Investment Q&A

Q: On the topic of selling the stocks that 5i "dropped" from the portfolios, I wonder if a better way for us to think about this is to be aware that there are slightly more attractive opportunities in certain sectors for any new money or change of circumstance/rebalancing. Having listened to your advice on buying for the long haul, and finally desisted in trading so often, I find myself reluctant to sell companies ( SLF for instance) that are still "decent" even if I am a little underwater on them.

The new portfolios are great fodder for thought, but I suspect my reluctance to stampede after every idea is even better!

Any comments on the long haul hold vs better opportunity issue?

Many thanks,
Marilyn

Q: What is your view now of this company? It seems it may put itself up for sale. Would you buy it at the current price?

Q: With microcap stocks I sometimes see stocks where the number of shares on the bid is small, say 500 shares and the bid price is higher than the last trade. When I check later a buyer has bought say 3000 shares at that bid price. Do pros often conceal the amount of shares they want to buy by only putting in a small bid? Do you understand my question?

Q: I note you are referring to the equity portfolio as the "balanced equity portfolio". Typically a balanced portfolio contains a mix of fixed income and equities and as such the term balanced is confusing. Suggest calling it simply the model equity portfolio.
Steve

Q: That was really good advice from Rick to set up alerts rather that stop loss orders. I will be setting up alerts on all my positions. Thanks for a great service and thanks to the other members who contribute good tips too.

Q: Can I have your thoughts on BEK post their earnings report and strategic review not providing and immediate results? Environmental assessment seems begign and dividend is generous but do you feel it's sustainable? Wondering if there's a value opportunity here. Thanks for your service.

Q: In your response to Kenneth you mention "SLF was changed for sector reasons, as was BDI." As a matter of fact SLF is still in your model portfolio. Last March I could not understand why you would want to sell BEP.UN, KBL, TOU, VRX and IPL. These were mostly all solid stocks and were replaced by CCL.B, DSG, BDI, SJ, MDA and SLF. The average gain of the stocks sold was 26.2% while the average gain of the new stocks added was only 2.2% over the past year not counting dividends. That's a missed opportunity of 24%! Fortunately I kept BEP.UN, KBL and IPL and unfortunately I had not bought VRX which turned out to be the biggest gainer. I should add that I kept WPK which was also sold in the model but is up >84% in my portfolio. Regarding your latest additions to the model portfolio i own WSP and agree with the STN switch, BIN and ATD.B are great additions but it appears by selling BDI now you are selling low and replacing with stocks at all time highs. BLSH.
Steve

Q: why the high volume and drop in share price today?
Good time to buy now?

Q: Preferreds have had a rough ride with some pundits suggesting that the rate reset preferreds are driving the declines in an ETF like CPD. My understanding of the argument is that resets are occurring at "unexpectedly" lower rates and that future yields will be lower. The Globe had a pretty negative article the other day which seemed to suggest that rate resets are too complicated for retail investors to understand. I didn't really think the rate reset concept was all that complicated but perhaps I am daft and don't really understand them. My question for you is what happens when interest rates start going up? If issues start to reset at higher than "expected" yields would this have a positive impact and start supporting the price of an ETF like CPD?

Q: Hello, Peter & Co.
You have deleted a couple of stocks from your equity portfolio, should we assume that it is a sell recommendation if we hold them in our investment portfolio?
Ken

Q: I listened to their year end presentation and was thinking of adding some shares to a small position but your answer to Phil's question has me confused. The company reported over 11000 BOE/D for 2014 and said in Q1 2015 they are at 12500 BOE/D and when the Stella project comes online they will be around 26000 BOE/D. In your answer you say their production is going down. What did I miss? Thank you for all your help Your advice has made a lot of people a lot of money. Joe

Q: Could I please have your analysis on xsr,it has recently come down to the 5.50 mark. Looks to me its cash flow is fine and dividend should be save. Has this stock been beaten up a little too much or am I missing something?
thanks
Cal

Q: In an sector in which just breaking-even is difficult, RRX is defying gravity. Is this just herd buying, or does the market actually know something? In any case, with no dividend on-offer, shouldn't it make more sense to buy something like RMP, which has the chance to rebound significantly? Thanks for your insights.

Q: Hi Peter, In your survey you had asked about interest in creating etfs' based on your portfolios which I am interested in. I am wondering if this is now in your plans. For me this is a far more managable option. Dale

Q: Hello Team,

What do you think of Slyce's recent deals & Q1 results? Intriguing enough to take a small position?

Thanks!

Q: I was looking at your new portfolio and had one question about the ETF. I own URTY presently, is it similar to the fund listed?

Q: Hi Peter and Co. Would you please comment on the companies removed from the portfolios? I have often struggled with the sell side of the equation as opposed to the buy side, and given my finite amount of funds I am unable to continue buying indefinitely. We are certainly seeing the effect of 5i on some of the stocks today, both up and down.

Thanks.

Q: Hi 5i,

How come the removal of SLF from the income portfolio? I had though it was there as insurance (haha) against rising rates. I hold it in a couple of accounts. Should I continue to hold?

Thanks in advance!

BTW, I will be renewing soon. Just trying to figure out if I want 2 years or the one year with the MS subscription. :)

Q: where can I find the growth portfolio thanks

Q: I have noticed members have expressed their concern or disappointment in putting in stop loss orders and getting stopped out early in the day only to have the stock move up. I for one have been there and done that, and avoid it now.
I use TD webbroker, and for the last while I have been using the "Alerts" section for cut off prices for both high and low on stocks. Also if you use screeners you can actually set a specific alert for a stock not only on the positive and negative techinicals but a stop loss and upon hitting this level and email or a text is sent rather that stopping you out.

I have been using the technique for sometime now, and find it most useful and help in avoiding losses and costs.

Post if you feel this is worthwhile for consideration. I am sure other on-line brokers have the same service.

Again thanks for the awesome service and look forward to following you.