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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: Hello 5i Team

It is that time of year when I start receiving the proxy materials for votes at the upcoming annual meeting.

One thing that I have noticed is the US companies mail out a simple 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" envelope with two pieces of paper, the meeting information notice and the voting instructions. Every thing else the management proxy circular and the annual report you have to download from the internet. This results in a small mailing and keeps the costs down.

The Canadian companies mail out an 8 1/2" x 11" package containing the voting instructions, an envelope, a flyer advertising "paperless" steps, sometimes the management proxy instructions and particularly the Canadian Banks a copy of the annual report. All this "excess" paper drives up costs for the companies (and reduces profit for investors).

I prefer the US system where the mailing is kept to the minimum. I am not interested in receiving the proxy notice via email as the Canadian system prefers to register each individual security with "Investor Vote" or the other Proxy companies. If I use the "paperless" option I have to register each individual security, which is confusing.

The two questions are:

1 - Why cannot the Canadian companies do what the US companies do? Is this a difference between the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the US and the Canadian Security Commissions (all 13 of them !!!)

2 - Why can't the brokerage houses send me the notifications via their electronic system, just like they do with trade notifications and statements. I will be sending this question to my self-directed (discount) brokerage provider.

Thanks again for the excellent work.
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on March 21, 2017
Q: My investment advisor has suggested that I sell Crombie due to uncertainty regarding Sobeys, Crombie's principal tenant. Do you share this concern?

He suggested True North as a replacement. What is your opinion?

I would replace Crombie with office and/or residential REITs.

With respect to office, I have enough Artis AX.UN, but could add to H&R HR.UN or buy another which you would recommend. Suggestions?

With respect to residential, I have plenty of Canadian Apartments CAR.UN but would buy another recommendation. Suggestions?
Read Answer Asked by Carl on March 21, 2017
Q: Could you please give me your take HWD's 4th quarter results and their outlook for 2017. they do talk about the possible ramifications of possible or probable Trump trade changes as a headwind but with most of their product and biz still in the USA the future still looks good to me here.I hold about a 2-3% position in my tfsa and rrsp (up about 15% on hwd). Do you consider this worth holding or maybe moving on.I have a well diversified portfolio holding many of 5i's recommendations. I'm not sure how the market will react to the results on Monday, if it dives I am considering adding a bit and if it spikes I may trim a bit. I do like the fact that it is not widely followed and very few shares out and I do plan on holding it for at least a couple of years. Looking forward to your take on it.

thanks Tom
Read Answer Asked by Tom on March 21, 2017
Q: Market timing is generally frowned upon by professionals including 5I.I find myself selling a number of my positions because of valuations and good profitable outcomes. I also find that I am not redeploying that cash because of valuations! I firmly believe in taking profit and some of the greatest mistakes I have made are in regards to holding positions to long. To many times in my early investment life (the round trip) occurred. After a number of years I relized that you are investing 2 commodities "dollars and time" and I could not continue to keep exposing my dollars and losing time. So if I sell my winners and do not redeploy my cash in a timely fashion then I would seem to be guilty of "market timing".

Why am I so wrong!

Randy
Read Answer Asked by Randy on March 21, 2017
Q: Gentleman
Congrats to the staff member with the newborn, I am sure he will be busy. My question is about the latest take-over bid for Norsat.This is the second one from a different party, do you feel that this is a fair offer? I am thinking of selling,just in case the Feds raise the inclusion rate on capital gains, though it may be to late because the budget come out in 3 days.

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by auftar on March 21, 2017
Q: Hi,

I would like to ask your opinion on the fundamentals of the following Chinese stocks that are listed in the US. As well, do you have any hints on the entry point for these stocks?

1) China Distance Education (DL)
2) Tal Education Group (TAL)
3) New Oriental Education + Tech Group (EDU)
4) Tencent Holding (TCTZF)
5) Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI)

Thank you,
Lai
Read Answer Asked by Lai Kuen on March 21, 2017
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