Investment Q&A

Q: Hello,

With the latest updates to the Balanced Equity Portfolio, of the holdings, could you please recommend 5 to 7 companies which you'd put into a TFSA before the others?
I'm a fairly young investor, with a very long time horizon (30+ years), and the TFSA represents approx. 40% of my total investment portfolio currently. I generally have a similar mix of diversification as the model portfolio across all accounts. I assume you'd be comfortable with any of the companies over this time horizon, but would any be 'better' than others for exploiting the tax advantages (with the understanding that losses can/will happen in any account)? Thank you.

Q: Hello Peter & Co,
I thank you for opening new (portfolio) horizons for us; I'm trying to digest all the info you supplied us.
Could you please explain the rationale for removing FSV from the balanced portfolio (in view of the split) with the view of adding back one of the two parts at a later date?
Since it seems that you have added CXI in both the balanced and growth portfolios, could you explain why?
By the way, my approach in developing my one and only (RRIF) portfolio is to incorporate into it a selection of holdings from all your three portfolios. Different strokes for different folks, I presume.
Thanks, as always
Antoine

Q: Hi Peter and Company,

I own Photon and I can't find any brokerages that cover them. Do you if there are any? And Photon just released 4th quarter and full year earnings and I'm wondering what the expectations were. Finally, if you could give me your thoughts on their earnings release, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks,

Michael

Q: Hi Peter:
I have a Bell Canada coupon bond earning 9.25% maturing in 2032 currently worth 45 k sitting in a LIRA account. I am thinking of selling it and buying all or half of what's in your new Growth Portfolio. My question is would you suggest buying all 22 investments with the 45 k or say 10?
Any guidance on what those 10 should be?
Thanks for all the great advice.
Greg.

Q: I want to buy according to growth portfolio,to creat funds what do I sell from all this loosers,cf,cls,crh,tdg,dml,sgy,abm,bld,qst,tmm,mnd?>

Q: Two quick question on the balanced equity portfolio:

1 - I think you use to own Valeant and sold it last year. With no exposure to healthcare and the sector doing very well over the past year, why haven't you added exposure in this area?

2 - I'm surprised that you removed HCG! I also own it and have noticed its poor performance recently. It seems to be diverging from the other Cdn banks, but with a 20% ROE, a growing dividend and low payout ratio, its hard to get rid of it.

Thanks,
Jason

Q: Hi Peter and team, I've read the changes you've made in the Balanced Equity Portfolio (formerly known as Model Portfolio). HCG was removed.....does this mean you are suggesting it is a sell? And, are we to assume you're not going to cover it anymore?

Thank you!

Q: Just a comment,I have been studying your growth portfolio for 3 hours and it is just fantastic-the weightings, the picks diversification etc.best thing about i already own 11 of the stocks in it and have owned them for many months. My portfolio is 85 per cent aggressive growth, I can manage the risk.
I especially like that you added Cxi to the growth and to the equity balanced, this has been a large holding of mine for 18 months.
Despite your comments, I really feel that some of the stocks in the growth could have substantial upside as your membership buys in.it is bit of a momentum trade but also great companies.thanks again dave

Q: What do you think of the latest earnings report? Seems good to me. I don't understand why the stock is falling.

Q: Hi,

When placing orders, do you have a strong opinion regarding limit vs market orders? I almost always use market orders and have never had any surprises...even with odd lots. I use BMO Investorline. I read something recently about flash events that can cause very brief dramatic price sings that could theoretically cause some significant surprises. Am I exposed when I use market orders? Would my broker have any built in protection? Thanks.

Q: I have a small position in WEF and am looking to increase my exposure to the sector. If you were to choose one lumber play today, which one would it be? And what indicators would you be looking at that might signal that the sector is starting to move again. Thanks.

Q: I have inherited a small amount of money which I plan to use to diversify my stock portfolio. I currently have some of the same or similar stock as shown in your Model portfolio. For example I have TRP instead of ENB, MRE instead of MG, etc. My existing portfolio is overweighted in oil and oil services stocks and banks, eg Bank of Nova Scotia so I believe some diversification is probably good. With this as a basis, do you believe that all the companies shown in your model portfolio will still continue to show good growth over the next few years. I usually keep most shares indefinitely and seldom less than 3-5 years. So assuming you believe all of the companies will continue to show good growth, I will probably purchase some Amaya (AYA), CCL Industries (CCL.B), Cineplex (CGX), Constellation Software (CSU), Descartes Systems (DSG), Enghouse Systems (ESL), First Service Corp (FSV), MacDonald Dettwiler (MDA), Stantec (STN), Stella-Jones (SJ), and Sylogist (SYZ). All of these are in your model portfolio. Perhaps there are alternates that may be better than those above shown in your Model portfolio??? Thank you very much for your thoughts.

Q: I have left Amaya to run up to 12.5% of my model equity portfolio and 6.6% of my total portfolio. What are your thoughts of leaving Amaya to run versus bringing it down to an equal weighting in my model equity portfolio and using the proceeds to set up a growth portfolio?

Q: Prometic is scheduled to release its fourth quarter results at the close today. Could you please advise if there are any analyst expectations with respect to this company? Thank you, Peter

Q: I was about to sell this stock after reading that you see little (though > 0) chance of a competing bid and that currency fluctuation was going to be the main cause of movement. But I saw that some 700,000 shares have moved today and it got me wondering who was on the other side of these trades? As you say, there are two sides to every trade so is it "sharp" arbitrageurs buying and if so, should I hang on? I would just as soon move on if it is only going to be for a few cents but am I missing something here?

Appreciate your always sage advice.

Paul F.

Q: Hi Mr. Hodson
How will we know when the new Growth Portfolio is released today?
Do we get one of those emails from 5i?
Or do we just check your website? Thank you so much.
sarah

Q: Hi Peter. I sold 300 shares of Teck yesterday and was planning on buying them back today but Andy Bell said this morning that the trades made during the halt would be undone. My trade was late in the day. 12:30ish in BC. How will I know if my trade is being undone and when will I know? Thanks for any info.

Q: Can you please comment on Amaya's earnings from today? Any thoughts on their performance post acquisition?

Q: Hi Peter What is your thoughts on Future Shop closure on REI
Kind Regards Stan

Q: Hi Peter, our 13 year old has $40k in her RESP. $20k is ~evenly split between BNS, ESL, and Telus. At this time where would you put the remaining $20k ?
Thank you.