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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'm considering the risk/rewards of these two stocks you've suggested buying. Teck strikes me as much higher risk, but analysts don't forecast much more than a 10% upside during 2018. With A&Ws nearly 5% dividend, isn't it likely to return as much or more for far less risk?
Read Answer Asked by John on February 19, 2018
Q: I'm getting the feeling some income stocks have been punished too heavily as the fear of interest rates increasing has chased investors away from companies that are well run and offer exceptional prospects for the future. I would like to buy some of these companies now that they have pulled back. Do you fell my thesis is correct, and, if so, please give me the names of your top 5 companies that you would suggest as strong value plays. Also, please accept my sincere thanks for your invaluable guidance.
Read Answer Asked by Les on February 19, 2018
Q: Good morning 5i,

Disclosure first: Sorry for another ENB, and also, I've owned ENB for 20 years now, and it's done me very well! However, I have been really thinking about the last several years, more importantly the coming years.

I read the Q&A daily, great service, and have a question about the ratios (P/E, P/CF, P/B, etc) you provide in answers to other ENB questions. Am I correct in assuming they are from Bloomberg ... What numbers / earnings would these be based on ... Adjusted? GAAP? DCF?

Also, from ENB's press release:
•Earnings of $207 million or $0.13 per common share for the fourth quarter and earnings of $2,529 million or $1.66 per common share for the full year, both including the impact of a number of unusual, non-recurring or non-operating factors.

The "number of unusual, non-recurring or non-operating factors."
I'm pretty sure I remember these exact same words in an Enron press release.

From Globe Investor:
Enbridge said it took a $4.55-billion charge in the latest quarter to write down assets in the gas transmission and midstream business.

I can't find 'What' assets, worth $4.55B that they wrote down with no apparent explanation. Hopefully, I'm not looking hard enough.
Did 5i see anything that further explains this?
(for comparison, the Line 3 replacement is $5.3B, so $4.55B must be substantial)

As mentioned, I read this forum daily, and do know that while you endorse the company, you also state it is not without some risk.
(both TRP(~20 yrs ago) and KMI have cut their dividends before)

Appreciate your answer to the ratios question, and comments on the write downs.
Thank you, I do enjoy the service, and have a great weekend.

Rod

(deduct accordingly)
Read Answer Asked by Rod on February 19, 2018
Q: Hello,

In regards to Jules’ comment I would agree with the open next day pricing, that way the stated returns are the same as investors. The reason I say this is because I view 5i as industry leaders in no conflict advising and transparency. I am always leary of stock picking firms who sell a stock, record the gains or losses at an advantage to regular investors. It inflates gains and makes losses appear less than they are.

I would say that taking the opening price into account would add to your credibility as different from the entire industry.

Having said this, returns are what get you more clients so I understand the need to perform.

I am okay with it either way, because you are so transparent, but I think it would add to your overall high credibility! Thanks for the amazing service you provide!
Read Answer Asked by Gerald on February 18, 2018
Q: I would strongly agree with Jules comments quoted below;
"5iResearch announces portfolio changes after markets close and uses the previous day closing prices in costing out portfolio changes. But members don’t have this luxury of selling or buying a stock at the closing price of the day before. They line up in queue and do their transaction at the start of the following market day. My suggestion is for 5i to be transparent and price all trades at the opening prices of the following day. That way there is a sense of alignment with what the stated portfolio returns are and what members can expect to get. "
Please accept this simple recommendation so your published rates of return are representative of what can be expected by the average investor. Otherwise add a statement to the effect your rates of return are calculated based on trades conducted after market close and as such do not reflect the rates of return achievable by the individual investor.

I've followed 5i almost from inception and am deeply indebted to them for holding many stocks that I wouldn't have otherwise purchased and many have returned well over 100% such as: CSU, CCL.B, SIS, KXS, AYA (now changed), ENGH. So I thank 5i for their service and only ask when they make changes to the portfolio they state changes are in effect at market open the following morning. Never mind what mutual funds and other do. Stick with the 5 i's.

Steve
Read Answer Asked by Steve on February 18, 2018
Q: Upon reflection on your answer about my earlier question concerning thinly traded stocks (SYZ), I would like to suggest a change in how 5i prices portfolios. I don’t think it will be popular with you.

I don’t know how many subscribers 5i has but I’m sure it’s substantial. By what happened this morning on the markets after you made a number of portfolio changes late yesterday, your base is enough to move markets, particularly in thinly traded stocks. Members will never be able to match the stated returns of the portfolios simply for this reason. Members can mimic the trades and keep the exact portfolio composition but we are at the mercy of the markets the following day when we try to make the trades required to maintain the sameness. Two stocks you sold outright were SYZ and ITC. Both traded down at market open (SYZ substantially). Another you bought, RHT, was up on opening on strong buying demand.

5iResearch announces portfolio changes after markets close and uses the previous day closing prices in costing out portfolio changes. But members don’t have this luxury of selling or buying a stock at the closing price of the day before. They line up in queue and do their transaction at the start of the following market day. My suggestion is for 5i to be transparent and price all trades at the opening prices of the following day. That way there is a sense of alignment with what the stated portfolio returns are and what members can expect to get.

5iResearch is a good service. I’ve been a member for years and have benefitted. Are you conflict free? In the traditional definition, you are but you have a vested interested in achieving high portfolio returns. This is your marketing tool. I have no problem with this but feel you need to be open with members and attempt to provide a portfolio return that members have a chance of achieving.
Read Answer Asked on February 17, 2018
Q: Hi Group appreciate your input on the following . Why are we holding CXI + GUD both have been off (trading well off their highs) for a considerable amount of time . Why are you still recommending holding these poorly performing stocks why not sell them and get into something that is trading upwards??. What do you recommend and why Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Terence on February 17, 2018
Q: This is submitted as a customer who simply wants to improve relations and responses through communications. Do with as you will.
Your response to John and others regarding portfolio moves on ABT and SYZ seemed rather sharp. I speak for myself only, but I doubt if I am alone when I say that I value your services first and foremost for the educational aspects; from blogs to reviews and questions. That said, I personally feel that your communications could have been improved by perhaps reviewing recent past responses on impacted stocks prior to updates being released. In this manner explanatory notes (for example), could be included and head off confusion/ consternation.
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on February 17, 2018
Q: Good morning,
5i must be getting to be quite a market mover! Syl. is down significantly, VB and RHT are going gangbusters. I think I might wait on these.
Cheers
Chris Benson
Read Answer Asked by Christopher on February 17, 2018
Q: In your email of February 15 you provided a list of changes to portfolios and reason for these changes. (Model Portfolio Changes) where can I find a copy of these reports on your website?

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Saad on February 17, 2018
Q: This is not a question, but rather a comment on your statement that ALA.r distributions are mostly income for tax purposes. That is incorrect. It is mostly ROC. ALA put out a link to the month-by-month income vs ROC for distributions in 2017 here:
https://www.altagas.ca/sites/default/files/2018-02/Subscription%20Receipts%20Taxation%20Information.pdf

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RE:
Asked by Rajiv on February 14, 2018
5I RESEARCH ANSWER:
Utility and income stocks are not having a good year at all, on fears of higher interest rates. ALA is down 9% YTD. But we have no particular worries on the company itself and do not see the dividend at risk. As 'part' of a portfolio designed to generate income, we would be comfortable with it. Note the receipts pay interest income (for tax purposes).
Read Answer Asked by arnold on February 17, 2018
Q: Vanguard has come out with some total portfolio ETFS and I'm wondering what you think of them. They include a basket of vanguard ETFS, a low MER and are rebalanced regularly. I have two questions:

1. I was thinking of using one for my 2 year old daughters RESP. What are your thoughts on this? And if you like the idea would you go with VGRO or VBAL?

2. I 'm also considering maybe using them for my RRSP in the future as it would be an easy solution. However, you've mentioned before never to have more than 10% in one ETF? So in this case how safe would it be for someone to have their whole RRSP in this? Does the fact that it is made up of underlying ETFS make a difference? If at some point vanguard decided to discontinue the product, what would happen to the money?
Read Answer Asked by Carla on February 16, 2018
Q: Hi 5i,

With recent Q4 earnings announcement beating analysts' estimates Q4 EPS by $0.03 and revenues by $2.6M, and with the sale of its division to Google why is the market reacting negatively to such news? Also there is an analyst upgrade. Appreciate your insights!

Read Answer Asked by Sean on February 16, 2018
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