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Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: Hi Guys
a bit of a conundrum here, i came into the crash with 45% cash hoping to buy some U.S. stocks, but the low CDN dollar is making me question whether it's worth it. I'm usually a long term holder, buy U.S. stocks for their dividend growth over time. Whats the most you would be willing to pay for a U.S. dollar when buying U.S. companies, my thinking is around $1.40/ $1.41 is this to high?
thanks Gord
Read Answer Asked by Gordon on March 30, 2020
Q: Hi folks, reading Q4/19 financials on Ag Growth...& 2020 outlook was mostly doom & gloom affecting their business, ie: US/China trade war & esp Covid-19. However, Afn/t received an amendment & extension of its credit facility with 5 Cdn banks with improved terms, and pushed out to 20 march 2025. Guess Q is...will AG Growth financially survive virus crisis..and for longer term..can U start to nibble on a position here. Recently took position in Ntr/t below $40 as will always be a market for food/agriculture...thanks as always. jb Piedmont QC
Read Answer Asked by John on March 30, 2020
Q: Do large pension plans such as CPP and other provincial plans carry a portion of their holding in cash, with the thought of taking advantage of severe drops in the markets
Read Answer Asked by Ken on March 30, 2020
Q: Hi, I have a tax question.
For non dividend US payers, do we get charged capital gains in a TFSA

Read Answer Asked by Ziaad on March 30, 2020
Q: Is there any way for a retail investor to trade WCS crude directly as a commodity? If this low price continues for the next few months, are there any companies that will go bankrupt?
Please deduct as many credits as needed. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by K on March 30, 2020
Q: Any concern on their dividend? Looking at their annual report for 2019, payout ratio is close to 70%. If this is correct, doesn’t leave much room to increase the dividend or re-invest back into the business for growth.... I would hate to see an equity raise in the near future or see then use their cash balance for a dividend increase. Your thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Chris on March 30, 2020
Q: One would think that taxes will go up in a big way to pay for the stimulus. In that sense, richer canadians are effectively paying more for this, with their future income. It is a transfer of wealth from the richer to those who are leveraged, from landlord who has 3 properties on maximum leverage, to the new grad who bought that 600k condo and lost income.
This is still what I think will happen, but I'm curious if there is an economic mecanism that could make this not happen. If all developed countries are coordinated in their stimulus (they seem to be) and all spend about 10% of their GDP on their system, could government bond credit remain UNCHANGED? This would mean that the cost to service government debt would effectively not change (since credit is a relative metric), and taxes would not need to go higher. What do you think?
Read Answer Asked by Matt on March 30, 2020
Q: Hi Guys
Morningstar show DEC 2019 short term debt at $395 Million and cash at 60 million
Do you know what the short term debt was used for, an if Canfor has the credit facilities to handle there debt. I was thinking on taking a small position in this stock at current price levels, after all if Pattison was willing to offer $18 or so a share.
Thanks Gord
Read Answer Asked by Gordon on March 30, 2020
Q: I just reread through your report on this company. How can you do a report on a company without even talking or acknowledging their debt situation. How can we your clients who are relying at least partly on your advice reports etc. on some of these companies in your portfolios and now in a lot of ours fully trust some these reports. I fully realize times of changed dramatically very quickly but this seems to me like a very important fundamental that needs to be in all reports. I look forward to your response.
Read Answer Asked by Tom on March 30, 2020
Q: I understand that the market is forward-looking. What has been difficult for me to ascertain, especially in these tumultuous times, is how forward-looking they are. I realize no one knows the future so we all have to decide for ourselves how long we think COVID19 will continue to roil the markets. But is there any way to know (guestimate) how far out the market currently thinks this will last? For example, I am writing this question on Sunday and wondering how the markets will react come Monday. Personally, I feel the increase in cases and apparent disarray in the leadership in the US is unfolding as I anticipated it would. Would a steep downturn in the markets Monday morning suggest analysts had it wrong or would it not really tell us much regarding the anticipated future? I guess I am looking for an indicator like the percentage chance that is assigned as to whether or not the Fed will change interest rates. Don't know where that percentage comes from but it always seems rather accurate.

Appreciate your insight and for your wisdom. It's helping me to keep off the proverbial ledge!

Paul F.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on March 30, 2020
Q: Hi hope your can help - when the btm fell out of the market I had $1.3 million in stocks presently sitting with $800 (90 % cash) - did not start selling until the market hit 20,000 on the Dow then it was a race to the btm needless to say I also missed last weeks rebound question is how to go from here to start to rebuild. I am retired so too much risk would not be desirable PS I have enough in another retirement account ($500,000 to last 5 yrs Any help you can offer would be appreciated
Read Answer Asked by Terence on March 30, 2020
Q: Given the current environment, which do you foresee having a good recovery from today's lows. How would you rank these companies listed to purchase today to deploy some cash. Which would you rank this list for risk from high to low. (not considering sector allocation.
Do you have any other recommendations outside of this list that you think might have more potential?
Read Answer Asked by Gigi on March 30, 2020
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