Investment Q&A

Q: I own a preferred share, BAM.PR.Z which comes up for reset later this year which is currently trading around $24. I bought it for $25 at issue. I have several options available to me including the option to take the reset for another 5 years at a slightly lower interest rate which is still a decent return. I am concerned that, if interest rates rise, albeit probably slowly, that the value of the preferred would fall and my capital would be eroded. At the same time there is also the possibility that, if rates rise, BAM would call the preferred at some point and I would get the original $25 a share back. I could also sell the preferred in the market and accept a fairly small loss now. Can I have your opinion on which you feel is the best course of action.
With thanks, Lynda

Q: Hi, what is the business sentiment in Canada among CEOs and business owners vs a couple years ago?
It seems everywhere in the news lately that Canada is just not as an effective and attractive place to do business with its increasing bureaucracy and threats of increasing taxes. From Ontario, where the high utilities are impacting manufacturing, to Alberta and BC where the anti-oil brigade seems to be determined to kill any new O&G, LNG and pipeline investment.
Is the news painting an accurate picture? Are CEOs and business owners more/less positive with trying to perform and grow their business in Canada in the current environment?

Q: Just a follow up on the JEEI insider purchase of $11.2MM B shares - looks like an even stronger commitment as the shares are pledged to a Canadian bank as security for a loan to buy the shares - so leverage is involved

Q: Aa aging seniors, my husband and I are beginning to feel our "investing for the long term" is probably less appropriate than investing for the short term. Following your observation that CGX is less reliable than it once was, therefore, can you suggest a good replacement for it? It has done extremely well for us. And we are still well "up" on it. Thanks for your continued sage advice.

Q: I'm confused about the payout if the deal goes thru. Do I get the shares @ the completion date cost, or shares at the going rate. As of now, I paid 31 and they are 28?

Q: Does PMTS still pay a dividend?

Q: Hi Peter I hold a substantial position in ALA and I am water by 10+% I like the story and business but wonder how much further this stock will fall if the aquistion does not go through
Kind regards
Stan

Q: Could you please recommend some small/mid cap stocks with good growth prospects, a reasonable valuation and insider ownership that you would be comfortable taking a position in at this time. I am interested in PKI and GUD if you feel those fit the above criteria but I am also interested in you input on any others. Thanks! - Rob

Q: I have had a substantial amount invested in CPG and SGY for quite a while and I'm down 50% on CPG ($18k loss) and 52% on SGY ($15k loss). I'm now wondering if there is such a shift occurring in energy policies that oil stocks may never recover, and that perhaps I should take the loss on these two and invest what's left into something more conservative, like POW or PWF. I'd appreciate your thoughts. Thank you.

Q: How do earnings look?

Q: Oil operations in the American southwest have been hampered by Hurricane Harvey, yet the price of oil has gone down today - is this because (hard to believe!) the disaster is not as bad as the market feared? Alternatively, if we should expect a disaster-induced price increase in the near-future, does this recommend any particular domestic oil producers?

Q: Is the announcement today game changing or not such a big deal

Thanks

Sheldon

Q: With regard to Bryon's question about Canadian AI investment opportunities, Open Text's recently announced Magellan platform is a significant move on their part into that space. Google "Open Text AI" to pull up some articles.

Q: I believe AI will be amazingly disruptive in the immediate future. Are there any Canadian companies using AI and any public companies working on AI which could be bought for investment purposes?

Q: Do you have an update on this company

Thank you

Q: Hi It has been a while since you wrote on HLF. Much has happened recently, I am wondering if you have an opinion as to if this is a good entry point. Thank you

Q: What do you think of Softbank Group? I am not a fan of companies that trade on the "over-the-counter market" but the CEO and Founder, Masayoshi Son, certainly seems to know what he is doing.
Look forward to your observations.

Q: Hi 5i,
Recognizing Loblaw is much bigger (but has a small dividend) and more diversified than North West Co (but has a big dividend), but is also more prone to competition from Amazon/Whole Foods, what are the pros and cons of switching from L to NWC from a risk/return perspective for a consumer staple holding a this time?
Thank you, Michael

Q: Debt: What is a reasonable and safe amount of debt for a company to have? Does it depend on the type of company? I'm looking for a guideline. I realize telecoms carry higher debt. Also, I noted that you pointed out with Encana (ECA) "debt is still more than 4X cash flow".

Q: What do you think of their latest quarterly results and prospects for the future?