Investment Q&A

Q: This is a fracking related question.

First the backgound for this question: my understanding is that fracking requires a "special" type of sand. I am not sure of the name or term for that sand, but I also understand that it is only found in a few areas in North America. These areas include Wisconsin where this sand is part of the soil on many of the state's dairy farms. Also, this sand is apparently found on the Canadian side of the border in provinces like Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.

The questions:
1. Am I correct on the main points here?
2.Would you see significant increases in demand for this product as the US works towards energy self sufficiency?
3. Are you aware of any stocks, or can you recommend stocks - Canada or US - that would enable an investor to capitalize on this niche market.

Thank you.

Q: RE: Bill on CSU split

I don't understand the obsession with CSU stock split. I am happy with the dip as it allowed me to buy a few more shares at the price of 2 month ago. As a small investor, I bought 11 shares at $222. It cost me $9.99 for the trade - same as if I had bought 100 shares at $22 (assuming a 10:1 split).


The only two real benefits with stock split that I see are:

1- Full 100 share lot are easier to get filled on a 'limit' order than fractional lot. Full lot must get priority because I have seen prices go lower than my fractional 'limit' order without it being filled...

2- Spliting stock results in a lower price which is more easy to DRIP (divvy reinvest) if your discount broker requires full shares - like mine does. I am actually happy with HCG 2:1 split because I have sufficient (constant) divvy dollar to buy a full share now at $43 - but could not at $86. But with CSU, even with 2:1 split, the stock price would still be $125...

Q: I've noticed several financial firms have upgraded Crew Energy (CR) lately. Do you still like it at its current price and is there any chance they start paying a dividend?

Q: February 28 : overall up on the day but had some substantial losses on 3 pharma stocks.
VRX JAZZ PLB. Is this a coincidence. I understand when
oil stocks fall or gold stocks fall together on the same day but pharma stocks?
Is there some relationship between these companies?

Q: Just a comment regarding the question today from Frank on recent unexplained price and volume movement of Village Farms VVF.
This CBC report (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/california-s-crippling-drought-could-cost-and-benefit-canadians-1.2541844)may contain some clues with respect to possible longer term supply problems with California produce and attendant opportunities for alternate sources of supply. The supply of tomato paste is specifically given as an example. Maybe completely unrelated since it is hardly a startling revelation that would only have occurred to the market in the last few weeks but thought I would pass it along anyway. Cheers.

Q: Peter,
I am trying to find a Canadian website that gives financial ratios of Canadian stocks, Book value/share, cash/share, revenue/share, NTA/share, ect. ect. These ratios will be handy for comparing different stocks in the same sectors. Why is this information not easily available in Canada? If it is not available for free, is there a paid service that can provide these summaries?
Thanks.

Q: How can the average investor determine how much of a stake the company insiders have in the game? Some of us think it's an important factor in making our investment choices.Is it?
Thanks
Garry

Q: When you trade in a cash account, will the discount brokerage firm send you a capital gain/loss statement on each transaction made at year end or do you have to keep track of all the transactions yourself ? Thank you for the great service.

Q: Friday was a big day for IPL, any idea what's driving it? Thanks

Q: I own PWF,SU and SE(N)-about $20,000 each. I need about $18,000 cash before April 30,2014.Ignoring any income tax implications and diversification,which of these would you suggest that I sell?

Thanks

Q: Hi Team I have about 100k to invest for my 82 year old mother. I am strictly interested in income and security. I am not interested in etfs which stock or stocks would you recommend. She already has about 100k divided between CM and GWO which were bought about 10years ago.

Thanks
Mike

Q: Village Farm int. VFF
Could you give me an opinion on vff. It has picked up in price and volume in the last week with no apparent news. Thanks.

Q: Hello,Peter and your team
I bought amazon(Amzn) around $400, recently it came down a lot, do I hold or sell, Thank you!
Yingzi

Q: Peter and team, I have a managed RRSP account that I wish to transfer into my self directed account. The account contains some large cap US stocks but mostly medium and small sized Cdn stocks. Is there a preferred strategy to move the account holdings ? I had thought to ask the firm to liquidate and transfer the proceeds but am now thinking the thinly traded small companies would be better sold over time. Is transferring everything in-kind better ? Thanks you.

Q: Hi. What are your thoughts on AW.UN, KEG.UN, and BPF.UN and how would you rank them?
Thank You

Q: Hello 51 Staff
Re PPL and ENB. I am trying to determine which of the two companies to purchase, trying to compare risk factors, div rate, projected growth, and other various metrics. Both companies appeal. What are the main determinants as you see them especially as to growth rate, risk factors. Thank you very much

Q: Peter & Team: Tks for no conflict reports on stocks etc., it has helped my portfolio and my wife's. My questions is with TEN it seems to be involved with Barrick, could this lead to buyout or is the company to small for them.I nolticed insiders buying.Would it be ok for small investment 5000 shares for 1yr or 2

Q: Please comment on Enerflex EFX and their quarterly results.
With revenues falling and costs increasing internationally is this quarter a reason to sell?

Q: Hi Peter. Could I have your opinion on Marlin Gold Mining (MLN-V)as a long term play in the junior gold space. I did some research on Wexford Capital and CEO John Brownlie and was impressed so established a position several weeks ago. Based on yesterday's News Release, I may add to my position (REF: "Creation of Sailfish Royalty Corp. to Unlock Shareholder Value"). What is your opinion on the News Release ?? Thanks.

Q: Hello 5I team. i'am trying to find a vangard low cost s&p 500 index fund VFINX (not sure of the symbol) Can't find it. What would be a canadian equivalent? vfv or vsp? thanks.