Investment Q&A

Q: When I last wrote to you in June we were overweight in Financials, were considering selling but didn't because it felt too much like selling into a panic. Our 2 smallest positions then (and now) are RBC & BMO - both in my opinion now showing positive momentum. Do you believe this is genuine positive momentum or just "irrational exhuberance" courtesy of the central bankers affirming interest rates won't be going up any time soon? A reviving economy should be good news for the banks as there should be more loan demand. My take on positive momentum is to hang-in-there. If we did sell we would likely buy JNJ, Artis or a IShares Hong Kong index EWH (NYSE). Parkland is of interest too.

For me diversification is more tricky than stock picking. We have 28 separate positions which I am trying to bring down to 25.

If you want to improve your web site I would suggest adding spell check!

Thanks in advance for your counsel.

Q: The subscription receipts for Empire, EMP.A, are still not fully distributed. Do you think this indicates shares are fully valued, that there's not much more upside for a few years, or is the Safeway deal a game changer that could propel Empire to triple digits? I am +43% on a long position in <1 year. Thanks, J.

Q: I am overweight TD-T because of the increase in share price but not overweight financials. What do you think of selling some TD and buying FCR-T or would you suggest a different financial stock instead?

Q: Thanks for the response, one quick follow up question on Timmys and portfolio balancing in general.

On Timmy’s, I noticed that you have the Sector / Industrial classification as ‘Services / Leisure’ whereas I would have labeled it as ‘Consumer Goods / Food & Beverage’? I’m curious for your rationale?

On portfolio balancing in general, I have typically used a 11 sector system to gauge just how balance my portfolio is, specifically:

Utilities
Consumer Staples
Capital Goods / Industrials
Energy
Financials
Health Care
Consumer Cyclical
Transportation
Information Technology
Materials
Telecommunication Services

I noticed in your portfolio, that you use a 9 sector system, specifically:

Materials
Services
Technology
Industrial Goods
Industrials
Financial Services
Utilities
Consumer Goods
Healthcare

Is there any reason you guys run with a 9 sector system vs. the more common 11? What would you recommend for us amateur retail investors to use as we try to ensure balance within our own respective portfolio? Do you recommend we take this a step further and look at also balancing Industries, and if so, what would be the recommended industry classifications to use? Thanks!

Q: I would like your opinion on Impact Silver (IPT)
Thanks

Q: Buy, sell or hold Keyera? Thanks

Q: Could you please give an updated opinion on First National Financial Corporation (FN). It is Canada's largest non-bank mortgage broker and currently trades in the middle of its range at $17.20 with an 8.14% dividend, paid on a monthly basis. Is it just an income play, or can I expect additional capital gains? Is the current dividend safe? Many thanks!

Q: What are your thoughts for Amaya as Bally buys SHFL?

Q: Hi Peter and Team,

Quick thoughts on a company called Aware Inc., AWRE. They have around $3.21 in cash/share.

Q: Good afternoon,

Looking to see if you might have any insights on today's decline in the WPT industrial reit. I understand their earnings are out next month but I did not see any pre announcements. The price seems to have been driven down by some concentrated selling from Raymond James and Scotia over the last several days. Any insights are most appreciatred.

regards,
Brad

Q: Peter, would you please explain the differnce to me between Brookfield Infrastucture and Brookfield renewable power. I have 3% of my portfolio now in Brookfield renewable. Should I be putting some new monies into Brookfield Infrastucture or stick with your high rating of Brookfield renewable? Your insight is really appreciated Peter, Thank You, Ken

Q: Not a question but a remark in regard to a question to you today about GE. I was watching BNN today and Andrew Bell said that GE is cutting back on GE Financial. He said if it was a bank it would be the 5th largest in the USA. GE is reportedly cutting back on the financial business in order to concentrate on the industrial business.
Gary

Q: would you consider MSFT a buying opportunity on this selloff ,after disappointing earnings report?

Q: What is your opinion on WEF-T?.Thanks.

Q: In reply to Geoff, BMO Investorline has a daily high interest savings accounts AAT770 and AAT780 (US$), that may be of interest to him.
Peter

Q: At its current price is it still a good entry point for Fiera Capital, FSZ(TSX) Thanks.

Q: I am thinking of adding a base metal / copper producer - I have nothing in this sector now. What are your thoughts and preferences now - Lundin, HudBay, Capstone, FirstQuantum; something else? thanks.

Q: Good morning Peter:
I have been wrestling with what to do with a cash account I have at BMO Investorline which I set up for emergency uses. It holds about $13k and is currently all cash. In the past I have invested in utilities or reits just to get income. So far, no emergencies have occurred, so the cash sits there doing nothing. What would you do? Thank you and kind regards.

Q: Peter;This is a question , for those quiet days, if you and staff have any. ON BNN there two very loud, in your face advertisers whom we all know and use the mute when they are on- at least I do. One is Joel Matlin with his Alarmforce. I actually admire his marketing but still mute.The other one is Vectorvest. I question this firms off the wall claims- especially the one using a tenn aged boy. Has anyone ever tried to quantify their claims.? All you have to do is plug it and money rolls in . No muss, no fuss. I wish I had the skills to test their claims. Like I said maybe on a slow,day? Thanks. Rod

Q: I would like to buy some GE but I would like to know the reason for the increase in profit. Is it cut back on cost or more business