Investment Q&A

Q: Could I have your thoughts on the drop in share prices pretty much across the board here: e.g. VRX, GUD, PLI etc.
A sector shift? Profit taking?
Time to sell? Or time to buy?
Perhaps sit still and do nothing?

Thanks.

Q: Hi Peter and Team,

GS is down over 7% today on an otherwise good day in the markets. Any substantial news that would account for this steep drop? Thanks in advance for your valued advice.

Q: can you comment on the relative attractiveness of the aig warrants versus aig stock at current levels . Obviously the warrants have more leverage Kim

Q: Putting the finishing touches on my porfolio review and trying to decide between Loblaws and Metro. I am a long term investor and don't need income yet but I do appreciate the value a growing dividend payor provides.

As well as MRU has done recently, I am thinking that the Shoppers addition might ultimately provide more growth and profitability for Loblaws. I am thinking of buying only one of them (5% of a balanced, 25 stock portfolio) to avoid having too much diversification but is this a case where a half holding in each is better?

Thanks for the insight.

Paul F.

Q: I am trying to decide how to complete the financial portion of my portfolio. I generally like a concentrated porfolio of 25 - 30 stocks with equal weightings. I currently hold Sunlife and BNS and can't decide between one of HCG, CXI and Element in Canada and one of JP Morgan and Wells Fargo in the US. (assuming this is not too much for the group)

Would appreciate any comments you may have and thanks for the insight.

Paul F.

Q: Peter; Regarding Gerry's question- am I missing something as my quote shows it's only down .17 cents. - not much of a drop. Rod

Q: Hi Peter and team
This stock was added to the TSX small cap index on Friday but today (Monday) it is trading down substatially on heavy volume. The volume for the first HOUR is more than 6 times the average DAILY volume. What gives?
Gerry

Q: I have about a 4.25% weighting in ORC. I have done fairly well on it. I understand that it comes with some risk. Just curious do you know much about this company? I was thinking of selling soon but the monthly dividend is hard to give up in US funds. If I did sell I would have over 10K to start a position on the NYSE. I was thinking MSFT, INTC or CSCO I already own DIS, SBUX, JNJ, SBR just to name a few in US Also I was thinking ABBV or Abbott. Just wondering about ORC and its risks Thanks

Jimmy

Q: In spite of Sylogist being profitable , isn't a bit of a value trap ... It made a huge run a few years ago and then stopped dead in its tracks and has lost share value for us late investors.
Will there ever be enough volume / growth in it ? I just look every day and ask myself : " why do I own this ?" Thank you

Q: I don't know if you saw the article in the WSJ regarding Starwood Waypoint and Colony American Homes are in talks to merge. How would this impact Tricon?

Thanks,
Heather

Q: Good Afternoon
I currently own RDS.A. Many brokers recommend holding the stock. On the other hand, quite a few brokers recommend purchasing OXY. I will appreciate your comments. Is it worthwhile selling RDS.A and buying OXY?
Thank you

Q: Hi 5i - just wondering about sector weightings - your answers generally indicate that one shouldn't invest more than 15% in one sector, however it appears as though the model portfolios have large weightings in technology and financials? Which sectors would you feel comfortable right now in "over weighting", if any? Thanks!

Q: Hi,
I hold potash and I'm down about $5/share at current price. I'm fine to hold pot long term given the yield (assuming it's safe) and outlook for the Agri space. I am considering adding to my position to lower my cost and add more yield to my portfolio. Pot is about 3.0% of my portfolio. What do you think about adding at this level or would you advise waiting until the bid for K+S is determined given the stock price could fall with shareholder acceptance of their 41 EURO bid. On a side note, what do you think about buying some K +S?
Thank you

Q: I would like to invest in a restaurant stock in my balanced portfolio. I was thinking of SHAK, HABT, CMG in the US or MTY, QSR in Canada. Could you give a break down of each, which is the best investment for a greater than 5 yr hold. I'm looking for GARP.

Q: Is it a good time to buy Cognizant Technology in the current markets?
Thank you

Q: Could you please comment on the pending Hydro One IPO issue. How might it stack up against other utilities such as EMA, FTS, BEP, VNR etc in terms of safety, growth and potential dividend yield? When might the issue come to market? Thanks

Q: I was thinking that I may sell CSE to realize a capital loss to offset some realized gains - and then reinvest into either CPX or ECI since I would like to replace a the yield. Your views? Thanks

Q: I have shares in Osiko, Goldcorp, B2Gold, and Argonaut. Of course, all have been performing poorly with Argonaut the worst of the bunch. With the current gold price at $1140 US and the Canadian $ at about $0.75, the gold price in Canadian terms is about $1500. When the Canadian $ was close to par, a $1500 gold price was quite attractive and gold stock prices reflected this. Since these are Canadian companies, on the basis of what I have stated above, does it seem that these companies are currently undervalued and it is just market pessimism that is being reflected in the share prices of these companies. If my thoughts make any sense to you at all would you recommend other gold companies to consider or buying more of the existing. As always, I value your opinion very much. Thank you

Q: Hello Peter and Team,
Would you consider Home Depot a better and safer way to play US housing than lumber stocks such as West Fraser or Interfor? Also, would you have a preferred idea for US housing to either?
Thank You,
Barry

Q: Peter and His Wonder Team
I was following the tap on HMY right until the close...in fact several minutes after the close to make sure I got the final and accurate numbers. Then later in the day I noticed that over 65 million shares were sold several minutes at or after the close...I am puzzled.Please explain how this happened! Also with such a tremendous sell order would you consider a 10% drop in price respectable?
Thanks...always great to know that clarification is only a click away!
Dr.Ernest Rivait