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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: I am reviewing my non-registered portfolio for cleanup and cash deployment. I have 29% in a global equity fund and 29% in cash; the rest are contained in 26 equities, for which this question is the focus. Diversification and risk not a concern.

I am looking for your advice as to whether I should sell, maintain, top up, or trim the following end member stocks in my portfolio:
ECN 0.2%
EFN 0.5%
ESV 0.03%
XTC 0.7%
HCG 0.9%
XEG 0.9%
LUC 0.4%
ASIX 0.1%
JAZZ 0.9%
HON 5.8%
MSFT 4.7%
SHOP 3.6%

With the equity fund as an anchor, a typical full position for me would be 2.5 - 3%. To deploy the cash, could you provide me with a list of 5 stocks (excluding SIS, ZCL, GSY, or KXS) you would buy today for growth and/or dividend growth. Based on this I will buy and top up the remainder of my portfolio.

Thanks for your help - deduct as many questions as necessary.
Read Answer Asked by Dale on September 29, 2017
Q: Aegon's latest press release stated the company will purchase 52 million shares to offset the dilutive effect of 2016 end year and 2017 interim stock dividends. Why didn't the company just pay and continue to pay cash dividends? It seems they are complicating what should a fairly routine process. Is there a tax benefit for the company by doing all of this?
Read Answer Asked by Kenneth on September 29, 2017
Q: Good day gentlemen,
I know this company recently reported earnings. Can you comment. Can you tell if there is a significant cash burn? Also do you put much stock in the fact that they will have production capacity of 5000 kg in a few months; 15000kg in 6-12 months. With a sale price of 8-10$ per gram, that is 50-150 million in revenue.
I know this implies many assumptions, not the least of which is the attainment of a sales liscensce, but if this scenario was to transpire can you surmise a possible stock price at this revenue level.
It appears that the 5000kg milestone will be financed through shareholder capital as is a good portion of the 15000 milestone. (28 million in cash).
Does this potential capacity as well as their pesticide free production distinguish them from the majority of the players in this business?
I know this sector is not your preferred but I would appreciate your opinion.
Thx
Read Answer Asked by Giuseppe on September 29, 2017
Q: I am thinking of selling my positions in either USB or BBT and instead buy Morgan Stanley (MS). Does this make any sense? If yes, which of USB and BBT would you sell?
Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Adam on September 29, 2017
Q: In discussing buying CSU in less-than-board-lot quantities, you said that "there can be some higher bid/ask spreads, so one needs to enter trade orders carefully." Perhaps this needs to be stated more plainly: *if* you want to buy less than a board lot, *then* set a limit price (i.e., don't buy 'at market'.)

But I know of no other constraint on small-lot trading. I have bought single shares of GOOG and AMZN with the same trading fees as would apply to penny stocks, and been filled at or below my limit price. For that matter, I now find it easier to scale my bids by dollar value than by share count. Much of the mythology around board lot trading seems to be just that: a myth.
Read Answer Asked by John on September 29, 2017
Q: Just a comment. You recommend without caveat HFR as a short term hold for cash. This ETF does fluctuate and with just a 2.1% payout annually can negate this modest payout, just like any other equity. I held this for a year and broke even on distributions/capital gain but paid higher taxes on the distributions than the capital gain so overall lost on a full year hold. This is not for short term holds any more than BCE would be.
Read Answer Asked by Terry on September 28, 2017
Q: As a follow up question to that asked by Mary Ann about the ten "forever" stock ideas. You indicated a few names could be added to the list and I was interested if you could provide a few of the names you think could be added.
Read Answer Asked by Graham on September 28, 2017
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