZWB) compared to individual bank stocks. I feel these covered call bank etf's are the biggest pieces of garbage you can buy. Take a look at their distributions from a historical perspective and you can see how their monthly distributions have gone from roughly 12 cents per month to currently under 7 cents a month. Compare that to the banks continually increasing dividend and the better investment, in my mind, is a no brainer. If you've held any of the Canadian banks for any length of time you're probably generating above a 5% yield and each time the banks' raise their dividend that yield climbs higher. Its a beautiful thing.

Apologies for the mini rant but I think its important to look at these two investments from a historical perspective, especially with regard to the distribution/dividend and yield.

Q: Hello
My broker once said to me something like 'most Canadians who hold our banks, intend to hold them throughout their lifetime, so if you intend to hold them that long, you may as well own BMO's Bank Covered Call ETF. Yes you give up some upside capital appreciation, but you get increased income and some downside protection as a result o writing the call option'. What do you think??

Q: bank of america settles this morning, how do you feel about owning this stock…. and financial's in general, any fav's?thanks,

Q: 9:21 AM 8/21/2014
Hi Peter:
I must sell something to pay income taxes. I am considering the following 3 choices. All are in my TDWaterhouse cash account :

1. Olympia Financial Group Inc OLY. This is a 1.5% position, ACB $48.11 Current Capital Loss $11,353. However we received the $10/share dividend last year hugely offsetting the paper loss even though the taxable loss is still $11,353. Current Dividend Yield 7.22% Yield in Cost 6.05%. I already have a sizeable realized tax loss this year so don't particularly need to realize any more now.

2. Corus Entertainment CJR.B This is a 1% Position. ACB 24.12. Current Capital Gain $633 Current Dividend Yield 4.37%

3. Surge Energy SGY This is a 2% Position ACB $7.85 Current Capital Gain $2,915 Current Dividend Yield 7.17%

I really don't know why Olympia has been drifting down so much this year as it seems like a nice little company and regularly raises it's dividend. Are there any hidden weaknesses that I don't see? The recent quarterly results are :

Highlights from Continuing Operations for the three month period ended June 30, 2014 include the following; when compared to the three months ended June 30, 2013:
-- Total revenue, including interest earned as trustee and interest,
increased 6% to $9.24 million from $8.69 million;

-- Interest earned as trustee on monies held in trust and interest on
Olympia's own cash increased 17% to $1.41 million from $1.21 million;

-- Direct and administrative expenses (excluding depreciation and
amortization) increased 6% to $7.27 million from $6.89 million; and

-- Earnings before income tax decreased 3% to $1.67 million from $1.73
million.
Olympia advises that it will not be pursuing its prepaid card business and has requested a voluntary termination of its Mastercard issuer licence. As Olympia Trust is not federally regulated and given the fee restrictions imposed by provincial gift card legislation, it was determined that this business is not viable for Olympia at this time.

These three are all held long term [permanently] mainly for their dividends and hopefully some capital growth. I would have to sell all of Olympia or Corus, or half of Surge to pay the tax. I really don't want to sell any of these but must choose one so I would ask your advice on which is the weakest and must be sold.
Many Thanks........ Paul K