Investment Q&A

Q: Hi 5i,
This is in response to Tony's query re: the "old", or "basic" Globeinvestor portfolio tracker. I use this free service and as I receive confirmation of my DRIP I go to the Portfolio Menu, Stocks, Record Buy/Sell and record the DRIP as a stock buy. Globeinvestor will have already added the cash value of the dividend to my cash balance. It is moderately cumbersome but does work; the biggest caveat is that often/frequently the cash balances shown becomes hugely inaccurate. I have seen my cash balance in a portfolio change by as much as $1500 after processing a single share purchase from a DRIP. I'm not too sure what their issue is beyond trying to goad me into buying the premium service, but it is annoying. Nonetheless, I can track all of my accounts easily and reasonably accurately using the free Globeinvestor service. I guess my question would be: is the Globeinvestor Premium service worth the money and/or is Morningstar a better, more functional option? I, too, would like to hear other members' thoughts.....
Cheers,
Mike

Q: Hello 5i team and other fellow members,
Do you know of any website where I could enter my portfolio and follow each holding's progression including dividends. I'm currently using the old Globe portfolio service but it does not include dividends; I have to dig them up individually and record them in a separate worksheet. Globe unlimited would do this at a cost of $20/month.
I welcome your suggestions,
Tony

Q: Just a general comment on company identification: if the person asking the question could state the full name of the company instead of just the symbol, (since we obviously know which company we're asking about!) it would streamline the process, making it more clear and more efficient. Then, Peter or Ryan wouldn't have to worry about remembering to quote the full company name each and every time. It puts the onus on "us" to be more clear and precise. : )

Q: I have a question about investment returns and expectations. If I understand correctly, as a momentum investor you expect "above-average' returns, which I will define as 10 -12% annually (is that correct?), based on the current upward movement and interest in a stock. Eventually, the momentum slows down and the stock either drops or goes into a holding pattern as in the case of AVO, BAD, BDI,
AMA etc. Sometimes, when answering questions about these stocks, you say that the market has lost interest or momentum has slowed but that you still expect growth.

Now to my question. When you comment that the stock in question is now more of a "long term hold", like BAD, what should an investor's expectations be for the return on that stock? Should we still anticipate 10% - 12% or should we now expect that stock to return maybe 6% - 8% averaged over that period? If so, this would make it more like the return of a blue chip, only with more risk.

I realize that you will not want to be seen as predicting actual returns but I am trying to understand what I should expect from stocks so that I have a realistic approach to investing.

Thanks so much and stay warm on the ride!

Paul F.

Q: Hi 5i team.
I was just wondering if you were going to offer a portfolio analysis service that looks at members portfolios and suggests changes regarding rebalancing, and or diversification. I believe this would be a very good pay-per-portfolio add-on service for the members. I view 5i as an important and impartial analysis tool and would pay to have my portfolio dissected and suggestions given to help in any given stage of life. What do you think? I would be the first in line!

Q: Would you please put in the name of the company as well as the call letters. It is much easier, especially for some stocks that are not real common. It seems to go good for a couple months, then reverts back to a lot of call numbers, Thanks Ken

Q: Canadian drip program - further to your earlier reply. I would like to start a drip for my 2 kids. Can you suggest few good names with spp and drip discount. Also what is best way to get started. I read few other posts but still not able to get around . Is there a single source that can do the needful to set up the drip. Can I use my direct investing account (rbc direc). Please advise. Thanks

Q: Hi.

I was wondering your thoughts on using a DRIP strategy with Canadian stocks/ETF's?

Thanks,
Dan

Q: The Corrib is in Ireland which uses the Euro. (VET)

Q: On your research reports, how are you calculating the dividend (expressed as a percentage)? I am assume that this is some kind of yield calculation? Also, in the '5i Report Card' sidebar on the left hand side, would you consider adding dividend growth as a criteria?

Q: Is 5i developing an app for the iPad?
Bill

Q: Ryan; I assume you are minding the shop while Peter does his ride so I am addressing this to you. Peter is about $6,000. short of his goal of $75,000.00 if I read the info correctly. I am asking everyone- or just 100- subscribers to ask themselves if they have made at least $60.00 from using this site? Now if 100 of us contributed that $60.00- fully tax deductible next spring- Peter would be at his goal. That's all folks. Rod

Q: Hi Peter & Ryan,
Good luck to Peter on his ride; I have just made a donation both for the cause itself and to support Peter as a way of saying "thanks" for 5i. The weather here in the Lower Mainland is improving and it looks like the sun will be shining for at least the first leg of Peter's ride.
Best of luck and safe journey!!!
Cheers,
Mike

Q: Any thoughts on the surge in WJA's share price today?

Q: Hi again 5i Team!

I recently sold my Tim Hortons stock and made a 45% return in just a few short months. I'm looking to replace the holding with another similar stock with high growth/high ROE for a core holding. What would you suggest?

Thanks, Shane

Q: Good luck on your ride . My ? Is on PBh debt level how much is their debt in convertible debentures for shares and how much is standard debt.to me it makes a big difference when I decide to invest in a company .
Stan

Q: Thank you to Dennis. I have registered for the three day money show in Toronto.
Helen

Q: While I was aware of Buffett back in the mid eighties- $6,000 a share blew me away- I woke up and got some Ffh earlier this year. Any other ambitious type manager out there in a public company with a similar strategy that you see out there??

Q: re CHEMTRADE LOGISTICS fUND..
I wonder if this debenture would be a buy at this time? I know the interest is commencing in December 31,?
Please advise.

Q: Hi, I have 7 holdings for growth in my TFSA. This is a very small portion of my portfolio and I have a very high risk tolerance. I would like to condense this to 4 positions, what do you suggest? POU, AVO, DSG, RE, SVC, NTB, FLY