Investment Q&A

Q: This is a comment not a question about Bryon's comment.

Personally I find the question and answer portion of the service to be of huge value. Although I only post a small number of questions I do find that I benefit by reading the questions and answers posed by others. Although it may be a small number of people asking questions I think they are still adding value and I appreciate it very much. It has brought companies to my attention which I otherwise would not have discovered.

I raise this point merely to highlight that there is value beyond just getting answers to ones own questions, just something to consider when thinking about the idea of limiting the number of questions a user can pose.

Thanks for the great service, keep up the good work.

Rob

Q: I have questions about earnings estimates, triggered most recently by your answer to an earlier-today question about Bird Construction. Your answer stated "The earnings estimate for Bird was $0.22 . . ."

WHO comes up with these earnings estimates and, more importantly, HOW do they come up with them? What credentials does anyone (outside the company) have to come up with such statements?

Even more importantly, why do "investors" (??) believe such estimates, to the extent that an "earnings miss" like BDT's drops the share price? Or, more correctly I guess, why does the belief in what would seem to be flimsy evidence like an estimate drive up the share price?

But I'm willing to be educated (that is why I'm here<g>).

Q: I support comment by Bryon. Further more most of the questions asked by members already have a recent or prior satisfactory answers in the Q & A section of the website. I suggest members should search first before asking.

Q: I have a comment rather than a question.

From the chorus of gratitude expressed, you can tell how valued 5i service is. I certainly join the choir and I particularly value this question/answer section. Ironically that is my source of concern.

My concern is that the volume of questions is becoming so high that you will be forced to suspend this part of the service. I would find that a major loss.

I would hope that if volume is becoming a problem, you would consider other approaches rather than suspending the section. I would consider eliminating questions on the US, restricting the number of companies per question to one and/or restricting the number of questions one individual may ask.

I would love the question section to continue as it is but if any problem develops I would certainly prefer restrictions to losing it completely.

Bryon in Elmira

Q: I currently hold only 6 companies in my TFSA. T.TO, TOG.TO, RFC.V, CSU.TO, STN.TO and BEP-UN.TO. I want to sell off a portion of my gains from this year and also add a bit more capital to add two or three more stocks to this portfolio. My goal is to eventually have 10 good stocks to manage in this portfolio. Do you have any suggestions of stocks to add that would both add diversity and growth potential?

Thanks

Q: Hi Peter&gang,just want to tell you that your membership fee of$87was the best investment I've ever made.Took a small portion out of my investment account($50000),set up another margin acct.,then using my margin set up a full model portfolio except for G,just can't pull the trigger on that one yet,I'm up 35% on my $50000 so far.My question is,some of these stocks are getting to look a little expensive,yet none have been replaced with another equity which may have a bigger upside.Do you think you will be making any changes soon?Not complaining,just asking,keep up the good work.

Q: My mother in law a recent widow and has no investment experience wants to invest the total amounts she has (Cash $400 K, TFSA $62K and a RIF of $285K) into Harris Bond Funds.

She going to be 80. Her monthly income consists of CPP, OAS (for now may be clawed back next year) and 2 indexed pensions hers (that is small) and his which is $2,300.00 per month and a RIF.

I can not see the point of paying the Investment Management fees to do this, where an ETF can get you the same thing.

I would like to see her invest in the model port.

Do you see a problem in my thinking?

Thanks for your time

Mike

Q: Not so much a question as a note about forum etiquette, using LARGE CAPS to pose a question is like shouting at somebody, and nobody really needs to shout.

Q: i have lost in 15 years out of 20 and was about to give up but thanks to you and your team hope cameback.Why should i buy B when A ARE DOING BETTER AND SAFFER.i mean csu,cgx,stn,esl,bns?.

Q: Hello Peter and 5i Team

My question is regarding my wife's RRSP room which currently is at approx $20,000. She has an indexed pension and anticipates retiring in about 10 years. In addition she has approx $60,000 in her RRSP which she has chosen to be in low risk investments. When she retires she will also receive her sick time payout of 6 months salary($55,000 in today's dollars)
We have been forgoing contributing further to her RRSP with the idea of rolling the sick time payout directly into her RRSP to avoid the tax hit. Anticipating that she can add another $20,000-$30,000 in RRSP room in the next 10 years is this a wise move? To totally top up her RRSP now would require borrowed money.

Thank You

Q: Hi Peter:
I have a small position in both Carfinco and Rifco and both have done well, which one should I add to the existing position
in terms of risks and return ? thanks
I think you did mention that winter season is the time when the small cap stocks tend to do better, is this a seasonal trend? is there a reason behind it ?
thanks!

Q: Would you consider that the US MARKET has topped temporarily and is about to make a correction?
Ditto for Canada?

If so what might some money making opportunities in contra ETFs?

Q: Hello Peter, when Cineplex offer its convertible debentures, I think you said you weren't a fan of CDs in general, but since they were Cineplex, they would be ok. Now Aecon is offering them. I know you prefer Stantec over Aecon, so how do you feel about Aecon CDs? Can you explain why you aren't a fan of CDs in general?
Thanks very much.
D

Q: Hi team
For a new, young( 35) investor who contributes small regular amounts into an RRSP account, what is the cheapest fee way to make investments? Would an ETF be the way to go? and if so would you recommend a single ETF or several to diversify somewhat?
Thanks
Kathy

Q: This is a statement not a question but I would appreciate you posting. I think the best thing I have learned from your research and advice is to not be afraid of purchasing a stock on your recommendations just because it has had a good run. I bought Paladin one week before the takeover announcement, and Constellation only one month ago, on your positive outlook for both stocks. Your advice looks forward based on what you think a stock will do, not what it has done. 5i Research is helping many people. Bill

Q: Good morning...quick question...in one of my self direct accounts ($100,000) I plan to mirror your portfolio...I understand we can't time the market but should I purchase all in one day or split over a period of 30days...Thanks

Q: I've sold Paladin (thank you) and have cash to invest. My stock holdings are below. Looking for 3-4 new HIGH QUALITY companies (regardless of sector) that aren't highly cyclical and you would consider "must adds" for a long-term investor.
Tech 30% - CSU/AAPL/ESL/MDA/AYA/GIB
Fin 30% - BNS/XLF/AIG/BMO/CXS
Ind 10% - STN/BYD.UN
CD 10% - CGX/ACQ
Enr 10% - CPG/PPL
Tel 5% - T
Hlth 5% - VRX
Thanks for your great service!

Q: Please comment on my attempt to trim. 100 shares of CSU was purchased at $116. Present value is $196. It is now 9.8% of my portfolio which is about $200,000. If I sell 30 shares at $196 that would reduce the holding to 6.9% of my portfolio. Is this worth the effort?
I also own 600 shares of ESL @ $27.76. This is 8.3% of my portfolio. If I sell 100 shares that would reduce this holding to 5.4%. Alan W.

Q: 5i Team,

Portfolio management question. I think most investors here have a TFSA, RSP and Self Directed Cash Accounts (US & CDN).

Where would you try to position the following type of companies:

1. Small Cap / growth stocks
2. Mid / Large Cap - No dividends
3. Mid / Large Cap - dividend payer

I'm thinking, small caps in TFSA, buit not sure about the others... what type of companies should go in the RSP vs. Cdn/US cash accounts if given a blank slate?

Thank you.

Q: "November 06, 2013 (asked by Philip)
Question: No question, just a comment. Thank-you so much for providing this service. This Q & A forum has taught me so much as an individual investor."

I could not have said this better! Thank you so much for everything.