Investment Q&A

Q: I am currently down 30% on Cognex. I have Facebook,Google,Netflix Grub,Nividia and Amazon. Your recent comments indicate that you do not see much of a recovery for CGNX in the short term. Can you suggest an alternative? Weighting and sector have no bearing as I'm otherwise diversified.
Thank you

Q: Hi Peter and Team,
Would you please comment on ETSY as a candidate for a full position. Also, in your opinion, how is ETSY different from Ebay, Shopify or other on-line platforms for that matter.
Cheers,

Q: It appears that MUX is turning the corner and production will increase significantly in 2018 and 2019. There is about 50 million shares short . MUX also raised $50 million in a private transaction without having to go the marked to issue more shares.
How will this play out for the shorts?
Thanks,
George

Q: Hello 5i. From a portfolio perspective, coud you give me guidelines on what would be a full position depending on the company size/profile. For example, would a full position be the same for COV, PBH and ENB? Thanks to your great recommendations, I have COV at 5%, PBH at 7% and in both case am wondering when it is time to trim. Thanks!

Q: Peter and His Wonder Team
My question is about this possibility of a Debt Jubilee. I have been hearing more about this lately. I am not a "doomster" but have studied history long enough to know unusual events can and do occur. So in the USA the debt load on families is extremely high, university loans over a trillion, car loans and mortgages also high and of course local, state and federal government in serious debt. All the while the middle class is shrinking as wages have lagged behind as automation and productivity has steadily increased in the past 20 years. The Republicans have moved to a strong conservative position. At the same time the Democrats continue to promise more hand outs. So the theory goes that in the 2020 election the Democrats may promise Socialized Medicine for all, a Universal Basic Income Monthly Check and a Debt Jubilee which eliminates student and other loans which will be a dream come true for the shrinking middle class. In other words there may be a radical move to the political liberal left so the Dem. can regain power. I know this Debt Jubilee is not a new concept and is attractive to many. If so there will be losers as wealth is redistributed. Your comments pease. If this were to happen where should a little retail investor run? My first thought is gold since inflation and panic should sour.
Thanks!

Q: My first question on Points (Peter would know this well as it used to be in the Sprott Growth Fund) and VRX (Valiant) are two stocks that seem to have a lot of momentum for the last little bit. Do you think that they would be too risky to add to a portfolio - I am medium to high risk. Always appreciating your great service. Thanks Dennis

Q: I have 25% in fixed income in the above ETFs. In my TD account they are all showing a small negative return. Wouldn't cash be better or a GIC. I would really like to understand the logic of holding these rather than say a GIC. Thanks so much.

Q: when considering a new stock to buy what are the three most important things you look for

Q: What is the financing price?Thanks for u usual great services & views

Q: The stock has dropped some and the F P/E is higher thsan than the current P/E. I do like the space in general though. What are your thoughts? Do you think there is a better pick in the space? Thank-you.

Q: Morning, Have held this company for a few years, slight loss over this period. Given the small dividend, lack lustre performance, do you still see this as worthy of patience? Looking long term, prefer a balance between dividend/growth potential. Other suggestions with better future? Thanks, Lavern

Q: Hi Peter/Ryan,
My TFSA has SHOP, SIS, KXS, GUD, BB, ATD.B, PHO, RHT, COV, FLT. If i want to add TSGI or TCL.A. Is it good idea to replace one of these with ATD.B. as this is down about 5%. Or would you suggest any other changes in above list.
Thankyou
Peter.

Q: I came across this when I was doing research on small cap funds and found this in the portfolio of Mawer New Canada funds. Seems to be a very good on most financial parameters. Seems to have high institutional holdings and has strong growth.
Your views on the future growth outlook. Being a $1 billion company in IT sector with umpteen number of players, do you think it has reached a saturation in Canadian market and may see moderation in growth rates compared to the past?
Would you recommend this stock or do you have better picks in the IT sector?

Q: Opt.to
Can you please provide some details about this one. Should this one be considered for long term growth? Is a 1/2 position warranted here? Txs again... your service is much appreciated...

Q: Dear 5i:

I purchased this some time ago and it has had a nice run up. What do you think of its prospects moving forward? Buy more, hold, or sell?

Thank you.

Q: I very much appreciate 5i along with your ETF site. From your ETF site, I have been playing with the ETF sector balancer and have found it quite useful to see the % of the sectors my postions occupy .
My questions
1. I am considering a 1/2 position of XHC, XGI, and XCD and a 1/4 postion of VUN and XQQ. Is now the time to buy these or should I sit on my cash for a while or should I be considering some alternatives to these within their sectors?
2. If I execute #1 above, my overall holdings will be 57% CDA, 29% USA, 14% INTL and my portfolio will consist of 2% materials, 13% consumer cyclical, 5% financial, 3% communication, 10% energy, 10% industrials, 6% technology, 17% consumer defensive, 13% healthcare and 18% utilities.
I would very much appreciate your critique and observations.

John

Q: Hi 5i,

I need to create a fixed income allocation in my LIRA. Would you recommend an equal allocation to the following ETF's: CBO, XBB, ZEF, CPD and ZHY? If not what would you recommend for a fixed income etf position.

Thanks,

Q: From your report on IIP.UN, it appears that the company is making money from acquiring properties in more urban (i.e. stable) areas and by doing so, it is able to increase the efficiency and profitability of its property management area. The trust is also making some money by raising rents after tenants on old cheaper leases leave and by applying for "above guideline increases for existing tenants" which I think is another way of saying it works to get around rent controls.

Does IIP.UN own individual condos and/or condo buildings? Do they develop any of their own projects or is entirely a growth by acquisition story?

Is the above approach much different than that of CAR.UN? The metrics for both are very similar. Is IIP.UN different in that it owns somewhat more expensive rental units? Or are the two companies pretty similar?

Back in January, you felt that CAR.UN should be owned if one is interested in yield and IIP.UN would appeal more to someone wanted growth. Is your answer the same today?

Appreciate the insight.

Paul F.

Q: I bought a half position on Friday. My bad luck, and with this public offering announcement I am down close to 5% today (Monday). Should I be looking to add now or later when they state the price, hold or bail.
Thanks

Q: The company looks good and valuation seems reasonable given growth prospects. I've seen your positive comments on it.
However, why are they not paying dividend?
Given recent news regarding Toys R Urs Im wondering if its a low margin business that is purely a volume play. Or is it too dependent on high capex and inventories which lock up cash flows for long periods. Two questions on this
1) What are the net profit margins like in this sector and specifically for Spin master
2) Does Spin Master make good free cash flows and is the FCF growth really good looking back historically? How do you see the future given their international spread
3) Why is the company not paying dividend if it has a stable business with reasonable growth? Is it because of focus on growth over rewarding shareholders?