Investment Q&A

Q: Peter Ryan and team
I have a limited accounting background I understand most of the ratio's eg ROE PE CF but I have great difficulty in figuring out how to calculate them on a complex financial statement

Could you suggest a course or literature to help members calculate the different ratios and determine debt levels etc

Everyone says do your own research and I want to become better equipped

Any suggestions would be appreciated

Thanks
Paul

Q: This company has hit new highs the pas 2 days on the venture. Ravi Sood is on of the principles behind what they claim is using the income trust structure as it is based on foreign assets--in this case renewable power on the fringes of the EU. Does the concept work? Is it for real and not phony magic?

Bryon from Elmira

Q: Could you comment on Pivot. They say they will initiate a 3 cents dividend in September and will convert the pref shares. At 30 cents , its a 10% dividend for a growing company.

Their last earning a few months ago showed a 10% increase in profit and they maintained 11% margins.

Q: Could you please comment on Logistec recent earnings (03/24) and the news release about expansion of their Montreal terminal? The stock had a great run, do you see more upside or would you recommend something else?

https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/logistec-announces-expansion-termonts-container-173000129.html

thank you

Q: Greetings to all and I hope everyone is well. I am considering Hexcel for a long term hold as I like the sector and carbon fiber demand may increase in the future. Does HXL have a wide moat, or is it easy for other manufactures to produce carbon fiber? It seems expensive, but I think growth prospects are good. Thank you and best wishes to all.

Q: I have a handful of blue chip (industrial?) U.S. stocks which I'm up 20 to 40%. UTX,GE,AMT,AA,GLW. I would like to think of myself as a long term investor but with all the indicators of rising interest rates and pull backs, should I look at taking some profit here? I'm usually guilty of hanging on too long and not selling. I'd be looking at putting it into what you recommended to Nick for his TFSA on 03/24/15 WSP or STN,XTC, HGC, WCP and / or ATD.B
Thanks

Q: Hello 5i team, This name reached all time high in January this year at $17.02, after that it keeps dropping. Now it is at $14.12. Even when the market is rising like today, it still makes new low. What is wrong with it? what should I do? I am fairly diversified now. If sell, please suggest a name to replace it. Thanks.

Lin

Q: Wondering what your thoughts were on VAB and XQB as alternatives to CBO? Or as part of a bond portfolio including CBO? Vanguard reduced fees last year and XQB looks interesting. Goal is to get between 3% and 4% return (yield and +/- capital) with low(er) risk. Thanks

Q: Can u give your opinions on which is better and why or an alternate suggestion ? Can u give an opinion for a 3 year hold . Am I interpreting this correctly as a play on the S+P 500 instead of SPY?
I would prefer to use can dollar to purchase vs US dollar
A past question / answer mentioned Zsp and Zsp.u What is the difference ? Thank you

Q: please update your opinion on svy

Q: Hello Peter and Team
On a number of occasions you have recommended CCL. I have noted that the amount sold by insiders for this company during the last year exceeded $70,000,000. The amount attributed to the CEO alone was over $22,000,000. Is this something that should be of concern for someone who is contemplating in buying the shares of this Company?
I thank you again for your guidance.

Q: In July 2014 STN and WSP had the same share price of about 37. Since then STN has undergone a slow and steady decline to 31 ( a fairly significant decline in my opinion), while WSP has undergone a rapid increase to 41. You cover both companies, and in Oct 14 wrote reports on both. STN retained its A rating, and WSP ws given a B- on its initial report.

Something is not computing. What is going on with STN? Is it time for me to cash in on the STN (which I own), and which is still up considerably from when I first bought it, and get on the WSP bandwagon (which I do not own)?

Q: Hey Peter & Team, your favorite article reader here again...

A Seeking Alpha article written by an author admittedly long on BP argues, BP is a better play than XOM during and or until the recovery for 3 reasons;

1. 6% yield vs XOM 3.24

2. an asymmetric situation in that BP has literally seen zero gains since the spill. On Apr 16, 2010 it was at $59.88, spill Apr 20 and the low hit $27.02 June 25. Since then the high has been $53.15 July last summer and as of today, is at $39.50. From what I can tell, BP hasn't seen any real appreciation in share price since the spill

3. Both dividends appear to be safe with BP quite a bit cheaper @ 13x vs XOM @ 16X.

With this in mind would you agree a switch out of XOM into BP at this time is a good idea, bad idea or neutral

Should I have any concerns regarding future settlements yet decided

Anything else I should be aware of that might dissuade this change

Thanks for all you do

Gord

Q: Hi Team 5i,
I'm a bit weak on the financial sector of our portfolio. Looking for blue chip companies with sustainable/growing dividends so I'm looking at the Canadian Banks. My questions are:
1. Is this a good time to be adding Canadian banks to one's portfolio?
2. If so, do you still like Bank of Nova Scotia the best? How about TD with it's exposure to the United States?
3. Are their other possibilities that should be considered for the financial services sector that could fit the bill? Perhaps be even better buys at the current time.
As always, thanks for the guidance.

Q: What is your take on this company? Seems steady as it goes and pays a nice dividend.

Q: I administer a small RIF account for a relative. Time to make some changes as it's in a negative position. Three stock are in the negative, and 2 have done well. That changes do you recommend for a growth portfolio? (Time horizon: about 4-5 yrs.)
Cost Price Value % loss % portfolio
ACQ 58.47  31.79 1,017.28 -45.63% 4.56%

QST 3.55 2.36  3,540.00 -33.46% 15.86%


HCG 51.2 42.47  4,247.00 -17.05% 19.03%


OTC 59.77 69.96  6,996.00 17.05% 31.34%


AVO 15.52 21.39 6,417.00 37.79% 28.75%

Loss
TOTAL 22,217.28  -3.17%

Q: Have you guys done any research on this company, opinions?

Q: This is one of a new suite of funds offered by Purpose - this appears to be the largest and thus, most liquid, of the funds on offer - this company was started by Som Seif, the builder of Claymore Funds, and they appear to have some really interesting and different funds on offer via ETF'S and Mutual Funds. I would appreciate your comments on this fund which appears to be a blend of Cdn and US dividend stocks

Q: Hi 5i: I've held FM for about a year, having bought it as part of a diversification effort. Everything I read and hear suggests that the price of copper is unlikely to move until 2016, and then relatively slowly. I'm considering getting out and switching to something that will provide some growth in the interim. Your advice would be appreciated. If you think getting out is OK, any suggestions on what to buy instead?

Q: Over the last two months, Leon's stock has fallen from $19.25 to $14.90. Is this a good entry point for this stock? Do you think the fall in price is related to concerns about the overheated housing market?

Dave