Investment Q&A

Q: Why are so many "good" companies looking to raise cash through new preferred shares or more common shares. I have received a number of notices in the past few weeks from quality REITS and this morning one from Emera and Endbridge.
What's going on?
Shirley Vincent

Q: My question concerns PTA on the TSX venture exchange.It is located in Columbia, where they predict exiting 2012 with 5000-6000 barrels per day. They have good management, just had an oil strike for 3700 bl per day that they get 50% of.The float seems a bit high at more than 500000 shares plus warrants.Your comments positive & negative would be appreciated. The recommendations on it are all buys.
Cheers,
Dave

Q: your thoughts on yum brands.Thanks

Q: Hi 5i. I have a question about the metrics of ENB (Enbridge). Everyone, including you, seem to think this is a good buy. But its P/E is over 48 and its PEG is over 2. Don't these indicate it is greatly overpriced?

Q: There is an opinion that every 5 years we have a cyclical downturn in the stock market. Considering all the macro negative information should I be selling some or all my A and B holdings. Thank you for you advise.

Q: I have heard different opinions. Is MNT a good way to hold phsical gold? Thank you for your guidance.

Q: Is MUX a buy at this time. Great advice and info, thanks

Q: Great forum, thanks, I would like to know if you any information on symbol min, ecelsior, a copper mine with Net insider Buying $194,353 also recommended by Peter Grandich

Q: Peter, based on your review of HLF (Highliner Foods) I purchased shares which have done quite well. I noticed that the P/E for this stock is 224! I also noticed that the difference between the trailing P/E and forward P/E differs by more than an order of magnitude. The forward looking P/E is 9. I'm wondering if you can explain why there is such a large difference between the two numbers and how I should interpret this as a shareholder.

Q: Could I please get your opinion on WEF?
I am thinking of buying it as a trading stock.
What impact does the BAM sale have?
Thank you.

Q: Hi Peter- Canadian General Investments is trading at a 29% discount to NAV. I believe that this is much higher than the average over the last decade although I cannot find any data on its historical discounts to NAV. On the other hand the MER is 2.5%. What do you think about this closed end fund?

Q: Verisante VRS has developed a game changing skin cancer detection technology that I believe has rencentently received regulatory approval in Canada. They also have similar technology for lung cancer detection in the pipe. Any insight you for this company would be appreciated.

Q: Hi Peter : I recently bought Tembec (TMB)because it is a re-organized company that hasn`t participated in this year`s forestry company rally . It moved up slightly , then tanked 25% in two days after the co. reported a $50 million writedown on the closing of a B.C. pulp mill .This shouldn`t have been a surprise . The selling was only 2% of the shares but at market paniced investors creamed TMB . I bought some more but not fast enough . The shares bottomed for two days and in the next three regained all the lost ground and then some . I`m not going to list all of the companies recent innovations or the steadily improving forest products picture but Tembec has been left behind . For example last week the company`s market cap was less than they are spending to build one power boiler at a Quebec mill with excess bio mass power sold to Hydro Quebec at a cost with turbine and building of $190 million . Am I wrong about it being undervalued. Last week Chad Wasilenkoff CEO of Fortress Paper said they would be looking at a merger with Tembec in the future . News to Tembec apparently . My experience with foresrty CEO`s is that he will wait till the price is much , much higher before driving it up some more with an offer.
What do you think ? Thanks ; BILL

Q: Please let me know your opinion on Asian Television Network (SAT)...

Q: Hi Peter,

What is your personal opinion o n the STO and PRY merger. The analyst community as well as the shareholders seem to dislike this deal a lot as is evident from the drop in share price of both post merger. Do you think this will be a good hold into the next year maybe for a one year time frame. Thanks

Q: Could I have your assessment of Richelieu Hardware - RCH. Thanks.

Q: Hi Peter,
I hold GlaxoSmithKline PLC (GSK) in my RRSP and which is 1% of my total stock portfolio. I hold it for both income and growth. I would appreciate your opinion on 1) this company 2) what % of a portfolio is recommended in this sector ( pharmaceutical) and 3) other names you may recommend in this sector.
Thanks John

Q: Peter
Is now a good time to invest in COH or EBAY . I`m looking to have some exposure to some U.S. stocks ?
Thanks
Bill

Q: Northwest healthcare REIT looks good at this price. I like the REIT sector and like healthcare and the combination of both appeals to me. What are your thoughts.

Q: Do you have an opinion on Chorus aviation (CHR.B)?

Thank you,
Sandy