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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,
I have a tax question.I have capital gains after selling several stocks on Mar20/17 in my trading account.Since I have capital losses carried forward from other years,there should be no tax owing on my 2017 return.My question is,can I repurchase thse stocks in my TFSA,without waiting 30 days?
Most of your recommendations have worked well for me.Thanks to you,I spend less time doing my own research and more time outside.
Read Answer Asked by Allen on March 21, 2017
Q: I was listening to someone talking about the dire propane situation going forward in the U.S.
I didn't really get much of the picture, I tuned in precisely because I hold Superior Propane and wondered if I should look into the issue, but better still ask your opinion of that statement. Is there a reason for concern? Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Maureen on March 21, 2017
Q: Hi, My question is about IOU Financial, a small US business loan provider. Their financials seem to be improving, with operating expenses expected to come down in Q4 and they recently secured a new credit facility that lowers their financing cost.

With interest rates going up and USA's economy improving, do you see potential in this name ? What would be the worst risks for them? ( besides being a micro cap )

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Sam on March 21, 2017
Q: I need some education please. I understand the stock markets opening and closing at set times each day. I believe that anybody can trade stocks during this time period. I do not know how " after hours " trading works. Please explain a few questions on this subject. Who can do this? Where do they do it? What exchanges are involved (simply to North America if it makes sense? How does thins work with IPO's?
Thank you,
Doug
Read Answer Asked by Douglas on March 21, 2017
Q: Hi,

I have four questions.

1) How do you decide on what is the optimal level of EV/EBITDA and debt to equity ratio for different industries (such as high tech, consumer discretionary, financial, industrial, small growth companies)?

2) Can you please recommend some reading material on analyzing company fundamentals?

3) What is your opinion on Adobe Systems (ADBE)?

4) What is your opinion on Amphenol Corp (APH)?

Thank you,
Lai
Read Answer Asked by Lai Kuen on March 21, 2017
Q: Tahoe resources released 2016 results and issued guidance to 2019 on 9 March. The results didn't seem to warrant the sell off and the guidance also seemed OK. I noticed AISC will go up next year because of increased gold production but again it didn't seem all that bad. Do you know if the market expected better results or was the guidance out of line with consensus? I would like to increase my precious metals exposure in this company and am trying to suss out the reason for the sell off? Do you have any opinion on management? Thanks

Kenn
Read Answer Asked by Kenneth on March 21, 2017
Q: I have both Enbridge and Brookfield Renewable in my portfolio. Would it be advantageous to move to one or the other? It seems that Enbridge is setting itself up quite nicely for long term growth and income and looks to be a real good buy and hold. BEP is no slouch either. Please let me know your analysis, much appreciated, thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Christopher on March 21, 2017
Q: REITs
Further to my last question on this subject, in looking at the REIT portion of my portfolio, I am mindful of (and calculate) the sector allocation (office, retail, industrial, residential) and the geographical distribution (the main Canadian provinces individually and the US as a whole). I am cautious about US exposure, because I am retired, rely on the distributions for income and don't want excessive foreign exchange exposure. Do you have recommendations concerning sector and geographical allocation? My intuitive sector thoughts are residential 40%, office 30%, retail 20%, industrial 10%. My geographical thoughts are US 30% and Canadian provincial allocation by GDP. Or am I overthinking this whole thing?
Read Answer Asked by Carl on March 21, 2017
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