Investment Q&A

Q: Hello Peter and Team,

Happy New Year. I know this is an extremely general question... What do you see as the best investing opportunity or having the biggest upside for 2016? Things to consider could be companies that were quiet/unfairly beat up in 2016, or some momentum/general trends you see emerging this year. Feel free to make this company specific or an overall sector.

Thanks,

Jordan

Q: Hi Guys,

Could you comment on PHM's stock based compensation for 2015 of $9,162,835.

Is this reasonable and what holds in the future for this?

Thanks
John

Q: Happy New Year Peter and the 5i Team,

Last year,I transferred (in-kind) some 'poorly' performing stocks from my RRIF to my non-registered account. The reason for doing this is three-fold: (1) I am in the fortunate position of not needing the RRIF income for living expenses, so am gradually reducing my RRIF portfolio even though I realize that these withdrawals are taxable.
(2) If the stocks continue to under perform, they can be used as tax-loss selling inside the non-registered account. (3) If the stocks turn around, then the non-registered portfolio will grow, and the dividend tax credit will help to reduce the overall tax burden, when applicable.

Given that my 'thesis' is valid, and if what I've outlined is a good idea, which of these "under performers" in my RRIF would you suggest be transferred to my non-registered account? ABT, G, HLF, PEY, and SPB.

Thanks to 5i's timely advice,the "outperformers" in my RRIF have done very well so that even in this difficult market, the portfolio is still up and handily beating the TSX.

Since this is a rather convoluted question, please dock my question credits accordingly!

Thanks as always.

Q: hello, hello...just in from a long morning coffee with friends....and when I turned on the computer, this headline popped up "Chinese stock plunge triggers trading halt" While I hold a diverse balance portfolio, I wondering what this plunge means going forward for canadian and american centric positions?..........wow, with this plunge there and much less here, what at way to open investing for 2016, eh?!........Tom

Q: Hey guys, I will be adding to my TFSA soon and I was thinking about these companies, magna, knight, esl and dh. Both magna and dh have seen major pullbacks during the last few months. Please rank them 1 through 4.
Thanks,

Jim

Q: Symbility has made many announcements over the past year or two which sound positive but the stock price bounces around mostly with a gradual downtrend. Can you update your thoughts on this company? What might be a potential catalyst? Are there any concerns or red or yellow flags here. I am patient and willing to wait. Thank you and Happy New Year. Tulio

Q: What do you predict for Manitoba Tel for 2016? Is the dividend safe? Might there be a takeover? Thanks for all your advice!

Q: RIF withdrawals/ deposit: Lots of interest in TFSA's these days - but some of your customers might be in the same situation as I was re 2015 RIF withdrawals.

I believe the mandatory withdrawal rates were lowered after January 1, 2015. I had taken out my required % .... and then later in the year advised that the difference between the old %withdrawal and the new % withdrawal could be re-deposited in my RIF until Feb or March of this year.

Do you have any information on this? If so, it might be a useful option some folks by re-depositing the difference and reduce their 2015 income tax.

Thanks.

Q: Hi Peter and team, Happy New Year! I am considering two of the above for my daughters TFSA where we are looking for a mix of growth and income. I believe you like all 3 stocks but they have all had a tough 2015. What is the "bear case" for each? I see a lot of positives but why are these socks moving in the wrong direction. Please rank the three in order of preference for a 2016 price recovery. Thanks

Q: HAPPY NEW YEAR
PROS AND CONS FOR THESE 2 BONDS FUND AS A PART OF BOND PORTION OF PORTFOLIO.THANK YOU.EBRAHIM

Q: What is your opinion on Park Lawn Corp, a cemetery and funeral home operator that is growing by acquisition?

I currently hold a 2.0% weighting of this company in my portfolio. Considering that this is a small company and that I am a risk tolerant investor, does this weighting seem appropriate. In light of a recent acquisition in Michigan, I have been considering bumping it up to 3-4%.

Thanks.

Q: Hi there. Could I get your opinion on HRX and its valuation.

Thanks

Q: Any insight as to what is happening with this stock today? or is it the general market?

Q: Since the US is allowed to ship oil by tankers starting on JAN 1-2016.Would you invest in shipping oil companies,and which ones would you choose?Thank-you for your excellent service and HAPPY NEW YEAR.DOM.

Q: I just saw Star Wars on its 3rd weekend . I paid $19.00 each for 4 IMAX tickets , plus concessions and there was barely an empty seat in the house . Given that, I find the almost 10% decline from $52 baffling. Is this a case of the hype baked in well in advance? Hits are never guaranteed so is it possible we will still see a Star Wars bump for CGX?

Q: This comp. has very low debt, TTM EPS grwth of 45%, pays a 12% dividend which is sustainable accord. to Eric Nuttall. I have very limited info on Balance sheet. Would this be a good buy to hold to get torc on any oil price increase - sells at a big discount to book value.

Q: Happy New Year to all. Could have your opinion of the merger of agn and pfe. and a 1 year outlook for agn.

Q: Hi Peter and Staff
Recently we have had one BNN guest whom I believe you respect a lot tout this as a top pick and another one say that they are exposed if Penn West does not make it due to large portion of revenue from them. Do you know how significant they depend on PennWest and would some other company not buy the Penn West production and be on the hook for the royalty agreement with Freehold?
Thanks for all you do and all the best for 2016
Dennis

Q: Thank you for all your guidance over the last year. Most helpful.
My undisciplined approach to buying and selling has led me into a 25% weighting in consumer discretionary and cyclical sectors and only 5% in utilities and tecom sectors combined. I'm nearing retirement and will depend on dividend income. Therefore I'm thinking I should sell some and buy the other. Out of BYD, XTC, CGX, CCL.B, ATD.B, DOL, MG, WPK which would you sell? Or would you just reduce all evenly? What are your favourite utilities/telecoms with good secure dividends at this time? I already hold half weighting in T, BEP.UN, ECI. Maybe increase those and add others like AQN, BCE, FTS?

Q: Happy New Year Peter and all at 5i.
Our diversification outside of Canada is through the 5i portfolio Canadian companies with such diversification (ATD, BNS, BOS, CSU, SJ, TCN etc). We don't have any US or Global domiciled stocks. Is this enough looking at 2016 or is it prudent to add some US or Global focus ? Also, we've always been impressed with Dennis Mitchell who now has 4 US/Global funds at Sprott. Though new funds, based upon Mr Mitchell's track record at Sentry, would you recommend any of these ? An alternative ? What percentage of a 5i based portfolio ? Sincere thanks for all your guidance in 2014 and 2015. All the Best in 2016 ! Paul