Investment Q&A

Q: I am an income investor. I try and purchase equities who raise their dividend by approximately at least the rate of inflation. I hold both BCE and Telus. Given the announcement today by BCE that they will not be raising their dividend in 2025, what are your thoughts on selling Telus and purchasing BCE simply due to the spread in their yields in order to pick up the higher BCE dividend as sort of a proxy to make up for the lack of an expected increase?

Q: As a follow up to my previous question on OTEX, I would also ask that you comment on analysts downgrades related to OTEX moving towards organic growth and away from growth by acquisition. Isn’t this simply a function of its low stock price relative to earnings and cash flow? If a growth-by acquisition company like CSU bought OTEX then it would be immediately accretive to earnings because CSU trading at a high PE multiple. The same analysts would applaud CSU for its ability to grow by acquisition and call the stock a buy. I am not saying that CSU is a bad company, far from it, but I am wondering if analysts would better serve investors by focusing more on the organic growth of a company and not on what it might acquire in the future.

Q: what was your take on their earnins call and their plan of distributing the free cash flow between share buy backs dividends paying down debt?

Q: Both the Ceo and Cathie Wood's Ark have recently sold shares just prior to Q results on Nov 4 though each still hold lots of shares. Please inform the no. of shares each are holding after sale.Reportedly it has recently signed many contracts,both commercial and governmental,and Dan Ives has a $45 TP and called it the Messi of Ai YTD,it has increased some 154% and many analysts consider it very expensive.It is volatile especially after Q results.I have some 100% profit.and thinking of taking profit especially before Q results.Please provide u opinion.Txs for u usual great services & views

Q: Hello,

It seems that BCE is taking a page out of the BNS book by purchasing a US asset and freezing their dividend.

In the case of BNS they enhanced their credibility, in my mind, and I bought more and it is up substantially - thank you.

In the BCE case, this stunt has undermined my faith in their judgement towards dividend holders.

How does any co., let alone a highly indebted co., operating in a very competitive environment sustain a 10% dividend?

They are in the doghouse now - if they bite the bullet and cut the dividend in half they save $2B p.a. to pay towards debt reduction.

I can't see any reason why not at this point.

Q: By my calculations, OTEX is trading at 8X forward earnings and 10% FCF yield. At current price it has a 3.5% dividend yield. According to TD Cowen's analysis the stock could see a 33% return over the next 12 months if it meets the low end of its forecast. So why are all the buy side analysts downgrading the stock or maintaining their hold rating? Isn’t it time to buy when there's blood on the street and you feel sick in your stomach? Has anything changed in its business fundamentals?

Q: Our 3 OG names; how were the earnings and guidance from CNQ & IMO; just 1 day but IMO took a hit on Friday after anouncing #s that seemed to be good. Thank you.

Q: I'm looking to close a gap in my non-registered portfolio in the Industrial Sector. I'm not too concerned about industry. I'm looking for some reasonably priced options that you guys like that have good growth potential, but also pay a (growing) dividend. My intention is a long-term buy and hold. Would you please recommend your top 3 Cdn and top 3 US "likes" and rank order purchase preference from 1 to 6 (with 1 being your top pick) and any rationale for your choices that you think might be helpful to my decision making process. Thank you and thanks (yet) again for your excellent service.

Q: Hi Team,
I am watching BKNG sail up into that stratosphere...kicking myself for not buying this name long ago. Would you wait for a pullback here? I am hesitant because it seems so many "consumer" names are screaming "weakness" in the consumer spending lately. But yet it seems BKNG is bucking this trend. What's your take on this? I am afraid one of these quarters the rug will be pulled out from underneath if consumer stops travelling so much (similar to a airline). Or do you think BKNG and it's business is structured strong enough to avoid such a drop and their is still considerable upside despite it's already large size?

Thanks
Shane.

Q: Dear 5i team.

The common theory of interest rates decling was long bonds would benifit most. This does not appear to be the case currently, and I've seen some not so clear responses thus far in the Q+A. Please explain in further detial, why long bonds have not performed to this expectation thus far, and what you see as a catalyst for long bonds to perform as expected with possible future declining interest rates..

Many thanks for your help.

Q: I tend to be a dividend growth type and depending on a businesses dependability, dividend income orientated Is BCE a hold or would it be time to move on? I find it crazy that they have made such a big purchase without giving the market some notice.

Q: If not owned would you buy any on the weakness or is it a falling knife?

Thx

Q: Given the news today and the share drop, would you be a buyer of Bell today?

Q: Hello,

My son has saved a bit of money and expressed an interest in equity investing.

He does not value, yet, the value of "paid for" advice and has selected 5 stocks his friends have suggested.

I would appreciate the names of 4 or 5 stocks from the growth portfolio that are currently out of favor or have significant runway.

Thank you

Q: Hello Peter,
Unless i misunderstood, the results for Topicus were good when compared to Lumine Group, yet Topicus barely moved a needle and Lumine Group actually went up .. Could this be due to Topicus European focus and investors are not as comfortable with European markets? Thanks very much

Q: I have read many times in the past that it was not a good idea to buy mutual funds late in the year. Probably because of taxable distributions. Would you agree with this?

Q: If the S&P were to drop 5-7% as Fund Strat is suggesting between now and the end of November, are there any specific stocks or sectors that 5i thinks would be hurt the most.

FS has an enviable record of calling market trends accurately. And not being doom and gloomers. In fact they are still calling for further upside in total out to the end of the year.

Of course no one is right all the time. But I have been looking to raise some cash and this might be a good time to do so.

Thank you for your help.

Q: Would you buy sell or hold McCormick & Co?

Q: Hello Peter,
I hold Berkshire in my rrsp and in the sad event Warren Buffet passes away, i do not see any tax implications (assuming the company splits or has spinoffs) until i withdraw money from the RRSP. I am thinking of investing in the CDR for Berkshire class B shares in my TFSA, Would there be any tax implications if the company structure changed? Thanks very much.

Q: BRK.B What did you think of the quarterly earnings and what would you consider a good entry price?