Investment Q&A

Q: I looked at their financials and some things did not make sense: high intangible asset amount, negative ROE yet have a good cash position and high advance from customers I guess that gets amortized over the year? No debt which is great - so, to me this picture is a little confusing? Their product is security software which I would think, is a good place to be - who are their customers? Thinking of buying in my TFSA -what do you think?

Q: There is currently a plethora of ways to invest in the US Market without touching sector funds. Would you use any of the above ETFs and if so in what proportion or would you suggest using any other US ETFs as well. High conviction US Mutual funds are also an option; but the fees are somewhat higher. I currently have no US coverage and am looking at establishing a 15-20% position. I know timing is a bit of a quess; but with the recent run up would you please suggest a strategy?

Thanks and
A very Merry Christmas to all

Q: Which is better buy for tech holdings and why?

JJ

Q: I follow Contra the Heard along with your service to help me identify potential opportunities. Combined I have had some nice returns. This weekend Contra recommended GES. I wasn't able to find any previous questions on this retail chain. I also know being US is not your primary focus. However if you have any thoughts it would be appreciated.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Q: Do you prefer:
(i) the 3 ETF Canadian Couch Potato Portfolio (VAB, VCN, VXC) (ii) the 11 ETF Canadian Money Saver Portfolio (CBO, XBB, CPD, XIC, CDZ, XGD, VEE, VE, SPY, VIG, IWO; or
(iii) something in-between?

Also, do you have any thoughts on Norm Rothery's Hot Potato (a take on the Canadian Couch Potato
- http://www.moneysense.ca/save/investing/spicier-couch-potato-portfolio/ )

Thanks!

Q: I have held all the stocks in the growth portfolio since inception and am thinking about moving back towards an ETF portfolio approach. If I were to proceed, would you do this gradually over time, all at once in December or January, etc?

Q: I own Rogers. Given the current news, would you hold or sell?

Thank you.

Best wishes for a very Merry Christmas.

Q: I am wondering what you can tell me about this US company that showed up on my screen. It has good ratios compared to its peers and jumped up recently.
Thanks

Q: HI I hold both ECN and EFN. Want to reduce the number of my total holdings. Appreciate they are different but if you had to sell one which one should I hold on to. Thanks, Bill.

Q: Good Morning, I am thinking about these two companies for a trade. What are the analyst targets for them and what are your thoughts on both companies for 2017.
Thanks Steve

Q: I would appreciate your comments on the $60 million secondary issue announced today.
Thanks
Bob rose

Q: Hi there, in your previous answer on Friday regarding PLI, you were going to fact check on the short sell attack report, have you done so yet? You were going to check on several things, have you had a chance and what things were you going to check on? What conclusions have you come to after the weekend? Sorry, but this is a large holding and hoping that 5i is on top of this one...for all members! Are you confident enough in PLI management/board that you will be adding to the GP holding? Thanks!

Q: In light of the BLA to US FDA news about 1 1/2 hrs ago, should one be inclined to "stay the course"if long?

Q: Hi,

What books can you recommend on investing especially who just starting out on investment.

Thanks and happy holidays!

Q: A follow up to my yesterday's question, you have suggested "better alternatives". Would appreciate you name some of them. Many thanks, J.A.P. Burlington

Q: What is your assessment of the latest development at GUD and the relatively subsantial price drop?
Thank you
Henry

Q: Just as a follow up to the questions on discounted drips vs synthetic drips; a new concept to me. I have checked with my online broker; Bmo investor line, and they automatically enroll in discounted drops when available, so no need to go through each company to take advantage of this. Just wanted to share this for other Bmo users.

Cheers,
KR

Q: Hi 5i,
Sorry to go back to one where you have recently given your assessment but I am confused about CZO. Fabrice Taylor's recent Globe article says the stock is 'quoted at a measly 15 times trailing earnings'. He notes that for the last 9 months sales are up over 50% while operating income tripled, and 70% margins with guidance for 20-25% sales growth. He may not use the word cheap but that seems to be the implication. My online broker site pegs it at a P/E of 16.2 after the post-Fabrice article pop. You describe CZO as very promotional with an expensive $3M in sales for the most recent quarter on a $131M market cap. Annualizing the quarterly sales (not foolproof) would give a market cap to sales ratio of about 11. Throw in the high margins and can you get to the indicated P/E? Could you spend a few more words reconciling all this please and maybe on what is the most significant number to watch going forward in this particular case? Thanks!

Q: I am considering selling the following to realize capital losses for 2015 and would appreciate any suitable recommendations to replace them with. The candidates are MDA,MCB,NHC,and SVC.

Q: Hi guys

What are some good long term holds for a RESP say 5 yrs or more

Thanks Mike B