Investment Q&A

Q: Hi,

Are you familiar with the American ETF symbol SDY? It is bench marked against the S&P HighYield Dividend Aristocrats Index. Would you consider it a buy?

Thank you.

Q: Maxim Integrated ( MXIM.us) :
I have a small position in MXIM. Some shares were left over 9 years ago from a sell order that was only filled partially. The holding represents just 0.25% of the portfolio. I suppose I should therefore either sell MXIM , or buy more. I could also leave well enough alone.
I would appreciate your thoughts whenever you have time.
Thank you. Best wishes
Adam

Q: You mentioned in an answer to Barb on Dec 16th that although you like cct, you felt mdt was "much safer" . I own cct and would appreciate it if you would elaborate on why you feel cct is vulnerable ?
Many thanks and best of the season to all at 5i.

Q: Thanks for the quick response to my problem this morning, much appreciated. With your recommendations of CUD and VGG, is ZWA a similar product? Can I have your thoughts and preferences on this one also. Allot of volatility in the markets right now, just looking to park a lump sum of money long term, that pays a decent dividend,[ monthly ] and is some what safe. Thanks again Rick.

Q: Most of my investments are North American and at this time I am looking at adding some international through an ETF. Looking at EEM, FEZ and VXUS. What are your thoughts on this selection looking at a 5 yr window. Would one enter now or even though we are having an up day is there more down side to come. Also any other recommendations.
Merry Christmas to you and staff.

Q: Good Morning Peter and team: I would like your opinion on Flowserve in the US. The valuation appears attractive after the "oil sympathy" sell-off, and I'm wondering what you see in this stock. I do not currently own it.

Q: I am mystified by the "buy" rating accorded this stock by several respectable stock rating services. Does your perception of their data give you a similar perception?

Q: Hi
I am about 7 years out from retirement. I have no health care associated stock and am wondering what you would suggest to enter that sector. ie Medtronic (MDT.us) or CCT

Q: Need an update on what you think of athenahealth.

Q: This is not a question, but a comment.
Ref: December 15, 2014 (asked by Jim)

Question: I have been looking for an ETF, on the Canadian stock exchanges, that tracks US banks. Can you recommend any and of course, the best one as you see it. (lol)
Thanks for your help!

5i Research Answer:
We woudl suggest the best one (if not the only one) as ZUB, BMO Equal Weight US Banks. It is $199 mm, hedged to the C$, with fees of 0.40%. Three year annual return is 26.7%.

The symbol for US Banks is ZBK, not ZUB. Per the BMO web site, this etf has a distribution yield of only 1.09%, and the fee is 0.35%. Not sure where your performance numbers came from. There are none on the BMO site as this etf only began in Feb. 2014.

Q: Would BP.US be a good stock to purchase. Eddie.

Q: I have been looking for an ETF, on the Canadian stock exchanges, that tracks US banks. Can you recommend any and of course, the best one as you see it. (lol)
Thanks for your help!

Q: Hi, I've asked about RFMD before and you liked it. I've noticed that there's been a lot of insider selling. Do you think there's anything to be concerned about? I bot a little at 14.21 w/intention to add and hold for 1-2 yrs. Would you add at this time.....it's down 3.29% as I write.
Thanks a lot!

Q: Hi Peter
Merry Christmas. I hold PFE and GID in my US portfolio. Would BAX be a good addition for healthcare income and some growth or would you suggest an alternate.
Thanks
Hamish

Q: Hi Peter and group. I am increasingly concerned about Canadian Equity Stocks. I would like some more exposure to the US.I am interested in all sectors including a currency ETF. Is it possible for you to recommend US based ETFs. One in each sector would be a big help. I know you do not focus on the US but at times like this it would be as big plus.. Thanks for your service I find it extremely helpful.

Q: Hi Peter and Team,
From what I see in the Q&As today, there is a relative theme of this being one of the worst days, in a month or two of historic volatility. I`m afraid this question will not be any different, and I ask it in a more general context. Notwithstanding today`s 5% drop, on top of a couple months of , in my view, over selling, why does the market treat this stock in the same vain as an energy stock? In effect, you would think that lower priced oil / byproducts should be a stimmulus to LYB`s bottom line. With a very attractive valuation and what seems to be a positive outlook for the company, considering the potential of the US economy in the upcoming near future, can you offer insight as to the recent flogging? I look forward to your response on this one, I`m in the dark here. Thanks as always, Rick.

Q: There must have been a miscommunication, I was referring to "WORLD POINT TERMINALS" WPT : NYSE
NOT Westport Innovations.
Thank-you for taking the time to answer my question.

Q: I am thinking of moving my 128 shares of aapl into my TFSA. I have a profit of 58% which I would have to claim if I do this. Do you recommend placing US stocks into the TFSA or is it better to stay with Canadian companies? I am expecting Apple to continue to do well in the new year and would like to make the most of the profits with it being in the TFSA!

Q: Good Morning 5i team,

Being an inexperienced (aren't we all) investor, one of the hard lessons I have had to learn (and am still learning especially on BNN) is not to believe everything you hear and/or read. Apparently, it is my own human nature that lends me towards wanting to believe a pundits excitement regarding the future of a company and the story he or she tells about a bright future and why a stock will go up 30% in 6 months. No question it is this behavior that is what truly makes 5i so invaluable to me... a sound and unencumbered opinion absent of ulterior motives purely for the purpose of keeping my eyes open and my gullible side in check.

As an example, I have just read an article about MDR. And from what I read, this company'is incredibly undervalued and should triple an investment within 6 months if not sooner. According to the article, they have tremendous backlog, ($4BB) tons of cash on hand, price to earnings ratio of about 5X, and it is at a tremendous discount being down over 70% since mid June. Further, it looks like an excellent take over candidate.

I was lucky enough to sell about 70% of my energy sector holdings (did especially well on Rock) back in Sept and am sitting on a bunch of cash.

Can you please tell me - especially considering your last opinion of MDR Aug 2013 - why I shouldn't put 5% of my portfolio into this company then sit back and watch my money triple in 3 - 6 months?

Thanks for all you do

Yours Truly, Gullible Gord

Q: I am interested in changing a portion of my wife’s RRSP holdings to US Oil Producers. I am looking at Chevron CVX, Kinder Morgan KMI, Devon DVN as candidates due to the recent oil price meltdown. Would you recommend any of these or do you have a favorite US Oil Producer. With the weaker Canadian peso we would have been better to do this when the dollar was at par, ah hindsight!
She is 62 and plans to roll the RRSP into a RIF when required, say 10 years. The portfolio currently has 40% fixed income and 60% Canadian equities. What level of US equities would you recommend? We are comfortable with medium risk exposure.
Many thanks for your service!
John