Investment Q&A

Q: Which of these two funds should I select? Given the free-fall of the Canadian dollar, I am inclined to go with the zsp.u (US dollar denominated). Then again, perhaps I should hedge my bets and buy both in equal amounts!!
Your reaction please.

Q: Hi Peter and staff,

Please give me your opinion on this fund. BAROMETER DISCIPLINED LEADERSHIP HIGH INCM FD CL A.
MER+TER is 4.84%
the fund may also pay annual performance fee to the portfolio manager equal to 20%of the amount by which the value of the Fund exceeds the value of its benchmark.
Your opinion would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Shirley

Q: Gamehost's share price seems to be moving down with the price of oil because they are tied to the Alberta economy. Assuming the worst, a prolonged recession of several years, would GH survive? would they maintain their divvy? GH seems like a great contraian pick with a good div. I already own a small position and would like to add. My portfolio is diversified in both geography and sector. Your advice please. Thank You

Q: HiPeter
I know you are high on this stock and guessing you are looking at the big drop as buying opportunity. Other than a few larger caps like CTC,MG,CNQ, I do not buy larger quantities if dividends are under 3%. That is the effective rate now at $8 per share. If the stock went back up to $10 or more,do you anticipate raising dividends to get to that rate or do you believe I will adequately rewarded otherwise(share price appreciation and dividend annually averaging more than a 5% yield on what you call an income stock)
Thanks for all you do
Dennis

Q: Hi 5i,
Do you believe McDonald's current woes are reflective of the fast food industry as a whole or do you think it's more specific to that company? I've been eyeing a&w for a while but am not sure about the whole fast food industry with more health conscious consumers.

Thanks in advance!
Wayne

Q: Hello team
I noted that Patrick Horan said that a competitor of Sandvine's was up for sale with about a 35% premium. He said that the competitor was much smaller than Sandvine. Do you have any idea who the competitor is. Patrick made positive comments on SVC. What do you guys think of SVC?

Thank You for your good work
Clarence

Q: With the latest lowering of prime and possibility of further decreases and the economy as a whole,would you hold or sell present holdings in this stock? Any suggestions for dividend stock that will hold up and have some growth? Thanks. Ken

Q: Hi - Back in 2009 I bought a number of Corporate Bonds (all at a discount) which have done quite well. Unfortunately, a good chunk of them are coming due and I would like to replace them. Finding decent yields is alot tougher. I am looking at Preferred Shares as a potential replacement both for the yield and the dividend tax credit which makes them look even better than corporate or gov bonds. In my view the Prefs - particularly for banks and utilities have risk closer to bonds than equities. Do you agree? Many thanks

Q: What is your opinion on investing in Tesla at this time. It's pulled back considerably of late. Is this just the tracking of the price of oil, or are there other underlying issues? Your insight is most helpful.

Q: Good morning,
What are your thoughts on ZID or some other India ETF or mutual fund for added global exposure in my grand chldren's RESP? The twins are only four years old and other holdings in the RESP are CDZ (33%), MAW 104 (26%)and MAW150 (26%). I've just sold ZRE (13%)and was thinking of replacing this with ZID which I recognize adds more risk to the portfolio, but may well continue go higher given India's long term growth potential. I currently hold ZID in my own personal non reg acct and although it has done well, I was wondering if this ETF was suitable for a RESP or should I opt for a more global ETF or mutual fund. Thank you.

Q: Hi gang : I am thinking of adding RC or CCT (22%) to my TFSA account. Currently holding IPL, TOU, OTC. Would this a good add or do you have a better suggestion for growth

Q: Good morning
How does 2015 look for Reits in general and what would be your top 3 choices? Thanks

Q: Good morning 5i team,
In december i sold surge energy for a cap loss and bought Whitecap to replace it. It is now time to buy Surge back again but i have been leaning towards keeping Whitecap instead. Am i right in thinking that you seem to show more confidence in Whitecap than Surge?
Thanks

Q: I set up a 5 year preffered ladder on the advice of a local adviser. Most of these investments are rate reset types. This ladder is has lost me a lot of money. I note that I'm not the only one in this sinking boat. My question is straight forward. Do I hold these shares or sell them?

Q: Hello 5i,
The yield curve is flattening; the spread between 2 and 10 year is dangerously narrowing. This kind of situation, if it continues flattening, could be a precursor of market downturn as it happened in 2000 and 2008.
I was all in cash in 2008 and am wondering how to respond now; mind you there is always a lag time between the flattening of the yield curve and the market decline.
Your opinion please.
Tony

Q: At today's prices, bam.a or byd.un?
Thank you for your excellent service.

Q: what is going on with this stock?is this company going down the tubes.its my worst investment ever.
Did you talk to management lately?if not would you please do this
Thanks

Q: Hi Folks,

Thanks for your great work!
I don't want to abandon the energy space completely as it will bounce back. I'm thinking of sticking with PPY and DEE while waiting for the turn - naturally I'm down a lot in both. They probably won't disappear and could experience a quick and substantial rebound when energy comes back. I'm a long term investor with a balanced portfolio. What do you think of this strategy and these two companies?

Q: I would like your advice for someone in their mid40s who has just moved pension money into a self-directed LIRA. Their risk tolerance is fair. I was thinking of suggesting stocks from your Model Portfolio. Any other thoughts? Much appreciated, as always.

Q: Hello Peter:

I decided to buy a small quantity (200 shares) of the HOD ETF to hedge a bit against my oil stock holdings (Ithaca, Iona, Surge and Freeport McMoran). It fell hard yesterday with the news of the 8% cut in drilling rigs on the continental US. I am still expecting the oil price to fall further between now and the next OPEC meeting on June 5th.

My strategy is that I will use the gain that I will get in HOD to eventually buy more of my oil stocks when the oil market turns around. If OPEC in June does not cut their production then the oil price will fall much further before it bounces back. The U.S. inventories have gone up in the last two weeks at unbelievable levels - 10.7M two weeks ago and 8.2M last week. The reduction in rigs will not have a quick effect on the U.S. daily production numbers for at least 6 months. I believe yesterday's bump inthe oil price is a bit of an over reaction and will go down again next week when the inventory numbers come out for last week.

When you look at the HOD it states that it is a daily calculation based on the WTI price. How does the ETF actually work because it has increased more than the stated 2 times the drop in oil price? If my hedge is wrong I will still be very happy because my oil stocks will go up instead. I am banking on a increase in the oil price 2 to 3 years from now so I am not concerned about this blip but would like to hedge a little bit right now to make some money on the downside trend. What is your opinion of this strategy?

Thanks,

Brendan