Investment Q&A

Q: Dividend Growth Rates
Does anybody know a site where you can get historical dividend growth rates for Canadian listed companies?
Thanks.

Q: Hi Peter and Company:

If one believes that the market is due for a correction and, if they place faith in historic data from years where the U.S.A. is due to hold a mid-term election, one might be wise to liquidate for the third quarter of the year. If a person was to do this, what would be the best place to park cash while waiting for buying opportunities?

Thanks for the advice!

DON

Q: CFN Carfinco Just wondering what you make of the most recent news coming out of CFN? Record loan originations does not speak to rising delinquencies of loans but...

Q: Hello, loving your service. It is very informative. My question is about MCR Macro Enterprises. I bought in January at #6.57. It is now about $4.55. Wondering if I should continue holding or cut my losses. Thanks, Cole

Q: Hello Peter,
Hope you are feeling better after the accident? I have a question in regards to National Bank, do you think it is the best buy of the banks at this time.
Thanks for your answer

Monika

Q: Could you comment on BENEV (BEV.H) now that it has used some of its cash. What do you think of the royalty stream they've bought? Is their proposed dividend reasonable? Finally, what does the .H mean in their ticker symbol? Thanks for your help.

Q: Good morning team. I have XIU as my core and hope to juice the return with a handful of growth stocks. Please suggest 5 current names with better than average growth prospects in the next 2 years. Thank you.

Q: Interested in you investment opinion on BSO.UN. Thanks

Q: Augusta resources (azc) whats the purpose of a shareholders rights plan if some government can take it away. Its obvious that the majority share holders don't count. Latest news only 8 percent have tendered there shares. So what would you suggest holders do .

Q: Hello Peter and the 5I research team
I am interested in CXR, it strikes me as begin a potentially great company. It has a great management team and a growing line up of drugs in their stable. It also seems to have great tax rate (blended tax rate in the single digits). Now do you see this company as a great take over candidate from larger US companies? I am thinking this company would be a great take over because of the "Corporate inversion" status that an American company could use with it. My guess is if it was a take over target that the take over would come rather, quickly before the US government can close the inversion tax loop. Does this idea sound possible? What are some of the pro's and con's of this company? Would you add it to a balanced growth portfolio? What do you think about a potential take over for this company?

Thank you

Q: I own 200 shares of Enghouse ESL, so around $6,500 worth. I cannot decide if I should add another $6,500 to ESL or by Sylogist syz for that same amount. I seem to think I will reduce risk having two companies in the same space in case one goes up and one goes down. What do you do? Buy more of the same company or diversify with another one in the same sector. Thanks for everything.

Q: Hello team, my question is about Mastercard. Last year after reading in the Toronto newspaper how dominant MA is and is going to be - with the world carrying less cash for small purchase needs - and seeing the stock ramping up consistently, I purchased a significant amount of the stock. In very short order the stock had a 10-1 stock split and i was hopeful that it would continue to increase. From over $800 (split to over $80) per share its dropped and floundered in the mid $70.00's. I compare the MA results to my Canadian funds and realize I would have been much better off keeping with my home grown stocks. For added perspective, I'm 55, doing well financially, I own my property, have a very small debt. I hope to retire comfortably within a year. My goal is to achieve 10% annual earnings on my portfolio once I retire. At this time, between my business and my stocks i am heading towards the $2.5 and $3 million dollar mark in my investments. Currently MA is 6.6% of my portfolio. My stock portfolio and rrsp's is my future, I have no pension. I live alone and have no other secondary source of funding or financial responsibility.
What are your thoughts on MA as part of my portfolio overall and with your learned crystal ball - what is your opinion of the stock - say over the next year.
Many thanks, Dave

Q: What our your thoughts on hedge funds?I am thinking about Donville-Kent Capital Ideas Fund for a 5-10% allocation. I have no mutual funds, and invest mostly in conservative dividend payers. I have bought a few of the 5i growth names, but am looking at DKAM as a way to diversify. Thoughts? Are there any hedge funds you'd recommend?

Thanks.

Q: Hi Peter & Team,
I would like to make a comment on stop losses. As you have stated you have to be very careful especially on a low traded stock as someone can "low ball" and steal them away.
A strategy I sometimes employ if I have a winner and want to trim to limit my portfolio exposure is say I have 500 shares, I put a very tight trailing stop loss on 200 shares, check daily, and ride the stock up as far as it will go.
My 2cents. Thanks for you advice and guidance.

Q: CWC :
Could you please update your view on the above . especially with regards to the integration of Ironhead.Is it a lager in the section having a good chance of playing catch up. and how do you evaluate management.
I have only a little of the energy services and am thinking of buying it.
Thanks
I feel good being part of this - thanks again

Q: AYA
I just heard that Amaya is considering a dual listing with either New York or London being the secondary exchange. Firstly, would this generally be considered positive, neutral or negative for the stock price on the TSX?; secondly, would there be a greater benefit for the stock to be listed in one over the other?
Thanks!
Cheers,
Mike

Q: What is your opinion of TNX and it's CEO-- "gold Guru "-- James Sinclair Thanx Robbie

Q: Goof Morning Team
I have a small holding of CGL (800 shs) and am wondering if I should do a straight switch to Mint unhedged.
Thanks

Q: I was looking at the list of largest short positions on the TSX:
http://www.financialpost.com/markets/data/market-short_pos.html
The list contains a few stocks (both small and large) that you are generally positive on (eg. EFN, BNS, LUN, PWF). Is this a concern or is this just noise an average investor should ignore?

Q: I was trying to search for your views on setting stop losses. As markets and portfolios expand there's increasing concern about significant losses in a sustained downturn. If I'm reading you right, your strategy would be to ensure a balanced portfolio and perhaps lean towards dividend stocks to counteract a dropping market. Do you see any place for setting stop losses? If so, what would be your guidelines. Thanks Graham