Investment Q&A

Q: I appreciate all of 5I's recent comments on Spin Master, and I think for the most part I would guess that you're right, however I would like to weigh in here on the company.

I'm not sure I agree wholeheartedly on your positive stance of the company right now. How many toys are we talking about? This is what I can't determine. Is it .001% of total sales, or are we looking at 10% of total sales.

It's "media hype" only if the percentage is very small, and the stories are being exaggerated.

It would seem more like institutional failure, on the other hand, if the percentage is an appreciable number. Where is quality control in all of this? You would think that with such an important launch that all the Ps and Qs had been attended to. It makes me nervous that this wasn't done; and it makes me wary of the management. It speaks of an inexperienced team trying to do too much too soon.

I suppose in the end, what determines whether to stay or go, is to determine if we are talking about only "1 or 2 toys" ... or if we are talking about a company which is running before it can walk.

Your comments on this would be most appreciated.

I am a holder, and hold still, but am concerned that maybe this little fiasco of theirs is revealing that we may have bought a pig in a poke.

Thank you.

Q: Hi, with reference to a previous question, Spin Master's website is very much up and running. https://www.spinmaster.com

In fact, I had a chance to review consumers' comments as well as Spin Master replies on their facebook page. Looks like, most issues revolve around users unable to follow instructions, as specified. There were also a number of comments from users who were finally able to operate the toy after following recommended you tube video.

It appears that the highly interactive nature of the toy got many by surprise.

On a side note, one of the popular Interactive version of Barbie doll (Mattel) also faced issues with error messages.

I was able to add to my position, taking advantage of drop in share price, yesterday.

Q: In this slow swoon of Gs, how much a part is the litigation with the founders...and how much performance?

Q: I hold these companies at about a 20% weighting in my growth portfolio but only 5% overall weighting. Should I have equal weights of all three, or would you favor a different balance for 2017? Is there be a catalyst I should be watching for where I would lighten up on one or another (eg:interest rate hikes etc)? Your best strategy for next year or so please???

Q: Hi Peter, unfortunately some of us are limited with the amount of cash we can invest in the market, so when you want to buy a company like CCL for example and you can only afford 2 or 3 shares is it worth buying or should you buy more shares of a less expensive company. Is buying more at a cheaper level better than buying less at a higher level. Thanks, Nick

Q: Unable to make contact with TOY through their Broker & they have removed their web site listing from the directory. As well,they are down over 5% on the day. Any comments?

Q: After market closed today GUD announced investment in SYNR.Please advise impact.Appreciate u usual great services & views

Q: You've said this stock is expensive. What do you think of the citrus tweet which dropped it so much on Wednesday? If you were going to shift money to a different stock in the sector (aside from AMD which I also own) where would you put it?

Q: Torstar has seen some gains lately and is up again today
on heavy volume(according to TD Waterhouse).
Would there be any justification for taking a 1/2 position
(2.5 percent of stock portolio)?

Q: I have a half position in TOY should I complete full position at this level after company's latest buzz on its products

Q: Is the Report Card really improved in 2016 over 2015 ? Insider Ownership reduced from 10 to 4% ?

Q: Hello I5 team.
I'm trying to find out what the MER is for this fund and if this 8.8% div yield looks sustainable. I know the fund has increased 40% recently, but is it prudent to buy now?
Thankyou for your input

Q: If Canadian interest rates stay flat over the next several years but US rates rise, will that still have a positive impact on Canadian Life Insurers like GWO?

Q: Thank you for your wonderful service. I would like to purchase a couple of US dollar ETF that follows the large cap stocks, and is not hedged to Cdn $. Can you recommend one or two?

Q: Any thoughts?

Q: With the theory , which is debatable, that the most unliked bank of the majors currently, comes out with the best return the following year(s). Which Canadian bank should I look at for 2017 based on 2016.

Q: I have the listed companies in my TFSA($60k). I haven't been too concerned with portfolio weightings due to the portfolio size and have let the winners run. As a result close to 50% of the portfolio is held in just 2 stocks (CCL.B and CRH) I have nice gains in the others except DBOX and SYLOGIST which are both flat and I have considered switching out. Two questions I have are 1. Do you think it is a prudent strategy to stay this course or would you rebalance keeping in mind these weightings are not that out of whack when you consider my other portfolios? 2. What name(s) would you consider adding to this mix for my 2017 contribution of $5500.

Thank you and Merry Christmas to the entire 5i staff for your outstanding service.

Q: Hello 5i,

I'm considering PLS for my TFSA as I have no materials exposure. Currently holding Boyd, Enghouse, Spin Master, Premium Brands. I know this is speculative, but in light of potential infrastructure spend in the U.S., possible lower CAD and a stock that seems oversold, in your opinion is it worth the investment or would you have a better recommendation.

Thanks

Q: I am thinking of starting a position in lif the covered call lifeco etf on the Toronto exchange. Do you see this as a bit of a hedge against rising interest rates?

Thanks,
Doug

Q: Each year I have maximized my TFSA contribution and have a total value of $80,000 consisting mainly of small cap stocks such as BYD.UN, PPY, CRH, HNL, and tend to rotate stocks periodically. With my advancing age I have toyed with the idea of simplifying the management of my TFSA by holding a single ETF, that being ZDY. Your insight would be appreciated.