Investment Q&A

Q: This is rather a naive question from the trenches, I’m afraid, but nonetheless, I’m here to learn and hope you don’t mind.

In regard to stop loss orders, which I use on occasion, despite the very wise caveats I have garnered on this site, I am still at a “loss” on a certain aspect.

In the event that a certain stock plummets in after hours trading, at what point is one’s stop-loss triggered? Could I potentially lose far more than I think I will? Do stop losses provide only the illusion of safety?

For instance, if I put a stop loss on ABC company at $50, and in the after hours trading the stock drops down to $20, at what point does my stop loss get triggered? Does it get triggered in "after hours" or does it wait for the next day when my losses could be even greater? Does my stop-loss immediately become a market order once it reaches $50? And, if I haven’t put a limit on the loss, at what price will it sell? If the drop is immediate — and huge, — (i.e., if it drops from 50 to 20 without intervening bids), does my stock then get sold at $20?

I’m beginning to uncover a lot of “smoke and mirrors” in the trading-investing game, and it seems fraught with a lot of dangers that initially appear benign and helpful.

(That being said, if the stock drops from 50 to 20, I realize it wouldn’t matter anyway, but I’m using this for illustrative purposes only.)

Thanks for any help you can provide to demystify the stop-loss game. As ever, your answers are always appreciated.

Q: I am very pleased with your services and feel that the retail investor is getting outstanding advice from your service. I was wondering if you could recommend a similar type of service that provides expert advice on US stocks.

Q: In regards to the double-down strategy....what 3 stocks are the best candidates at the present time. I use it in addition to the portfolio approach and do have the appropriate risk tolerance for double down....thanks

Q: What are the metrics most used to value roll-up companies or companies that use acquisitions as a staple in revenue growth? BCI,VRX,CXR,CSU,SYZ,PHM,BYD,AQC,CXV etc.... I understand these range in market cap and therefore their valuations will differ due to "size" risk.

Q: Just a suggestion regarding Peter's question today (April 5) on how to review/find his questions history.... What I do is save all the emails the 5i team sends me answering my questions...I flagged them to make my search for them easier.

Q: Hello
My father in law gave me two share certificates (100 shares ea) of the following:
Northern Eagle Mines dated 1967
North Briar Mines dated 1966

The transfer agent on the certificates is Guaranty Trust Company of Canada

How can I find out if they are worth anything?

Wish they were TD or BCE shares from 1966.
But then he wouldn't have given them to me if they were..haha

Thanks

Q: A number of your stocks amongst all 3 portfolios seem to have options available to trade.

In the instances where options are available do you see a problem in buying long maturity options, then rebuying when they expire till they exit the ports?

A)That would give more leverage
B)Would require much less capital then buying stocks long.
C)Would limit downside risk in the event of a company blowout.

Would you recommend this type of approach? If not , why?

Q: Hello 5I
Is there a method I can use to review my question history where I can review my previous questions and the answer you provided, without having to scroll back in the hope of finding it?

Q: For those interested in dividend growth stocks I recommend the "Canadian Dividend All Star List". The list is comprised of Canadian companies that have increased their dividend for 5 or more calendar years in a row. The list is updated monthly in excel form and can be accessed/downloaded here:
http://www.dividendgrowthinvestingandretirement.com/canadian-dividend-all-star-list/

Q: Where does one find your "suggested sites" list? Thanks

Q: To answer Mike's question of April 2 concerning ex-dividend dates I use this web address: http://tsx.exdividend.ca as a source of upcoming ex-dividend dates for all the tsx and/or for tsx 60. Included useful information are date, yield, frequency and pay-out ratio. Also the TSX website has a new tab called Dividends where next dividend date is indicated plus all past dividends important dates.

Derek (the dividend hunter)

Q: I have a general question regarding the number of positions you suggest holding in a portfolio. With $50K I consider 12-13 positions as adequate. 15 to 16 positions for a $100K portfolio, and 20-22 positions for a $200K portfolio. Is this reasonable? Also how many positions would you suggest holding for portfolios of $400k, $600K and $800? Thanks for you help.

Q: Hello Peter and Team
Thank you for creating the Growth Portfolio , i have created a mix of your Balance and Growth Portfolio along with some large Blue chip company to lower my risk .
Much Thanks
Claudio

Q: Hello Everyone,

This might help others so I thought I would share. Every now and then we hear from a member that their question is not answered. I think I know what is happening here. If you take too much time to write and then send your message, the browser actually fails to send it. You need to make sure that you see confirmation as oppose to going back to the question box after you click on send. The best way to avoid this is to type your long message in word document and once you are ready cut and paste to 5i question box. By long message I don't mean just the wording. I mean if you take long because you are doing some research or getting information from your portfolio to share with 5i as you are writing. If you take long it is also prudent that you copy the message you typed on in the box before you send it just in case. This way if you don't see the confirmation you don't have to retype the entire thing again. Happy trading every one.

Q: Can you please post your note 'Alerts' versus stop sell orders. I have looked and could not find the answer that Rick had given.

SS

Q: With microcap stocks I sometimes see stocks where the number of shares on the bid is small, say 500 shares and the bid price is higher than the last trade. When I check later a buyer has bought say 3000 shares at that bid price. Do pros often conceal the amount of shares they want to buy by only putting in a small bid? Do you understand my question?

Q: Hi Peter, In your survey you had asked about interest in creating etfs' based on your portfolios which I am interested in. I am wondering if this is now in your plans. For me this is a far more managable option. Dale

Q: I have noticed members have expressed their concern or disappointment in putting in stop loss orders and getting stopped out early in the day only to have the stock move up. I for one have been there and done that, and avoid it now.
I use TD webbroker, and for the last while I have been using the "Alerts" section for cut off prices for both high and low on stocks. Also if you use screeners you can actually set a specific alert for a stock not only on the positive and negative techinicals but a stop loss and upon hitting this level and email or a text is sent rather that stopping you out.

I have been using the technique for sometime now, and find it most useful and help in avoiding losses and costs.

Post if you feel this is worthwhile for consideration. I am sure other on-line brokers have the same service.

Again thanks for the awesome service and look forward to following you.

Q: Re: My question about Companies that are Monopolies/Durable Competitive Advantages.

Thanks John and 5i for the discussion and comment that Rail/Pipeline companies also belong in this category.

Q: I found Eugene's question on investing in monopolies very interesting, as it has formed the backbone of my investment strategy for about 20 years. While absolute monopolies may not exist, in Canada we do have some oligopolies that are very powerful. In their response 5i referred to banks nd telecom. I would suggest adding rail and pipeline to the discussion. Think about how difficult it is to build out large scale infrastructure in N.A. these days due to politics, nimbyism etc... For example, I have owned CNR and ENB since 1997. I invite fellow members to go to longrundtata.com (a great site, previously recommended by 5i) and check out the long run returns of such companies. There is no way CNR and ENB could outperform by that margin, for so many years, without significant barriers to entry in their industry. The marketplace is just too competetive for that. These companies obviuosly have the tables tilted in their favour and in the long run have been excellent holds. Personally I add to them every year. Just my two cents, sorry for being long winded.