Investment Q&A

Q: When BIN got taken over I used the money to buy RSG over WCN. I have no complaints with either performance or dividend, but wonder which of the two you would prefer going forward and why.
Thanks you

Q: Sorry, I should have clarified in my previous question, that I was looking for a Dow etf on the U.S. exchange as I want to purchase it in usd. Can you recommend one?

Since I currently only own IWO i thought the Dow would add a bit more stability and income than an s and p etf. Is this a good strategy?

Q: Can you please recomend a good DOw etf?

Q: David's Tea (dtea) What are your thoughts on this company to start a small position for a long term hold.

Q: A question related to portfolio weightings. I used to only have individual stock names and a fairly equal balance across various sectors. I just purchased an market ETF the other day (VUN) to get additional exposure and classified it as "other", but it didn't feel right when I noticed that the weighting of my other sectors went down.

As an example, if I had x% in a particular sector, but made a large contribution due to new cash into a market ETF, the original x% in that sector would now show up lower in my own calculations. How do you account for this? I don't want to be overleveraged in a particular sector by mistake.

Q: I am still researching the US for additional opportunities & would like your advise on the 5 companies as listed. I am aware of certain similarities between SAP & KXS with respect to their Cloud collectivity modules & firmly believe this will become the wave of the future for thousands of large & diversified corporations in the foreseeable future. Recognizing however your sometime reluctance to comment on US entities, I would nevertheless appreciate your comments & guidance. Thank you.

Q: Biogen has had a significant drop in share price over the last year. With another 12% dip on Tuesday do you think this would be a good time to start a position on this company?

Q: Thanks for your quick response to my question regarding Cal-Maine foods. However I am not certain where you got your consensus estimates for earnings as my research shows a consensus/ mean estimate of earnings for the coming year as $1.80 a share based on 5 firms that cover the company. The estmates range from $1.05 a share to $2.83 a share. So that increases the PE quite considerably. I think that your earnings were for the past year not the coming year. While I am not trying to have you predict a share price for the company, which I agree you cannot do, cyclical companies will often trade at very low PE multiples at the peak and very high PE's at the
trough. I am not really sure how high a multiple is 'reasonable' based on previous experience. Your comments would be appreciated and if you concur with my numbers your thoughts on whether the current projected earnings support the current share price and if the next year's earnings projections are a short term event or more long term based on industry events and trends. Thanks!

Q: I hold Cal Maine Foods as part of an option writing strategy on US companies. Projected earnings for the company have been lowered significantly and the stock has embarked on a steady downtrend. The forward PE for the company is about 26 which is very high given the current trend for earnings. Based on these estimates there appears to be little reason to continue holding the shares as further share price weakness seems likely. Is there any redeeming information regarding future growth,potential earnings recovery, the overall industry, etc that would encourage holding rather than selling the shares?

Q: Hi,

Do you think I should wait to get into some US banks or invest now? What do you think of the names I've provided and can you give me a name or two you think would be suitable for a long term hold for a medium risk investor?

Q: I am currently moving some of my portfolio from stocks to ETF's. I want only a plain vanilla flavoured portfolio. I have been going through your questions and answers regarding ETF's, and given the diversity of situations and dates, I am getting a little confused. i wonder if you could suggest the best for broad canada, broad U.S., and international?
thanks

Q: I enjoy your reply to our questions very much and feel time to have your option about my holding for VRX ,CXR and AGN.specially about VRX which I have 700 shares. My healthcare mutual fund seems not performance very well. Should I hold ,sale or buy more?Thanks

Q: I have some room to diversify into some US stocks within my TFSA. How do I do this? Is it as simple as adding US account to TFSA and begin trading? Any important notes to keep in mind when adding US exposure to a TFSA?
Thanks in advance.
Matt

Q: Hi,
Would like to start an RESP for my grandson. I am looking at the new TD series of EFTs which started in March 2016. Specifically THU and TPU (TD S&P 500 CAD Hedged Index ETF and TD S&P 500 Index EFT). The cost of these EFTs are only $15. Similar hedged and unhedged ETFs at Vanguard,BMO and I-Shares are trading at about $30-$40. Please advise if these TD ETFs will be just as good or should I stick with the tried and true ones mentioned above.
Thanks

Q: Hi Peter and Team

Medtronic had some interesting price action yesterday and moved up to an all time. What do you think of this stock now? Also, what would be your picks in the health care sector right now?

Thanks so much!

Q: Hello 5i.
Would you please consider the following as recommend a company or two that may fit the bill?

I have been looking at the tech stocks run up in USA but not yet joined the ride. I do believe FB, Amazon and Google are super companies and stocks but can not seem to pull the trigger given high price and buying in US$.

Is there a Tech stock worth purchasing that would sub for these US juggernauts(business growth and price appreciation) - Or do I just move on Google or Amazon?
Does TIO fit the bill given its high score as one of Canada's fastest growing companies?

Thanks for your contributions.
Dave

Q: Given today's market and the expectation of a US rate hike, could you identify 5 ETF's that you would be comfortable with to provide safety of principal and income. Thanks.

Q: I am a little curious about the reaction to (JOY) Joy Global's earnings. How would you characterize them and would you please comment on the stock's reaction. Thank-you

Q: Hi Peter and 5i team
I put some bids in on Costco 18 months ago and never got the stock. I gave up chasing it as I hate paying >25 earnings on a stock. BUT.....
Costco seems to be doing everything right. We all know their retail store is about as good as it gets. What is attracting me now is their online potential. I have been purchasing goods from them online and the process has been excellent. Their shipping costs are built into the price and so appear to the customer as "free". Of coursebthey are not but this is good marketing. Just think there is lots of room to grow there. Plus it is always easy to return things to a costco store.
They are trading at 28x earnings. Is that just too rich for the stock? AMZN afterall dies trade at 300+ x earnings. Should I hope for a pullback?
I am well diversified and have almost no retail or consumer stocks, except QSR

Thanks
John

Q: Hello 5i Do you think that ZPW could act as a hedge against choppy markets while collecting a nice dividend. Thanks. Gary