Investment Q&A

Q: I own some stocks and ETF's in U.S. dollars. Are there any reasonable methods the retail investor can use to insure himself from a possible decline in the value of the U.S. dollar. This may involve options, hedging or possibly an ETF that tracks the U.S. dollar or other suggestions ?

Many Thanks

Paul

Q: First question from an old mining guy. If you assume,as I do,that the next situation faced (after dividend and capex cuts) for Canadian oil producers will be re-statements of reserves and resources,who's on the casualty list? In other words, have you done a sensitivity analysis to see who's reserves drop from "14 years" to "5 years" at $50 oil?

Q: Extendicare and leisure world reported today, what do you think of their results.

Q: Several months ago I bought TVA.B on a recommendation from an analyst. The holding company was Quebecor, Brian Mulroney was on the board of Quebecor and Desjardins group owned shares in TVA. The book value was $12.50 and I bought in at $9.00. I figured this was good however I made a classic mistake and didn't research the details. When the price declined (I sold at $8.50) I decided to do some research. This structure was so complicated that the more I analysed the more I was confused. I made a classic mistake and confirms the old Ben Graham adage "never buy anything you don,t understand. At any rate, I noticed that they have now announced a distribution of rights at $5.66 and from what I see essentially folding the company. In terms of education can you give me, and members, a brief synopsis of what happened. Who are the winners? Obviously from what I can tell, the common shareholders are the victims.
Thank You

Q: Good Morning, Peter and Team,
I have ventured into the US with MU and GILD. MU lost its contract bid to Samsung recently to provide chips for Apple. GILD is facing more competition for its HIV drug than anticipated. Both stocks are still slightly up but the profit has declined over the past week or so.
In October, you stated that MU runs quickly when it hits a downturn. I am torn about selling on the news for these two companies, and would appreciate your advice on whether to hold or sell right now.
Thank you.
Gail

Q: 50yr old looking to start investing with an advisor who would be an active manager. (Not just follow the herd or stick me in a fund for 10 years and collect his fees). How do I go about picking a financial adviser? Is there a book or website where I can research this? For example, is it safer to pick an adviser at one of our Canadian banks or the larger investment firms vs smaller firms? Which qualities should I look for and which to be cautious of? What would you suggest? Any information or direction you can provide would be great.
Thanks

Q: AIF has popped after reporting earnings and has been trading sideways for a year. Could you characterize this company (is it a stretch to call this REOC alternative)? Is it value here and could you give your opinion? Thank You.

Q: Hi Peter, can you please comment on Altus Group just announced Q4 results. Do you consider this a good entry point for 3-5 year hold?
Rob

Q: Could you please give your opinion on their latest 1/4ly report and would you buy/hold/or sell.

Thanks

Q: What is your evaluation of this company ? In your estimation would it be a buy at this time. Thanks

Q: Hi Helpful people:
Re: alan's question today Feb 25. Heading- Concordia. Could you please advise what rxx is the ticker for. I can't find any such company using my sources. I hope I don't lose a credit for this.

THANKS
BEN

Q: Hi Peter,

I am wondering if you could recommend a safe financial insitution that maybe you would use to save on trading fees. Places like CIBC, RBC Dominion Sec, National Bank all want to charge around 2 - 2.50% to buy or sell shares for us. We are using our own research and your research to choose our long term stocks. I don't like to pay institutions for work they are not doing.

Thank you for being able to ask these types of questions.

Charlie

Q: I recently purchased Tesla in my TFSA with the intention of keeping it as a long term hold. I fully understand that it is richly priced and would likely be quite volatile, but the recent report from Bank of America forecasting a huge collapse in the share price has spooked me. It has me second guessing if I can stomach what could be a very wild ride. The shares are trading about where I purchased them and I am considering exiting even though it is only a very small portion of my overall portfolio. What is your view on Tesla today and what do think of the recent Bank of America report?

Q: Could I please have an update on First National, post earnings release. Thanks!

Q: Hi - we're about to add a second child to our family RESP, and have the following etf holdings:

ZDI (21%)
ZPR (21%)
ZWH (25%)
XEI (33%)

Any advice on this mix, and the weightings before making my 2015 contributions?

Many thanks.

Q: Hello Peter and Team,
I`m looking to chose between AQN and RUS as a long term hold for Income within a diversified portfolio. I am interested in the respective potential growth that is characterized by these two stocks, albeit for separate reasons. Could you please offer your own perspective on the long term growth of each and as well as to the viability of each respective dividend payout? Thank you kindly. Rick

Q: I'd like to know what your current view is on MCR. In response to a question I posed on Dec 9/14 the answer was "Macro had a very tough year; even before the recent energy sector meltdown, it experienced cost overruns on a fixed cost project, and this destroyed its profit margins. Now, sector retrenchment means there will likely be fewer opportunities for growth over the next two years. But.....it is still profitable, and very cheap. It has some debt, which may be more of a concern if there is not a recovery. After its big drop, we would consider it a hold, but would not buy any more. Note however that its small size now adds some more risks, especially in the short term while the sector tries to stabilize. We think it survives this cycle, but you will likely need to commit to it for another two years."
Yet, in a response to another persons question on Jan 16/15 you respond: "...Both stocks are very, very cheap, reflecting the debt and the sector. As far as survivability goes, much depends on how long the sector situation lasts. MCR, likely, has a better ability to reduce costs, as CET owns its equipment and when business slows it earns nothing on unused equipment. MCR insiders have much more skin in the game than CET insiders.

With the risk of the dividend cut hurting CET, we would reluctantly side with MCR today. But neither looks particularly interesting to us anymore. "

I realize that not the same person answers questions, and there was a period of time between those questions, and now...

What is your current view? Is it worth holding, or time to sell while I can still get something out of it.

Thanks for everything! Love your service!

Q: There are 2 types of shares for Shell on the NYSE. They are both the same wrt voting rights and dividends except that the B shares tend to trade slightly higher valuation and in smaller volumes. The other difference is that they are taxed differently.I know this from the Shell website (12 paragraphs writen by a Lawyer)
As a Canadian (buyin this Dutch company on a US Mkt)what is the better share to buy? which will let me keep more of the dividend that started out the same but is taxed diffrently?

Q: Can you please comment on Cipher's latest earnings and your opinion going forward? I know the health sector has been hot but wonder if I should continue to hold or swap out and add to my half positions of Knight, CRH Medical or perhaps intimate a position in Convalo?

Q: Hi Peter and Team, regarding AHF, would you consider the stock a soft hold, a strong hold or simply a sell into this current strength? Almost at break even at .90 cents. Thanks!