Investment Q&A

Q: Hello Peter and Co,
In my opinion, stock prices have gone up in the last few years because economic prospects were improving; by bringing more liquidity in the system, quantitative easing has greatly contributed to the rise in stock values.
QE will fade away soon (in the fall? early next year? don't know for sure; when that happens,it would stand to reason that stock values would correct. How does one prepare for such an eventuality? I could raise some cash, say 20-30%. For your info:
my long term objective was to get a growth rate of 7% pa; however, my portfolio has gone up by 14.6% pa in the last 3½ years whereas the benchmark has gone up by only 5.4% pa in that same period.
I value your opinion.
Thanks
Tony

Q: If you could only buy one of LNR or ACQ at today's prices, which would you choose? And would you buy now or wait until summer?

Thanks,

Carla

Q: Peter and all,

A pointed question on AVO: I took a small position at the end of 2013 and between the curious equity raise, the poorly handled executive exits and the rotation out of growth stocks I am down 36 per cent. But I still like the company's technology, and its most recent numbers were solid. The question: I am considering doubling down to cost average around $25. Would you do it if you were in my shoes? Or is there more rotation downside and/or taint to the stock from the various blunders?

Thank you!

Q: The following is what I discovered when searching for TSX rules for odd lots. It seems in general there is no discount or premium for less than board lots, but in practice, it's probably pretty easy for a M.M. to get around; the powers can't even agree on how to spell the word(s)!

Policy 4-604 Responsibilities of Market Makers
(3) Maintenance of a Two-Sided Market
3. Odd-lot Responsibilities—General—Market Makers shall maintain an odd lot market at the board lot quotation for immediately tradeable incoming oddlots. Booked oddlots which become tradeable due to a boardlot quote change will execute at their original limit price.

Special Circumstances—.......... If a Market Maker wishes to call an odd-lot market at a different price than the board lot market, the prior consent of a Market Surveillance Official must be obtained.


In view of the above would I have a case for a fill on a mixed lot open limit order where my board lot was filled and the odd lot part unfilled? This happened to me on CM. Thanks, J.

Q: Hi :
Just a follow up note on the AX.UN offering .
I was only issued 500 shares , and not the 1000 shares I had requested . The morning after the offering the price plummeted below the offering price , and was still lower on Friday afternoon. In retrospect, I would have been better off ignoring the offering and buying at Market . New Issues can be frustrating . Thanks

Q: What is your opinion of Novartis AG (NVS on NYSE) ?

Q: tph What do you think of their latest results. thanks

Q: Hello Peter and 5i, Just been looking at the chart for ZMT. When every advisor on the planet is telling everyone to stay away from the base metals materials sector, why has this ticker done so well the past year. Is this an example of the big money buying stuff early so they can sell it to the street in a year or so?

Q: Good morning peter and team .What is your take on gold stocks? I am looking to buy yamana gold. What would be your advice? Any better performing stocks would you like to recommend in its peers?

Q: Re avigilon, i was told they started to capitalize the r&d , according to new accounting rules, did not tell the market, some people got spooked and some hedge funds were shorting the stock.
As for new purchases with all their cash, i am also told there is not much out there except small add ons.
I totally get that this stock is way kversold on fear etc, but could you comment on the above. Dave

Q: Hi-
could you please provide a few Reit picks for income and some growth? Thanks

Q: could you please comment on any reasons for the recent decline in are

thank you

Q: Hello Peter and team. Your insight to the latest financial results from Concordia/ cxr

Thanks again for great advice.

Q: Hello Peter and Team,
Can you advise as to the most effective means to identify a company`s debt, expressed as dollars as opposed to D/E ratio. Just got stung on JE and was not tuned in to the debt scenario as the fundamentals ( value in PE/PR ) all seemed solid on the BMO Investor site. However, in hind sight, the D/E was posted at -5.7+ and the Div yield is 10%+.... caveat emptor I guess, but I would appreciate a suggestion to a more informative resource to truly identify excessive debt. Please be gentle .....
Thanks as always!

Q: Canwell - CWX
As I was inputting this question, the screen jumped out of query mode and back to Q & A. I'll repeat what I was asking. CWX is consolidating shares at some point. Today's SP has jumped substantially. I have CWX in RBC and BMO investment accounts and both show the share price increase but do not reflect any changes in the # of shares. Is this a timing issue or a legitimate increase in SP?
Thanks, Bev

Q: What is your assessment of Blackrock? Thx

Q: OK, I'm confused. Have looked on Globe and Mail and TDWaterhouse to get info on Dundee International DI.UN. Both have indicated this does not exist. My understanding this is listed on the TSX, if not, where is it listed?

Q: I also have a BAD question. Could you please comment on the recent organizational changes. It looks like someone internally is upset with the bottom line not reflecting the growth. Maybe the incentives are to big if they affect the financial statements that significantly. Maybe it's time to throw the shareholders a bone with a dividend increase. Mike

Q: Could I get your thoughts on the merger of Sphere 3 d and overland please?

Q: Hi,

As many growth stocks are taking it on the chin, AVO and CSU, for example, why is it that ACQ isn't following suit?

Would you still recommend it at these levels?