Investment Q&A

Q: Hello Peter and team,

I would like to increase my exposure to the technology sector (10% to 15% of my portfolio). Currently it is 6.2% of my portfolio (4.1% in CSU and 2.1% in AVO). Should I add to these stocks to increase the weighting, or would you suggest other technology stocks to complement what I have. I am considering OTC. I am a medium risk, buy and hold investor (hold for 3+ years).

A similar question with consumer staples. I only have ATD.B and it is 3.8% of my portfolio. Should I add more to this stock, or would you suggest another stock to complement what I have.

I know it is practically against the law of investing to average down, but I could not resist picking up some AVO today at $13.52. Sir John Templeton said to “buy at the point of maximum pessimism”, and there has been a lot of pessimism lately on that stock. Easier said than done. I have not been able to tell when the point of “maximum pessimism” is reached until long after it has occurred. However, what gauges would you use to help you pinpoint the point of maximum pessimism for a company?

Paul J.

Q: Hello Again Folks:
As a retired farmer I am interested in agricultural companies. The only one I currently own is Agrium (many years) which continues struggling because of fundamental issues. Most miners including Agrium and Potash Corp are in the same difficult situation. Are you aware of other agricultural based companies with better outlooks.......I have owned Monsanto and Archer Daniels in the past?
Thank you again for your consideration.
brian

Q: Hi Peter and Team

I would like your opinion on the energy sector stocks. I am as most canadians heavily into financials and insurance. present energy weighting = zero.

I am by nature conservative with investments and fundamentally a dividend oriented investor and would appreciate your advice on 3 to 5 "energy sector " stocks with good company / business fundamentals and a track record of maintaining dividend payouts, that you believe will get through the present energy sector / oil price drop. (track record of getting through previous dips and lulls in energy sector is also desired.)

depending on my "greed" scale perhaps breaking down the choices into yields > or < 5 %.

my timeline horizon is long (looking mostly to buy and hold)

Thanks

Henry

Q: Hello: I have SGY, PEY AND GEI and wonder now with this area in correction if you would suggest names to add to my portfolio.

Q: Hi
Regarding recent question on Sector allocation recommendation, you don't mention Services. I am currently 18% in Services of which is CGX,DHX,A&W,TCN, H&R and QST according to RBC sector classification. Do you consider this appropriate? Where would these fit in your classifications?
Thanks
Kathy

Q: Hello,
I am not aware of any recent news that would justify investors dumping Sensio Technologies (SIO). Any comments? Also, is the drop in CPG mostly due to drop in oil prices? Thanks for your ongoing unbiased advice.

Q: Would it be a wise move to sell both CSS and CFN now as any gain now is limited and add to AVO with this dip.

This move would represent about 2% of my total portfolio.

Thank

Q: Just a comment on gaps: according to A.J. Monte of The Market Guys 80% of these get filled back in eventually so if you're bullish on AVO a reasonable target (to recoup some losses?) might be $25 where it gapped down from to $22 in May. $25 is also where the 200 day moving average is currently so it's not an unreasonable destination to look for. First though would be to break up over resistance at $17.50.

Q: CIBC report-there are some very good & welcomed positives beyond the reduction of the TP fr $40 to $25.Rating is SECTOR OUTPERFORM.Sales force growth ends as focus turns to bottom line is the headline.It is on track to meet revenue target & any shortfall can be made up by a accretive acquisition(s)with the $150m cash in hand($3 per share).The material drop over the past week is primarily due to investors lowering earnings expectations as well as the negative headline news. As I write,it is trading @ $14(up 0.45.3.2%)

Q: Hi team:
the above has corrected over 25%, pays a dividend over 3.5%
Could you go over with us the fundamentals of this company ?
Was the correction just due to the sector pull-back?
is the dividend safe ? I am looking for 3 plus years hold looking for
dividend and some growth, thanks!

Q: With the pasting in the markets, I am looking to raise some cash to purchase some higher yielding stocks such as BTE, COS etc when they appear to be reach the bottom. Accordingly I am thinking of selling DH and MIC. Both of done nicely for me but for the most part I see limited capital appreciation opportunity with them. See anything wrong with this thought process?

Q: With the recent downturn in the markets, it seems there is a buying opportunity. I've had each of my adult children open a TFSA with $5500 in it. What investments would you recommend if:
A) the objective was growth without taking on too much risk for the next 5 years;
or
B) the objective is to maximize the value at the end of 5 years even though there's a medium amount of risk.

I believe they will be adding $5500/yr

Thank you for all you do!

Q: Just a quick question to get any latest thoughts on EFN. It's been down a lot (so sell?) but it's getting to the bottom of its range (so buy more?). What do you think. I have half a position.

Q: Hi Folks:

Do you have some favorites in the oil/gas midstream companies....I have held Gibson in the past and currently own Interpipe, Trimac and Parkland Fuel. I think this is as good a sector as the actual producers?
Thanks again
brian

Q: Watching the market drop daily and many of my "paper gains" evaporate I wonder if a few STOPS would not have been appropriate? I stay away from STOPS to avoid being stopped out in a "flash" crash.

Still sitting on the same stock I owned a month or two ago. Nothing has really changed for those companies except some panic in the markets and the price of crude oil has dropped. Fall is generally the point in the year when the price of crude oil drops and this year is no different.

Q: I would appreciate your thoughts on cp.
thanks

Q: I am interested in buying your model portfolio but don't know if it is still all recommended i.e.css. thanks. vic

Q: Hi Peter, sorry one more question regarding avo. Your thoughts on Margaret Herndon as the new vice president.

Q: I'm about ready to throw in the towel on this one, having kept my shares until now to make the point to both CSS and TFI management that I was opposed to the TFI buy-out. With little chance of an alternative bid, I might as well tender. If I do, is the settlement immediate or do those who tender have to wait until the overall deal is consummated?
Thank you and kind regards,

Q: Article in the Globe saying that Contrans may noy pay it's next divy with a major shareholder livid over this news. How is this possible? Do you still recommend holding and what is your "best guess" as to the outcome? Thank You