Investment Q&A

Q: I’m curious as to why MCR is selling off today. There was news today that the estimated cost of the TMX line has nearly doubled. With macro’s spread being reimbursable (one of the few with out a cap from my understanding), wouldn’t this be very positive? (Ie. macro stands to make more then original contract estimates). Is this not one of the cheapest stocks on the Canadian stock exchange based on p/e? Thanks

Q: With the court’s dismissal of TMX appeal, Is this a big win for MCR? This stock looks very cheap. I have a half position. Should I fill it out?

Q: Guys...I have some room in my portfolio for a few high risk, high reward stocks. Can you give me one or two from Canada and the U.S. that you like currently...this is long term money...doesn't have to be on your model portfolios either...thx

Q: in my balanced/growth oriented TFSA with 12 stocks, the above 4 are each between 1% to 1 1/2 % of my total portfolio. I have some cash to deploy. Suggestions for where to top up ?
Thanks as always.

Q: Hi,

I've held MCR since the highs of 2014 and have been patient - very patient. But I'm wondering now whether I should sell at a loss and re-deploy the cash. It's a small position that I'm left with and I'm still generally over-weight the energy sector.

Thanks,

Q: Hi, I currently hold ENB (0.53%), PPL (1.03%), TOU (0.48%), and WCP (0.37%), total of 2.42% of my portfolio. I actually have ENB in my utility sector weighting, which would make my overall energy even lower. Would you consider it 50/50 energy/utility??

I'm looking at slightly increasing my sector weight in energy to maybe 4-5% since its so low (mostly because my current holdings have gone down or I've sold previous energy positions). Energy companies in Canada have been hit so badly its hard to put money back into the sector right now. I know you hold MCR in your portfolio and you like PXT and SU. Based on the current valuations/fundamentals and future potential, should I add to any of my current positions, sell them, or add PXT or SU to the mix?? How would you suggest consolidating these?

Thanks!

Q: The stock has been down the last 2 days on slightly higher volume.
With oil price moving up, this should be a positive but stock not acting well.
Anything the I am missing here? Thanks

Q: I'm considering a contrarian play on an o&g service company. I understand it may take a number of years but at these prices the right company could be a multi bagger when the sector turns from these very low share prices. A strong balance sheet is key to be able to last however long it takes. I see MCR, TCW, and ESN fitting the bill here, but which one would you invest in? MCR has actually done quite well in the downturn and is up considerably. TCW and ESN are more similarly aligned and have both been beaten up. I'd imagine TCW and ESN would have much more torque than MCR in a recovery, so more value there. Clarke has been a big buyer of TCW at these levels, but MCR has large insider ownership. Which one do you feel is the best choice and why?

Q: Please give your opinion on Q3 including cash flow.

Q: With the election out of the way, any further thoughts on MCR's future and would this be a good time to increase a small 1% position in a TFSA ?
Many thanks as awlways

Q: Do you still like this company and how do you think the election will affect them. Will the transmountain pipeline ever be built.

Q: Hello, I sold Descartes DSG quite a while back when you indicated that it was very expensive (and kept Enghouse ENGH), now that you have added DSG to the portfolio I'm wondering if I should sell ENGH and buy DSG back. Or are they 6 of one and half a dozen of the other going forward. In balancing my portfolio I trimmed some CSU because it was up around 17%, so now I do not want to invest in a much lesser quality technology company with the proceeds. Second somewhat related part to this question: I once owned QST, MCR, and BAD and sold them also quite a while ago. Now that you have renewed interest in them and added them to the portfolios I'm feeling a bit reluctant to add them back, I guess because I once sold them. Obviously you have renewed confidence in them. And I'm trying to keep to my principle of following the portfolios. Can you help me regain confidence in these three names. Thanks for great service, as always.

Q: You commented on the good quarter but noted the only negative being lack of positive cashflow for the quarter. Would this not be expected for this type of company, with very large contracts, and high working capital requirements? The value proposition looks hard to ignore all things considered so I’m just trying to understand if this is actually something to worry about or not? Thanks

Q: How do you see earnings of MCR which were released last night.
It appears to be a beat. They seem to have cut their operating expenses
a lot from the previous quarter on a percentage basis.

Q: What 4 Canadian stocks would you buy that have the potential to appreciate quickly for a short term hold? Risk not an issue. Well balanced portfolio.

Q: Was just wondering if there might be a new report for QST and MCR. Last report on QST was back in Nov 2016 and was not too favourable. "simply too small and volatile to own at this stage." MCR no report.
Thanks Craig

Q: Should we consider Macro more valuable now that the Trans Mountain Pipeline has been passed or should we wait until it is well into construction as there are still some hurdles to overcome?

Q: If trans mountain gets the go ahead next week will this effect macro in any way.

Q: Hello 5i,
for my grandchildren ages 7 and 10 with $26,336 invested for them: 20% in LSPD, 20% MCR 30% XDY and 30% XHY for somegrowth and some income. Would this mix and distribution be considered appropriate for them and if not could you suggest an appropriate one?
Thank you
Stanley

Q: Peter; I saw your previous replies re MCR- can you update them after their earnings , which looked really good to me. Thanks. Rod