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Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: I have been wondering for some time about market valuations and your recent comment about inflation being bad for markets has raised it again for me. If a market is doing reasonably well and inflation sets in could there be a reset of stock valuations. If so what sectors could get re-evaluated and is it across the board in a given sector or specific to certain size market caps?
Thank you
Clarence
Read Answer Asked by Clarence on February 07, 2018
Q: Hi All,
I have been receiving a pending approval status on my Investorline account, most recently on a buy order for BYL this morning. For the 5i team what is happening and should I have to wait for approval on a do it yourself platform. For 5i readers have you experienced this as well. Given the quick price movements such as this morning it is difficult to buy at the lows when this happens, can anyone recommend a platform where this does not happen.

Thank you,
Mike
Read Answer Asked by Michael on February 07, 2018
Q: Peter & Associates

Using Enbridge Inc. as a bellwether, yearend numbers from 2000 to 2009 produced the following averages: A mean P/E of 16.5, (several years in the 13 range) a growing dividend with an average yield of 3.1 % representing 50% of earnings and 75% of 10 year TBs when they ranged from 5.4 to 4 %. A check of a recent brokerage report places its debt level at 60% which seems well in line with those over the referenced period.

Clearly the dynamics have changed. Might what is playing out in industries which traditionally need constant access to new capital, be it common or preferred shares are seen as better planning tools providing them with greater option flexibilities than fixed income alternatives? Whereas interest payments must be made, dividends must be declared? With concerns being expressed, a 10 year rate over 3% could do more harm than good, is ENB oversold and at this price too good to be true? It would seem rates would have to rise a lot to actually come into competition with the yields ENB equities offer.

If someone were investing in an ENB for yield, it would seem logical to suggest they would also seek moderate capital risks, far less than what this one has experienced. Is a projected forward P/E of 20 and a dividend over 6% which ENB claims will increase, warning signals? Assuming it is a good bellwether security, how much more downside could this stock potentially see and/or how likely/ risky the need to eventually cut the dividend ( common)? Albeit a very different industry and dynamics, energy stocks had to make cuts to reflect their financial realities; even non CAD banks went through well documented challenging times. The point, no industry is immune from economic realities and their balance sheet realities. Concerns over debt are being expressed as rates rise.

Having a well balanced portfolio is a protection but, so called bond proxies are found in multiple sectors and collectively can add up to an important exposure. There is an expression, things tend to eventually revert to their mean. That said, might we be seeing the start of that occurring since these are not generally seen as growth stocks where earning growth is the offsetting factor to deal with these high ratios?

Would very much appreciate your insight. Thank you.
Mike
Read Answer Asked by Michael on February 07, 2018
Q: Hi Peter, Ryan, and Team,

In your recent answer to Cyril, (Feb. 2, 2018) in which he asked about your recommended sector weightings for 2018, you suggested the following:
"For a general, growth focused investor: Real estate 5%. Financial 10%. Healthcare 5%. Info Tech 20% . Materials 10%. Utilities 5%. Energy 5%. Cons. Disc. 10% Cons. Staples 5%. Industrial 20%. Telecom 5%."

In general, how often should one balance sector weightings? Specifically, in my case, I find that, as an example, I'm quite a bit overweight in Financials, but am reluctant to sell any when they've recently declined (although I'm in the black with all of them except for AIF). On the other hand, there seems to be some "bargains" in some of my underweight sectors such as consumer cyclicals, industrials, information technology, and materials. Unfortunately, I only have a little excess cash to invest, so I'd really appreciate your guidance on what to do with my dilemma.

Your advice is very valuable. Thanks in advance.
Read Answer Asked by Jerry on February 07, 2018
Q: Hi Team, I have done some reading on Blockchain technology and sense that it is an area to invest in and although many people would agree with me everyone seems confused about where exactly to start an investment. Gambling companies handle a lot of money in every form, across a lot of venues so security must be a number one priority for them. It appears eXe has a contract to develop a process for online gambling payments using cryptocurrency to convert monies back to good old cash. Is this a stock to start an investment in or does the 5iR Team have any other cryptostocks they might recommend? Thanks, Chris
Read Answer Asked by Chris on February 07, 2018
Q: Hi 5i: I'm still considering a purchase of AFLAC. The news regarding employee complaints seems no worse, though a few legal firms have made it a point of announcing that they are investigating. Re its quarterly report, I find it hard to decide how well it's doing given the tax effects and yen currency effects. What is your assessment? Do you think it's buyable yet?
Read Answer Asked by Roland on February 07, 2018
Q: You commented last week to Patrick about TBT.
I think that recent negative returns were related to the latter stage of the long bond bull market. This has been reversed quite impressively since january. Bill Gross was probably right from hindsight in his call for a new bear bond market.
So, as a growth investor, the idea of increasing returns on an otherwise meagre income from the fixed income part of my portfolio is quite appealing, and does not come out of worry on the market, but from seing an opportunity, and using it with reason.
Then, if I want to benefit going forward, like the next 6 months, of the general bearish trend on bonds that I believe fundamentally justified based on trade, currency and other issues, would TBF be a better bet for one holding that view?
Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Daniel on February 07, 2018
Q: Some context please to a common expression you hear on BNN.
When advisor/analysts on BNN say they will buy a stock on a "dip" or a "pullback", what do they mean? A 1% drop, a 5% drop, a 10% drop.
I am retired and looking for dividend payers as my source of income. Of course everyone wants to only buy LOW, but not always possible. I like to add to strong positions but wonder when that is advised.
Cheers.
PS I submitted this question early yesterday before the market drop so my question seems even more timely....for some reason it didn't show up in your question section
Read Answer Asked by Peter on February 07, 2018
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