Investment Q&A

Q: What do you think of debentures and do you think this is a good way to possibly hold as a proxy for ones bond side of your portfolio? How are they different from preferred stock? Do you think PBH are a good choice of company to hold them with? I have cash coming out of GIC's and am looking for a better rate now that GIC interest has gone down. Is the Div of 5.5% safe and is it considered interest or div for Canadian taxes? Is it good to get in or wait with a new issue regarding the price- do they tend to fluctuate with the market? Thanks so much.

Q: Hi- PBH has just issued a debenture paying 5.5%- would this be a decent fixed income investment for a medium risk ? How will the stock impact this?

Q: I am getting “twitchy” on Premium Brands ahead of them reporting on March 21st (a Friday, but reporting before markets open?). Can you give me an idea of how often they have beat expectations in the past and how the share price has reacted historically as well? I know it is asking for crystal ball gazing but can you make an educated/experienced guess about what you expect?

Q: What would be your favorite Consumer staples/defensive names at this time and are they over valued now, or continue to be a flight to safety, considering the circumstances of the day. Your thoughts on the above or any additional companies for this sector.
Thank you,
Mike

Q: Good morning 5i staff
A couple of months ago I sold pbh for a tax loss and bought a Td for a replacement. Since that time atd has gone down close to15%. I am now thinking about selling it for tax loss. Even if I buy pbh or some other stock for thirty days, I would rather own atd. Do you see any catalyst in the near future that would cause atd to rise quickly.?
Thanks as always for the great service

Q: Please rank these stock for risk relative to US Tariffs from High to Low.....yes, wonder how defensive these CDN stocks are......Many thanks.....Tom

Q: Hi Group looking for some direction on following stocks. Looking for growth along with some dividend return. \plse give me a couple (5) of your suggestions that fit the guidelines lastly please rate them all 10 being best

Q: It’s getting more difficult to stay positive on PBH. I know that better things are expected after recent Capex but share price keeps falling. Are you still optimistic or is it time to sell
Thanks

Q: Looking at some Canadian mid cap stocks. How would you rank these 9 stocks for estimated total return potential over the next 5 years. BYD, DIR.UN, DOL, EQB, MEQ, PBH, STN, TFII, TIH. Thanks.

Q: I am underwater significantly (-20 %to 30%) on the above 5 companies. I have a well balanced portfolio so am looking to either sell the above and replace them or add to them. Can you please give me your thoughts on which ones you would ditch and which ones (if any) you would add to. If you have any suggestions as replacements for any that you consider should be sold I would appreciate it. Thanks for your ongoing great insights. Peter

Q: Hello 5i team,
The stock price has fallen a bit below my entry price and I wanted to add to it. Would you still be comfortable adding at this level. The tariff craze is not spooking the markets as much as implied and was wondering how much product PBH sells to the US(or if they have operations there)?

I am holding for the long term (purchased in Dec 2022).

Thank You,
Andrew

Q: A recent analysis from Queen's University points out that consumers could see the prices of goods and services drop by up to 14.5% if free trade between the provinces were to be achieved. Which Canadian companies would benefit the most from elimination of interprovincial trade barriers?

Q: Hi Peter and the 5i Team,

PBH continues to be a very frustrating stock which we bought for a RRIF and a TFSA. Even though 5i rates it as a “B” and most analysts rate it highly, for those of us who purchased it when it was trading at much loftier levels, what is it going to take for at least a break-even position?

In the case of the RRIF, PBH was purchased for 96.24 per share. It closed on January 9 with a price of $79.26. When dividends are included, our loss is still $3900.

National Bank rates PBH as “sector perform” with a target price of $99.00. On the 5i website, the stock is trading in a range of $75.67 (year low) and $97.10 (year high). Even with all the positive news surrounding PBH (acquisitions, etc.), the stock is retreating to only $3.59 above its year low.

I read recently that beef prices are at an all-time high. The CBC had a story called “Beef prices hit record high at the grocery store — and on the ranch, too”. Is this somehow holding back PBH?

Is PBH a stock worth holding? Are there any tailwinds on the horizon that could lift PBH out of the doldrums?

Thanks as always for helping me to make informed decisions.

Q: considering a buy
i am looking for defensive but with potential for growth
i like the pharmacy/food stores they are rolling out
please advise on this buy and please suggest another 2 options in list of defensive stocks
i am generally diversified and hold financials and tech
many thanks

Q: A good portion of my smaller cap portfolio weighting is in these 4 stocks. They seem reasonably diverse sector wise but the first three have been trending down for 3 months or more, and EIF seems to be now following suit. From a lot of recent commentary I was thinking small and mid-cap names might have a bit of a tail wind, at least on a valuation basis. I know I shouldn’t focus on 3-6 months but still a bit “vexing” watching them slide. I’ve read the recent q&a on all of them, don’t see any alarming comments really, any new concerns I’m missing?

Q: Hi Peter and all at 5i. Wishing you the best of the season!

Peter, first of all, I really enjoyed your last article in the National Post. Your financial stories were highly entertaining.

I manage a RRSP for my daughter-in-law. She has approximately 24K in cash due to a GIC that recently matured. (She got 5.16% interest).

She has these commission-free ETFs: CEW, QQC.F, XHC, XIT, and XST. She would have to pay a $10 commission on the following stocks and ETFs: BCE, BNS, FTS, PBH, SLF, WSP, ZIN, and ZRE.

Question 1. In what order would you suggest she uses the cash to purchase more of the commission-free ETFs?

Question 2. If there are compelling reasons to do so, in what order would you suggest she uses the cash to purchase more of the stocks and ETFs where there is a $10 commission?

I’m hoping that this question can be answered before Christmas if possible. Please use as many question credits as you see fit to provide a comprehensive reply.

Thanks as always for your valuable insight.

Q: I have two questions re: tax loss selling. I have a three year old gain that I can offset by selling the above holdings.

1. First please help me with the math. If I buy a stock for $100, sell it for $90, I have a loss of $10 which would mean I can expect a $2.50 tax loss at a 25% rate. Does this mean that if I wanted to buy the stock back after 30 days, I would only be better off if I buy it back at less than 92.50 per share? Do you have a threshold whereby you must be down by a certain amount to justify a tax loss sale? e.g. 20%? Unless of course you are walking away from a company.

2. Which of the companies listed would you consider buying back after 30 days? I have too many holdings as it is so may just let them all go unless something is particularly interesting. I am overweight technology, underweight everything else but otherwise have a broad mix of funds and stocks.

Q: I have gains and outsized weighting in CSU, DSG, WXM. Planning to rebalance in the new year. I have been building positions in LMN and KXS and have a gain in those. I'm down and have smaller weightings in PBH, BYD, BEP.UN, AW. Which of these 6 would you suggest to add to in 2025?

Q: Hello Team,
I am enjoying 5i Macro Models services! Thank you! Could I have three Canadian Staples individual + ETF names please.
Thank you!

Q: Hi Guys

Premium Brands is almost $20 below where it has traded not too long ago. Is there light in the tunnel in 2025? Are there any positive signs that earnings and momentum might move this stock much higher in 2025 or is much more patience required?

Much thanks

Stuart