Investment Q&A

Q: How would you view pollard announcing yesterday that they are increasing their ownership in NYX?

Regards

Robert

Q: Any idea what is happening with CNR right out of the gate, this morning? Big volume and down $4. Is there an unfavorable analyst report out today?

Thanks.

John

Q: Well, 14 months since my previous Q on CSO and it seems like there is a positive trend (after 3 years of negative eps the latest 3 qtrs were positive). But has it been solely due to the price of (mostly) met coal, or do you think their operations have improved (any indication that they are besting some of their competitors)?
The management commentary sounded quite positive - but that's what I wanted to hear - so I'm interested a more critical take.

Q: Would appreciate your opinion on this company. Seems they have foothold in Austraila.

Q: In a cash account, I have 18% loss on this. I don't need this money for now. For growth or growth with torque where would you go. Or I should keep it.
Thanks.

Q: Good Afternoon - The resto royalties seem to have lagged this year. What are your thoughts in general and could you please rank the four listed here. Thanks.

Q: Do you have any thoughts on the new CEO of High Arctic Energy Services?

Q: I am looking to add to either my Utilities or Industrial's.

My industrial weighting for Industrial is 11.8% which might be a bit light, and I can add to CAE or NFI.

Or,

Add to my Utilities is also quite low at 4%. I have BEP and ENB there. Should I add to ENB at this time?

As always thanks for the great advice

Lastly, the only REIT I have is a Small Position in Chartwell. Which i have put in Healthcare. I do have Financials at close to 15%, but should I look at my home as a big investment in real estate and not worry about it?

Q: Big mistake I made and it seems to be dead money in a RRSP. If you have any sggestions. Hold or Sell. What would you replace it in USD.
Thank you.

Q: I recently bought ZCL based on 5i recommendation. Then after a missed quarter you drop ZCL from the growth portfolio, so I'm left holding a stock you no longer follow.
However for GUD you continue to recommend quarter after quarter based on no news or developments and a declining stock price?

Q: We own approximately 4000 shares in ALC composing about 2% of our portfolio. We have held the shares for a number of years and have certainly experienced the ups and lately downs of any commodity based stock - even though the company is supposed to be in the industrial sector. We are currently negative on the stock but their fortunes seem to be improving as the price of iron ore seems to have stabilized. Of course it is hard to trade the stock when times are bad since they are such a thin trader. A "haircut" is a certainty if one really wanted out. Now ALC seems to be offering to buy back shares through a "Dutch Auction". Since the buy back will be prorated I suppose we won't be able to tender all our shares. I don't really mind that we are negative since I like the dividend and 2018 may bring better times. (The mantra of any "buy and hold" investor)! My guess is that management thinks that 2018 will also see improving revenue. I wouldn't characterize the offer as "low ball", I believe it to be fair but maybe 12 months too late to really be taken up. ALC doesn't have much float so they may have trouble taking up too much stock. Any float they do take up will make the stock even more of a thin trader than it was previously. If we were to tender I would tend to purchase SQM as a replacement even though the dividend is lower. Our material sector exposure is on the low side - just AEM having a 2.5% weighting. Our industrial sector weighting is 23% (NFI, WSP, SIS, MAXR, LGT.B and ALC).
Any suggestions on what to do? If you think we should consider taking up the offer what ask price should we go in at? The ask needs to be between $13.80 and $14.75. If we go in at $13.80 do you think there is a chance we could sell all our stock? I realize this is a complex question so please deduct as many credits as you think appropriate.
Thanks
Jim

Q: I have more of an overall financial question, that you may be able to answer.

I own my own business and have been thinking about buying a building in the near future, but I have a few concerns.

Many business people I talk with state that buying the building they were operating in as the best investment they made, or I talk with others that have regrets that they didn't.

What is a better investment: Stocks or Real Estate?

To buy a building I may have to liquidate my portfolio as it would be a major purchase. I would then have a My House, My Business, and a Building in Calgary. That seems like a lot of eggs in one basket if the Economy Slows or if Oil is no longer needed. ( I know this is a long ways down the road, but is a possibility)

Can I assume if the Lease Rate matches the Interest Rate Payments on a Commercial Mortgage that you should look into commercial real estate as you aren't losing anything? If this was the case less money would be put into a portfolio as some would have to go towards paying down the mortgage?

I know this isn't a regular stock specific question, but I figure with your knowledge you may have a good advice. I also am leaving this public as I believe many others on your site may have similar thoughts.

Thanks.

Q: I have held ALA in the past(2 months ago) and sold it at a loss which I can use to offset some gains. I currently hold ENF but am considering selling ENF and buying back ALA. What are your thoughts on the dividend safety of the two stocks and their growth prospects?

Thanks Ken

Q: It just dawned on me that with the endless fighting over softwood lumber and US pulp tariffs and controls that maybe KP Tissue/Kruger is getting caught up in the turmoil. Maybe that's why it is down 12.7% from what I paid for it about a year ago. The current yield is 5.22%

On October 31, 2017 you said : "KPT really has not created much value, and the stock was higher in 2013 than it is today. For income we would consider it 'so so' and certainly think there are better options out there. We prefer dividend growth, and the dividend has not changed in five years."

I am currently overweight in Financials, Telcos. Utilities, and Pipelines, so would you advise selling KPT or just holding for income.

Since you think there are better options out there I would appreciate your suggestions of several other consumer sector companies with dividend growth and with a comparable dividend yield.

Thank you........... Paul K

Q: Any thoughts about RTI these days?

Q: Could you please give me your opinion on the etf's FNG and FINX. I am thinking of taking a half position in each. Do you prefer one over the other or do you think splitting between the two a good idea. I currently do not have any exposure to tech other than PHO and OTEX but with the huge gains in tech over the past year I am reluctant to stock pick at this time.

Q: On my last question on HIVE, you suggested a better way to play it would be to buy GROW. Could you please give your analysis of it. Would you consider it a buy irregardless of it's position in HIVE. Thanks. Great service! Just renewed subscription.

Q: Hi I was just wondering your thoughts on Pure Industrial Real Estate Trust?
Thanks
Sean

Q: the cloud... I know of msft as a cloud co. any others in Canada/ us I should consider for long term hold? tkx pat

Q: For a "well diversified portfolio" and "Forever" holdings in Financial Sector, what would be your top 2 choices long-term [5 years] - assume 1 bank and 1 Alternative Finance, but your call. Looking for growth at a reasonable price.