Investment Q&A

Q: Good morning,
I realize you don't like stop losses. What is your opinion of using trailing stops to continue to take advantage of upside and protect against a significant downside? What percentage to you recommend on a trailing stop for large cap, mid cap? and small cap?
Thank you,
Kerri

Q: Ten years ago in 2007 i took four hundred thousand out of the stock market and bought some segregated funds through manulife. I have with drawn one hundred and twenty two thousand in the last 5 years. The funds are now worth three hundred and eighty-eight thousand now. I am guaranted twenty three thousand three hundred a year for life. I am 67 years old and retired for 11 years with 1 million 280 thousand invested in differant investments my house not included.I receive a thousand a month from cpp and old age pensions and another twenty-four hundred a month from other investments not including the thenty-three thousand three hundred from this investment. My wife has pensions of thirty-six thousand a year. I paid nine thousand in fees last year and the funds were up 14 thousand after fees were paid.I am thinking of cashing in some or all of the funds and buying some blue chip stocks, banks, bce stocks in your income and balanced portfolio. What do you think of this. We have no debt and just wish to have a good life and retain what we have. thanks

Q: Hi,

I have a 5% position in ENB and 2.5% in PPL. ENB is declining, whereas PPL is increasing in value for last couple months. Should i add to PPL and take profits from ENB? Advice? Is there another pipeline you like better?

Q: I've read your comments on Russel Metals. You seemed to be positive regarding the company. Considering the move the stock has already made, are you still positive regarding the prospects for the company going forward? Have there been any recent developments? (positive or negative). Thanks for your valued opinion.

Q: I own a small position in Ensign at $9. I was thinking of adding here. What do you think? Is the dividend safe?

Q: Hi Peter, Ryan and all,

I am a rational DIY investor who adheres to the diversity mantra but I am considering a slightly radical move. Here's the thesis, which is about energy: at the beginning of the year my oil and gas exposure - 6 stocks, all solid choices - was already on the light side at about 8% of my portfolio. Just shy of 1/4 through the year they are down a cumulative 10% (9% including dividends). My thinking is that:

a) global demand will be flat-ish, as non renewable energy sources gradually gain strength, off setting increasing demands elsewhere.

b) it's somewhat amazing that the OPEC production cut is holding but I'm not confident that it will long term, which could lead to the spigots being turned on full blast again.

c) technological gains mean a decreasing cost to extract every last drop of oil, as evidenced by the Americans in the Permian Basin and elsewhere.

Bottom line is I'm not buying the global oil inventory coming into balance scenario meaning further pressure on prices. That 8% of my portfolio figure is now 7.1% and dropping. Contrary to oil I have been knocking it out of the park on the tech side - 10% of the portfolio - with NVDA, SHOP, KXS, OTEX and AT and am considering getting right out of energy and deploying that 7% into tech and healthcare.

I am well represented in all other sectors except materials - don't like the volatility - so would then be skipping two sectors.

I know this is a deeply personal investing decision but your thoughts are appreciated conceptually.

Thanks!

Q: I have owned Savanna Energy Services (SVY) for several years. There are two takeover offers for this stock. The three choices I have for my stock are:
a) tender my shares to Western Energy (.85 shares of Western and $.21 cash offered per SVY share).
b) tender my shares to Total Energy (.13 shares of Total and $.20 cash offered per SVY share).
c) do not tender my shares
In your opinion, what is the best choice.

Q: Two children ages 11 and 15. $5000.00 just being put into a self directed RESP.

Stock suggestions please?
Pat

Q: Re Amaya after all they went through in 2016 does Company have good leadership for the future. Any comments on their top people ? Thanks Bob

Q: Hi, my advisor suggested I sell na as it is an all Canadian bank ,and buy Zwb or sit on cash.
I'am a investor for dividends mostly and some growth. Do you think this is a good move,or is the switch even necessary. I assume if I went to cash it would be see if there is a correction and buy at a later time?
Thanks for your comments,Brad

Q: Hi, I have held STN for years, remain just above break even. Considering a switch to WSP for better dividend and growth. Your thoughts on this move? Have also held SJ and KBL for years, have done well but both seem weak lately, would you recomend any potential replacements, or just a hold pattern? Thanks, Lavern

Q: New fund,believe IPO was $10.00 in December. why would anyone now be selling below $7.50 in only short time. Is it good long term hold if the price of oil is going up? What would be MER. (including expenses) Is Mr. Nuttall's (P.M.) track record worth the investment (high fees). Risk/reward.....Cec

Q: I want to buy CLL.b but wonder if buying it now, 50 shares,then ending up with 250 after the split, is wise, or should I wait until after the split and buy 250.
Thank you,
Helen

Q: I have read that some of the big US media companies are going to start allowing people to view newly released movies at their home (for $30-$50) only shortly after it is released to theaters. How much of a concern do you think that is to Cineplex as a long-term hold?
Thank you.

Q: Athabasca Oil is a disastrous long-term holding in my trading account. My purchase price is $3.87, with the current price at $1.40. I'm considering buying enough shares to average my cost down to about $2.00. Would you recommend doing that? What is the long-term outlook for ATH? Thanks for your thoughts.

Q: I am looking to add to my current position in Boyd. This appears to be a great opportunity, but, ever the nervous Nellie, I am looking for hidden pitfalls to the pullback with relatively huge volume. Am I being overly cautious? Thanks for everything.
Larry

Q: Could you comment on recent results and going forward ?

Q: Hi 5i,
This stock has been a beauty for me. Up 30% and a dividend yield that is 4.7%. In my portfolio, instead of owning three banks, I chose one bank, one lifeco and this residential mortgage insurer. I am comfortable with this diversification in financials and with the real estate risk associated with MIC (have a 10-year horizon).
The mortgage rule changes in late 2016 did not change their story, but I know the ongoing housing issue in the GTA certainly has the potential to change their story. Is there an early-warning signal in housing that I can/should watch for?

Q: I want to build a somewhat buy and hold portfolio that has a decent dividend. What are your thoughts on ZPW, ZWH, ZWC and what percentage would you give to each? Another possible portfolio would be MKC and MUS.
Your thoughts - thanks

Q: I would love to see a 5i indepth report on SHOPify to fully understand different aspects. This company seems to be growing great guns. It is now over 8% of my portfolio and I am tempted to let it run. My rationale being that this is a company which is doing e-business for thousands of other companies in different sectors. In that sense it is a well diversified entity in itself (or so I convince myself). What are your thoughts?