Investment Q&A

Q: Do you think HCG's "problems" could spread to FN?

Q: FN: The stock price has taken a dive today. On Thu. it was $26.59, and at a low point today it was 25.08, a 6% decline. I don't see any news. Do you know why?

Q: Ran a screen for companies with good dividend, high ROE, and reasonable P/E. Seems a lot of REITS appear on such a list. Could you indicate your general thoughts at this time on REITS and related companies. Could you also please rank the following on stability of income, with some growth potential. Thanks much.

FN First National Financial
AAR.UN Pure Industrial REIT
SOT.UN. Slate Office REIT
RUF.UN Pure Multi-Family REIT
INO.UN Inovalis REIT
EXE - Extendicare

Q: Could you please give me your opinion on these two companies. Please deduct 2 credits.\
Thank you.

Q: Would you kindly give your recommendation between these two companies?

Thanks, Bryan

Q: I am hunting for reliable dividend payers - companies likely to be around for the next 20years( highly safe - if not guaranteed safe) for the financial sector of an income portfolio.
These 4 have comparable yields. All are around 6%. I know there are issues with Alaris - so would not likely buy it unless you consider it buyable now.

But how about the others: would you recommend all - 1 - none?

Any guidance would be appreciated.

Q: What stocks to sell short if Canadian housing bubble burst? I know the benefits and risks of shorting. As well as the fact that many believe that housing prices would ever go down. Obviously, I have a different opinion and would like to have your objective answer.

Q: May I please have your assessment of the results if First National
Thank you very much

Q: Hello Peter and Staff
Please dock whatever questions you feel are appropriate. I believe HCG is only residential mortgages which caused you to drop it from the portfolio due to recent rules introduced. I also believe First National is in the same boat,ie beaten up because of its residential nature lending to home owners. I guess the CEO was on BNN and said the banks may take 20% of their business. FC and AI and TMC have not suffered the same fate so far. Are they not affected?
Also ,if you were to buy TMC for yield to replace FN, do you buy TMC or TF?
Thanks for all you do
Dennis

Q: I sold not only HomeCapital but EQB, because Cohodes, our nemesis, is now shorting it as well. Now I'm left with First National. As much as I'd like to think I'm a long-term investor, my gut tells me once retail investors read about the news on alternative lenders this weekend, the stock sell-off will accelerate. Some insiders are also selling, even the CEO of HomeCapital who sold a massive amount of shares at 34.50 right after that buyback announcement? Another insider sold over 400k at 27.50 less than two weeks ago? For me, the last nail in the coffin was Sherry Cooper's interview yesterday on BNN (Dominion Lending). Most surprising, the CEO of First National came on Bloomberg basically saying: "It's bad for us and banks will take 20% of our market". Question: Would you sell First National and replace it with Surge Energy, which is back in an uptrend? Thanks.

Q: First National (FN-T) is down over 6% today, presumably due to talk of federal mortgage rule changes. I like the stock but would appreciate your views about the current outlook and whether this might be a buying opportunity or a falling knife situation. Many thanks.

Q: Will the new federal housing initiatives adversely impact Its business, and if so, are you able to quantify rough;y that impact and does the drop constitute a buying opportunity for a long term hold? Thx

Q: Over the past year HCG is down ~ 15% while FN is up ~ 45%. FN has an attractive yield and low PE ratio ~ 13 according to TMX. I hold most stocks in your balanced portfolio so wonder if it would be time to sell HCG and replace with FN.
Appreciate your comments on this trade. Thanks to your recommendations in BE portfolio I own many profitable stocksI would not have bought otherwise.
Steve

Q: In this morning's Globe FN is touted as being a future "dividend aristocrat".

The article went on to state: "It is dominant among mortgage brokers, of which about one-third of Canadians seeking mortgages utilize. The company has close to a 20-per-cent market share there.

First National has shown good capital gains and strong dividend growth. “The company has been a solid, under-the-radar executor of a simple business strategy: become the most trusted and efficient operator in the mortgage broker channel.”
Would you agree with these comments?
Do you consider FN to be a "buy" at this time?

Q: Can you please comment on the last quarterly results and stock reaction for FN?
Are they still worth holding for the long term for income and growth?

Q: Hello Team, this stock was recommended in the paper as a good income stock paying a monthly dividend. Could I have your analysis on the company. Thank you, Jen

Q: I am a Senior with a large percentage of my portfolio invested in equities, a good portion in blue chip dividend paying stocks. I would like more diversification but am not interested in bonds. Do you have any ideas? What about mortgages and how would one pursue this if you think it is a good alternative? Thank You.

Q: Hi 5i team,

With the HCG's miss - although understand you do not see real concerns. If you had a full position in HCG, would you consider switching 1/2 to FN?

Thank you!

Q: Would you please provide an update on this company and there outlook for a long term hold for income and growth.