Investment Q&A

Q: I finally found the "submit question" location/button. And here is the question that I e-mail earlier today, plus your reply. Thought it would be helpful to have the Q & A posted.

Good day Peter. What is a reasonable percentage range for energy stocks in a non-registered Canadian stock portfolio? Presently my weighting is 25% with drillers being 3.5% and oil and gas exploration, 21.5%, with 4.5% being CVE and CPG and then the others, are growth companies. (Energy infrastructure, like ALA are classified as Utilities.) CVE is held for big name "stability" and CPG for the 7.0% yield but I'm inclined to sell them if overweigh energy. Thanks for you real-time insights.......Tom M

Q: I am looking at teck resources.can you see a good entry price somewhere,which would be a support level?
Also under which scenario would coal recover?
Would you suggest Teck right now as a bit of a contrarian play,or would you wait some what longer

Q: Hello Gentlemen,

I have 10K for my TSFA and I am torn between investing in gold or just let my other investment in gold recover. I have 100 shares of G and of course I am still 20% under (it used to be 40% until recently.)

Now here is my question: would you buy CCL.B at this stage or would you buy a junior gold instead, trying to take advantage of its recent rally. I hear that those who ignored gold in the past only learned a lesson that gold did return to its glory and demanded twice as much as its previous peak.

Is this rally going to be any different? Would gold go more than it used to be just two years ago? Would gold teach the same lesson to those who disrespected it?

If the answer is a likely yes, then which junior gold would you recommend? I have been looking at:
CTG, MND, TMM, AR-T, and BTO, unless you have something with even more promise of growth.

Or should I just go buy 100 shares of the CCL.B?

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Q: Could you please offer any comments on the CDV ETF. In looking mainly for income it seems like a good product? Thank you.

Q: The jan 20 issue of Forbes had an interesting article on Buy-write closed end funds in the U.S.. The 5 year returns of the 10 they covered averaged between 12% and 18.7%. The m.e.r.s were around 1%. They all trade below n.a.v. ,and the average yield is between 7 and 10 %. Are the trading strategies risky? Is there a disadvantage to Canadian investors? If not what are we missing? See: FFA ,BOE,CII,IGA,ETY,EOI,JSN,ETV,DPO,NFJ. Thanks, Philip

Q: In considering a purchase of ESL, would the low trading volume be much of a concern?
I've also been looking at CHE.UN, and found that the distribution hasn't changed in at least 7 years. Would you anticipate any increases going forward?

Q: hi
tks for your answer about coke.
if i was to buy a canadian natural gas company ,
is it to late and if not what would you recommend .
tks

Q: I am wondering what your opinion is of CAE Inc C (CAE, TSE), it was fairly flat for a couple of years but 2013 was a good year for it. Currently it is at 15.15. I have held this stock for quite a while and I am tempted to sell.

Q: Hi Peter,
Many sources have indicated Mexico is due for a break out with new political leadership. Do you agree, and how would you play that possibility. How about EWW-N even with Fx risk? Thanks

Q: could you compare RRX and CTA - holding some RRX and wondering about selling half and buying CTA - what to do?

Q: Would you agree that all things being equal lack of diversification and realtors commissions means owning a REIT is a better way to play real estate than investing directly in rental properties? Bearing in mind the long term advantage of 5:1 mortgage leverage it seems that things are not equal and the advantage is currently with rental properties over a time horizon of twenty years or more .

Do you know any REITs in Canada or the US that employ the same kind of leverage? This would be especially useful when investing in the US market, as maintaning a property far away is highly stressful.

Q: Hi 5i,

Your thoughts on GPE (Great Prairie Energy Services)? Seems like a very cheap growth company with solid management and board. Your thoughts? Would you recommend this for an early stage, high risk / high reward stock?

Q: peter first thanks for the canacord recommendation nice call. I bought bse.un quite a while ago, I wonder if I can have your opinion on it. thanks bill

Q: Good morning. Could you please provide your updated thoughts on Counsel CXS? I appreciate that the stock gained substantially in 2013, but it's down about 30% from its $3.00 high last October. I'm happy to continue to hold it if you think it might recover. Otherwise, take my loss and move on. Thanks.

Q: Interested in updated thoughts on PXX? Thanks.

Q: Could I have the consensus estimates for DH's Q4 revenue and adjusted eps?
thx

Q: Could you suggest a consumer staples Can. ETF and a U.S. consumer staples etf hedged to the Can.$? Thank you.

Q: Hi, I am retired and own 5 reits amongst others. MRT.UN represents 2.48% of total portfolio.I can't understand the lack of coverage by investment professionals regarding MRT.UN. I think this reit should be regarded as a good investment for retirees looking for income and a bit of growth.
Your thoughts, please

Q: For income stability and growth which one would you pick in each of category a) CI Financial or GS.TO and b) IPL or PPL

Q: Will you please update your thought on NDN ? Thanks.