Investment Q&A

Q: Hi Peter and 5i Research Team,
I am not asking about the general market. Instead, can you give me your 2 to 3 best picks for Canadian companies that do significant business/sales in the US - the companies that will do well in a low Cdn $, low oil price environment. I need your top companies, please. Thank you.

Q: I am needing to add more bond/secure type investments to my portfolio. I am 70 years old and only have about 20% of my portfolio in bonds. However there are two funds that I currently have in my portfolio that have done quite well in the past year or two, and their track record is a good one. They are Signature High Income and Mawer Tax Effective Balanced. Both carry approximately 50% of their portfolios in bonds so I am considering selling off some ETFs and stocks (PKI and BCE) in order to increase my bond % through these funds. I also have some XBB. Any thoughts on these funds or XBB?

Q: I realize you like both Stantec and Stella Jones but I have room to purchase only one of these two quality companies in my T F S A? I'm looking at a 5 year window so which of the two would you recommend for purchase at this time? Thanks

Q: This large Gamesys acquisition by Intertain Group appears to have similarities to Amaya's transformational deal. When Amaya announced the deal, you were bold with your projections and subsequent share price appreciation supported your thesis. What would be your analysis and thoughts around future success of the Co.? Do you foresee a decent upside to share price from current level ($17)? Thanks

Q: Espial Group I own it. Very significant strength. You commented about Jan. 15. Do you have any further comments considering their share price increase?

Q: Hi Peter- Rate reset prefs dropped around 4% with the BOC cutting rates due to the fear of a lower BOC rate upon reset ( I think!!). We know that perpetual prefs 'should' drop on interest rates rising. Therefore, can I assume that rate reset prefs offer a good hedge to perpetuals? In my preferred portfolio, my mix is 70% Canada bank resets and 30% US bank perpetuals. Assuming yes to the first question and the current interest rate environment, do you agree with this mix. Thanks for your opinion.

Q: Any new thoughts on Gamehost? I am a long time holder of GH, and it is about 4% of my portfolio. Down 20% over the last 3 months, much of it on the oil drop. Are there any other concerns at Gamehost, or is $12.80 a good price to add another 1-2%?
Thank you.
I am really enjoying the Member Questions, and the knowledge level of both the members, and your crew, is sure helpful.
Grant

Q: What do you think of Empire (EMP.A) below $90? There seems to be alot of growth from 2015 to 2016, and enough growth from 2016 to 2017 to make it look pretty interesting to me as a longer term investment. At $90 with 2016 expected eps at $6.43 it looks like its trading below 14x earnings with good growth ahead of it.

What do you think of current valuation and do you see substantial growth beyond 2017 for Empire?

Thanks, as always.

John

Q: Hello Peter & Co,
The above represents 13% of my RRIF Equity portfolio. I hold CCT,CPH,CXR,GUD,RX and thinking of nibbling in VRX,CRH,PHM; would you please rank them as if I did not own anything.
Thanks,
Tony

Q: Do you see much more upside with Stella Jones? It was a great pick of yours and has done well. I want to keep my profits so wondering if it is still fairly valued or should I sell and redirect the profits to another of your recent top picks.

Q: Hi peter and team,

Nice to see your recommendations on BNN. Is there a compelling reason to switch into BIN if i already hold WM. Both seem to be doing well although BIN is cheaper on a PE basis but WM pays a bigger dividend. It is held in my registered account so there are no tax issues and i pay a minimal trading fee on my account so those aren't considerations.

Thanks

Q: I am developing my portfolio to be an income generator and like many Canadians, have a significant portion of my capital in Canadian banks. What do you feel is a suitable % range for Canadian banks in an income portfolio? I am certain I am too heavily invested today in the banks but the recent drop was too inviting so more had to be bought. Thanks in advance.

Q: Hello,
Back on January 22, 5i was commenting on Albert`s question that VUN has had consistently better performance than it`s hedged cousin, the VUS.
How does that occur when they both track the same index? Does the VUS have added admin costs with converting back into CAD dollars daily, which negatively impacts it`s performance numbers? Thanks for clarifying.

Q: Hi,
After the recent miss on earnings, do u think I should continue to hold and wait for better days given 6% annual growth in China? I am about 12% under water and have a substantial holding, about 15% of portfolio. I know some are suggesting shorting it which worries me.

Q: Peter I hold only SU (Down 10)%) & SGY (down 58%) Should I dump sgy? What's a good replacement in the energy sector? thanks

Q: Does this look like a buying opportunity for this co.?
Are there any other car suppliers that might complement this co or stand on their own.
Many thanks.

Q: Hi
Looking for an update on a few of your recommendations I currently own:
Surge- Seems like oil has found some footing for now. Would seem like some kind of move to the middle would be in order after such a panic adjustment. Looks like you are suggesting a hold here. Do you have a sense for the underlying commodity price going forward.
Avigilon- seems to have recouvered from weakness. is there upside here or a good time to sell.
Descartes- same
Fiera Cap - same
Questor-same

Q: Hi team. Thanks to your guidance and the present market, I have been able to shave a few of my equities, that are from your PFs, and am ready to purchase more U.S. I am thinking of this ETF. I understand you prefer unhedged. I have Canadian $ which I suppose I can convert. But having read answers on these ETFs am still confused. Which of the 2 is preferable? Is it best to convert my Can $ to US $ and then buy? (which one of the 2?) Or is that a waste of time and should I purchase with Canadian $ ?(again which one?) I am sorry for the confusion. Thank you as always for your sage advice.

Q: My question relates to what one should hold in an RRSP for minimum taxation long term.
I have quite a diversified portfolio but I rely more on dividends from stable companies instead of bonds for "fixed income." I treat all accounts as one account for diversity.
Some rules of what to put where are clear eg Cdn dividend stocks go in cash accounts to get best tax treatment. However if cdn dividend stocks are held in an RRSP I conclude you lose the favourable tax treatment because when you take money out, its taxed at the marginal rate. REITs appear to be better because the yield is not all dividends. My conclusion is that the priority for picking stocks to hold in an RRSP should be US dividend payers and interest paying securities first and Cdn REITs after.
Does this make sense?

Q: With the small improvement in Cuba-USA relations and their nickel mine start up on time would you consider a small position in S a good investment or another name?

Thanks to all