Investment Q&A

Q: Team,

Can I get your opinion on MCR's results please.

Obviously the headline numbers are a huge miss (and the market is punishing it accordingly). I would have thought the losses in their fixed contract fiasco, and subsequent impact on margins, was already priced into the stock, but I guess not. They claim to be moving away from fixed contracts moving forward. They keep referring to that contract as a 'strategic contract' (I assume that means they were trying to buy a relationship by under cutting their competition...), do you see this bearing fruits by way of future (non fixed) contracts moving forward?

I purchased a very small position earlier in the year, and have averaged down a couple of times (I own MCR and E as my small cap exposure to energy infrastructure). MCR is still a small position in my portfolio, maybe I love punishment, but the market cap is now only $100MM, It almost makes that much revenue every year, assuming they can fix the structure of their contracts and win a couple bids, it seems like it has nowhere to go but up??!?… of course, I’ve thought that for some time now. I don’t like holding positions under a 1% weight in my portfolio so I feel like I should either cut it or add a little bit more? I’m fairly patient, but don’t want to keep throwing money behind a sinking ship either.

Q: Hi Peter,

Just a note for Gerald and other members on company sectors. If they go to the TMX web site (TMX.COM), enter the company symbol they are interested in. After the quote comes up, choose the “company” tab. The Industry classifications are shown at the bottom of the page.

Regards
John

Q: Not a question,just a "thank you" to Peter for developing '5i'. The education and recommendations are such a great help in hacking through the investment jungle. As a concrete thank you, I have just donated a second time to your Charity Ride and wish you all the best on your Canadian journey.

Q: What are your thoughts on QST latest quarterly results? It looks like they surpassed expectations.

Q: Can I please have your opinion on ITP and SOX. Would either be a buy? The stocks seem to be acting well lately. Thank you very much.

Q: I have set aside funds specifically for the purpose of establishing an income portfolio. While I understand your reservations in trying to time the market, could you recommend a strategy for deploying the funds giving consideration to the weak seasonal period for equities we are entering, the imminent elimination of QE, and the potential for incremental increases in interest rates starting within the next six months. Would it be wise to place the funds in money market, or even a short term bond etf like VSB or VSC, and wait till later in the year to begin the investing process? What ideas in the 5i income portfolio are buy-able currently? Many thanks.

Q: Hi Peter and Team: I am contemplating adding an industrial to my portfolio. How would you rate ATA vs.ITP or would you recommend something else. Good luck on your upcoming ride.

Thanks, David

Q: PWB-T Pacific Western Bank. IAG have a $8 target on it. Is an online bank, what are your thoughts on this for a small position

Q: would greatly appreciate your opinion on PSI.to

Q: Model PF I am reviewing my weightings in various sectors and it is proving to be an equivocal process. I turned towards your PF to get some ideas and couldn't find anything relating to it. Is there somewhere to find this and if not, have you thought of doing so or, is there a reason that you don't.

TIA

Q: Hi 5i team, The recent run-up in the shares of WIN. Is it a result of: (1) a change in the market's sentiment toward the company and is therefore broadly based or (2) a few big investors including maybe hedge-funds buying for a fast flip or (3) someone buying a stake for a bid or for activist influence? Afterall, the stock was at $8 plus when the company's situation was't that different from now. Thanks as always. Henry

Q: Hi: your comments on LOY results today. They look very strong but the market is not impressed. A decent higher risk buy here?

Q: Peter, can I get your opinions on PTS and AIM. Both have been beaten down for some reasons. For PTS it seems it's due to a report from Seeking Alpha valuing the company at 5.50. Which one you prefer most? Thanks in advance and all the best for the ride.

Q: Hi there,
I am fairly young with a high risk tolerance. I have quite a diversified RRSP portfolio with lots of 5i companies and a mix of others. I'm looking to add a new stock and am considering DHX and SJ. I'm looking for your opinion on which will give me a better return. I'm also quite patient so can ride out periods of volatility. DHX has risen quite a bit lately while SJ has been stagnant for some time. Any comments to help me with my decision would be appreciated
Thanks

Q: Hello 5i team,
This is more a comment than a question on THI.
I bought THI early in 2014 in my RRIF account because of its very high ROE and because I felt there was some modest growth left in Canada and a larger one in the US even though I was also cognizant that the same store sales were in constant decline; so I thought I'd be happy to make 20% pa for the next 2 years.
Enter Burger King with its questionable motivation, with a questionable rationale, backed by very smart people motivated by fast money.
I could no longer recognize the new THI (the risks associated with its future) and decided to take advantage of the very generous offer. I sold all my holdings for a 50% profit in just a few months and will move on; in so doing, I more than met my profit target.
Regards,
Tony

Q: Hi, Peter
I have hold tsl.us for a few years and lost money. What is your thought about the stock, should I sell or hold.
qihu.us just reported the results for last quarter, it seems pretty good, but the stock keeps on falling, your thought on the company going forward. thank you very much.also I am thinking to replace SU with TOU, is it a good idea.

Selina

Q: Hi Peter and Team,

Would really appreciate your comments on the article in today's Globe and Mail re Burger King.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com//globe-investor/investment-ideas/think-carefully-before-biting-into-burger-king/article20227396/

The author is less than positive about this proposed merger.

Thanks in advance.

Q: re: PNE

Is it just me or does Michael Campbell always have a very compelling story.

In looking into it further, there is no question Mr. Fink knows what he is doing. And now he is apparently doing the same thing again with Pine Cliff.

Has anything happened or has your opinion changed - for the better or worse- since your last comment on PNE July 28?

Thanks for all you do

Gord

Q: Hi Team,

I have a number of quality US$ equities in my portfolio. I would prefer to hedge the US$ exposure if I could find an affordable way to do so. I tried a 2X leveraged ETF a few years ago but it had a 2.5% MER and I seem to recall that the leverage doesn't work well with volatility. Do you have any suggestions on how I can hedge the exposure? Thanks

Q: I tried to submit something similar to this yesterday but I think it timed out so if this is a duplicate just ignore.

I think I can offer something to Jeremy's question on Questor. I work in oil and gas.

There are 2 reasons operators use incinerators:

1. To replace a flare of unsellable natural gas for public concern or environmental responsibility (hide the flame from view, get more complete combustion). There is no monetary benefit to incineration in this instance - it's an added cost. Reasons for doing are public image, environmental responsibility, and sometimes regulatory.

2. Using natural gas as fuel to burn up an undesired product such as hydrogen sulphide. This is the application where the payback Questor talks about comes in to play through using less fuel.

The North Dakota example would be primarily category 1. This also probably represents the big growth area.

Questor's marketing materials don't differentiate between these applications clearly. They could also probably do more to show how their incinerators are better than other ones and not just flaring.

I agree with Jeremy's point on not seeing a clear catalyst for growth after a number of years of slow growth but am relying on the 5i analysis here that the growth is materializing. Despite being sceptical for that reason, I do hold QST as I believe they are a supplier of choice in the field.

Hope this is helpful to some.