Investment Q&A

Q: What effect if any do you think today's announcement will have on the effected securities (I own only BIP.UN of the securites mentioned):

Thursday, August 29, 2013

S&P Dow Jones Indices Announces Changes to the S&P/TSX Canadian Indices
17:15 EDT Thursday, August 29, 2013
A Refinement of the Definition of Domicile of a Company

TORONTO, Aug. 29, 2013 /CNW/ - S&P Dow Jones Canadian Index Services will make the following changes in the S&P/TSX Canadian Indices:

Following extensive consultation with the community of index users in Canada, S&P Dow Jones announces that changes have been made in the methodology of the S&P/TSX Canadian indices that refine the definition of what constitutes a Canadian company for index eligibility purposes. As a result, effective immediately, the following companies are now deemed eligible for consideration for inclusion in S&P/TSX indices. For further detailed information about the specifics of the change, please refer to the methodology documents online at www.spindices.com.

BIP.UN - Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP
BPY.UN - Brookfield Property Partners LP
BEP.UN - Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners LP
EDV - Endeavour Mining Corporation
CNL - Continental Gold Limited
GTE - Gran Tierra Energy Inc.
TPL - Tethys Petroleum Limited

Q: CSS Contrans and investing rules and disciplines:
Having hung on to too many stocks over the years as they dropped 10% or more under the "buy" price, I am working on my "sell" disciplines.
I am now down 10% on CSS. Does one hit the sell button, hang on and "hope" or carefully watch for further decreases and buy more?

Thanks for your help and guidance in this tricky market.

Q: further to my tax loss question, is there a special form that I should fill out to record this so that when I hand everything over to the accountant he/she will have the necessary info

Q: does tax loss selling only apply if done when the calendar rolls over i.e. 2013-14, or can I sell something now ((Aug 29, 2013) and buy it back a month from now (Oct 2, 2013)and use that loss against potential taxes? This way I could get the tax loss and buy back in while the stock is in the duldrums (RPL)

Q: With the tensions in Syria and the Middle East rising it seems that there is a possibility of another war starting. If this was the case, what stocks would benefit and which would really be hurt?

Q: Hello. This is follow up on my prev question reg recomm for fixed income. Wanted to know what would you recommend for bonds, preffered, gold, real estate portion of portfolio. Like CBO,CHB,XTR,CPD,XRE or something else you like.

Q: SGY There was massive volume on SGY yesterday. Is there any way of knowing why?

Q: I claimed my membership fee on my 2012 taxes, and had no issue. I was not audited of course, but I have claimed similar type services in the past with the assumption that they are advice based rather than just information, especially when I can ask direct investment related questions and get direct responses. If audited I would print the e-mail responses I get as receiving direct advice. My opinion at this point of course, since I was not audited, but should I be, I would remain firm it is not just an information source. - Cheers.

Q: Hello. This is from portfolio perspective. For a typical portfolio of a 40 year old with a moderate risk profile, what should be suggested allocation of funds, between various asset classes. For a fixed income, what would you recommend.

Q: I have held EIF for years & do not plan on selling. Also sold AD (Alaris) too soon & plan to repurchase. Are there any other royalty companies that you see good value in?
Thanks

Q: My question is why does the CRA not allow subscription to investment newsletters to be charged against investment earnings. I noticed from last years income tax statement of mine which was prepared by an accountant that I was allowed to claim as an expense my accountant fees (as I had investment income) and the fees paid to my financial advisor for this advice. I use the term "advice" very loosely. Both were substantial with the latter being as you would expect very substantial.
We should petition the CRA, or better still Jim Flaherty directly, for the income tax act to allow investment advice deductions from sources other than the big banks and investment houses. Given that more and more Defined Benefits pension plans are being converted to Defined Contribution pension plans it means that more Canadians will have to make their own investment decision. This will be a field day for investment advisors and the banks that they work for.

5iResearch and maybe Benj Gallander's Contarian Investor's are two of the independent investment advisor services out there that would no doubt benefit if their subscription could be allowed as a legit deduction.

Derek

Q: Hello,
I would like to hold the model portfolio but have to add them over time. I am interested in starting the first couple in either growth or income. Out of the model portfolio, which stocks would you recommend that I add first?

Thank you.

Q: Hi Peter and the 5i Team: My RRSP portfolio is beginning to somewhat resemble your model portfolio. THANK YOU! (There are still several "dividend payers" like EIF as well as some dividend paying ETF's like CEW and CAB remaining in the portfolio). I will need to roll over my RRSP into a RRIF by the end of 2014, and would like to use the dividends (for the most part) for the compulsory withdrawals. Are there any tips that you can suggest in terms of the most efficient way(s) to structure the RRIF? Your advice and recommendations are always valued.

Q: "It is better to teach a man how to catch fish than to give him one"...
In this train of thought, I was thinking about this question from a long time ago coming from a teacher in BC about recommending financial books. Over the years I read about 50 or 60 books on investing, finance and personal financial wealth. One book will remain because it is at the beginning of all things within the capitalistic system: "The web of debt" by Ellen Hodgson.
But there is more and today more and more courses about finance are available for free on the internet: Let me give you two sites that I have used: COURSERA and KHAN ACADEMY (6 million users, 4500 new videos on line each MONTH).
And finally for the french speaking out there (any?) the French version of some of the Khan courses will be available on the internet site of Bibliothèque sans frontières starting with mathematics as of september 4th.
As usual,if you think it is worth to publish, please do so.
CDJ

Q: I have taken some meaningful profits over the course of the year but also have some losers in the portfolio. Please provide some insight into tax loss selling. What are the rules and what timing do you recommend, considering that one may want to rebuy some of these positions? Hugh

Q: Hi Team How do I find out how many shares a company buys back?
Stan

Q: As was mentioned earlier by one member T.D.Waterhouse have informed their clients that effective Sept.15 they will be charging their clients $2 per envelope to mail monthly statements and trade confirmations.This will effectively raise their commission fees by about 50% ($2 for the stock trade and $2 for the money market sale.)Thus the cost of a trade at T.D.Waterhouse will be $9.99 +$2 +$2 = 13.99.If one agrees to receive these documents on-line there will be no additional charge.I mention this so that anyone contemplating changing to T.D.Waterhouse will be aware of the implications. If you feel this info is worthwhile feel free to publish it.Thanks again for your great service.

Q: Can you tell me what are the best ratios to look at when evaluating an oil company. Thanks.

Q: Peter; Is there a U.S. inflation indexed ETF ? Thanks. Rod

Q: I have approximately 7% of my portfolio in high yield bond funds and with interest rates expected to go up I was thinking of switching some into insurance companies such as sun life and GWl. Do you think that is a sound strategy? Thanks