Investment Q&A

Q: what is your short and long outlook for gold and the canadian dollar?
i presently have some u.s. cash and was considering an investment in gold (specifically in Kinross U.S.) both for a positive return and portfolio insurance.
I believe that when gold goes up the u.s. dollar usually goes down...
am i correct in that assumption?
appreciate your comments on the above strategy...
ed in montreal
p.s. - if you have an alternative strategy it would be appreciated!

Q: On Dec 4 an interesting question was asked by Neil regarding your favourite two choices for each sector. It is interesting to me because I am always, if not trying, at least thinking about reducing the number of our holdings. I was a little surprised by some of the names you mentionned in there, however. it seemed some were quite risky. Would I be right in understanding that this recommendation would be appropriate for, say a person of 40, and not so appropriate for someone of 70? If this is right, could you give a recommendation for the older person? What would a 25 stock portfolio look like, if you were putting it together for an older person, for example?
many thanks for your excellent service as always

Q: Hi Team,

I'm looking to park some cash in a no risk investment. Funds that are earmarked for use in 1-2 years. Where is my best return these days?

Thanks!

Q: CBX reported its first quarter today, which exceeded the one analyst's forecasts that I see. The CEO who was brought in to make CBX profitable seems to have done a good job, and is now growing the company which is really his expertise. Though the company moved up quite nicely today, there were less than 80,000 shares traded, as this stock seems to be off everybody's radar. I am curious about your thoughts on the quarter as well as your thoughts on how and when this stock might get some attention.
Thanks

Q: What do you think of Roots as a stock and do you think it is a good buy at current valuation?

Q: I currently hold ZCL in my RIF. I am thinking about replacing it with ALA in order to realize a higher dividend and better growth prospects. Can I have your thoughts please? Thank you. Jim.

Q: Hello Team: Season's Greetings
In my company DCPP Sunlife offers the following 3 funds among others but the following have had the best returns:
MFS Global Equity: Allocation U.S. 54.15%, Intl 44.64%, Cash 1.21%. which I am currently in.
TDAM Global Equity Index: Allocation U.S. 61.19% Intl 38.6% Cash .14% Other .07%
TDAM Intl Equity Index: Allocation .97% U.S., Intl 98.59%, Cash .03%.
I would like a little less U.S exposure than the 54-61 % which the first two have but to do that I go to 98% International. The 98% International exposure consists of 31.7% Eurozone, 24.3% Japan, 17.2 % U.K., 13.3 % Europe Ex-euro, and 7% Australasia, by region and by sector : 21.2 % Financial services, 13.5 % Industrials, 11.7% Cons Cycls, 11.2% Consumer defensive, 9.7% Healthcare.
All three funds have had 1 yr returns in the 18 -20% range.
What is your opinion regarding my selection of the TDAM Intl Equity fund with 98% International exposure going into 2018 or should I stay with a fund with ~60% U.S. exposure.
Thank You once again for your help
Clarence

Q: Good day – could you please provide a brief description or guideline for how to tell when one is reaching for yield. In my case I am quite happy with a 6 to 8% total return, and if I can achieve that with a high yielding investment I'm not as concerned about growth. However, the question remains - when are you reaching for yield so that you may be exposed to an unacceptable capital loss? Thanks so much.

Q: I presently own CI signature high income mutual fund for income. I am considering a switch to pimcos etf pmif or igcf. Could you please comment on such a switch. Thank you.

Q: please recommend an emerging market etf thanks

Q: Which of these two would you recommend for an investors fixed income portion of an overall balanced portfolio?
What second fixed income ETF would be good to pair with it?

Regards,

Robert

Q: Good morning!
I have a large position in this mutual fund, about 8% of my portfolio! I have owned this for many years, since it was SDT.UN. My adjusted cost base is probably close to zero due to ROC distributions. I could use some past losses to sell up to 25% of my position...the question is, do you like this fund, should I hold, sell, or ? Thanks very much!
Peter

Q: Hi there
I have followed this closed end fund for quite a while and like its history, set-up and performance. Was thinking of invezring part of my funds in there versus passive ETF. Just wanted your thoughts on fund, backers, and performance.

Thanks so much

Stuart

Q: do you think this is a good buying opportunity after this sell off?

Q: How secure is their dividend? If I'm reading financials correctly they are paying out 158%?!
Nor can I find any history of their dividends on their website or annual report.

Q: I own this preferred and just got notice from my direct broker that there was going to be a conversion. I can either convert all or any of its 3 Series Shares into Cumulative Floating rate Preferrred shares Series 4 on the basis of one Series 4 for each Series 3.

Do you recommend I convert or stand pat?

And why?

Thanks

Sheldon

Q: I am concerned that I have too many interest sensitive investments in what looks to be a rising rate environment. I am a recent retiree with a need for income. I would appreciate your views on my sector weightings:
15% Reits
11% Financials
11% Information Technology
10% Utilities
6% Pipelines & Energy Infrastructure
5% Telecom
4% Industrials
2% Consumer Discretionary
2% Healthcare
1% Consumer Staples
1% Materials
18% Bonds
8% GICs
6% Cash

Your service is amazing and I really appreciate the new website.

Thanks,

Q: Good day,

Recently you have commented that 5% is about right for the Energy sector right now and that a recovery may still be a long way out. Would the 5% include pipeline/infrastructure companies like Enbridge or would you put those into more of a Utility weighting for the purposes of allocation?

Have a great day,

Derek

Q: Hi,

Is there a price point at which this becomes a value investment that has all of the negative factors priced in? It has been a top pick numerous times on BNN but repeated bad news has driven it down and down. Might it stabilize after tax loss selling eases? Dividend now at 3.1% is tempting. My question is whether there is a price that you would consider this a buy or if the bad news outweighs potential value and nice dividend?

Q: Hi Peter,

I've been watching this closely since it was first recommended. It's now back to the low $4's and is looking quite attractive.

Before I pull the trigger and jump in, can you remind me of the positive attributes and potential long term earnings potential? If you were to give me a best 3-5 year price target 'guesstimate' assuming things work out with the company, what might that look like?