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Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: I'm interested in Profit Margin. In layman terms "what does it mean"? Is it the same as Net Margin (TD Webbroker shows Profit Margin, other sites show Net Margin)? Would using a minimum profit margin of 10% or above safely allow for negative events to the balance sheet? Why would I want to invest in companies with low TTM profit margins such as PBH(3.64%), BEP.UN(1.36%), PKI(.97%) etc? Why do companies such as TCN(329.69%), BPF.UN(85.67%) and AW.UN(66.55%) have such high profit margins? Should I consider a 5yr average? Thanks
Read Answer Asked by LARRY on November 24, 2016
Q: Good afternoon, I had moved everything to cash, believing that we were overdue for a bit of a correction, and also because I did quite well on atd and ccl. . Do you think a correction will occur when the honeymoon is over with Trump? I know no-one has a crystal ball, but do you think it is likely? If no, would you be content with the above choices for a moderate risk? I plan to keep my US in cash for now.
Thanks as always.
Read Answer Asked by steve on November 24, 2016
Q: There seems to be renewed enthusiasm for mining stocks, with the likes of Teck, Quantum and Hudbay going up like rockets. What do you think of the mining sector (excluding gold)? My impression is you've been fairly lukewarm over this in the recent past. My portfolio has a very small bit of Teck (about 1%) and am wondering if I should be putting more money into this sector.
Read Answer Asked by John on November 23, 2016
Q: Just wanted to say it is a good thing that 5i was and is consistent with answering questions for many members.

It has become obvious to me that many members can only see 1 way of making $$$ and they depend on others to direct their investing thoughts for them. Considering we all do not have the time or interest to do otherwise 5i is of great value to them.

Myself, who has posted both here and in the Forum about the cannabis stocks, have always said they were traders only in my opinion.

This is the 2nd or 3rd (memory) time they have had momentary spikes over the past ~ decade.

Personally I invest for the very long term (+20 years), use DRIP's, shorter time frames & have the ability to Day Trade when I see obvious profits.

I have made enough trading the Cannabis stocks to cover my 5i membership for the remainder of my life +++.

Thanx for the steady hand you present to all the "Investors" of varying abilities.
Read Answer Asked by Stan (1) on November 23, 2016
Q: Re: Bank exchange fees when investing in U.S. securities, funds, ETF’s.

It is good to see 5I is involved in Financial Literacy Month. I think a valid contribution to your Members could be as follows:

I believe there is a (hopefully small) percentage of Canadian investors of U.S. traded securities that are purchasing and selling within their Cdn. dollar investment account. (As you know, even at par, buying a US security in a Cdn account will cost approx. 2% in bank exchange fees, and selling that security will cost another 2%).
I also believe that these self-directed investors are unaware that most banks will set up a USD investment account, registered or unregistered, for them at no charge allowing any trading and dividends to transact within that account avoiding the bank exchange fee on each transaction. Of course there will be that fee on the initial transfer of funds into that account, (but not if U.S. securities are transferred from the Cdn to the U.S. account).

I recall that Questrade was once advertising on BNN that they had an account to avoid these fees, but it really wasn’t an effective message.

Are you aware of any good method to purchase U.S. dollars at better rates than banks will offer?

Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Brian on November 22, 2016
Q: I have about 20% of my total portfolio in U.S. equities. Do you see that amount as reasonable or in lieu of stronger growth predicted in the US should I consider putting any new money into the US instead of Canada.
Would you have any favourite ways to play, for example much is being said about regional us banks, have things gone too far too fast to get in now. Your valuable opinion would be much appreciated.
Read Answer Asked by Maureen on November 21, 2016
Q: A request to Santa and his band of merry elves at 5i. On Sept 9, 2015 you answered a request by Eugene for a list of stocks trading below "tangible book value" (your phrase) but considered profitable. You did not recommend them. They were all trading on the Venture and many were/are illiquid. Nevertheless, they have performed tolerably well, and 3 of those stocks: BVO,EIL,CDN have done exceptionally well. The only stinker in the group was CFL picked by Eugene. So on my Christmas wish list is a request to 5i to do it again, only this time my only restriction is to keep it any Canadian exchange. I don't write in very often, so I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone at 5i a very Merry Christmas...........Lionel
Read Answer Asked by Lionel on November 21, 2016
Q: This is more of a portfolio management or investor psychology question. I am trying to determine when I should sell a stock. I am currently up 71% and have exited half my position already. The stock has continued to climb almost in a straight line since selling. I have crystalized exactly half my gains with the other half being unrealized. I don’t want to be a victim of just selling a stock because its up. I also don’t want to possibly give up the unrealized gains since its a smaller company. What's your thoughts?
Read Answer Asked by David on November 17, 2016
Q: I took a flyer on both CGC & APH yesterday & immediately covered with stops on both to protect any downside. Today I was (on paper) up significantly on both, however the automatic market control system placed 3 separate Stop Trade Orders on CGC throughout the day & 2 separate stops on APH. Unfortunately, I lost on both. Perhaps it might be beneficial to advise members of the Catch 22 that can result.
Read Answer Asked by Robert on November 17, 2016
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