Investment Q&A

Q: With so many potential valuation and growth metrics available, it's hard to know which ones are REALLY important. I would love to use a handful (3 to 6?) of metrics that I could use to screen companies in order to create a "to buy" list.
Do you have any recommendations for a group of "must-use" metrics?

(Some that I am considering are: EV/EBITDA, PEG, Price/Cash flow, P/B, Price to Sales, P/AFFO for REITs, Debt/Equity, Dividend yield, Dividend Payout ratio, and a company's history of raising the dividend)

Would I want to use different metrics for growth vs. value companies?

Also, is there some place that I can look up a company's metrics (i.e. EV/EBITDA, P/B, etc)?

Thanks!

Q: BIP is up over 5% this morning. This is a very unusual jump for BIP. Is there any news that may have sparked the share price?

Q: What are your thoughts on Vecima for a long term hold. While the past year has been choppy, they should see some nice action in 2018 and 2019 as cable MSO's upgrade their systems and try to keep up with fibre optic etc.

Q: What are your thoughts on their earning release? Is this stock more of a trading stock rather than a long term stock? Would this stock be a buy at this price?

Thanks

Q: I have held Kelso for quite some time and have seen the ups and downs for this company. With the down turn in oil (railcar shipping) and delays in regulations for those railcars, do you think there are any catalysts in the near to get things going again for this company. I keep hearing about other products to try to diversify what they offer, but the stock seems to be stuck. I hold a small position and wonder if I should hold on for a little longer or move on. Your thoughts please.
Thanks

Q: Since your last perhaps somewhat tepid though tending towards positive comments on this stock (May) it has basically doubled and has just broken out of a consolidation pattern on strong volume. I read the release on the last quarter and was not impressed given the 'adjusted' this and thats and the explanation (if it was one)for the small revenue decline (but I am certainly not knowledgeable on such things). Obviously 'the street' liked it (up 8% today).
Given the above and your previous, could you please provide an update on your thoughts on this one.
Thanks as always.

Q: Hello 5i Team

1 - Is there a readily available list of all the Sector and Industry classifications which are assigned to companies. I have had no luck finding it on the internet.

2 - Are the Sector and Industry classifications the same for the Canadian and US markets?

The only method I have found is checking the individual companies on the TMX Money website. A slow tedious process.

Thank you for the great service.

Q: have you any idea why BIOA has been clobbered today after their eps for the qtr which seemed ok. thanks

Q: BNN sited a report(back tested 20 years) that stated free cash flow yield was the best indicator of how a how a stock will perform in the future. Are there any US or Canadian etf's that use free cash flow yield as the key metric for stock selection. Also can you provide the top 10 FCF yielding stocks in Canada. Is there a stock screener that provides this information. Thank you for your great service.

Q: I SOLD TEVA have $ 4000 USD as could you provide 4 or 5 safeish names in the us markets for the above.( HAVE ENOUGH BANKS STOCKS )
Thanks
Yossi

Q: What are your thoughts on this company now as your previous reviews you did not like the stock?

Thanks

Q: Further to my Aug 2 question, I did consider XRE but RIT seems the better choice as it has superior returns for all time periods, admittedly at more than double the MER. In case I decide that increasing my company count is OK would you please recommend your top 5 choices for direct company investment.

Q: AT.v should be reporting next week. Street estimates please.
Thank you.

Q: Medical Laboratories and medical testing clinics seem largely to be owned by private corporations. Is this correct ? If so, which publicly traded corporations may be positioned to acquire private medical labs or to make other investments in the medical testing field ?

Q: what are your current thoughts on Pulse Seismic for a 3-5 year hold. the company recently announced a large sale.
thanks

Q: Good day, while holding a relatively diversified portfolio, I do have some fliers in my growth portfolio. I currently hold a tiny position in cxo.v. what do you make of the news today? Does this instill confidence in the company?

Q: Greetings Peter and team,

Again, thank you for your logical answers to my previous questions.

In the 60s, a self-made, wealthy graduate of the Benjamin Graham, Columbia University program which warren Buffett praises, recommended that investors keep half of their portfolio in cash. When the market drops 10%, he recommended that they use a third of that cash to buy stock bargains. Today, that would be a US market index ETF. If the market drops another 10%, he recommended that they use all their cash to buy bargains, again, say a US market index ET. And if the market drops another 10%, he recommended the investors margin their portfolio fully.

I would appreciate your views on this seemingly risky approach to investing money not needed for near-term use.

Thank you,

Milan

Q: I am down 15% on cuf.un and am thinking of bailing on this co. but with the new financing, maybe worth keeping? I like it for the dividend and half would still be acceptable over a long term or are there more fundamental problems. Thanks James

Q: I am considering trading my small position in CVD for ALA.R. With higher dividend returns and being a depository receipt as you highlighted in an earlier blog. Does this trade make sense? I will have no tax implications as they are held in a LIRA account. Thanks. Shyam

Q: Would appreciate your comments on Enercare earnings. Thanks