Investment Q&A

Q: Hi there - can I ask for your opinion on PRA group? Analysts seem to have mixed opinions on the company, but it looks interesting based on some of the reading I've done. It's down heavy this morning after what looks like a minor miss.

Thanks much.

Q: Hi 5i: I am overweight financials. Among others I hold C, JPM and WFC in the US, with SLF and EFN on the TSX. I'd like to drop 2 of these. Your advice would be appreciated.

Q: Verronica Hirsch had this as a top pick on BNN.Do you have an opinion?

Q: I am thinking to add to utx.us or pfe.us
Which one would you choose?
And what is going on with the honeywell deal....could there be a better offer coming or pull the whole deal off?

Q: What are your thoughts on IEP for a buy. Thanks again for all your good work.

Q: Although you do not specifacally follow US stocks, I would appreciate your opinion on ESRX. It has dropped significantly this year. I still have an 18% profit on it. Is it worth holding or would another US investment be more promising? (My other US holdings being MMM, JNJ, NVS, VIG, IWO). Thank you

Q: Could you review Leucadia corp. in the U.S. and provide your thoughts. Is it good time to buy this company.

Thanks

Q: Hi 5i team, thanks for all your good advice. You have mentioned brk.us as a mutual fund like. Can you recommend a better one for long term growth in US and Canada ?

Q: What do you think of this etf ?

Q: Hi Peter, Ryan and Team,
Fully realizing that taxation is not your area, I have a general question that concerns where one would go to find out info on a U.S. company doing a spin-out, to determine what potential tax implications there could be, for Canadian holders.

Specifically, opening my T5 summary today, I got a nasty surprise from the HP I was holding before they split into two last November. Apparently they didn’t just do an even split, rather they held the original (and full) book cost of one side of the company, and spun out the other portion as a 100% dividend. So if the original cost was $45 for HP many years ago, after this spin-out my book-cost has been increased to $45 + $14.72 (for the spin-out), and the $14.72 is a fully taxable event for the 2015 taxation year.

One of the lessons, I guess, is never continue to hold the stock of a foreign company once they announce a split. This is a very costly lesson, and given that, I’d like to know how I can avoid it in the future, short of selling before the spin-out/split occurs. In speaking to my broker, this was supposed to be a non-taxable event for foreigners, it just never materialized though.

Would one look at U.S. SEC filings, or as a general rule, would you just suggest selling, and if one really wanted to continue to hold, buy back in after the event occurred?

Thanks for thoughts on this one.

Q: May I have your thoughts on the talcum powder lawsuit? I am not so much afraid the company has known they are selling a carcigen or even that they have been unknowingly selling a carcigen. I am more concerned about the legal costs defending themselves from these lawsuits. The stock was up today inspite of loosing the case. I assume they will appeal.

Q: Hi folks,please get your opinion on Q4/15 results for Civeo,housing play in oil business.For 2015 they reduced debt but gave guidance they are well positioned to ride out storm in 2016. Would u rate buy,hold or sell and how do they rate against bdi/t and Hnl/t,which one would u pick. Thanks as always,jb

Q: How risky is this company? Saw them featured on ctv and the marijuana breathalyzer seems like a cant lose as long as they don't get beat to market.

Q: Owned it for quite a while and hence have done well with it. Would you suggest keeping it going forward or would you suggest something else going forward. Thank you.

Q: Would you prefer the Xhy bond etf over the us Bond etf because of hedging currency? Or because the yield is higher for income investors? Would pimcos bond etc be more stable?

Q: Hi, I'm looking for low-fee ETFs similar to CBO in makeup and yield but priced in USD. Any suggestions? Specifically, I'm looking for somewhere to keep bi-monthly USD cash contributions to a USD TFSA before making equity purchase decisions (I don't like seeing cash sit in an account without getting any yield). My account has relatively low commission fees (none to purchase ETFs) so transaction costs aren't a huge concern. Maybe I'm thinking about this incorrectly, however, and any other suggestions on how to best hold monthly contributions would be appreciated. Much appreciated!

Q: I own the above and am in a no loss no gain position. With the current problems surrounding the stock, should I consider selling and buying Google instead. Thank you.

Q: For a play on the consumer visa or walmart?

Q: Could I get your advise on KKR. I have held it for years but now am down
30% should I sell hold or add.
Thanks
BD

Q: Good afternoon,
I would appreciate your thoughts upon GPC. I am thinking of adding it to my US portfolio and your views upon it for an investment at this time as well as a potential entry point would be very helpful.
Thank you.