Investment Q&A

Q: Hi 5i Team,

What are your thoughts on the results for SLF?

Thank you,

Pat.

Q: Is the drop today just because of the market. Is this a good entry point. Also does dividend from CUD qualify for the dividend tax credit even though the fund buys US stocks ? Thank you.

Q: My question is about the net interest rate impact on both of these insurers, specifically whether the positive benefits associated with higher interest rates offset the negative benefits of higher interest rates. I know the positive benefits of higher interest rates on insurers are widely accepted (via contract liabilities), however, considering that both of these firms hold billions in debt securities (the bulk of general fund), isn't their likely to be a negative impact on the balance sheet and possibly net income? Perhaps the net income impact of higher rates is more than the downside of decreasing debt security value?

Q: I recently took profits SLF to offset losses for tax purposes. I was looking to get back in when I heard an analyst on BNN, who liked both SLF and MFC, but thought SLF was a bit pricey compared to MFC. SLF's PE is 13.8 while MFC's is 9.8. SLF has a higher dividend but also has a higher payout ratio suggesting MFC might have more room to grow its dividend. For income investors, which do you like better? Best wishes for the holiday season.

Q: Hi Peter,

We own three bank stocks, RY, BNS & TD and are wondering about purchasing some Sunlife. What entry point would you pick to get started in Sunlife. The stock doesn't seem to want to come down like it did in the October correction. We are long term holders of the banks and would also be long term holders of sunlife.

Thanks, Charlie

Q: Hello, I am considering making a purchase of either PWF or SLF. As they both have similar dividends I would like your feedback on which one you see with the most growth in the next 12-18 months? Thanks!

Q: Ryan's report on SLF and MFC was very interesting and is a great explanation for why you prefer SLF. I got the impression that in the less likely event of equity markets moving more than 10% along with a 100BP move in interest rates, that MFC would do better than SLF. Is this correct (and why) and if so, can you estimate the probability of this scenario happening ? Also want to say that the addition of the name along with the stock symbol as the identifier for each question, is a helpful addition-thank you.

Q: Hello Peter
I an quite concerned that Ebola will sweep around much of the world eventually no matter how hard we fight it and that being the case Ebola may be a disaster for life insurance companies having to prematurely pay out on life policies. Should we sell our Sun Life SLF and Great West GWO [currently almost a break-even for us if we do]?
Thanks....... Paul K

Q: Follow up to my previous slf question .... Since I am way underwater having followed the buy and hold mantra Should I be adding to Manila and sun life ... Seems to be falling on low volume

Q: I am looking for a financial stock to augment BNS, AD, TCN and a mix contained within 3 dividend-distribution mutual funds(RBC Cdn Equity Income, Sentry Cdn Income, Sentry REIT).

I am a retired, income-oriented investor who likes to hold for the long term and get regular dividend increases and some capital gains. I also hold ZLB, AQN, ALA, BCE, WEQ, BTE, CPG, SGY, along with an insured annuity and I receive a pension.

Within the banks, I have narrowed it down to RY or TD. Excluding the banks, I am considering SLF, MFC and PWF. I know you recommend SLF, yet the bulk of the analysts lean towards MFC, even though they cut their dividend in the latest crisis. The insurers seem to have more total return upside than the banks.

Question #1: Given my current portfolio mix, which financial stock would you recommend? Is there another stock for me to consider that I have not mentioned?

Question # 2: While I am not a market timer, would I be better to keep my cash on the sidelines for a few more weeks for a better entry point. I know I can always start with partial positions.

Thanks for your help,
Steve

Q: Hello 5i team,
Financials represent only 8.2% of my RRIF portfolio; they comprise BNS, EFN, HCG and TD. To gain some exposure to lifecos, I think of adding SLF.
Your thoughts?
Thanks,
Tony

Q: Hello and thanks for all of the great responses and reports.

I bought MG in the $35 range and have enjoyed the run up but think it is pretty much fully valued. I have trimmed some earlier this year and would like to move out of it into a lifeco which most folks seem to think have more room to run. Which big boy do you think has better upside SLF or MFC?

Thanks
Jerry

Q: I have a position in MFC and thinking of making a switch to SLF for more growth and stability, what is your opinion? Thank you for your response.

Q: 9:16 AM 9/4/2014
Hello Peter....
Best withes on the ride!
I have owned a 1.4% position in Great-west Life [GWO] and a 1.7% position in Sun life [SLF] since December 2013. SLF is up 11% and GWO down 1% since I bought them. These are held primarily for income. I would appreciate your opinion on whether I should just do nothing and collect the dividends which are about the same for both companies [SLF 3.5% and GWO 3.8%] or whether I should sell the GWO with essentially no loss or gain and put the money into SLF, in the expectation of a little more growth. Is it worth the diversification to own both?
Many thanks...... Paul K

Q: Good luck Peter ... happy cranking... Ryan I am about to add a rather substantial amount of pension $$ into my account. I am completely covered in the Model Portfolio with existing RRSP's ...should I just step into purchasing Income Portfolio at the 5% allotment giving me 39 stocks in my total portfolio. Can you give me some direction please. TY.

Q: MFC is a cheaper stock and lower P/E than SLF, so why would you prefer SLF

Q: Hello,
I have been slowing adding stocks from the model and income portfolios over the last 3 months. I currently own G,DHX,BAD,SGY,ESL,SLF,DSG & SJ. All with 5K original investments. I now have another 15K to invest. Should I buy more shares of the stocks that are down that I currently own (BAD&SJ) or add new positions? If new what stocks would fit best?
Many thanks
Luke

Q: Could you recommend a couple of high quality Canadian companies with US exposure that might substitute for holding US companies? I own Stantec, TD, and CN, all of which I think quality as having at least some exposure. Thank you.

Q: My portfolio is lacking exposure to insurance cos., aside from a position in US Financial ETF (XLF) whose biggest holding is BRK.B. Which insurance co. would you recommend and why? GWO, SLF, MFC, FFH?

Q: Hi Peter,
Our portfolio is comprised of five accounts. Within the portfolio we have 12.2% in finance plus another 8% in REITS. The strictly finance stocks & percentages are:

MKP 3,5% (in TFSA & RIF)
BNS 3.1% (in Inv acct)
GS 2.4% (in Inv acct)
TD 1.6% (in Inv acct)
EFN 1.6% (in Inv acct)

Question: MKP is probably a bit weaker company than the others. Would it be reasonable to switch it for SLF, and would SLF provide a similar overall return to MKP over 3 – 5 years? Or do you have a different suggestion as a MKP replacement? Or would it be reasonable to keep MKP, which has provided a great distribution and a small CG.

The REIT holdings are:

HR 3.2% (in TFSA & RIF)
MRG 1.9% (in RIF)
REF 1.6% (in Inv acct) (CG of 125%)
AP 1.3% (in Inv acct) (CG of 150%)

Question: Would you make any change to the REIT holdings in the TFSA and/or RIF?
If the overall finance holdings are a bit high, perhaps the sale of a TFSA/RIF REIT would be appropriate to make room for a material stock. The only portfolio holdings in materials are MCR and G.

Many thanks. Bob