skip to content
  1. Home
  2. >
  3. Investment Q&A
You can view 3 more answers this month. Sign up for a free trial for unlimited access.

Investment Q&A

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

Q: Do the high p/e ratios on these stocks concern you or does their future growth take care of that? Also, are their dividends sustainable over the long term? Morningstar reports a low ROE on BEP and BIP, yet they are ranked as a high quality investment. AQN,BIP-UN and especially BEP-UN also seem to have high debt levels. Are these still good buys? thanks
Read Answer Asked by Thomas on July 12, 2017
Q: I am helping my 65-year-old mother reallocate about 20% of her growth and income portfolio in collaboration with her financial advisor; the major move is to decrease the very large position she has in bank stocks. For most of this chunk (17% say), her advisor has suggested an even-split combination of the following (in light of the interest rate hike, and to provide additional dividends): Telus (T), Pure Multi-Family REIT (RUF.UN), Slate Retail REIT (SRT.UN), Power Financial (PWF), Manulife (MFC), and Altagas (ALA) (in anticipation of the potential WGL acquisition). Would you replace any of these (and if so with what)? Would you give greater weight to any? Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Christopher on July 11, 2017
Q: Hi 5i,
What is your take on Freshii (FRII) at this point, with the stock at its publicly traded low, the promotional noise having quieted somewhat, and its next quarterly report upcoming?
Also, recognizing that it is largely guesswork, from the stocks you are already very familiar with, are there any that you think may be well positioned to beat market expectations in the upcoming round of reporting?
Thanks?
Read Answer Asked by Lance on July 11, 2017
Q: Saputo has shown downward momentum since Trump's inauguration. Supposing this risk were overblown, then one would expect the stock price to be 'cheap', but the current price is pretty-much what the long-term trend-line would predict. Put another way: if the price is only now touching the trend-line, does that imply that the Trump factor isn't fully baked-in yet - which, in turn, suggests further declines?
Read Answer Asked by John on July 11, 2017
Q: Every time this stock gets near $5 I am tempted even though part of my brain always says no! My understanding is that they have a backlog, and have had over at least the past year. That's what makes me nervous. Why is the company not profitable ttm under this scenario? Do they bid too low, or are they just trying to keep hold of experienced staff for the eventual recovery?
(Is that eventual upturn even certain?)
Read Answer Asked by Peter on July 10, 2017
Q: I have a loss in my account holding AYA,KWH.UN,DBO,HEO,ITC,PHO,ROXG,TV.Long list but need help which stokes to sell and what to buy?.
Read Answer Asked by Nizar on July 10, 2017
Q: I need to increase my holdings of Consumer staples. Please rank the following in order of your preference when the main focus is dividend growth with secondary goal of capital appreciation.
ATD, L, MRU, SAP, WN, EMP.A, MFI, BCB, PBH, PJC.A

I can be patient in the timing of my purchases. Do you think this is a good time in the economic cycle tp purchase this sector?

Many Thanks

Paul
Read Answer Asked by paul on July 10, 2017
Q: Electric Cars. With Volvo announcing they will only produce Electric Cars in the future and China making statements they will only allow Electric Cars in the future ( a great idea with their pollution ) . What are best plays towards these moves towards electric cars. Lithium, battery manufacturers, Silver what other commodities. How do you make money in the future if all auto manufacturer move more to electric cards as demand builds ? RAK
Read Answer Asked by bob on July 10, 2017
Q: Down on this 5 stocks.AIF(down 9.5%;Real below IPO price),CLS(12%),TV(7%),PKI(5%) & HWO(31%).Add,sell or hold with very short rationale.Appreciate u normal great views & services. Voliate markets. US markets are ok,but TSE has been declining mainly due to energy & materials.
Read Answer Asked by Peter on July 10, 2017
Q: I hold substantially less than 5% of each of the above securities in my diversified portfolio.The sector is not over-represented in my portfolio. I would appreciate your opinion as to which, if any, should be sold because of duplication; and/or to reduce the # of stocks held; and/or because of other specific concerns; and which, if any, should be added to. I do not require the cash from any disposition, am not averse to risk, and, subject to your comments, would reinvest it in this or any other sector which you recommend.Thank you in advance for your usual reasoned response.

Read Answer Asked by Harold on July 10, 2017
Q: I am considering selling my Stantec (STN) stock and replacing with WSP Global (WSP), and indeed wish I had done so earlier. I have reviewed your recent answers on this question (and variations). If I were making an initial investment, it seems clear that I would perhaps lean toward WSP, but given that I currently own STN, should I hold or sell it and buy WSP? This is for a long-term investment seeking growth. (Stantec is currently my only industrial stock and about 8% of my portfolio.) Thanks, and great job.
Read Answer Asked by Christopher on July 07, 2017
Q: Good day Peter and Team, I too am impressed with your ability to limit the number of stocks in your portfolios. As I'm overweight in the financial sector and in the Canadian banking sector we hold BNS, TD, and BMO. I'm thinking of selling BMO at a slight gain, to deploy some extra funds for the Industrial sector where we're underweight. Aside from TNC, would you recommend adding to any of these Industrial stocks: EIF, KBL, SIS, or STN? I'd rather not buy a new Industrial stock unless there are compelling reasons to do so. As always, your advice and recommendations are of great value.
Read Answer Asked by Jerry on July 07, 2017
Q: Would appreciate your comments regarding Globe and Mail article on EIF which raises the criticism that when you take the company's cash flow and capital expenses, as calculated and reported according to International Financial Reporting Standards, the company has never consistently made enough money to pay its dividend. EIF response was that the company's capital expenditures represent "investing in growth.
Read Answer Asked by richard on July 07, 2017
Q: My portfolio is somewhat light on consumer discretionary companies and I see that you favour this sector at the present time. Could you please explain your current support for the sector and suggest a few Canadian and American companies that you believe are fair value with solid growth prospects for the future. As always, I thank you for your appreciated opinions.
Read Answer Asked by Les on July 07, 2017