Investment Q&A

Q: Thanks for a great year of service - with your great stock picks and advice I am well ahead of the markets with lots of winners.
As allowed I will add $5500 to my TFSA January 1st. I am thinking of adding to positions I already hold in my TFSA - either adding to MSI or CSW.a which would still keep them well below 3% of overall portfolio. I find both stocks a bit confusing as both are steady eady dividend companies but both are down over the last few months - Corby's considerably for the year for some reason - down despite another special dividend. I believe both companies have very safe dividends but wondering which would you add to given some sort of catalyst that might take their stock price higher. I realize this is a tough call given in very different (but stable) types of markets.

Much thanks

Q: Recently, Vanguard introduced a new etf that tracks international equities ex North America, VIU. I would appreciate your thoughts on this one and also, since it is new and small would you be comfortable holding it now, or suggest another that is similar.

Thank you

Q: Hi Guys!
Please could you let me know which companies would benefit from a depreciating CAD (companies that have most of their costs in CAD but derive most of their revenues from other countries and earn other currencies)?? Also, do you think this rational should be good to get reasonable returns over the next 2 - 3 years. Thanks.

Q: How would you view the current valuation of the rails compared to their prospects? Union Pacific specifically has been beaten up badly it seems based on coal volumes. Any favourites or maybe hold with exposure through Berkshire? Thanks!

Q: Any thoughts on Dream Alternatives? I am finding it difficult to determine what the management fee and profit split to the manager is. I did like that in December investor update Micahel Cooper says buying units, but are you able to confirm this and fees with your Bloomberg? The assets kind of seen a real mix of quality but is trading at a good discount to book currently.

Q: Hello 5i!
Down 80% on LSI, should I hold or trade for better stock in the same sector? Please suggest 2 or 3 more stocks as required. I already have BAD. I am a long term investor, well diversified portfolio, and can handle risk.
Thanks!

Q: I'm looking at adding a US small cap ETF to my portfolio. I know your portfolio has chosen IWO.US but I see that IJT.US has the same MER and a higher yeild. I am already over diversified would a 600 stock ETF be sufficient?

Q: Hello,

Now that the feds have started raising rates, what is your take on REITS in general? Is is a good time start a position for long term hold?
If yes, what are your preferred ones for a 20K investment?

Thanks
Marios

Q: Hi Peter
Regarding Suncor's hostile bid for COS, would you advise accepting or would you hold on to COS. I own both companies. I'm not sure what to do here.
Thanks.
Cam

Q: Hi Peter & Staff: On Dec 1/15 I purchased 1500 shares of TCL.A.@ 21.37. Reports from Thomson Reuters and S&P Capital were positive. Ten days later the stock had lost 20%. Do you know why? I am not interested in a 3 to 5 year hold so should I just take the loss and move on? Can you recommend a replacement? Perhaps I should have contacted you before buying. Your service is much appreciated. Thank you.

Ron Noble

Q: Do you see a sector rotation taking place into 2016 where enb - bns - cgx- t - slf- and mg could outperform and thus should be brought up to same allocation as esl - dsg - ccl - csu....thanks

Q: Are there equal weighted world/canadian/US ETFs rather than ETFs based on market caps of companies? For example VXC is an international etf based on the companys market cap within the index. So a bias on the size of the company is reduced (or perhaps a bias is introduced towards smaller caps). Wouldnt this be better if the companies were equally weighted? What are your thoughts on this?

Q: looking for income safety and growth. is this a good buy or a goodbye?my concern is i buy in us dollars and lose 40 percent on conversion . is their a way around this ,thank you.

Q: Hello,
What is your idea about the Middlefields Funds generaly and AEU.UN more specificaly for an entry point now at the bottom (or near)of the oil price ? Is the distribution OK ?
Thanks
Francois

Q: Hello,

Would you endorse a switch from Tou to Wcp for energy exposer so that at least we get a dividend while waiting for a sector recovery?
Do you think that in a recovery both stocks would act similarly or one would significantly outperform the other?
Thank you

Q: Could you please comment on $CRH for a medium term hold, thanks Valter

Q: Could you please comment on the statement update released by the company today on "investment in working capital" Why did they feel giving this update was important and what is it really saying? What is "non-cash working capital"? Overall is there anything in the statement to be concerned about or pleased about? Thank you for your expertise !!

Q: Further to my question regarding conversion of series 4 preferred shares, here is a recent comment from James Hymas, who is a pref shares guru: http://prefblog.com/?p=31665

"...If you wanted a true indication of the value of Dundee’s proposal to the Series 4 shareholders, then Dundee could have extended the term for those shareholders, that might be delusional enough to accept the deal. However, on that basis, I’m sure that it would be a small minority.

I agree. The proposal runs contrary to the usual method of term-extension for retractible preferred shares in Canada (which happens frequently, if not exclusively, with Split Share preferreds), in which there is almost always a “Special Retraction Right” allowing unhappy shareholders to exit their investment on the original terms.

That, I should hope, will be the objective of any beneficial shareholders who are in discussions with the company."

Q: Hello and Happy Holidays!

What are your top stock picks for 2016?

Best,

Carla

Q: Can you give an update on this company?" Is the company now a good long term hold for divisends?