Investment Q&A

Q: I hold both L and EMP.A in a balanced portfolio. Any need to hold both? Divest myself of one or both due to losses? Any bright lights for the sector in the future?

Q: I have a question about Empire. I noticed the CEO buying since the stock has taken a dip. It looks like a good, safe call. What do you guys think? What do you think a good buy price at and if so what price would you sell at? Thank you as always.

Q: Hi Peter and the 5i Team,

John Heinzl on June 20 rated EMP.A as a “star” in his Stars and Dogs column in the Globe & Mail. We recently purchased a smallish amount in Empire EMP.A to round out our Consumer Defensive holdings which include COST, DOL, XST, and L.

As far as Metro MRU is concerned, it’s held in XST which also contains some of the other smaller firms in the sector.

Do you believe that the troubled takeover of Safeway by Empire several years ago is now a ‘thing of the past’, making Empire a reasonable investment, given its successful takeover of Farm Boy as well as its 51% share of Longos? Both Farm Boy and Longos are quite busy in our Oakville location.

Thanks as always for your insight. Happy Canada Day to all at 5i as well as my fellow 5i members!

Q: Of these 3 Staples, which one is cheaper on financial metrics and which is your preference.

Q: 1) Which has the highest & lowest 10-yr total return potential according to 5i’s research & data?

2) What other defensive names in the US & Canada might provide similar (or better) risk-adjusted returns over 10 years, given current valuations?
Thank you.

Q: Do you see any of the grocers as investible for a good total return ? How would you rank MRU, L, EMP.A ?

Thanks for your advice.
Ian

Q: I need to raise some cash. Can you rank these investments from your favorite to least favorite currently please and thanks

Q: Hold the above securities in TFSA account held by my 89 year old parent. EMP.A (-25%)and ENGH (-51%) and am now trying to decide if I should add to them or move on to something with a better future prospect ( a suggestion with be appreciated). TOU has a small positive return at this time but was thinking of replacing it with CNQ - your thoughts. Some other holdings in the account include BAM, BN, CM, BEPC GSY, JWEL. Please deduct as many credits as many credits as appropriate.

Thank You

Q: Empire is hitting new 52 week lows, is it a buy at here levels? Would you recommend this as buy for a consumer staple holding?

DON

Q: I hope you all had a great holiday. This is for when you get a chance.
I am planning trigger a loss by selling DG to help offset all the capital gains that I will have in 2024. Wanting to replace it with WMT, Cost, L, MRU or EMP.A. Looking for net return. Your thoughts please.
Happy New Year.
Ian

Q: Am I to assume that if Empire’s sales rose 2% for the year and with inflation, say at 4% , that their actual volume of sales really declined ?
Thanks. Derek.

Q: Empire Chief Operating Officer Pierre St-Laurent Sells 100% Of Holding. This is a headline I read yesterday.
Insiders are selling because of a variety of issues. However, rarely a COO eliminates 100% of his position.
Do you see a specific company issue for this sale? Are you comfortable with holding this security?
Thank you as always for your guidance ?

Q: Your thoughts on the potential downside for grocers with proposed pressure from Fed Gov't? Thanks!!

Q: Hi 5i,
What’s your thesis on Empire? I’ve held the position for several years and it seems to be the perennial underperformer of the grocers (MRU, L). Trying to decide whether it’s time to cut the position and move on to better opportunities.

Thank you!

Q: These are my wife's holdings in her non-registered account. Held these for very long time. EMP.A I bought for her maybe 5 years ago when down a lot. Sitting on a fair bit of cash. Thinking of adding to banks at some point (recession?) or adding BCE and EIF? T is small holding at 2000 shs. Comments/suggestions please. Oh, own ETF ZUE for quite a while also. RRSP has other banks +++

Q: I am debating taking a half position in MRU and EMP-A or a full position in DIR-UN. The two grocery stores are down a bit but will there not be consumer pressure to keep prices reasonable which could influence profits? I have no idea! What would the experts at 5i suggest here?

Q: I personally feel the grocery stores are gouging Canadians like never before , this should give them great profits . Is there a ETF or specific company that one could invest in that hasn't already taken off , thanks and have a super 2023.

Q: HI,
sorry for the long list. could you just rate these as a buy, sell, or hold right now. I am a long term investor.

Q: Hi, please provide your thoughts on Canadian grocers as investments at this time of anticipated recession and your top choice with a brief explanation. Thank you!

Q: Hi 5i,
3 questions I believe, so please deduct accordingly:
In each of the following groupings which name do you see as having the largest gain (dividends and capital gain) after a three year hold and, if you would, brief reasons for your choices. Also, if any seem to you a bad idea to buy and pay little attention to for three years, please say so,
1. BIR; ARX; CNQ
2. NWC; EMP.A
3. ZQQ; TXF
I look forward to your thoughts. Thanks.
Peter