Investment Q&A

Q: Hi Folks:
Can you recommend 3 or 4 Canadian infrastructure stocks that may benefit from all the election chatter we are hearing about new roads, bridges, etc. going to be built in Canada? Do any of them do business in the US also?

Q: Your thoughts of viability of the company?
Thanks

Q: At what point is it feasible to allocate a percentage value to stocks in a portfolio, as opposed to a dollar value? For instance, if an investor starts out with $100,000 in cash, it's easy to pick 20 stocks and allocate 5% to each to come up with a nicely rounded, well diversified portfolio. But, if an investor is starting out with only $50,000, or $25,000, does the same principle apply? Or should one arbitrarily assign a dollar value -- perhaps min. of $5000 per stock, and build from there ... so that a $25K portfolio might only have 5 good stocks in different sectors? Would that be enough protection/diversity?

I'm asking this to set the course for a few young adults in my family (nieces, nephews) who are starting out on their investment life, and are inheriting some funds.

As a follow up to that thought, would you structure this amount of cash differently for a 25 year old than you might for a 45 year old, with the same amount of cash?

Thanks for your help and insight, as always.

Q: How would you feel about buying IBB on this recent pullback? Already have CXR and PHM in the space. Or would you prefer IWO as a way to pick up a growthy etf at these lower levels? Already have VUN for broad U.S. exposure. How high of a weighting for either would you go up to for a young investor with a long timeframe? Cheers

Q: Looking into Husky and noticed on a website it is in the top 10 of shorted stocks in the Toronto exchange, does this ever influence your opinion of a stock when others are betting on a falling share price?

Q: Thank you for your comments on acc takeover. I was looking at the valuation metrics but still can t understand why such a big premium. Can you please confirm that the purchaser is paying $18.75 cash per share and is assuming the existing debt of more than 500m$?When looking at takover bid, am i correct to integrate the existing debt to the purchase price to take into account all the financial obligations of the purchaser (entreprise value concept) Based on 2015 financials and excluding the debt on the balance sheet they are paying 14 times ebitda and 34 times ffo. Thank you for your general comments.

Q: I'm considering purchasing MRC, either in RRSP or non-registered account, depending on the nature of the distributions/dividends. Are they distributions like those paid out by say AX.UN or are they dividends like those paid out by say BNS?.....Thanks....Tom

Q: As you casually suggested months ago as a U.S. opportunity.

PSEM was taken over Thursday at a 40%+ premium.

Thanks again for your advice.

Q: The recent 5i report on Morguard Corp describes the company as a REIT; having held it for many years I can state that I receive dividends qualifying for the dividend tax credit and not distributions as a REIT would pay, leading me to believe this is a REOC - an operating company like FCR. Please correct me if I'm mistaken.

I believe it has always traded at a discount to its NAV but if it were to be taken over or taken private it would likely be at a value closer to NAV. What is the current NAV per share? One way I like to look at the dividend is based on my purchase price, it's closer to 2%, not a half %. Thanks, J.

Q: When there is a negative news in regards to a company like MCB, how long after this news is released do you tell your members? Are update only given bi-weekly or monthly when giving updates on your portfolios?

Q: I have no exposure to healthcare. I have read positive comments on CRH. Although the price has risen considerably in the last week, do you consider it to be a viable addition at this time for diversification? if not, do you have another healthcare recommendation for a long term position?

Q: I would appreciate your opinion on the upcoming Federal election as to how an NDP win may affect the market.Certainly if Capital gains and dividend incentives are eliminated the effect on the stock market will be profoundly negative to the point that,if an NDP win seems likely,one may be well advised to sell a good portion of stocks.If some or many investors vacate the market completely then advisory services such as yours may also be affected.Your opinion is appreciated. Thank you, Don.

Q: Just a quick question before I click the "transfer dollar" button.
If US interest rates go up as predicted will that weaken the CDN Dollar? Some "experts" on BNN are saying 70 cents for CDN Dollar.

Thank You

Q: Hello and Good Afternoon: I have held PWF and PWO for a number of years. I am wondering why the sell-off in the stocks is so marked in your opinion. I know there is some general market malaise that accounts for some of it, but I'm also wondering whether or not the pressure that's being put on Mutual Fund companies (i.e. IGM) is the other factor at play here. I would appreciate your opinion and also whether or not you feel that they represent a positive buying opportunity.

Q: Hi Peter & Co,
Do you know any Canadian info tech companies with a "cloud" focus? I think OTC is one.
Thanks,
Antoine

Q: I know these are apple to oranges comparisons however, I would like to buy some of these eventually. Do you have a favourite to start out with? I already own some of wsp. I am heavily leaning towards uni-select. I know all are good cash flow machines but I would like to have some growth also.
Thanks guys

Q: I bought a half position in the following 2-3 weeks ago. Please tell me which of these you would double to hold a full position. I'm interested in income and the safety of capital. Thanks

POW, CSH.UN, SIA, AD, BPF.UN, ECI, VNR, FSZ, TMA

Q: What are your top favourite US growth stocks that do not pay a dividend? Many thanks for your advice!

Q: I wonder if you could comment on this US pharma stock which has just popped on purchase of another company. Is it on your radar?

Q: Hi team,
Poydras just released it's Q2 numbers which looked strong and to be on the right path.However, the share price has languished at a 52 week low and there does not seem to be any catalyst moving the stock price in the right direction.There also seems to be a rumour about a ten for one stock consolidation. What would be your one to two year outlook on this company?
Thank you and have a good day .
Jean