Investment Q&A

Q: Could you please update on alexco, have moved up a lot but don't know why? Volume hasn't changed much and I don't see any news.
Should I sell 1/2 position after such a nice move?

Q: I am sure the gold bugs at Sprott are celebrating.
This stock has gone up alot for me and my position has grown from 1% to 6%. I think the company still looks very good however and there has been no insider sells yet. Any thing you see differently. I will probablly trim some and start buying some other beaten down sectors.

Q: I am hoping to retire in the next couple of years. If I can get a 4% return on my portfolio, I believe I'll be in great shape for many years. Recognizing that National is not your favourite bank, I can't help but look at the 6% return and wonder why I wouldn't buy this as a solid income producer. Canadian Banks (including NA)are very well regulated and if they all go under, we'll all have very big problems. Am I missing something or perhaps to ask the question another way, do you see a better place to get a fairly secure 6% return for many years into the future?

Q: Baught AQN a few days ago for my TFSA. I am looking for long term gains. Presently I am down by 10%, should I keep or switch to another stock

Q: Good afternoon:

Would it be a wise more to borrow $100,000 on a line of credit and invest in the Model Balanced Equity Portfolio at this time.

We have zero debt are semi retired with indexed pensions.

Thank you

Mike

Q: Good afternoon,
My wife's non-registered account holds ARX, BNE, and VET with still a capital gain in each of these positions. Would you recommend holding these positions for the longer term or liquidating now?
Thank you.

Q: You previously mentioned that VET has "a fairly large debt level based on cash flow". and that "in the 3Q had $122 million in cash flow and paid $26 million in dividends, for a ratio of 21%".
Have these numbers changed at all - ie.- how much cushion does VET have to continue paying their dividend at the current level going forward or has their ability to continue "not cutting" their dividend been compromised?

Q: Hello Peter and team:
Are we finally here for the so called ascent of Gold? Or is this another "teaser" by Gold? Worth dipping into Gold either as GLDor XGD? I know you prefer GLD but if I were to stocks what your favourites?

Q: I own aginco eagle, would like too add 2 gold companies with more torque,i was thinking of Alamos and richmont, what do you suggest. dave

Q: Undiscovered oil is owned by the provinces and in the case of the Artic by Canada. The price is ridiculously low. Should we not be seeking some kind of political ban on future exploration to protect our children's interest in this resource? If we leave the pricing mechanism to the market and the market price is controlled by sovereigns (Saudi Arabia, Russa, Venezula etc)then you would think there has to be a floor price that Canada should set. I'm sure this question becomes mute when oil rebounds but nevertheless world markets are being adversely effected by someone trying to corner the oil market. Perhaps oil should be classified as too big to fail.

Q: With the continuing decline in the share price of Canadian banks, would you consider ZWB to be a better alternative for bank exposure at this time for the next 6 to 12 months ?

Thanks

Q: HI 5I
I would like to invest about $8000 each in 6 stocks (48000).
this would represent about a 2.5% position in each. I am currently fully invested in all banks,t,bce,ema,cgx,ipl, key,wsp,et and eci. Therefore I would hope you could identify something in addition to these.
Thank You Stan

Q: Can you comment on manulife. The street is not liking today's results.Is it worth holding.
Thanks Dave

Q: anything in their earnings to get excited about??? markets dont seem to think so.

Thx

Q: Hi All. I went to sell some MDA this morning in my Investorline account. The price quoted was 82.80 and the bid/ask quotes were 82.49/82.81. I noticed on my phone however a price of 83.71. Going to Stockwatch.com, I saw the last trade at 83.71. Had I not back-checked the information, I potentially could have sold at quite a discount based on the BMO information. What's going on here? Is this a typical situation that I just wasn't aware of?

Q: In my husbands Rrsp account we have been generally following the income portfolio with regards to equities. Since he doesn't have a pension, it is important that it generates a steady income while preserving capital although he would not be touching capital for a few years. We recently added Bns when the dividend went to 5.5%. Given Boston pizzas increased dividend announcement and its drop in price today, would you purchase it today for income knowing that the stock price will probably increase in the further when the markets stabilize or are there other stocks that are more compelling.
Thank you.
Maggie

Q: What are your thoughts on the recent year end financials. With the finances improving and new members added to the board, do you believe the stock will start to be re looked at. Many heavy hitters asked to see ALL these changes and year end numbers. Could you also speak to the balance sheet..cash on hand etc. Would you be a buyer around these prices.
Thanks Jason N

Q: I thought your comments about PHM regarding their revenues, plans and PR ineptness hit the nail on the head. It is distressing to see how they, on the one hand, can integrate the acquisitions and grow revenues and profits - a significant feat - and on the other hand, stumble on public relations. I keep reminding myself that hospitals are kicking people out "feverishly" and 10,000 people a day turn 65 in the U.S. In my Canadian hometown, we have an absolutely fantastic new regional hospital costing $500M in 2010 and beds have been cut by one-third in five years and staff cuts are heartbreaking. Clearly, we live in a new healthcare era and PHM is so well-positioned to capitalize. Is this not a bonanza waiting to happen if they continue to streamline their profitable operation to the point of maximum potential before getting back into acquisition mode? I think this model is so relevant today. Lately, the share price has been consumed and overpowered by traders but the long term prospects could be substantial. Frustration aside, what do you think?

Q: Hi- what is happening with this Maple Leaf situation? Are they in trouble?
Buyable here?
Thanks

Q: Regarding the question about a U.S. citizen holding mutual funds in a RRSP account, my tax professional advised me that anything can be held in a RRSP account since they are covered by a tax treaty.

If Canadian mutual funds or trusts are held outside of a RRSP extra tax forms must be filed, which can be expensive. U.S. stock can be held in any account.