Investment Q&A

Q: Good Morning
Some oil industry analysts believe that with the OPEC card no longer in play, the price of crude could fall as low as $60. Under this scenario are the companies in your portfolios (SGY, WCP) as well as VET, CNQ and SU at risk with respect to dividend cuts?

Q: I own Bdi cpg,tou and wcp. Which two are safest going forward?Thanks

Q: I have a TFSA and have 5k invested equally into the 5 etf xid cif chi cdz cud. I can purchase these commission free. My plan is to purchase equal amounts of these once a month. Could I please get your comments on this strategy.

Q: A question on buying stocks on the NYSE or Nasdaq exchange. I have never bought a stock on an exchange outside of Canada, and am very ignorant of the consequences. As an example I would like to buy Apple, and realize I have to pay in U.S. dollars, plus a small fee for exchange both on buying and selling the stock. I have a RRIF, an RSP, and a TFSA and any buying would be through one of these. Is there any problem with me holding a US stock in these programs and is there any tax consequences? Is there any other problems I am not aware of? Thank you.

Q: The price of Legacy Oil and Gas (LEG) dropped over 10% yesterday. Do you see any particular reason for the huge drop yesterday? Would you consider LEG to be a Buy at this price?

Q: Considering adding to Stantec after recent 15% pull-back from Sept. highs. Your most recent comments suggested recent performance could be result of sector rotation. Wondering if STN does significant amount of work in energy area and if this could be contributing factor in recent decline?

Q: Wife and I are both in RRIF and depends on withdrawal roughly in line with gov. age minimum. For investment purposes, is it wise to consider our CPP and OAS as fixed income? and therefore can increase our dividend equities. Right now we are both roughly 50/50 in RRIF not considering CCP and OAS. Thanks

Q: Hi Peter and 5iResearch Team,
In his new financial book, Anthony Robbins interviewed Billionaire Hedge Fund Manager, Ray Dalio, who recommends that 7.5% of a portfolio should be invested in diversified commodities. Can you recommend a good quality ETF that provides a diversified portfolio of commodities for a LT hold? Thank you. Linda

Q: Hello Peter and Team,
I find little discussion on this forum regarding this company ... the last questiona asked was in August of this year. In a recent analysis posted by the Globe and Mail regarding the best comparative value amongst the top ten Cdn Oil producers, Birchcliff scored better than the average in 6 of 7 categories. Neither the Globe&Mail, nor BMO Investorline provide dividend info, but according to BIR`s website,the most recent payouts were .50/quarter. Could you provide your own insight into this stock and do you have any info regarding their current postion regarding their dividend? Thanks as always for an invaluable service!
Rick

Q: You often make reference to diversification being the best defence against ups and downs in the market and that timing the market is a mugs game. I have seen the benefits of diversification in my own accounts but I am confused by what exactly defines "market timing".

I have two examples. One, many analysts talk about "going defensive" and buying defensive stocks, (whatever they are). Secondly, you talk about certain sectors being cyclical (oil, automotive to name a couple) and you even recently suggested, when referring to XTC "When inflation hits and interest rates rise for a sustained period of time to slow things down in the economy, it will be time to leave the ballpark.". Having made that remark, you still do suggest we stay in energy.

My question is, when is leaving a sector or "going defensive" considered market timing and when is it just good investment sense (if ever)? Or should we never really think in these terms and simply buy good companies, maintain a diversified portfolio and always ignore the ups and downs?

Looking forward to your valuable insight.

Paul F.

Q: There seems to be a real hate for this stock today compared to most others in the sector. I am holding it through all this carnage but am starting to feel queezy. Is there something else that could be causing this other than sheer market panic and stupidity?

Q: I currently own these banks and today they are off. Should I sell them or hold on with the Div. I understand they are tidying things up so is this temporary or a good time to part ways.
thx

Q: Do you still think Surge Energy is a hold? I have a 3 year time frame. Thanks,

Q: PPL just announced a 36% increase in capex for 2015 and sound quite sanguine on the future. Don't they know the oil price is imploding? From your knowledge of management would you consider their judgement sound and worth giving the benefit of the doubt?
Thanks
Mike

Q: Would you consider Brookfield Total Return Fund: HTR-US a good- reasonably safe investment in the current market situation. Also, do you think the dividend is safe at this level (approx 9% yield)?
Thank you.

Q: My daughtet 30 has just open a tfsa a/c with $1300 she is looking for growth minimum 1 year time frame.please advise what to buy.

Q: Will the insurance companies start to stall out if the drop in oil causes disinflation?

Q: Good morning,
Another oil question.
I am considering selling enterprise group (down 50%) and investing more into WCP. WCP is down 18% but I feel it may have a better recovering and pays a dividend. I will have 10% of my portfolio in Energy made up of WCP, CPG & SGY. Tax loss does not apply, my holdings are in an RRSP account. Your opinion please.
Thanks
Roy

Q: Hi.
Would you consider KEY good value investment at this price level for a 1-3 year or longer term hold. Is this a good time to buy when there is panic or would it be better to wait for price stabilization? would you prefer PPL or IPL?

Thank you

Q: How do you feel about US banks, and other than currency difference is there anything else to be aware of when purchasing US stocks for my RRSP