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Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: I have a general question as to how, and if, analysts' reviews affect stocks.

On Wednesday, TD Securities downgraded Canaccord Genuity Group to "hold" from "buy" with a price target of $12.50 (Canadian). The stock was around $11.00 at the time. It subsequently plummeted about 10% and continues to drop today.

Today, Raymond James upgraded Mullen Group to "market perform" from "underperform" but cut its price target to $25 (Canadian) from $27.50. The stock has dropped about 5% so far.

In both cases, the stocks were about 10% below the analysts target. Once was considered a downgrade, although it was still a hold. The other was considered an upgrade but its target was not going to yield any greater returns.

My question is threefold. Is "market perform" considered different than "hold" (since they seem pretty similar to me); secondly, why was one stock hammered so much and the other wasn't when they are both expected to perform about the same, at least as it pertains to their target prices; finally, should TD be considered impartial since they are downgrading a competitor.

I am hoping that with your insight, I will move closer to understanding how things work!

Thanks so much.

Paul F.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on October 23, 2014
Q: Hi Peter and Team,

Can you comment on Brookfield Asset Management acquiring another 30% of BRP today? Would you advise continuing to hold BRP after this (I'm up about 25%) or is this a good time to sell and take a profit?

Thanks for all you do.

Jordan
Read Answer Asked by Jordan on October 23, 2014
Q: On Oct 20th you answered Robert regarding 5I following US stocks. You mentioned that if 5I "closes membership" in Canada you might consider it,
Question ; Is 5I only a temporary service in Canada? I sure hope not!
Read Answer Asked by ron on October 23, 2014
Q: The stock seems to be drifting downwards, any thoughts on it? I have had a good run but with no dividend makes me wonder if I should just sell and invest in a dividend bearing equity. Your comments please? Thank you Phyl
Read Answer Asked by Phyllis on October 23, 2014
Q: Canaccord (CF) has dropped significantly in the past 2 days. Earnings release is upcoming on Nov 5th. Is there any negative news that would have a LT impact on their investment bank business or is this a good entry point? If not CF, are there alternatives you would recommend? Thanks for all the research you guys provide! Great learning experience. Thanks - John
Read Answer Asked by john on October 23, 2014
Q: OTC is down 4% even though earnings look great. Any idea of why?
thanks
Read Answer Asked by hal on October 23, 2014
Q: I'm looking at buying into the small cap biosciences sector with only growth in mind. Two companies I am currently looking at are Merus Labs (MSL) and Knight Therapeutics (GUD). I realize they aren't the same business per se and do have risk, which of these two do you believe is a safer buy longer term.
Anything else I should consider?
Thanks for your help.
Jim
Read Answer Asked by Jim on October 23, 2014
Q: Ryan's report on SLF and MFC was very interesting and is a great explanation for why you prefer SLF. I got the impression that in the less likely event of equity markets moving more than 10% along with a 100BP move in interest rates, that MFC would do better than SLF. Is this correct (and why) and if so, can you estimate the probability of this scenario happening ? Also want to say that the addition of the name along with the stock symbol as the identifier for each question, is a helpful addition-thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Alexandra on October 23, 2014
Q: Hello Peter & team,
I already have 10% of my portfolio in O & G stock and do not wish to go higher. In this context do you consider cfw,tcw frc ses, pd & tdg in the same group or is their movement pattern different? Any reason why the are up/flat today while O & G
stocks are significantly down?
If Oil & Gas stays at $80/85 & < $4 respectively, will demand for their services decline? Would PD & TDG suffer more than the other 4 with prices as above? Finally considering that they are still down 30% from peak would you consider any of them worth
buying & if so your preference or any other similar stock that
you like?
Thank you for your guidance.
Tony
Read Answer Asked by Winston on October 23, 2014
Q: On the 5 safest Canadian stocks outside of utility and energy companies question of Oct.22, I was surprised to not see any financials included. Do you not feel a bank like BMO which has paid dividends for some 200 years would make the cut, and if not, why? 3 choices in consumer staples seems under-diversified. Thanks, J.
Read Answer Asked by Jeff on October 23, 2014
Q: Hi Peter,

I am thinking of buy European Banks. I looked at Barclays, Deutsche and ING Group. Would you please comment on those three banks? If you buy three European banks, are those three will you choice.

Thanks,
Deming
Read Answer Asked by Deming on October 23, 2014
Q: Are there any convertible debentures that you would recommend at this time?



Read Answer Asked by shirley on October 23, 2014
Q: What is the general outlook for this company. See as gold is out of favor, does this stock warrant owning at these levels? What is the P/E and P/B on this stock and what significance do these numbers mean? I am reading projections of a double on this stock my Q1 2015. What would have to happen in the market for this to happen? Is this company a take over target? Thanks!

DON
Read Answer Asked by Donald on October 23, 2014
Q: One of the key items I have learned since subscribing to 5i is the importance of diversification. With that, I have a couple questions related to this:
1) I have approximately 25 stocks in my portfolio. I know it's difficult question without the names, but is this generally too many for the average investor?
2) Being in Canada, I constantly hear that most portfolios simply cannot be diversified without going abroad. Do you think this is true? If so, are there some recommended ETFs (in Canadian dollars preferably) that contain sectors we cannot get in Canada and provide a more balanced portfolio? (ie. not energy, financials, materials)
Read Answer Asked by Mike on October 23, 2014
Q: Could I please have an update on Southern Pacific Resources (STP)? Their current share price is 3 cents - is there any value there? Thanks in advance. Helen
Read Answer Asked by Helen on October 23, 2014
Q: Hi 5i
I currently hold both model portfolios with SLW & G for 3% combined and FM for 2%. Do you believe that my position in gold is enough or would this be a good time to add XGD with it under $10 for a 2% position.
Thanks for your help
Kevin
Read Answer Asked by Kevin on October 23, 2014
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