Investment Q&A

Q: I find AGT interesting and have done some basic research. I had looked at it a few years ago when they were starting out. In hindsight it would have been a very good investment. That said you can’t buy much Beer with hindsight.

Since I first looked at it the growth has been very impressive and they have diversified into “Value Added” products.

I understand that Agricultural Commodities have a lot of risk and the Food Product business is very competitive.

That said it appears that AGT has found a “niche” that they understand very well.

I noticed that at one point that “The Carme Trust” controlled by Murad Al-Katib owned 26% of the company. In January 2014 that was reduced to 16.7%. It’s considered a good thing if management has substantial “skin in the game” but too much control by the CEO can be a double edged sword.

I don’t know if the reduction in the family’s holdings and control should be considered negative, positive or irrelevant.

Over the last year or so the growth in the company and increase in the share price has been impressive.

Another thing that I noticed unless I missed something is that the over-allotment on the recent Bought Deal (Nov 2014) at $28 was not taken up. If that is a fact it could suggest that the market felt that $28 was a bit expensive.

I am considering starting a position in AGT with the view to build it over the next few months depending on how things go for a mid or better yet long term investment.

The only other exposure that I have to Agriculture / Food is Agrium (AGU) and Premium Brands (PBH)

Your thoughts?

Q: Is there anytime that Segregated Funds make sense?
Heather

Q: Would be interested in your quick thoughts / summary on this stock.

Q: Your thoughts on this US stock as I am Intrigued.Bob

Q: I bought 1,000 shares @ $13 in mid-2011 as a medium term income investment. There was a dividend increase in June, 2012, therefore it has not disappointed as an income play. However, I still have an unrealized capital loss of almost 50% because of its ongoing weak unit value. Time to sell and find a better prospect?

Q: While working on a new spreadsheet to treat all accounts as a whole for portfolio mix/diversification purposes, I am wondering about having 5% of REITS for total portfolio in RRSP account rather than having 5% in each account. The idea is a top down approach first for all accounts - like have a portfolio mix and select "best" stocks, and buy them within the account that has the best income tax treatment. From a tax point of view, REITS are assigned to RRSP account and growth stocks for the longer term that pay no or little dividend at the present time are assigned to TFSA. The other idea would be to select stocks for a US dollar account where the TSX is thin, like Health Care, and/or where the business climate is more favourable for a particular sector. The outcome would be individual accounts being out of balance relative to the diversified portfolio mix but with all the accounts taken together, a diversified portfolio mix would be in place, achieved. Seems as if this approach is like a bolt lighting cracking overhead for me, being a newcomer to all of this....and I would appreciate your take.....Thanks....Tom

Q: Hello,which 3-4 Cdn pharma stocks do you think have the greatest chance of capital appreciation over the next 12-18 months?
Thanks
Dace

Q: Peter and team,

I currently hold CBO and HFR at 5% each of the portfolio. Rest of the Portfolio is currently stocks that are pretty close to the 5i model portfolio. Due to high personal exposure, I am thinking of selling TRP stock (5% of the portfolio) and adding XHY in its place.

I think the XHY should add some currency diversity to my portfolio as well as providing nice yield and it looks like the recent decline in value is finding a bottom.

Any thoughts here? By the way, my opinion on interest rates is that they are going to continue to stay lower for longer than anyone thought possible but I am cognicent that they can almost only go up from here and therefore have stuck to floating rate and short durations so far.

Thanks,

marc

Q: I hold CLS and VCM in my TFSA. CLS is up 9 per cent and VCM is up 66 per cent. Do you think I should continue to hold? I realize this is not diversifed but I have other accounts that are being managed by a professional.
Thank you.

Q: Hello Peter and Team, I,m wondering if it is time to take profits on my U.S. stocks as two of these are up over 100% and the others between 30 and 50%. Also the currency gain of almost 25% I receive over 2000.00 U.S. in dividends per year for an investment of around 80,000.00 U.S. This is in my cash account so I imagine I will pay a fair amount of cap. gains tax. Thank you Herb

Q: Ben Cheng (Aston Hill) was on BNN yesterday and chose this as one of his Top Picks. Despite a high valuation, he felt it was not over-priced and that it was poised for very good growth. He further commented that the managers are very good operators who have excelled at integrating their acquisitions. Acknowledging that your focus is not US stocks, I nonetheless value your opinion very highly. I am looking to add something relatively stable (i.e. med. risk) to a US RRSP portfolio, with a 2 year timeline on it, sector being relatively unimportant, as the portfolio is well diversified. This caught my eye, especially given the North American penchant to store up everything they can lay their hands on: in and of itself, exclusive of the company, I would think this is a huge growth area. Thanks for your advice.

Q: What do you think of Ryerson for a longer term hold as a value or growth stock.
Thanks
Jim

Q: concerning the model portfolio what are the allocations by sector represented as it is. in other words what percentage is in each sector as it stands today...cheers

Q: Hello Peter and Team, I am considering PSI, Pason Systems and /or LIF Labrador Iron Ore as a contrarian move (5%)within an otherwise diversified folder, with a focus on income while riding the potential rebound of both. Could I get your assesment of the risk to dividend payout and metrics of each?
Thank you kndly, Rick.

Q: Dear Agent. Is Hatteras (HTS) a stock worth holding on to in one's portfolio. Eddie.

Q: Dear 5i
I am down about 28% with this company but I have only a half position . Is this company worth buying more of at this time or one to avoid investing more into . I have about a 4-5 year time frame .
Thanks
Bill

Q: QSR started trading at $40, and it is now $49.
Would it be wise to invest in this Co. now?

I know it is Burger King & Tim Hortons.

Thank you.

Q: Which of these two funds should I select? Given the free-fall of the Canadian dollar, I am inclined to go with the zsp.u (US dollar denominated). Then again, perhaps I should hedge my bets and buy both in equal amounts!!
Your reaction please.

Q: Hi Peter and staff,

Please give me your opinion on this fund. BAROMETER DISCIPLINED LEADERSHIP HIGH INCM FD CL A.
MER+TER is 4.84%
the fund may also pay annual performance fee to the portfolio manager equal to 20%of the amount by which the value of the Fund exceeds the value of its benchmark.
Your opinion would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Shirley

Q: Gamehost's share price seems to be moving down with the price of oil because they are tied to the Alberta economy. Assuming the worst, a prolonged recession of several years, would GH survive? would they maintain their divvy? GH seems like a great contraian pick with a good div. I already own a small position and would like to add. My portfolio is diversified in both geography and sector. Your advice please. Thank You