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Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: Hi team,

Thank you for your response to my SWP question. I wasn't aware that they suspended the dividend, so that was definitely valuable information!

My question is regarding debt. Could you please describe what criteria you use when evaluating a companies debt load?
I realize that many factors go into this evaluation, but do you have a quick rule of thumb that you like to rely on?
Or perhaps a rule of thumb provide members for companies in todays economic environment?

Thanks again!
Read Answer Asked by Tristan on March 23, 2020
Q: It would helpful if you would explain to your clients the meaning of liquidity. For example if one were to try to sell ECN.PR.A the bid is 13.80 the offer is 16.50. More sellers than buyers. The market isn’t working as it does under normal conditions. People just want to sell irrespective of what they would do under normal circumstances. Don’t let fear overcome common sense. This too shall pass.
Read Answer Asked by Roy on March 23, 2020
Q: With a highly leveraged ETF like JNUG getting wiped out 90+%, what is the risk/reward of having a small position at current levels? If the sector sees a recovery and the fund returns to even close to where it had been there's potential for a small investment to be worth something if you took profits and sold the position. On the other hand, if there is an extended downturn, what is the risk of just holding the position aside from opportunity cost? Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Dustin on March 23, 2020
Q: I have held the above stock, (TD) for several years and recently sold,, as it has easily been the most volatile stock in my portfolio. I am thinking of spreading the risk by investing in a good bank etf or reinvesting in one bank when the situation calms down. What are your thoughts, and if the etf route is best, which one or ones would you recommend.

Thanks, David
Read Answer Asked by david on March 23, 2020
Q: Hello Peter and Staff

I rode BPF.UN too far down but have sold it wondering if franchisees will make it to the other side

So far I have kept AW.UN and KEG.UN. Aside from the concern about disposable income needed on the other side to dine at the KEG , do you how the ownership is of the establishments/ franchisee or corporate owned?

Thanks and have a great day
Dennis
Read Answer Asked by Dennis on March 23, 2020
Q: Considering the current emergency, what is the best way for a Canadian investor to buy American dollars?
Read Answer Asked by Les on March 23, 2020
Q: I seem to remember in past recessions that I was able to buy bonds of troubled companies like Air Canada and GM with yields in excess of 12%. I just looked on TD WebBroker and AC bonds are YTM 3.5%! No thanks! Definitely doesn't sound like a good risk reward, and there were many other companies with still 'normal' looking yields. Any thoughts on when bonds will be re-rated (or not)? Even the energy sector at some point should be yielding much much higher, with better risk profile than equities.
Alternatively, I always hear that the bond market is smarter than the equity market. Could this be a sign that equity markets have over-reacted? Thanks for all your good work!
Read Answer Asked by Philip on March 23, 2020
Q: Hi,

Could I get your opinion on 2 investment paths contemplating at moment for equity portion of portfolio?

At moment my equity exposure is passively invested in IWO, VGG, VIU, VEE. I am trying to decide if I should sell off this passive postion, in part or entirety, and invest in individual beaten up securities, for example a number from your recent reports for North American exposure.

The objective would be to have a higher return 2-3 years out from this market. Not really concerned with volatility.

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by John on March 23, 2020
Q: would any of SHOP GSY or CSU be suitable for a RRIF ? or should they be in a TFSA ?

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Leonard on March 23, 2020
Q: Hello Peter and Team,

Thank you for your helpful guidance during this unprecedented turbulence. I know you've liked Docusign in the past, but do you like it even more now? Would it be a stock that potentially plummets after the virus is controlled, or would a raft of new users adopt it for the longer term? Any thoughts?

Brad
Read Answer Asked by Bradley on March 23, 2020
Q: On Sunday, PBS Wealthtrack aired an interview with a well seasoned advisor, R. Kessler, who recommended to raise cash as the damage to the stock market will get worse before it gets better due to a severe recession etc. His case made a lot of sense, and I would be interested in your comments on this statement.

Thank you!


Read Answer Asked by Sigrid on March 23, 2020
Q: As far as I can tell, neither Riocan nor Enbridge have ever reduced their dividends. At 9.4% and 8.7% yields, respectively, after being down 43% and 28%, respectively, do see any longer term risks (ie: 3 years) in buying both companies at current valuations?
Read Answer Asked by Trevor on March 23, 2020
Q: Retired dividend-income investor. I currently own BNS and RY. I was planning on topping up BNS, then read an answer about harvesting capital losses. I had already take enough losses to cover my gains to look after 2020 income tax implications.
I selected BNS for its international diversification and RY for its USA diversification.

I am now considering harvesting my new BNS capital loss and was considering either CM or BMO for immediate replacement, wait a bit then do my original top-up later. Which bank to you consider the better replacement?

Thanks...Steve
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on March 23, 2020
Q: I have few bonds in my RRSP portfolio, one of them is RUSSEL METALS (HY) 6%19APR22. The price for this bond is down significantly in the past 3 weeks even though there is only 2 years to maturity. While my other bonds down 3-5% this one is down almost 20% so I don't think it can be explained by investors selling to free up cash... Is a risk that Russell Metals will go bankrupt in two years or will not be able to pay bond value at maturity? Is there a risk that bond issuer defers payout on maturity date or somehow avoids paying maturing bonds?
Read Answer Asked by Jeffrey on March 23, 2020
Q: Why are all the insurance companies getting slaughtered? Because of ultralow interest rates? Good buy at these prices? Think the dividends are safe?

What would be your favourite?
Read Answer Asked by John on March 23, 2020
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