Investment Q&A

Q: Hello Peter!
Can you please comment on my portfolio.I currently hold in my portfolio (stocks - Weightings): CSU-11.2%,CCL.B- 13%,BYD.UN-10%,DHX.b-10.8%,ATD.b-15.5%,AYA-5.6%,ESL-7.6%,SJ-9.8%,CXI-5.9%,MG7.9%
,BOS-2.7%,TDG.US-3.5%,NOC.US-1.5%,CBM.US-1.8%,AGN.US-1.8% .

I also have 18K CAD to invest. Would you please give me your 3(non energy)buys today to complement my existing portfolio.
Thanks Andrew B.

Q: Hi Peter and Team,
Could I have your thoughts to ZCL`s recent QR, particularly in view of back to back disappointing net income reports. Do you feel they have the wherewithal to increase margins on the strength of ongoing increased revenues?
Thanks as always for all you do for us.
Rick

Q: Can you provide updated opinions on the US Dollar? Are we seeing a repeat of the early to mid 80's run into the USD? Seems to be crushing everything in it's path..

Q: As a short term investment of say 1-12 months, could I get your opinion of this investment as opposed to a GIC investment and is VSB a safe place to park money. Thanks, Bill

Q: Hi, looking to add an American insurance company to my portfolio. Any recommendations on a couple of potential candidates that has a reasonable value entry point?

Q: Good Morning: I have been accumulating some preferred shares (both rate resets and perpetuals) now that they seem to be very out of favor. I am currently considering CU.PR.F or G. I'm wondering if you have any comments or insights in regard 1st, to the accumulation of preferreds (up to a maximum of 10% of the portfolio), and 2nd, in regard to these preferreds in particular. Many thanks.

Q: Hi Peter:

I have held Chevron for some time and wonder if a better bet may be Suncor.

I greatly value your opinion.

Thank you so much
Brian

Q: I am 30 years old and have a fairly diversified portfolio. I own a small portion in financials already but I currently do not own any of the major Canadian banks. Do you think it is good timing to get into the Canadian banks considering my long time frame? Also would you look at an ETF such as ZEB or would you suggest picking 1 or 2 banks? I am currently looking into TD and Scotia.

Q: I wonder if you can comment on the recent price appreciation of DSG, it has become quite expensive is this a concern, especially when they report their quarterly results in September? I believe their current P/E ratio is about 83.

Peter

Q: Hello Peter & Co,
You have added Air Boss (tonight's top pick) to your growth portfolio at the end of June ($22.30) when the price was way into overbought territory. I would have waited for a pull back (perhaps wrongly); what was the thought process that made you decide to buy at that time at that price?
Thanks
Antoine

Q: Last week, on BNN, David Cockfield was asked about West Fraser. Part of his answer, he said that he is looking at some forest stocks, and then quickly mentioned that he wouldn't say which ones because he doesn't want competition. What does that mean? Is it that portfolio managers need time to accumulate a stock they like, and so, don't want to attract buyers during this accumulation phase? If that's the case, do you think it may often be that guests on TV pretend to like a company less than they really do? I'd love it if one day you wrote a blog about techniques/tricks people on Baystreet sometimes use (stock recommendations, price targets, motivations behind BNN appearances, articles, newsletters). I feel it could help us small investors stay the course and hold stocks longer.

Q: "Free" Portfolio Reviews:
Kudos to you for drawing a line in the sand today with a couple of questions and, in essence, saying, "Enuf is Enuf" and declining to answer questions that amounted to portfolio reviews. But you still provided polite, helpful information.
A class act all the way!
I am sure many of us wouldn't mind asking similar questions. But out of respect for the parameters you have made clear time and time again ... and appreciation for the wonderful work you do for 5i customers, we try a little harder to stay inbounds.

Publish if you consider this suitable feedback on your much appreciated services.

Q: DRT missed Rev($52.87m less than $54.57m expected) & EPS(-0.02 vs 0.03).It seems that some investors smell it as it dropped 0.37 after up 0.21 the previous trading day.It was the top pick of B.Campbell#2 & J Huang in July/15.This 2nd Q earnings was expected to be not as strong as Q 1,but 3rd & 4th Q are expected to be fairly strong.Epectation of huge upside going forward. Peter,your expert opinion please.You look good on BNN today & of course your views on all the questions are great.Appreciate your usual great services & advices.

Q: Hi Peter, thanks for your good comments of PHM on BNN this evening. Indeed, it answered a few questions of mine regarding future acquisitions and financing. You have advised members to do nothing. Now my question is at what point investors can buy additional shares to average down? I normally don't like to average down. However, there is nothing wrong with Its fundamental. Should investors use average down strategy to take advantage of declined price? I see it has great value under a dollar. What's the fair value do you think PHM should be priced at considers its fundamental only? Thank you!

Q: What is your opinion of selling puts underneath the stock - I was thinking of october 27 or 28 puts (the premiums are quite high given the recent volatility) - as I would get either the premium or the stock at a much cheaper price? This assumes, of course, that the company remains solid. If I find out anything that is fundamentally wrong, I would buy back the puts quickly and take the loss, but the loss would be much less than would be the case by owning the stock outright. I am very aware of margin issues and use it in this easy very judiciously.

Q: Please comment on their results. Thanks

Q: Read the latest report with great interest as it explained the operations of the company to me. It was a revelation to me that there is an argument that could be made that dealerships should be somewhat recession proof given that when new car sales decline, used sales and repairs should increase which shold maintain profitablility That does not seem to have happened with this company.

Given that repairs and financing activities are the most profitable area, is iss possible that ACQ has not proven adept at increasing this side of the business in a way that is better than most? It is one thing to acquire a dealership but it would seem to that the real signs of effective management are the synergies that develop due to the growth. I am thinking of a company like BOYD in this situation which has grown very well.

Are you able to break out how much profit each of their segments contributes? To me, these are the valuable metrics and profits have increased but I am left wondering why the stock has been hit so heavily. Is it because investors really don't understand the business model or is there an expectation that the profits from other lines be growing even more? I do appreciate new sales is a good "headline" number and those sales contribute to earnings but repairs should be a very solid profit gerneator.

Thanks for you insight.

Paul F.

Q: Peter, I just watched you on MCT and this is why I am so fortunate and happy I joined 5I. Your answers show a depth of knowledge and foresight that few others can match.
Thanks Again Gord

Q: Is Celestica in an overbought status? Is it time to sell half or more of a position in CLS?

Q: Do we see this stock as a buy at this stage?