Investment Q&A

Q: Hi Team

can you help me understand the ebb and flow of the market sectors.

the one that intrigues me lately is the insurance and financials

1. in the insurance sector there seems to be a year to date downturn for SLF, yet not for GWO OR IFC. WHY is this, is there any real "science" / economic "fundamentals" to this?

2. as for the big 6 in banks, they seem to move in the same general direction yet by slightly bigger swings for some, i.e. CM and CWB, is there any rationale behind this ?

Q: Do u know much about this cloud computing company in Ottawa - any opinions.
Tks.

Q: Hello 5I Team
What do you make of Intellipharmaceutis these days. Two TDwaterhouse analysts have them rated as a Strong Buy and there is some net insider buying but there are a lot of (-) signs by their fundamental numbers.
Your comments Please
Thanks for your help
Clarence

Q: I purchased SYZ in December 2013 at $7.18. Despite a nice little run-up in the stock over the past year, it seems we're right back where we started 14 months ago. I am wondering if there is any compelling reason to continue to hold? With a sluggish economy in the west, I cannot foresee much demand for its services/software at this time and am wondering if that is what is being reflected now in the price. Who would be SYZ's competitors, and how are they faring? Is there another company within that space that might fare better under present conditions? Thanks.

Q: Would appreciate your comment on this company.

Q: I have some US dollars to invest. What do you think of the growth prospects for this company. I see a trailing PE of 18 times and a forward PE of less than 9. Or is there something else you like better.
As always thanks for your help.

Q: It looks like Kraken Sonar started trading on the Venture Exchange on Tuesday via a reverse takeover. I was greatly impressed by the images from their sonar compared to sonar in use today (reminds me of images from Avigilon cameras compared to those in use now). Can you tell me anything else about this company.
Bryon in Elmira

Q: What is your take on the results released yesterday? I own it. Thank you.

Q: Hi Peter,
Would like your opinion on the new Brookfield proposal with Armtec. Assuming no buyer is found, it looks like Brookfield gets the assets for the debt and the current shareholders get to keep their shares in a company with no assets or liabilities. Very unusual!
Joe

Q: What is your opinion on Morguard? Looking at it as a possible real estate investment.

Q: A stock split is not a taxable event, What about stock dividend? Would it means that I will be taxed on certain amount representing half of the value of stock at the time of declaration?

Q: Hi Peter and team,

I just wanted to send along a thank you to you and your membership subscribers for the information provided on what institutions to check out. This was very helpful information and we will be checking them out next week.

Thanks again, Charlie

Q: Good day,

Healthy drops on each of these two companies today. Any cause for concern or just profit taking with each seeing all time highs this week? Assuming that both are held at a position size that could be comfortably expanded would you suggest buying more on the dip, holding or even reducing?

Thanks!

Q: Just to clarify an answer to an earlier question are you saying that having a portfolio with say 8 etfs is not a good idea because that's way too many holdings, you say around 20 is a good number. Vthanks

Q: Hi - with the ETF - CDZ at 20% energy content, how do you view the risks to this ETF regarding these companies not being able to grow dividends in a prolonged and depressed energy environment. Does this change your outlook on CDZ as conservative, diversified dividend-grower ETF in Canada? Or, does this just mean CDZ cleans out the non-growers and looks elsewhere rebalancing to it's "aristocrat" rules as it moves on? Outlook and views on CDZ appreciated. cheers and thanks...

Q: Please comment if you can on today's year end report and their conference call. Company seems finally to be making good progress and have attracted 2 new funds as share buyers, according to Morningstar.

Q: I request that this should not be treated as a question as it is general information I need to provide everyone.

I would advise everyone to be with reputed discount brokerages especially the ones offered by banks. Their commissions are usually higher but their customer service and execution is much better. Also, being with these brokerages is preferable for investment purposes as you end up trading less and that is always good investment strategy. Personally, I had recommended people to go with Virtual Brokers in the past due to their low commissions, but horrible service and unnecessary fees (which I personally encountered) makes these accounts much more painful than paying a few more dollars in commissions at the bigger ones managed by the banks.

Q: Hi Peter, I am looking for investment in the US market, Narrower down to the above two stocks. Both offer dividends and have solid business model for some growth. Would appreciate your choice, perhaps another one you would recommend.
Regards, J. P

Q: Hi 5i,

We hold the following ETF's with their portfolio weightings and MER's. All are held within RRSP's. My question is: Since these 5 ETF's all have MER's in excess of the 0.50% mentioned in a response to a previous post, should I switch to a lower-cost alternative and, if so, what would you recommend? All are Canadian Hedged and all are iShares offerings. The goal was to achieve geographic diversification across both bonds and equities.

CUD U.S. Dividend Growers Index ETF MER 0.65% Port. weighting 4.76%
CWO Emerging Markets fundamental Index Common MER 0.70% 4.78%
CYH Global Monthly Dividend Index MER 0.66% 4.91%
XEB JP Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond Index MER 0.73% 4.79%
XHY U.S. High Yield Bond Index MER 0.62% 4.89%

Thanks!!
Cheers,
Mike

Q: What is the 5i take on the new agreement between Riocan and HBC?

Thanks.

Paul F.