Investment Q&A

Q: Peter, I understand that many of Couche-Tard's convenience stores are anchored by gas stations. Do you foresee a risk relating to (or has the company planned for) the gradual but inevitable reduction in gas-powered vehicles, as EVs replace them? It seems to me that if the Company can commit the capital for, and has the room for, high-grade charging stations, there could be more upside than downside because drivers will be forced to 'kill time' in the stores while their vehicles recharge. But if the Company can't or won't provide charging stations, this would seem to lower its customer base over time. Your thoughts appreciated!

Q: Hi. I'm continuing to transition from overweight CAD stocks to US equities. Could I have your preference (and rationale) for ONE each from the following four dyads:
US Telecom: VZ or T (i.e.,AT&T)
US Healthcare: ABT or MRK
US Real Estate: CCI or AMT
US Industrial: HON or UTX.
Thanks much!

Q: I took a 1/2 position in ROKU a couple of weeks ago intending to hold for the long term. I am well represented in the sector already, but it was more of a growth move with some US cash I had sitting there. I'm now down 10% and the CFO has just stepped down, so I'm wondering if I should just cut my loss and wait to see what it does in the next few months, or if you think there is still good reason to hold. Thak-you!

Q: Can you help me?! I just received the proceeds from the buyout of Dream Global. About $10 of the 16.79 price is designated as a dividend in my transaction history. The press release says it is an all cash transaction. I had planned, with this transaction, to realize a certain level of capital gains for 2019. If this $10 shows up on my tax slip as a dividend that throws my planning out the window and I only have a few days to rectify.

Itrade says they can’t help as does the transfer agent.
Geoff

Q: Any concerns at adding the above 3 stocks at today’s prices for a long-term hold?

Q: This question is about non-registered accounts and the non-Canadian ETFs and stocks that pay dividends. If the DRIP is activated, does the stock still attract witholding tax, or would it be taxed separately on both the dividend and the capital gain?

I've learned a great deal from you about investing.

Many thanks.

Q: Hi there, it looks like ENGH recently had a blowout quarter. In your perspective, is this the turning point for the stock performance? It seems like it has lagged versus other Canadian tech stocks over the past few years. Would you start a position based on the recent strength and relative to other Canadian tech names, where would you rank Enghouse? Thank you!

Q: My portfolio is showing underweight in international equities. Are there particular industries that you would look international?

Q: I am interested in researching a couple of cryptocurrency stocks. Could you please recommend your top 2 and your views on the space in general. Thank you.

Q: I currently owned these 2 ETF , VIG and VXUS at 5% weight and I can add to these 2 names or buy another US ETF for a 5% weight. If you suggest that I buy can please tell me what the next best ETF would be to own .
Thanks

Q: one of the market call analysts rated this as a best buy! what is your opinion for the small cap U.S. market for 2020 on a short and long term basis?
ed in montreal

Q: Your opinion on chances of recovery in the next thirty or so days if sold for tax loss this week?
Many thanks guys.

Q: Can you please provide any suggestions of companies that offer decent growth and earnings that are out of favour/are undergoing tax loss selling.

Thanks

Q: Hi, I understand, Boyd units will be converted to a corp, as at Jan 2, 2020. Capital gains will need to be reported(Tax Tear 2020) for a Non Regd account, based on the closing price of Dec/31/2019 ( I think). Most of our BYD.un (6% of portfolio) is held in Non Regd account and it will generate a huge Capital Gain. Two questions:
1. Based on the RRSP/TFSA contribution room available, will it make sense to move some shares to registered accounts for future growth.
2. The only tax loss shares we have are, BAD, AW.un and Rogers. Which ones should be used to offset gains ?

Thank You

Q: Hello, if you had to buy either CSH.UN or NWH.UN today, which one of these two companies would you buy? Could you also compare their debt? I know one should not look at past performances, but over the last three years NWH.UN has done much better than CSH.UN. Would you say that NWH.UN is also indirectly related to health care? Thanks, Gervais

Q: What is your view of telecoms in general and Telus in particular?

A very happy Christmas and New Year to all of you :)

Q: Hi 5i,
I have a large capital gain in a Non Registered account that I plan to offset by 'partially' selling one of my holding in a losing energy stock. For tax purposes, if I partially sell my holdings in this energy stock prior to Dec 27th will I be allowed this loss or must I sell all of the shares I own in this company?

Q: There is no 30 Day time limit if you sell at a capital gain in the unregistered account and buy it right away in a tfsa? If you did have a capital loss. Does it make a difference if you bought first in the tfsa and then after sell your shares for a loss in the unregistered account?

Q: The beginning of January I plan to put $6000 in my wife’s TFSA and $ 6000 in my TFSA. The contribution will come from our joint savings account. I plan to buy for each of us 300 shs of VET. In the meantime I will be selling 600 shs of VET in my non registered account. Following this I will put the proceeds from the sale into our savings account. Is this any different from directly contributing the shares in our TFSA ?
My interpretation of this is that it would be a deemed disposition, and I won’t be able to claim a capital loss, but I would be able to claim a capital loss in the first instance above.
I know this is an accounting question, but if you prefer not to answer , maybe one of your subscribers is knowable enough to give an answer.

Q: Unless our shareholdings are registered , the brokerage company is usually the registered legal owner of the shares . We are the unregistered beneficial owner . The CIPF coverage is limited essentially to $1m per registered account and $1m per non registered account . That and CDIC is the only protection in the event of a loss as a direct result of a brokerage insolvency issue . This is about such a loss , not the probability of such a loss . This is not about the quality of the risk management systems in place . High net worth investors are not protected against such a loss . Dividing the portfolio among several brokerages is one awkward alternative . Registering the shares via the transfer agent and registrar for each holding would address the issue . Is that practicable for an investor ( not a trader ) with ( 25) holdings ? The industry is not transparent regarding this security custodial potentially huge issue for high net worth investors in Canadian capital markets . Confidence may be misplaced .