Investment Q&A

Q: I've been looking at a few boutique banks, specifically Greenhill & Company (GHL) and Lazard (LAZ). They both pay nice dividends and seem to be gaining steam from all the M&A activity lately. What is your opinion on these two and boutique banks in general. Thanks

Q: I know this is very speculative, but do you see any stocks you think are strong takeover targets? I'm ideally looking for those with strong fundamentals as well.

Q: I often read a comment from traders along the lines of "this stock is not a buy and hold --it is a stock you trade for profits " Can you suggest a few stocks that you " trade for profits " Thanx Robbie

Q: I just thought I would add a bit to Jeremy's question in regards to making a " In Kind" transfer of shares from a margin/cash account into a TFSA. This move is considered a deemed disposition by CRA and any gain is taxed accordingly however, what is interesting is that if shares that are in a loss position are transferred to the TFSA CRA does not allow the tax loss (so gains are taxed but you don't get the tax benefit of a loss) something to consider before moving shares that currently are down.

Q: I'm looking to buy some US Stocks. I'm relatively young and also being risk tolerant, I'm looking for medium-to-high growth stocks for the long term.

I know you mentioned many US stocks on this service, but of the ones on your purview, can you give me a few names that are good and high growth on the US exchanges?

Q: Would you please recommend an alternative to ATS Automation
(ATA) as the short position and heavy insider selling
has me concerned. Regards Gord.

Q: I would appreciate your evaluation of the recent floating rate debenture offering from Constellation Software. The interest rate is very enticing but I understand the CSU can defer interest payments. What do you think of the value and risk of this investment. Thank you.

Q: I still have my oil positions but am holding a high percentage of cash this summer and waiting for the "correction" which seems delayed or not coming at all. Can you give me your sense of where the TSX is going and which sectors do you like coming out of the summer and into the latter part of this year?

Q: I am thinking of selling MDI and buying TOU and PET. MDI has done nothing since I bought it in Nov 2012 and I am looking for a more exciting and hopefully profitable stock(s). What do you think of the move in a balanced portfolio?

Thanks for the great service; best money I have ever spent!!

Q: NTB: I understand the company's plant in Sherbrooke Que is starting up again after being closed down due to a fire. Would this be a good time to buy as stock seems reasonable at this time ? Thanks Bill

Q: Hi team:
I owned all the pipelines: TRP, IPL and PPL as well as ENB
for the dividends and abit of long term growth
I have some extra cash, which one would you suggest for 3-5 years hold for dividends and abit of growth ? Thanks

Q: Peter & Team,
SNC WSP STN ARE which one do you prefer better and the rationale. Thanks in advance.

Q: I bought a half position in DCI last July at $23 and was wondering if I should buy the other half now (at 14.50) as their latest results looked promising or should I wait a little longer?
Thanks for your great service!

Q: Hello Peter and all at 5i: I have very little in the oil and gas sector, I do have GEI and SU but they are a small percentage of my overall portfolio and wonder if it is too late in this move up and if not would you please list your favourite names at this time. Thank you Barb

Q: I bought some BIP_UN@$44.46 yesterday in last 5 mins of trading. LevelII at BMIS indicated a 3cent spread to the best bid. A large # of shares changed hands in the last 5 mins at$44.29 where it closed. How does this occur? There are a number of exchanges listed in closing TX's. Is there a big sell order placed which chews thru the bid stack? How might the seller decide on his limit price? Can you tell me if BIP_UN is in a TSX index?
Thanks for the excellent info you provide.
Ernie

Q: Hi Peter I currently holds Win and it really seems to be doing nothing not sure if I should sell the shares and buy something else. if I did this what would you recommend? Thanks for your help Clare

Q: Good Afternoon,
I just thought I would check in with regards to New Millennium Iron (NML), obviously continues to fall with falling iron ore pricing in the low 90's. I know over the last two years or so you have thought this name was a good long term hold and will move once the commodity space turns, do you still feel this way? The DSO continues to ramp up, and one day Tata may decide to go ahead with the Taconite. Do you think this looks interesting here as an entry point at $0.39 for the long term? Huge deposit, no debt, strategic partner and shareholder in Tata Steel out of India.
Thank-you.

Q: Could I get a quick opinion on the Acquisition by Kelt today?

Q: I currently own Sylogist (SYZ), Avigilon (AVO), Constellation (CSU), Amaya (AYA), Fair Isaac (FICA - Q), DH Corporation (DH)and Enghouse (ESL) and am thinking of adding Evertz (ET). I know you like all of these companies (not sure about FICA) but I have two problems.

First, are they all considered technology companies, even though some are software base, they service different industries and some focus more on haresare? Can a portfolio safely handle 5% holding in each of these companies mentioned or os that way out of whack?

Second, if there is portfolio overlap, which are the "best' ones to own, in terms of long term holds.

Thanks for the superb advice. I am now well on my way to be being able to thank you for a constantly better looking retirement!

Paul F.

Q: Hi Peter & Team,

I have been holding ARW for quite a while now and down quite a bit. With the energy sector doing well right now, ARW has not moved much. Is there any hope for this company or is it time to move on? Thinking on investing whats left in MCR and hopefully recover some of the capital.

Thanks,Irshad.