Investment Q&A

Q: In your answer to John, yesterday, on how to play the bear market (if it is one) you stated: "One other option is to own VXX, an ETN (different than an ETF) that is based against the VIX Volatility Index. "

What is an ETN, and how is it different from an ETF? How would this benefit the current situation? Thanks!

Q: Hi there,
Would a vehicle like TDB8150, a place to park cash in an investment account, be subject to bail-in confiscation, similar to bail-in of bank deposits. Thank you.

Q: Could I please have an update on XHB, Blackrock's Hybrid Corp Bond Index. I asked about this ETF last August and it has since fallen in value quite substantially. On the other hand, the laddered Corp Bond Index from Blackrock, CBO, has held up rather well over the same time frame. Would CBO be preferable over XHB? Or should bond funds be avoided at this volatile time? I am currently sitting on 30% GIC's and 70% cash - no equities whatsoever. Thanks for your opinion.

Q: Because of the US threatning to crack down on corporate inversions and CXR's current share price, do you see it as an M&A target in 2016?

Q: Hello.
Thanks for the quality reading about companies. This subscription has generated educational and financial benefits.

After review of many income and quality holdings held through 2015, I find myself questioning Portfolio Management strategies. While I attempt to have a long time horizon and focus on the company not the ticker, I have to question the practice of an Investor holding companies that rise nicely in price only to fall from high prices (pick any reit or quality income oriented investment).....essentially doing a round trip ..some into a negative position. (IPL, BEI, WSP, TCN, CGX will be there soon)

Often accompanying the Investor along this journey are comments like, good company, good to hold for income investors, fundamentals look good or the dividend should support the stock price.

Can you offer thoughts on the above general scenario and either how to overcome the sense of loss as stock prices tick lower for companies previously sporting gains or what alternative strategies/ Portfolio actions are out there (not trying to be a trader) to help reduce the downside action of a Retail Investor's portfolio?

Thanks for your efforts.
Dave

Q: What would be Your top 4 reits

Thanks Mike B

Q: Update

Q: Neulion NLN seems to be getting a lot of traction lately.
What do you think?

Q: Happy New Year to you all .

I own both Magna and LNR ,I bought Magna at 60$ should I take my loss and move on?
Your thoughts on LNR.

Thanks for your advice.

Q: Shanghai index down 7% so trading suspended. Hong Kong & the 3 major European indexs down some 3%.The US futures also down sharply.Oil down 4%.Please advise us what to do.Always appreciate your usual great services & views.

Q: I'm interested in investing in Potash Corp. On Dec.10/15 you stated that it is priced for a dividend cut and in November stated that the company has stated that the dividend is safe down to potash prices of $200 per ton. With potash prices being fairly flat in the $300 per ton range since the latter part of 2013 are you foreseeing a dramatic fall in potash prices to the sub $200 range ? Trading at 10.5 times earnings with a close to 9% yield I find the company tempting. Your thoughts on the company in general ? What are the earnings estimates going forward ? And the safety of the dividend ?
Thanks for all you do.

Q: What do you think of TOU right now (and natural gas in general)? Would you sell it?

Q: What is the significance of their "early warning report?" is this still a reasonable steady eddy income stock, or should I be looking elsewhere? Thanks, and happy new year.

Q: I have held VIG since our dollar was at par with US and it has appreciated over 10% since I purchased it.
I'm thinking of selling to take the profit on the spread between US and CAN currency, what would your opinion on this be?
Thanks

Q: Are we in a bear market? How should retail investors like myself position ourselves in the current environment? Thank you.

Q: Would you buy AHF and LSG at this point in time ? Thanx Robbie

Q: Hello Peter & 5i team,
A few small queries:
1) BNS is in the balanced portfolio and yet it is the worst performing of the big 6 (3.8% 5-yr compound total return vs 10.6% for TD and 10.4% for Royal)
2) You switched Stantec for WSP Global last year; why not own a half position in both (for a chicken like me)?
3) For an indirect exposure to the US residential housing, I'm debating between Interfor and Western Forest; which would you suggest? (or should I be a chicken here too and own both?)
Thanks,
Antoine

Q: Thank you for the ESL recommendation. I bought it in the mid $40's and it is now just above $70. What do you think of the valuation at the moment? I am thinking of selling half of my position, thoughts?

Q: What do you think about Kevin O'Learys ETF,s
OUSA .. which I believe in hedged against currency and is supposed to be a high dividend ETF with low volatility.
Wonder if you think it's a good and stable investment and also, as its dividend paying ETF, if it's good for Canadians ... given withholding tax and our devalued dollar?


Thanks

Q: Hi guys, wondering which sector or sectors as of the new year , has been seeing the most money inflows in both Canada and the Us. Also any recommendations for tech companies in the Us?
Many thanks for your service