Investment Q&A

Q: Hello, this is about your answer to a member about the valuation of CP versus CNR today. In your answer you stated that “CP is now cheaper than CNR on valuation (21X vs 24X).” Do you refer to the P/E ratio here? It appears there might be some discrepancy between the numbers you provided and what I found on TMX Money (P/E ratio 25.99 for CP vs 20.37 for CNR). Then, is CNR cheaper than CP? I am just trying to understand correctly. Thank you very much

Q: Hi, all

Not loving the ride I'm taking with CP these days. I think you prefer CN, which I also own.

I can stay in my seat with CP for diversification sake or switch and stick with CN.

Your general thoughts on the two?

Thanks,
Robert

Q: What is your take on CP’s reporting last week? Any significant alarms going off?

Q: Can you please comment on CP's earnings and whether you would buy for the long term.

Q: Which is a better rail to buy currently, for a 5 year hold? My portfolio is very diverse (25 companies) but I do not have any railroads.

Q: I’m trying to form a kind of hybrid of the Hodson and the Buffet approach to investing. Hodson: balanced portfolio. Buffet: a few excellent companies. So I would form a fairly balanced portfolio but be overweight considerably in a few.

Buffet says you are buying a piece of a business; you are not buying a stock. He and Munger don’t care about the stock market. They both say you don’t need very many stocks, no more than 5 or 6. They also say their approach is not for the average person, who usually doesn’t know how to value a business and should just stick to EFFs. Their approach is for someone who knows how to analyze and value a business. Peter Hodson and 5i do know how to analyze and value a business. (And in answers to questions 5i has also said several times that the way to build wealth is to own a small concentrated portfolio.)

On the other hand, 5i is all about building and rebalancing a diversified portfolio, covering all, or almost all, sectors. This approach is more concentrated than an ETF, but not as concentrated as a Buffet/Munger small set of quality companies. I don’t know anything about Sees Candy, Geiko, or Coke. But they certainly do.

If Buffet/Munger were looking only at Canadian companies, which few would they want to own? Any size, any sector. Just outstanding businesses.

Q: From reading your recent answers, you like these 4 companies (CNR, CP, TFII and TIH). Would you please rank these 4 companies for growth and rank them again for dividend growth. Which two companies would be your favorite for a combination of growth and dividends for a 5+ year hold? If you can give a brief explanation for the reason(s) over the other 2 companies? Thank you.

Q: How would you value above companies for a long term industrial hold.? Are there other companies in the North American industry you would prefer? Thank you.

Q: Can you compare the dividend growth at CN and CP over time? It looks to me that CP hasn’t increased the dividend since Oct. 2020. The longest previous period with no increase in the recent past seems to be July 2012 to July 2016. In contrast, CN seems to increase their dividend every year. But has the rate of increase for both been similar over the long run despite the choppiness at CP? Also, the rate of increase seems to be slowing more recently at CN, it was often double digit increases prior to 2020. Any insights appreciated, thanks.

Q: Please comment on CP's earnings report.
Thank you

Q: I have held CP for some time now. Although it has fluctuated somewhat, it seems to be range bound. Do you see it having much potential to increase? I am starting to consider swapping it for FSV, which seems to just steadily increase. Any comment on that switch?

Many thanks

Q: Hi ,
Can you please identify me with 3 US stocks and 3 canadian who have a monopoly over their business. ?
I already own CN . I hope it’s one of it?
Thanks. Alnoor

Q: If you were to list favourite US and Cdn companies with the added criteria of high cash flow and significant stock buybacks what would they be?

Q: Good Morning 5i group. What are your thoughts for a recently retired person who has a large gain on CNR in an RRSP to sell the position tax free and buy an ETF say XEI and essentially triple the income and also diversify the portfolio further ?
Thanks for the great service, a different ETF or investment idea for consideration would be welcomed.

Q: i am thinking of switching from CP (2%) to BIP. Looking for growth and div with this move.
Don't like CP drifting lower.
I already own 4% BN. Do you think BIP stock can grow faster then BN?

Q: I am wondering about cnr or cp.
Are there any other transportation companies that you find interesting these days?

Q: Hi 5i,
I want to add a rail position. What’s your thesis on CNR vs CP?

Thank you!

Q: Own BOS and am thinking of switching to CP as I feel that with its recent acquisition it has growth potential. Your thoughts on this switch and CP and BOS in general.
Thanks

Q: Please give me your view on Norfolk Southern Corp.

Thank You in advance.

Q: Thank you for your answer on stocks and ETF'S for my son's FHSA account that is starting. The answer included mostly US domiciled names/ETF's and we are looking at Canadian names. Could you recommend a combination of Canadian blue chips and ETF's for a 7 year time frame to monthly contribute and compound before needing funds for a home buyer withdrawal
Thank you