Investment Q&A

Q: In an earlier reply on BNS you said it was up 12% over the year well ahead of other Canadian banks. Looking at 1 year chart from TMX shows BNS -1.29 over 1 year, BMO 3.91%, CM 6.25%, TD 3.49% and RY -1.5%. This data does not include dividends. Also looking at 10 year data you see significant differences in performances between Canadian banks and this was the same 15 years ago. Unfortunately, I could not paste the graph to prove my point but you can easily compare stocks using TMX Money over various time periods.
Steve

Q: Please comment on the following:

While it is exposed to oil in the west, Artis will still be able to cover dividends and, even if they cut common dividends would continue paying preferreds.

Second, reset preferred shares in general have been knocked down as rate increases failed to occur and exposure to oil in the west has pushed some down even further.

Third, Artis will likely recall AX.PR.A in September of 2017 when it comes up for reset, especially if rates are increasing at that point. I understand that Riocan recently recalled a reset. Currently trading around $17, AX.PR.A would be recalled at $25 if that happened. Worst case, assuming falling oil doesn't hurt Artis further and/or they don't recall AX.PR.A is that you continue to collect a pretty decent dividend when it is reset.

This is just speculation on my part. Please comment.

Q: I am over water on my SEV. I assume it has risen because of FB Oculus. Is there any hope for a takeover or should I sell at a slight profit.

Thanks.

Grant

Q: What is your view of Micron?

Thanks.

Grant

Q: I'm doing some portfolio re-balancing, and realized I have a 30% Technology weighting. Is this too high a weighting, in this climate. My stocks are ESL, CSU, DH, FB, SHOP:US, NVDA:US. If a divestment is in order ... which would you get rid of? (It's like choosing between favourite children, since they've all behaved admirably for me.) I'm only concerned that my weighting is out of proportion to what it should be. Thanks!

Q: Peter and 5i team ... not sure if your are connected to this karma, but 1 hour after my query on NSU`s SP, the price began a rise for the first time since the announcement of the ER date. Just looking for some reinforcement as I am a holder and do have positive expectations of this stock, but am wary of the ``Sell on News`` reaction typical of the current market. Thanks for the bump. ;)

Q: Peter; Ok thanks - I guess this part was confusing to me - if they don't redeem them, then it's the 90 day TB?
Should CWB choose not to exercise its right to redeem the Series 7 Preferred Shares, holders of these shares will have the right to convert their shares into an equal number of non-cumulative floating rate First Preferred Shares Series 8 (Non-Viability Contingent Capital (NVCC)) (the "Series 8 Preferred Shares"), subject to certain conditions, on July 31, 2021, and on July 31 every five years thereafter. Holders of the Series 8 Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive quarterly floating dividends, as and when declared by the Board of Directors of CWB, equal to the 90-day Government of Canada Treasury Bill rate plus 547 basis points.

Q: Referring to Edwards question, as I am a shareholder as well--
Today is x-dividend for BNS which I think has a bearing on Stock Price

Q: Hi 5i
Hope your day is going well, and looking forward to a spring weekend.
Reviewed your site, and just wondering if it was April 1st that you were planning on making changes to the portfolio. Could you please confirm and many thanks for your help.

Q: Hi,

I am considering buying a FFH bond. I do have some bond ETF's but I like the certainty of a known maturity date when I get my original investment back and the ability to select the company. I have never owned a bond directly and would like your advice. Two concerns: 1) trading fees from BMO investorline seem quite high at 1% plus there is no bid/offer spread so they probably gouge me on that too. 2) Specific to FFH the +3% yield seems high compared to other names which I presume implies it is riskier. I understand FFH have a lot of equity hedges to protect against deflation so wouldn't that mitigate risk? Am I crazy to start down this path and am I missing something wrt to FFH in particular?

Q: Hi Team
I am well diversified and have about 17% in US Stocks. I have a bit of US cash and would like to purchase a non US unhedged (if you think best) ETF with a lowish MER. I will hold in my RRIF. Of course I would like growth and am not chasing dividends on this. I would hold for 2 to 5 years. VXUS or ????. Thanks guys for all you do.

Q: Some pundits seems to push BNS and TD as the 2 best banks. But, when I checked this morning, I found BNS had dropped much more than the others. BNS-1.14, BMO-.17, CM-.09, RY-.28, TD-.10.
I just do not understand the enthusiasm for BNS when so many of its branches are in very unstable countries; Mexico, Central and South America. The thought would bother me if I had a position in it. Comment?

Q: MDA has been steadily going down in an upward market over the last while (down 9% over the last 6 weeks). In the last two days it has fallen 4%. Any idea why? Is it a buy at these levels?

Q: Peter; I was interested in buying this Pfd. after reading the question and answer today but when I checked the offering info it says the reset is based on the 90 day Tbills, not the five year Canada's. Is that right? Thanks.Rod

Q: Any idea on why Cargojet has been so weak the past two days?

Q: Hello Peter!

I am getting ready to make my 2016 TFSA contribution.So far I had only contributed in CAD dollars and I hold in my TFSA only Canadian stocks.
For 2016 I have room for contibution in my TFSA for $10000.00 CAD.
I have in my US margin account $35000.00 USD ,my question is: can I use my margin USD to make contribution to my TFSA in USD for futer purchase of US stocks and how do I calculate amount to be contributed in USD to cover my limit($10000.00 CAD) for 2016 TFSA.

Andrew

Q: VRX shares have certainly been my most profitable trades since the fall of 2015 with continuing Short positions, however I have a small amount left as of today - April 1. The remaining holdings are through TSX but held in an Ontario corporation. Based on the 15 day Stop Trading Order by the Quebec authority starting today, what is your advise? Thank you.

Q: PKI is going to raise 500,000,000,000. Please give your take on this and what affect will it have on the stock price.

Q: We are Seniors who do not need current income from investments. Have various accts. at TD Waterhouse - considering using their new ETF's to increase international exposure: TPU vs. THU; TPE vs. THE. What is your current thinking re hedged versus unhedged?
Any thoughts re investing in TD's new ETF's versus using TD-efunds?

Q: Any further thoughts on SEV?