Investment Q&A

Q: Recently the media was awash with implied heavy concerns around the supposed losses the CDN. banks would be reporting this week and next. They said so while trying to impress an implied authority. The media even went so far as to create a reason.

I had to try and stop laughing once again at the business media in general, so as to be able to type this post, as it once again showed that it basically is a comedy show and of little value to investors. At least when it comes to predictions.

I often wonder if the media have to work and prove their metal at SNL 1st (Saturday Night Live).

So far all of the banks that have reported have provided growing if not all time high revenues, earning, profits....

Stan

Q: You may have answered this in the past, but: does the 5i team believe that individuals can beat the market? I'm assuming you must think so given your team is essentially in the stock picking business, but how does this align with most studies that suggest the ETF or couch potato approach?

Q: Hi Thank you for your wonderful service. Natural gas seems to be entering a period of seasonal strength. The commodity seems to be trading at secular lows. Would you advise buying the commodity in the form of an ETF? Could you recommend one? Or would you suggest an individual Natural Gas stock. Thanks again.

Q: I find the most difficult thing to do is buy hold or sell lol!
I bought ESL at around $66 a share--having never owned it in the past. I am holding on and with the contract they just received and momentum I think I should average down. You prefer averaging up but when a good company starts showing signs of strength should we not average down and lower the cost base?

Q: Hi 5I Teams
may I have your opinions on these two US stocks RDC and TCEHY please.
Are they worth to buy or sell now?
Thank you
John

Q: Hello,
I am interested in the "water" theme. There are a couple of stocks in reading your reports that appear to me to be sound investments re. this theme and both are well rated. Would you consider good choices from the stocks you follow for this theme? If so, are they buys at this time or would you wait for a pullback? If there are better names I should consider, I would appreciate you letting me know.
Thanks,
Dan

Q: My wife and I each have 15000 in contribution room for our TFSAs. Thus far we have chosen more aggressive growth companies (such as KXS,GUD,SIS,NFI among others) based on your excellent recommendations. Can you suggest a few companies with potential growth but with a bit more size/stability than our existing choices. For example, we have considered FTS but are not sure if its growth profile is an appropriate fit for a TFSA. Thank you for your advice.

Q: I'm up nicely with MG, but there's some press about 'peak auto' having been in 2015. If there's a nascent economic recovery in the US, why would we not expect continued strong auto sales? What does this bode for MG?

Thanks as always.

Q: I have sold AVO and would like to know which stock out of balanced portfolio who you replaced this stock as this was my only tech stock.I would like to replace it with another stock.I am looking at ESL and wonder if this would be a good choice.

Thanks
Dolores

Q: My advisor has recommended switching from Pfizer to a global diversified
healthcare ETF-iXJ.Is this reasonable in view of the fact that I own
nothing in the global market at all?

Q: HIU-T This was recommended on BNN as a way to off-set downside. Could you please explain in detail how this would work and would you recommend this method rather than holding cash in todays market with a bearish outlook? If you had $100,000 cash would you put it all into the HIU? What would be the down side?

Q: Could you please comment on Heo as to a 1 to 2 year hold? Is it expensive at today's price? If so,what might be a better entry point?

Q: Would you consider CPSI- US s buyable at today's price ? Thanks, Manoch

Q: I note that Trans Canada has introduced significant pricing concessions/incentive/reductions and while AMLP operates in the USA I wondered if this was the beginning of an industry trend. Thank you for your previous reply to me on this equity. Thanks

Q: what are your favourite growth stocks with the least down side potential ?

Q: Hello, I've been waiting for DHX to come out with their next quarterly financials. It seems they are behind all the other companies I'm following. Is there any reason you are aware for the delay? Also if there are any other insights you can provide on this company that would be great.Thanks
Cheryl

Q: I read Element Financials conference call transcript for Q2 and this what I got from it.

They have been winding down 2 portions of their businesses which intern has,
1) Reduced originations and lowered EPS
2) Returned capital to make them M&A ready
3) Short term from "30,000 ft view" makes them look like they are falling apart
4) But, closing these business books will allow them to redeploy the capital to much higher ROE investments to grow earnings faster

The split of the company has put some of it's business activity on hold,
1) M&A has been stopped until the split so no big growth in Q2 and Q3
2) 3 immediate acquisition targets will be pursued when split happens
3) New funds will be launched for income growth and to free up capital for M&A
4) Expect some major accretive acquisition(s) to happen and possible surprise earnings either in Q4 or Q1.

So in conclusion they are setting themselves up for greater growth and shareholder value. To do this they have to sacrifice income in the short term to strengthen their capital, plus delay growth until the split occurs.

Is my simplified summary similar to 5i's consensus on this company?

Thanks, Shane

Q: I own four gold stocks Barrick Gold, Eldorado Gold, Goldcorp, and Primero. I'm considering sell Eldorado and Primero and adding to either Barrick or Goldcorp. Which one would you choose? Do you have a better suggestion?

Q: my teenage daughter has just registered her tfsa. She has a small amount of $ (4000) to start. she is thinking for simplicity and risk sake at this point in her life to go with the global couch potato. Which 4 ETFs would you recommend for her. she needs a CAN equity, US equity, INTER equity and a bond ETF.
Do you think this is a good idea or would you recommend she stick to specific company stocks instead?
thanks
michele

Q: Please comment on these income funds, including the effect of management expenses.