Investment Q&A

Q: In response to Robert's question about the loss showing in his Investorline account for DIS, Investorline uses the exchange rate on the day you bought the shares for the cost basis, so it does sometimes seem misleading if you try and track your US purchases in US currency.

Here is BMO's explanation from the Investorline platform:
The Unrealized Gain/Loss is the difference between the current market value of the security and its original cost. Where applicable, the original cost will reflect the exchange rate in effect at the time of the purchase while the market value reflects the current exchange rate. This exchange rate is updated periodically throughout the day and this may cause some slight fluctuations in the market value and unrealized gain/loss.

Q: Hi,

I purchased DIS just over a year ago at $111.58 USD. It closed today at $111.30 USD, showing that I'm down 4.4% in my BMOInvestorline brokerage account.

Math isn't my forte but that unrealized loss doesn't sound accurate to me. Is it somehow a reflection of the currency fluctuations? I don't understand.

Thanks,
Robert

Q: I have held Disney for nearly two years and am down slightly. I am wondering if it is time to move on. Do you see it getting back to its highs of $120 any time soon?
I am looking at the sector rotations and thinking this could be a source of cash especially if you come out with your list of stocks to watch out. The market has been hardly cautious.

Q: HI
Is it a good time to buy more DIS as they are down.
DOl is expensive but seems to have still room to grow.
Regards
Margita

Q: I know you don't really cover US names but do you know approximately what percent of DIS's revenue comes from ESPN? I haven't watched it but my friends that do/did say it is pretty awful. I'm worried the worst is yet to come for ESPN.

The comments in this reddit thread posted 4 months ago really echoed what I heard from others: https://www.reddit.com/r/television/comments/4lv7hk/espn_has_lost_10_million_subscribers_since_2013/

Q: Can you tell me the current P/E and the historical sector PE of each one?

DIS
CRM
WBA
GOOG
RTN
KMB
HSY

Thank you, Shane

Q: Hello Team, I realize these three are very different companies. But could you please rank these in order for a conservative investor with at least a 5-year time frame to hold the chosen stock? No need to hit homers. A longer-term 5-7% annual return would be just fine! Thank you.

Q: Hello 5i,
I try to heed the advice to diversify into U.S. stocks because they have stocks which we just don't have here in Canada. I have been wondering what some of these stocks might be for a fairly conservative, retired investor?

Right now I have the following companies:
3M
Apple
Calmaine foods
Goodyear Tire and Rubber
Conagra Foods
IBM
Pepsico
Proctor and Gamble
Bank of America

I have Calmaine for selling options on and it may go some day. I know that no one likes IBM but i believe it will turn around and pays a good dividend in the mean time.

But, I was wondering what to add or subtract from this list in order to have a well balanced, U.S. portfolio?

I have thought of adding Disney and Johnson and Johnson. I have looked at your suggestions, such as EBIX, NOC, LLL, JPM, GILD and ITRI and they look very interesting but maybe not for a person in my position.

I would certainly appreciate your thoughts on this process.
thanks

Q: Good morning everyone,

Something is not making sense in the market here. Disney buys 33% of Neulions competitor BAMtech for $1 billion.

$1 Billion / .33 = assumed market cap by Disney (liquidity discount most likely applies, but lets negate it) of $6 billion.

Neulion has a market cap of $220 million.

Neulion has, NBA, NFL, global soccer, UFC, tennis locked in, BAMtech has NHL, MLB, PGA. Therefore Neulion > BAMtech in my mind.

$3 billion > 220 million by 13.6x. Is there something I am missing in regards to this massive valuation difference? Technology? Does Disney see some second level of montetization that the market can't comprehend? A special deal perhaps? I picked up more to make a medium sized holding, but will sell if you guys could potential shave off the valuation gap.

Q: Could you please update your list of US Stocks suitable for a covered call option writing strategy. The list I have from January is:
GOOG, AAPL, GRMN, FB, CALM, WETF, DIS, UTX, SBUX, WWAV, CSCO
Are these still the best choices at this time? Any changes or additions?
Thx, John

Q: Would you please update your position on Disney as a long term hold, as I understand almost 50% of income was attributed to lost cable business. This was meant to be used as our grandkid's education fund. Thank you.

Q: Hi gang, I have had a decent run with Disney but with the recent drop, AND the move of Dreamworks out of Disney Studios, I wonder if I should take my precious USD somewhere more lucrative? Would love your thoughts - thanks!

Q: I just renew for 2 more years - thanks for all your advise.

What are you thoughts on DIS earrings - It is good time to buy or sell

I have total 400K portfolio in TFSA, RESP, RRSP and regular investment.

How do I calculate 5% investment in any given sector as whole portfolio or per account

Q: opinion and also mcd, mcdonalds for some us exposure?

thanks

Q: I've been considering Disney (DIS) for US exposure for a while, but it never pulls back, just keeps going up. Do you think it's a good idea to start nibbling at it here?

Q: Hello Peter and co,

I am considering adding either TWX or DIS to my portfolio. I am looking for growth and income with an emphasis on more stability. Which would you prefer (and why)?

Thanks for your great service!

Wayne

Q: Hi Peter and team,

Understand you don't follow the US Equities that closely but I have owned Disney for some time but its valuation seems a little overdone here and I was considering the switch to TWX since it is trading at a much cheaper multiple. My question is will the sell off of the cable division impact TWX overall and do you think this is worth the switch?

Q: Is Disney expensive at current price. Looks like a new high today. Please suggest your top pick (USA if possible) for the media content sector? Best, Don

Q: Hi Peter,

My kids have saved up some cash from Birthday gifts and holiday gifts over the years. They are 12 and 10. I have convinced them to put some into their RESP A/C and they would get 20% from the gov.
On an earlier question you had suggested picking up DIS for long term stability.
At a PE of 20.9 would it be ok to do that as the kids can relate to DIS.
If ok would you hold it in US$ for diversity?

Always appreciate your input.

Thanks Irshad.