Investment Q&A

Q: Hey Peter & Team, your favorite article reader here again...

A Seeking Alpha article written by an author admittedly long on BP argues, BP is a better play than XOM during and or until the recovery for 3 reasons;

1. 6% yield vs XOM 3.24

2. an asymmetric situation in that BP has literally seen zero gains since the spill. On Apr 16, 2010 it was at $59.88, spill Apr 20 and the low hit $27.02 June 25. Since then the high has been $53.15 July last summer and as of today, is at $39.50. From what I can tell, BP hasn't seen any real appreciation in share price since the spill

3. Both dividends appear to be safe with BP quite a bit cheaper @ 13x vs XOM @ 16X.

With this in mind would you agree a switch out of XOM into BP at this time is a good idea, bad idea or neutral

Should I have any concerns regarding future settlements yet decided

Anything else I should be aware of that might dissuade this change

Thanks for all you do

Gord

Q: Hi Team 5i,
I'm a bit weak on the financial sector of our portfolio. Looking for blue chip companies with sustainable/growing dividends so I'm looking at the Canadian Banks. My questions are:
1. Is this a good time to be adding Canadian banks to one's portfolio?
2. If so, do you still like Bank of Nova Scotia the best? How about TD with it's exposure to the United States?
3. Are their other possibilities that should be considered for the financial services sector that could fit the bill? Perhaps be even better buys at the current time.
As always, thanks for the guidance.

Q: What is your take on this company? Seems steady as it goes and pays a nice dividend.

Q: I administer a small RIF account for a relative. Time to make some changes as it's in a negative position. Three stock are in the negative, and 2 have done well. That changes do you recommend for a growth portfolio? (Time horizon: about 4-5 yrs.)
Cost Price Value % loss % portfolio
ACQ 58.47  31.79 1,017.28 -45.63% 4.56%

QST 3.55 2.36  3,540.00 -33.46% 15.86%


HCG 51.2 42.47  4,247.00 -17.05% 19.03%


OTC 59.77 69.96  6,996.00 17.05% 31.34%


AVO 15.52 21.39 6,417.00 37.79% 28.75%

Loss
TOTAL 22,217.28  -3.17%

Q: Have you guys done any research on this company, opinions?

Q: This is one of a new suite of funds offered by Purpose - this appears to be the largest and thus, most liquid, of the funds on offer - this company was started by Som Seif, the builder of Claymore Funds, and they appear to have some really interesting and different funds on offer via ETF'S and Mutual Funds. I would appreciate your comments on this fund which appears to be a blend of Cdn and US dividend stocks

Q: Hi 5i: I've held FM for about a year, having bought it as part of a diversification effort. Everything I read and hear suggests that the price of copper is unlikely to move until 2016, and then relatively slowly. I'm considering getting out and switching to something that will provide some growth in the interim. Your advice would be appreciated. If you think getting out is OK, any suggestions on what to buy instead?

Q: Over the last two months, Leon's stock has fallen from $19.25 to $14.90. Is this a good entry point for this stock? Do you think the fall in price is related to concerns about the overheated housing market?

Dave

Q: Hi 5i Team!

With the recent correction in lumber stocks in the TSX, what would be your top 2 preferred names in the industry and why?

Thanks for the great service!
Angelo

Q: What do you think of Yellow Media? Is it a buy?
Thanks!

Q: Hi guys, can you compare HON.us to LLL.us .I would need to sell KKR.us. Does this switch make sense.
Thanks
Jim

Q: Hi, where would I look for a listing of the tsx company reporting dates ?? Something that I can print out.

Thanks

Q: Their year end numbers will be out Thursday. I quite like their prospects. I am familiar with management. They know their business very well and are well connected. I think this one could be a multibagger as an important niche lender.

Your thoughts please.

Q: Any thoughts on this company? The prospects seem better than ever.

Q: Hi,
What do you think about CCL Industries? Would you buy it at this price?
Thanks!

Q: Are rate reset preferred shares an investment vehicle that should be avoided?
I am referring to the present practice of companies issuing rate resets by increasing the INTEREST RATE SPREAD (which is added to the 5 year Government bond) higher and higher each time they issue these shares.

For instance, yesterday Veresen issued VSN.PR.E with a spread of 4.27%. Prior to that the VSN.PR.C had a spread of 3.01% and VSN.PR.A had a spread of only 2.92%. Naturally, as soon as news got out of the higher spread of VSN.PR.E both VSN.PR.A and VSN.PR.C were hit hard.

My question therefore is should we stop buying the rate resets? I presume one will keep losing money because a company will keep raising the interest spread whenever they issue new preferreds. It is not only Veresen that is doing this but Husky has done it as well.
I currently own both VSN.PR.A and VSN.PR.C and both have been hit hard after the announcement of the new issue (VSN.PR.E). Should I sell them or is there a chance that they will recover in the future.

Q: I have taken 50000.00 for a quick trading account and it is split into my wife's and my TFSA's. I plan to actively trade these accounts and the plan is to profit from quick price changes in active companies: like BTO, SGY. I have been doing this for the last couple of months and have increased the account value by 7000.00
My question is this.
On BNN yesterday I heard that TFSA's may be taxed on quick traders. Have you any information that can help me on this. If the gains will be taxed I might as well put the money into RRSP's and RESPs.
Thank you

Q: Hi Peter and Assocs. can you give me some idea how, if any, the low Canadian $ will affect the bottom line of Gildan thank you Paul

Q: Do you think this stock is being punished too much because of the Western exposure? Would it be a safe buy/hold for 2-3 years?

Thanks,

Paul

Q: Hi Peter and team,
It seems that ACQ is oversold and I'm thinking about starting a new position - it looks attractive to me at $32 range it trades today. What is your advice on this stock in current market conditions: full position, half position, or nothing? In terms of portfolio allocation I have less than 6% in Consumer Discretionary, despite it's indirect exposure to oil prices I assume ACQ should still be considered a CD sector? My timeframe is 3-5 years.
Thanks.