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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: 11:15 AM 2/24/2015
Hello Peter :
We are retired and living on dividend income plus modest pensions so the equities we own are chosen for their stability and for good dividends. The balance of the portfolio is reasonably spread into the other sectors, and we have a good position in Provincial bonds.

I am very confused as to what exactly constitutes the "Energy" and "Utility" Sectors, and as to where "Pipelines" fit in. You suggest a maximum of 10-15 % in "Energy", and 10% [which you later downgraded to 5%] in "Utilities"

We have an 18 % allocation to what I call "Utilities"
EMA 2.4%,
FTS 4.5%,
NPI 1.0%,
BIP.UN 4.6%,
BEP.UN 5.6%,

and a 17% allocation to what I call "Pipelines"
ENB 2.7%,
ENF 6.1%,
TRP 2.3%,
PPL 2.9%,
PKI 2.8%,

and a 4% allocation that was 10% before the oil price dropped, to "Energy"
COS 0.4%,
SGY 1.0%,
BNE 0.3%,
BTE 2.0%,

1. Which of these would you consider to be Energy, or Utilities, and where do you place pipelines?

2. Would you agree that these stocks are reasonably robust and likely to survive a serious market correction and still maintain dividends with at most modest dividend cuts other than the oil stocks?

3. Would you maintain these investment levels now or should some be sold off and to what level?

4. Which would you suggest selling if you feel it is advisable?

Many thanks...... Paul K.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on February 24, 2015
Q: Do you recommend buying the above companies. What are the good qualities and risks of holding each and what should be the size in a portfolio? Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Imtiaz on February 24, 2015
Q: What would your order of preference be for these four companies? Would you keep any of them? I am a retired investor, with 50% fixed income (GIC's & Bonds) and 50% equities (21 individual stocks each with a 2.5% rating, across all sectors. Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Paul W on February 24, 2015
Q: Investors are loving Apple and neglecting Google these days. My position in Apple has doubled. It is still not overweight in the portfolio. Thinking of selling half of the Apple position to diversify into Google. Google has stalled lately and there is an expectation of a capital return program that may get the stock moving. Or just leave the Apple position alone?
Read Answer Asked by Joel on February 24, 2015
Q: Can you please comment on Sylogist results released this evening.Do you see an improving trend ? Any thoughts on : "During the past year we deferred opportunities in our Canadian public sector unit and payment solutions operations to invest in our foundational technology, moving Sylogist products well ahead of market competitors. We are encouraged by the early financial success of these investments as noted in our MD&A"
Read Answer Asked by rajeev on February 24, 2015
Q: Could you please recommend two Canadian oil companies that can survive the low oil price environment? I like to buy and hold them until prices go back up again. I do not really care about the dividend as long as the company can use the free cash flow to grow. Does SPE qualify? Thank you very much.
Read Answer Asked by Marinos on February 24, 2015
Q: May I please have your opinion on Textainer Group. I'm looking for Income with a 2-3 year hold. Thank-you.
Read Answer Asked by Deborah on February 24, 2015
Q: You have mentioned in previous answers that stock allocation in an RESP should be independent from other account holdings due to the defined time frame when the money will be used. I have an RESP for my 8 year-old that consists of $10,000 BNS and 10,000 SLF and $6500 cash. I plan to deploy the cash in March. Do you have any recommendations on a single additional stock OR might I be better off to sell BNS and SLF and buy a few ETF's to sufficiently diversify? I still have 9 years until she heads to post-secondary.
Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Robert on February 24, 2015
Q: I have an otherwise well diversified portfolio, but am currently underweight in healthcare with only CPH held with about a 5% position. Could you recommend an ETF that would give me good exposure to this sector? And what percentage of portfolio would you suggest should be in healthcare?
Read Answer Asked by Duayne on February 24, 2015
Q: in my opinion this stock is underpriced or mis priced,what other stocks you think are miss priced?Thanks a lot.
Read Answer Asked by nizar on February 24, 2015
Q: Hello Peter & Co,
I'm 72 years old and view the TFSA as a regular savings account. About half is invested in short-term notes that are cashable at the snap of the fingers; as for the other half, I'm seeking to invest in slow and steady companies (some growth/some yield) in a business with some kind of a "moat" around it. Could you give me a few names that fit the bill? Would KBRO Linen & Morneau Sheppell fit into that category?
Thanks
Antoine
Read Answer Asked by Antoine on February 24, 2015
Q: I have no gold in my portfolio and am planning to buy some XGD. A friend suggested buying several small gold bars as an alternative. What are the pros and cons of each?
Read Answer Asked by Blanche on February 24, 2015
Q: I considered buying CRH Medical at 1.70 when Doneville recommended it on BNN in December, but it was already up from 70 cents two months prior, so I was wary. Now it is at 4 dollars and I am kicking myself. Should I still buy it, or is it too late to get in? Maybe this should just be one I missed out on? FYI, I own Concordia, Gilead, PHM and GUD already in this sector.

Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Carla on February 24, 2015
Q: May I please have your opinion on Bristol-Myers. I'm looking for Income with a 2-3 year timeframe. Thank-you.
Read Answer Asked by Deborah on February 24, 2015
Q: I bought this stock back in Jan. 2013 @ .64 and it is now down to .6…….is there any reason to keep it …..hoping it may come back. Would appreciate any input on this company. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Dennis on February 24, 2015
Q: Hello 5i,

I am considering a change in my telecom stocks, specifically selling Windstream (WIN) and buying Consolidated Communications Holding (CNSL). I am looking for stability and the long term potential. The stock chart of CNSL looks much better.

Thanks,
Read Answer Asked by Mark on February 24, 2015
Q: What is your opinion of (a) Yangarra Resources ltd and
(ii) Ikkuma Resources Corp?
Are they high risk? Good growth potential? Would you consider tem a 'strong buy'? OR would rather buy SPE.to?
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Jose on February 24, 2015
Q: I'd appreciate your updated opinion on CRP, particularly in light of their recently announced results.

Thanks!
Greg
Read Answer Asked by Gregory on February 24, 2015
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