Investment Q&A

Q: Hi Guys,

After reviewing my sector allocation, I noticed that Consumer Cyclical was at 31%. They are all "5I APPROVED" companies (ATD.B,CCL,CGX,GIL,AW.UN,BYD.UN,DOL, DIS and SBUX) and I hold approx. 3.5% in each. How should I handle this?

thanks,

Jim

Q: Peter; I read a Globe article by the Avenue Group regarding the massive amounts of money flow into bond ETF's. Their main point was, if the bond market goes to a " no bid" situation, then the resulting problems with accurately pricing the Etf's could cause havoc if investors tried to exit. Today Larry Berman suggested buying his ZCS short term corp.bond
as a place to sit and wait for a pullback he thinks is coming. I realize that trying to time the market is pointless but first could you comment on the " no bid" scenario and second do you think buying some ZCS would be like a hedge if anything did develop?
Thanks.

Rod

Q: Wisdom Tree high international dividend fund hedged. This is a new Canadian fund and I cannot find info on constituents,total mer,dividends,etc. Can you help and what are your thoughts? Thanx.

Q: Good afternoon. Could you please recommend a CDN dollar ETF that holds U.S. online shopping companies, such as Amazon. As well as, a CDN dollar ETF that holds U.S. technology companies. Thanks very much. David

Q: goodmorning
Could I have your opinion on these three Columbia based oil/gas companies.I would like to know how you rate them on management ,growth ,safety and would anyone of them be a worthy investment at this time.
Cheers

Q: Your opinion on Invescor Restaurant Group IRG.TO would be greatly appreciated. THANK YOU Jack

Q: Could you pleases provide an update on your top ten US companies for an option writing strategy. Of these, which would have a strong balance sheet/ cash position? Thanks

Q: I am thinking of diversifying my income portfolio and would appreciate if you could comment on the merits of the above and which one you would recommend.

Thanks

Wayne

Q: Hi 5I team. Can you please tell me if companies in general have been increasing their dividend payout ratios? Where might a little guy like me find this information? Benjamin Graham had written something like "Never buy a companies stock only for its dividend." Probably pertaining to value traps but in this environment many people are being forced to do this. This makes me worry about some of the higher debt levels and earnings decreases perhaps many companies that are increasing their dividends are chasing investors in hopes of higher stock prices. I realize every company has a different story but market sentiment pushes everything in the same direction irrelevant of what is happening individually. Thank you
J

Q: Hi, I am considering replacing my IWo by IJR or SLY ( S&p 600 small cap growth). I was reading David Swensens book "unconventional success". Brilliant book. He talks about how Russell 2000 is not a well structured index as compared to S&P 600. Which has a better structure and therefore results in better performance. What are your thoughts on this. Also what portion of a portfolio would you suggest for small cap growth based ETF like this. This is for an otherwise diverse and aggressive portfolio. Your advice is most valuable. Cheers, Shyam

Q: Please comment on the Company's latest financial results. Also, since the earnings only included a few weeks of earnings from the new acquisition, do you have any insight into how the Company's financials/earnings might play out over the next few quarters.
Thank you for the great advice you provide to your members.

Q: In the technology sector, I have OTC(2.8%), WIN (1.5%), ESL (0.62%), AYA (1%). They represent 5.92% of my portfolio. WIN and ESL are not doing well but the loss is not significant. Since I have low exposure to this sector and would like to add more, what stocks should I be looking at? The ideal sector weight should be around 10%. Thanks

Q: Hey Guys,

Any update/news on Kelso (KLS), in the last week it's moved over 30%!

thanks,

Jim

Q: The BMO cl B were bought Dec 2014 and have dropped significantly. In the mail we received the option to convert shares into non-cumulative floating rate... Is this a good thing to do? What is the advantage to convert? They are held in a registered account. Are there any other options to recoup our loss. Thanks

Q: Currently 25% of my portfolio, is in individual US Stocks.I have recently sold some positions and I am wondering the best strategy on re-allocating the money.

Should I look at US stocks as part of my total portfolio and add in sectors and areas that I need more exposure too? (in stocks)

Or should I be looking at trying to get total portfolio diversification in US funds?

I was thinking IWO would add diversification with growth over time. At the same time I think Google may do better than IWO; however it isn't as diversified.

Also have 18% of my portfolio in tech, so should I pass on Google? I believe Google is becoming a stock that you can buy and hold for a long time and do well.

As always thanks for the advice. Cheers.

Q: Recently I overheard a retired investment advisor talking at a luncheon I attended. He said that since the liberals were spending so much lately that they will be soon looking for ways to increase government income. His feeling was in increase (up to 75%)in capital gains tax. His suggestion was to sell anything which had large gains now. This kind of concerns me as I hold shares in firms like Bell and others which I have had for over 30 years. Thank you for your thoughts on this. I read all the questions people submit and feel I am learning a lot from them
Ken Beatty

Q: Hi Peter;
I am looking to purchase two energy stocks that have a majority of their portfolio in natural gas, a medium and a large cap. Would Birchcliff Energy (BIR) and VII Seven Gen do the trick? If not, which ones would you recommend?
Thanks,
Ron

Q: There is a report in the G&M today that it may be time to trim BMO as it may be a little over priced now based on its historicals. Interesting I was thinking the same a few days ago and am contemplating selling my holdings. I have not yet sold as I really don't see much to buy at this point from an income perspective. Thoughts on BMO and possible stocks to rotate into? Thanks in advance.

Q: I purchased these two stocks quite some time ago for the dividends. I have small capital gains on both. Would you please give me your thoughts on these two.

Q: I own eleven oil and gas stocks as listed above in a $2.5 million portfolio. My advisor recommends selling the first seven stocks on the list and adding to the last four positions. I'm primarily interested in capital gains with dividends being a secondary consideration. Would you recommend selling the first seven stocks? If so, what gas and oil stocks would you choose as replacements? Thanks for your advise.