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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 know you consider insider buying and selling in your analysis (e.g. SGY). In the last month or so have there been any significant insider buys or sells in the stocks you follow in the growth or income portfolios?
Read Answer Asked by Ken on December 10, 2014
Q: Just a comment on the reader's request for charity list and naming his favourite. On my board at Investor Village I have established the tradition of allowing posts on people's favourite charity including how to donate on the Sunday before Christmas (and only then)---trying to encourage the spirit of giving.

Bryon in Elmira
Read Answer Asked by Bryon on December 10, 2014
Q: Your opinion on how much lower oil will go if the Saudis keep flooding the market and how long? Will all equities go lower if oil goes lower? When buying bonds in one's portfolio do you recommend ETFs or the bonds themselves and hold to maturity?
Tks
Read Answer Asked by George on December 09, 2014
Q: Hello Peter, Ryan and 5i staff, I have had a good year with help from 5i. I usually top up charitable donations around this time of year. Would you consider listing your favorite charities? Or perhaps even doing a blog post? I suspect after Peter's ride this summer he would have some supporting children's cancer treatment. My personal favorite charity is Sleeping Children Around the World (scaw). I like this one because 100% of the donation goes to a needy child. Publish if you wish. Thanks as always, Frank
Read Answer Asked by Frank on December 09, 2014
Q: With a decent payout ratio and and good results last quarter it still seems to be sliding?
Read Answer Asked by terrance on December 09, 2014
Q: Hi Peter

What are your thoughts on the recent swoon in the price of CP which I hold at a loss in a registered account? Is it all oil related or is something else going on? What are your thoughts on the valuation now and how would you compare it with CNR which has not declined to the same extent?

Thanks so much for helping us through these confusing markets!
Read Answer Asked by Mary on December 09, 2014
Q: You may have received this previously as I was typing it - it seemed to disappear and I hadn't submitted it or finished.

MAC D available with my Scotia Itrade account - what am I looking for high numbers/low numbers, straight lines, crooked lines?

Oil last got this low middle of 2009. ACQ my cost $76.00 - is falling faster than my oil stocks. Will it see $35.00 before it sees $55.00? I read your questions and answers and in the past you have said you have not noticed any negative news about ACQ.

CXI currency - big drop December 8th. Any news?

Hopefully the questions were not too long.

Thank you, Dennis
Read Answer Asked by Dennis on December 09, 2014
Q: Velan has been holding up well in this poor market could you please give me your opinion and future prospects of this company.
Read Answer Asked by dennis on December 08, 2014
Q: What would your top 3 picks be for 2015 and the reasons why?
Read Answer Asked by Rob on December 08, 2014
Q: It's understandable that Bloomberg (or 5i) can't spend excessive resources in ferreting out all the nuances of insider holdings. In the case of Slyce, further digging reveals that Business Instincts Group (5.4m shares) actually include the equity holdings of co-founders and current board members Cameron Chell and Erika Racicot. Also, BBG Equity Management (John Gabriel) and their 1.7m shares has been in the picture since 2008 so the only true 'outside insider' would be Salida Capital's holdings. I therefore suggest that true insider interest is closer to 14.3m shares, or 13.4% of total issued.
Read Answer Asked by Richard on December 08, 2014
Q: Good morning Peter/Staff,could you please have your opinion on ET?
Considering initiating a small (2%)position (?)
Read Answer Asked by Sergio on December 08, 2014
Q: Hi Peter and 5i Team:
I have a small position in NRG and would like to. Sell and buy some more AVG as a dollar cost averaging strategy; as I bought it at $29. Do you like NRG? Is is a good long term hold . Or would you agree on my reason to sell it?
Alternatively, I was going to sell NRG and buy ELW as it has really got hammered and I like the management team for a 2-3 year hold? In your humble opinion which strategy do you think would make most sense for a above risk portfolio and greater growth prospect ? Than you so much.
Romeo





Read Answer Asked by Romeo on December 08, 2014
Q: I have 40% weighting in financials in my RIF A/C, and 20% in energy. I plan to 1) sell BBT (US Bank) and buy either Telus as I have no exposure to telecoms, or Coach. 2) sell FSZ and buy AW.UN and XTC. 3)Hold on to Athabasca oil for another three years. I have lost 70% of the value in this stock.
Your advice please. Thanks always for your excellent advice.
Read Answer Asked by Vinod on December 07, 2014
Q: I want to buy RCL, but it keeps going up. Is it getting too expensive to buy now?
Read Answer Asked by Elaine or Gerry on December 05, 2014
Q: I curently have some cash to invest in my portfolio which for the most part is now similar to the model portfolio (thanks to your advice!) I am under my allocation in all sectors (3 to 4% range) so I have flexibility where to add. You mentioned in a recent response to Tim that Surge (SGY) has good upside potential when the market turns from this recent sell off. Do you have a few other suggestions that you feel have the portential to recover quicker relative to others? thanks again and again. John
Read Answer Asked by john on December 04, 2014
Q: Hi folks: Looking for a website to see daily charts on how the 4 or 5 main "sectors" in Canada are doing. Not sure of the difference between a sector and an index, so maybe index charts would be better. Also, what is a "capped index"?
Read Answer Asked by Charles on December 04, 2014
Q: Hello Peter and Co.:
Man, it's pretty crazy for investors these days in oil and oil service stocks! I hold PPL, IPL, KEY, ALA, BDI, QST, VET and PEY. Normally these companies are pretty quiet but lately have been experiencing one day losses of 6-7% or more, and then gaining the same as much a few days later! Pretty crazy times it seems to me, but I'm not that experienced, just 10 years or so as a DIY investor. What are your thoughts on the volatility these days?
BTW, I just want to say that your service has been invaluable to me in making decisions and learning about investing, so thank you very much. cheers
Read Answer Asked by Andrew on December 03, 2014
Q: In Oct you rated CXR, GUD, CPH as 1,2,3 preference. I add PLI to those. I own GUD. For a registered account where there is not enough cash to buy full positions of each, would you advise choosing one and if so, which one, or equal $ amounts of the 3, CXR, CPH & PLI? Each has a niche in a similar theme, it seems to me. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Gayle on December 03, 2014
Q: Hello Peter,
Shawcor has been hit quite hard lately. It is getting close to the value it was over 10 months ago. Other than the oil issue, are there other reasons, why Shawcor is down so much. Also, if you had a choice between DesCarte Sytems and Absolute Software, which one would you choose? I am looking for growth. Thanks very much.
Read Answer Asked by umedali on December 03, 2014
Q: Hello team,

I have way too many losers and I want to bring down the total number of stocks (56) held in various registered portfolios. Knowing that I will not have any tax benefits by selling them, I would like to start with the following list:
Stock down
ESP -19.85%
LGO -30.27%
MX -15.35%
TWD -33.49%
WIN -28.87%

Total -20.55%

And here are my questions:
1- Would be wise to sell the above companies at a loss and use the proceeds to buy cxr?
2- Would you know anything about short term catalysts for cxr? like rumors that a major acquisition is imminent?
3- When would it be the best time to sell these stocks? Should I wait until the tax loss selling is over? ie. sell in January 2015 for a better return? or would that be too late to catch cxr?
4- I do hold cxr but it is not a full position? should I add to it or would you suggest something else (in any sector) with a better upside potential?
5- Would any of the above stocks is worth keeping? I know you might say MX but I have held it for too long and nothing really has happened and now it is gone down with the rest of my oil stocks.

I sent a similar question about a week ago but did not hear anything back....hope it works this time.

All the best to all of you at 5i for helping us participate in the markets with some confidence.

Read Answer Asked by Saeed on December 03, 2014