Investment Q&A

Q: I hold a position in General Motors (GMM.U) that trades on the TSX in US funds. I have been thinking of selling my holdings and I'm wondering if it is a good time or if I should hold on? I bought the stock in early 2014 and since then the price has dropped from $36 to $29.5. Due to the exchange rate I am still ahead.
What are your thoughts on GMM.U?

Q: How do you feel about Vet and Arx maintaining their dividends going forward.

Q: I thinking of buying Evert for long term hold. It has come down and pays a good dividend. Evert would approx. 4% of my portfolio. Is it a good and well manage company?

Thank
Paul

Q: For a conservative income investor looking for more diversification, do you think that Chemtrade's sector and specific product lines are an appropriate choice in current economic conditions? I would be adding to a current holding in Chemtrade.

Q: Can you explain how this company makes money, and if its yield is sustainable? Thanks Cameron.

Q: Hi Team

I may be selling my Costco and am a bit low in Industrials. So with the US money to deploy, what is your take on BIN.US?
Thank you for helping most of us keep our course. "KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON" to all.

Q: What are your thoughts about BAC's current valuation and why it is underperforming on a day when the market is moving up?
Thanks for all your work.

Q: Your opinion please on Chesswood in light of its recent sale of EcoHome Financial Inc. subsidiary to Dealnet Capital Corp.
Thanks

Q: Please comment on the results from CP. the market does not seem to like them.
HOw do you feel about the attempted take over of Norfolk southern?
Is the fall in price justified? At what point would you consider CP a good buy?
Thankyou.

Q: Stocks in my Industrial sector are: ATA, BOS, CJT, DRT, XTC, KBL, LNR, WSP. (BOS, DRT & LNR as very small positions). I have some cash as a result of selling BIN yesterday and would appreciate your thoughts on how to re-deploy it in the same sector, either by purchasing different or adding to currently held stocks. Also, if you feel any of my existing stocks should be sold & replaced.
Ryan's article this morning was a good read. Many thanks.

Q: Hello Peter,
Any idea why Newalta is surging higher for the last two days. I have not seen any news to reflect such increases. Could it be due to Progressive Waste Solutions ticking higher and Newalta being possible takeover? Also, would you consider adding to Enb, BAM, and Banks as 5 year holds? My weights for ENB, Banks, etc are greater than 5% but given the dividends, it is enticing to increase the weights for monies needed 5 years down the road(RRSP etc). Much appreciated.

Q: When CSE is taken out, what will happen to CSE.PR.A, will it be redeemed at PAR?
Thanks
Cec

Q: I am looking to bye approx. 4% of my portfolio in this company. I has come down a lot and the yield is good. Would you recommend it and for what reason? Is the dividend safe?

Thanks

Paul

Q: Hello, would you recommend this fund over HFR? VSB has a management fee of .10 vs. .40 for HFR, and VSB has lower mer as well. Is one lower risk than the other? I have a fair bit of cash and wish to "park it" in a low risk bond fund. Thank you. Bill.

Q: In my well-balanced portfolio, and with no need for cash, is there any of the following you would recommend selling at this time in this down market, and the reasons for any sale recommendations.
Chase Corp CCF-US: Bellatrix BXE-T; Thomson Reuters TRI-T; Interrent IIP.UN-T; Inovalis INO.UN-T; Onex OCX-T; SK Telecom SKM-US; Dream Global DRG.UN-T; Chemtrade-CHE.UN-T; Partners-PAR.UN-T; Premium Brands-PBH-T.
Thank you in advance for your comments and opinion.

Q: I am retired and hold GE, Wells Fargo and JPM inside my RRSP. I am still a few years away from having to convert my RSP to a RIF. Considering where the Can dollar is trading I am thinking about realizing my currency gains by selling these 3 stocks and replacing them with Canadian financials and maybe a pipeline such as Enbridge. What are your thoughts on this strategy ?

Q: 3rd submission:

I forwarded an question yesterday regarding this rant and I guess it was missed so I will resubmit. I have reviewed many of the concerns today on your blog, and wish to obtain your views further.
A bear market condition in which the prices of securities, and widespread pessimism causes the negative sentiment to be self-sustaining. As an investor anticipate losses in a bear market and selling continues, pessimisms only grows. Although figures can vary for many, a downturn of 20% or more in a multiple broad market indexes over a month period is considered a bear market. This has occurred since Jan 1-2016
A bear Market should not be confused with a correction, which is short-term trend that has a duration of less than usually two months. While corrections are often a great place for a value investor to find an entry point, bear markets rarely provide great entry points, as timing the bottom is very difficult to do. Fighting back can be extremely dangerous because it is quite difficult for an investor to make stellar gains during a bear market unless he or she is prepared to short the seller.
My gut feeling that is not a simple correction as well I have been kicking around markets for over 60 years, I cannot remember an incident as severe as what we are presently experiencing. I felt in the first few days of this year it was going to be a usual correction, however within the past week I made the decision (right or wrong) and have liquidated over 70% of my portfolio to capital gains on the ones I was above water on.
Coupled with this our government is arranging a major restructuring for Alberta and Saskatchewan as well as major funding to kick start "infra structure" which is going to take some time in put in place. In addition, Canadians have now been labeled as have the highest personal debt levels of all G7 Nations and if we get an much as 1/2 to 3/4 interest rate increase, we have a bubble in real estate and the consumer cannot service debt. We all know what happened in the US when this occurred. Real Estate will be the next thing on sale.
So My Rant is, as we work through this, and we will, what can 5i offer in suggestions and recommendation for us an investors to get through this delima. If this stays with us, will we have to change our investment style to shorting and putting. :)
I would appreciate your usual and frank suggestion and comments as well as Peters take on the present day situation.

Q: Hello Peter et al,

Savaria (SIS) has announced preliminary Q4 info with Revenue up 24% and EBITA up about 40%. Full Q4 and annual results will be released about Mar 10. Questions:
1. They reported in Q3 that 54% of their revenue is from the US which is great. Is there any info on what percentage of their costs are in Canadian dollars as opposed to US dollars or Chinese RMB (which has only decreased about 5% vs the US dollar in the past year).
2. Any guess on how the EBITA increase will shake down to the bottom line? Note, TDDI shows estimated Q4 earnings of .06, same as Q4 2014, which seems a bit light.
3. Would it be reasonable to go above a 3% portfolio weight in SIS, or would you sit in the weeds given the market conditions? Note: our other industrial holdings are BAD 4.6%, TFI 3.1%, and WSP 5.8%.
Many thanks.

Q: A steady stream of positive news from this media company bodes well.
Your considered overview please.

Q: NTB is positive on a down day. How do you feel about the prospects for this company? Could the worse be behind them now and new management finally on track to deliver? Insiders seem to think so stepping up to the plate this past week. Is this a buy now?

Thank you