Investment Q&A

Q: Hi Peter,

With the dramatic sell off in oil prices lately and all the talk of energy loans that the Canadian Banks have supposedly given. What effect will this have on the Canadian Banks, Should a person be trimming some bank positions? We are long term holders of TD, Royal and BNS( non registered accounts).

Thank you

Q: Hi Peter & Ryan,
I know that I can not re-purchase the loosing stock during the 30 days after selling it, but am I allowed to purchase the profitable stock 30 days before or after the tax-loss sale?
Thanks,
Morris

Q: Hello Peter and Co.:
Man, it's pretty crazy for investors these days in oil and oil service stocks! I hold PPL, IPL, KEY, ALA, BDI, QST, VET and PEY. Normally these companies are pretty quiet but lately have been experiencing one day losses of 6-7% or more, and then gaining the same as much a few days later! Pretty crazy times it seems to me, but I'm not that experienced, just 10 years or so as a DIY investor. What are your thoughts on the volatility these days?
BTW, I just want to say that your service has been invaluable to me in making decisions and learning about investing, so thank you very much. cheers

Q: Husky has been a solid, steady investment for us for years but is now badly underwater. Hold or sell? Also, what is your opinion on Suncor. We have a full position. Hold or add?

Q: In Oct you rated CXR, GUD, CPH as 1,2,3 preference. I add PLI to those. I own GUD. For a registered account where there is not enough cash to buy full positions of each, would you advise choosing one and if so, which one, or equal $ amounts of the 3, CXR, CPH & PLI? Each has a niche in a similar theme, it seems to me. Thank you.

Q: With the latest drop in oil prices and the volatility of this stock is there any point in holding onto this product or is it best just to take whats left and run?

Q: I have 200 COS @ $18. I'm considering exchanging them for an equal value of SGY because COS goes down when other oils go up, as happened again today. I suspect that SGY will increase faster than COS when the market turns. Would you recommend the idea? If you like the exchange idea, is there another energy you would switch to? I hold PKI and WCP. It may not show in this question but I appreciate your lessons in holding a long term steady hand. I'm leaving my other 15 stocks and 2 oils untouched.

Q: As of today at 4:10 pm. trading has been halted on GUD. Per TMX site and my brokerage site: "IIROC Trading Halt - GUD".

Any idea why trading has been halted?

I have owned it going back to when it started on the TSXV and still do.

Q: I have a little more than one half of 1% holding in SGY with a similar amount of WCP and RRX.I am thinking of doubling down on SGY. Your thoughts?

Q: As you know, GLN has accepted to be acquired by BCE. My understanding is that GLN may (at their option) receive $26.50 cash for their shares.

Currently, GLN is trading at around $25.20, a 5% discount, which is much lower than I would have expected given the (presumably) low probability of the deal falling through (unless a third party offers even more, which would be even better for GLN shareholders).

Assuming the deal closes in a few months, this respresents a tremendous annualized return rate for a seemingly low-risk investment. What am I missing? Why aren't short-term investors jumping in at this opportunity.

Q: I am trying to evaluate a purchase of WCP, ALA, KEY, ENB, IPL or PPL. PE ranges from 9.5 (WCP) up to 57 (ENB). Would you use any other ratio to determine best buy. Of these which do you consider best buy.

Thank You As Always
Craig

Q: Hello Peter & Co,
In my TFSA, I hold Boralex, DHX Media, Evertz and Morneau Sheppell. I'd like to add something in the burgeoning canadian health sector: BioSyent (RX)? or ProMetic Life Sciences (PLI)?
Thanks,
Tony

Q: Hello 5i team

second week March I bought RE @ $4.52. Sept 22 I sold at $6.88. Everything I read about this company (including your Nov 6 comment) tells me it is well managed and able to earn even with lower oil prices.

I am eager to get back in and am wondering what your recommendation would be at this time... i.e. wait or buy now.

Thanks for all you do

Gord

Q: hello 5i team

GILD is down 10% for the month. it appears reasons given as per the info i can find are;

slowing prescription sales on the hep C drugs
a 4 BB debt offering in Nov which investors didnèt like even though it appears to be money raised to repay existing debt
and there has been some modest insider selling

I am keenly interested in this company as it appears according to reports, Gilead - which has from what I can see the only effective Hep C drug on the market at this time - has treated a mere 3% of the US's total pool of HCV patients. Plus, am I wrong in thinking that insurers will have to include the GILD Hep C treatment drugs on their approved list sooner rather than later

With this info and any other you may have at your disposal, what would you recommend... buy, hold or sell.

Thanks for all you do

Gord

Q: I am interested in buying either ZEO or XEG and I have no oil and GAS stock in my portfolio. which one would you recommend and is 10% would be ok. Is there any ETF that has only pipeline.

Q: Hello Peter and team,

In regards to the deal between THI and BKW:

THI shares sit at 95.49 CAD and BKW shares sit at 34.24 USD as of 30 mins ago.

How come you wouldn't take the 3.0879 shares per each THI share under these circumstances? Would that not mean THI shares are equivalent to $105.73 USD?

Thank you,

Wes

Q: Good morning. Do you know of any news on can accord? It is going down heavily over the past week. Is this a hold with present uncertainty?

Thanks
Vinod

Q: Hi 5i,

Any news out there on ESL? Seems to be quite strong last few days.
At what point does this great company get too expensive?
I am looking to trim a little, but worried that when I do - they get taken out for $50+!

Is cash flow multiple a better metric on this company than P/E?

Thanks,

JS

Q: I have several thousand shares in PNP going back several years and which (in my mind) I had essentially written off and thought some day they might come back which would have been a bonus. But yesterday PNP announced that it is non-compliant on some debt covenants. What do you make of this situation with PNP and should I sell before they declare bankruptcy which seems a distinct possibility?
As always your advice is much appreciated.

Q: Will DHX be affected by the announcement of "Crave" this morning?