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Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: Any good books you can suggest for
Investing
Read Answer Asked by jason on February 10, 2015
Q: Need to reduce my bank stocks.Would you sell BMO or TD?Thanks Paul
Read Answer Asked by Paul on February 10, 2015
Q: I am thinking of adding one of these vanguard etfs (VGH or VGG) to my RRSP portfolio
for a medium to long term hold. Is there any parameters to choose between the two:( VGH is hedged and VGG is not.)

I would like your opinion as to which one you would choose- with the Canadian Dollar hovering around 80 cents US

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Baboo on February 10, 2015
Q: One of your correspondents proposed that the T1135 reporting threshold were based on "highest fair market value at the end of any given month." But this is not the case; see, for example, <http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/nnrsdnts/cmmn/frgn/1135_fq-eng.html> which states that the threshold "is based on the cost amount. The cost amount is defined in subsection 248(1) of the Income Tax Act and generally is the adjusted cost base and not the fair market value."

It's worth noting, further, that "specified foreign property held in an RRSP or a TFSA is excluded from form T1135 reporting requirements."

Finally, it's possible that foreign securities held for the purpose of day-trading are also excluded (though the FAQ is rather vague on this point.)

Lots more useful guidance in this FAQ.
Read Answer Asked by John on February 10, 2015
Q: Good Morning

Would you know if owning shares of BAM.A requires CRA filing of form 1135 when held in a non registered account. I can't seem to tell if this is a company that reports to the IRS or not. I know that BAM.A trades on Toronto, and BAM trades on New York and that the home office is in Toronto.
Read Answer Asked by Ed on February 10, 2015
Q: In response to one of the previous comments about Teletubbies freaking him out. I lived in the UK at the height of the Teletubbies mania and my kids and all their little friends could n't get enough of the show.
It was incredible how it had such an impact both with kids and even the parents. That's why I think DHX is onto a real winner particularly their exposure to China. Wait until the M & L really kicks in.
Read Answer Asked by Peter on February 10, 2015
Q: Could you comment on the investigation happening with HSBC and should I be selling at this time, thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Ken on February 10, 2015
Q: Peter, here’s a challenge of sorts for you; I hope you can help. We are about 5 years from retirement. Our RRSPs and TFSAs are topped up, so we’re starting a non-registered account for excess savings. We have no need for income from the account (though, as you’ve said, it’s a good sign when a company initiates or grows a dividend). Can you suggest around 6 or 7 ‘lowish-risk’ stocks for long-term ownership? By this, I don’t mean we’re unduly concerned about volatility or short-to-medium term losses. Rather, we’d like stocks for which you think a loss of more than, say, 25% after 5 years is highly improbable. We are already topped up on banks, energy producers and REITs, but are probably a bit light on IT, Industrials and consumer stocks, amongst others. To add to your challenge, we already have fairly full positions in FSZ, SJ, WPK, ESL and DHX, all of which have done well for us, thanks to you! (ENB, DSG and BIN seem like possible candidates? But we’ll leave the advice to you.) Thanks for the TRULY excellent service and the unbiased guidance you are providing to us smaller individual investors. James
Read Answer Asked by James on February 10, 2015
Q: This stock continues to get hammered and still hasn't cut its ultra high dividend.Even when oil makes a bit of a uptick it still goes south is this stock that at one time had promise dead in the water ?
Read Answer Asked by terrance on February 10, 2015
Q: Hi team,

I'm working on diversifying my portfolio with a canadian media company. I have been looking at Corus Entertainment (CJR.B). I'm a bit concerned with their relatively high P/E ratio for the sector as well as the drop in their EPS form 1.7 to 0.6 recently. I like their 5% dividend payout, but wonder if this is sustainable given their reduced profitability.

Do you think corus's profitability will improve or continue to decline? Would you consider it a good option to buy at present or would another stock such as DHX media be a better purchase (even though teletubbies freak me out).

Thanks,
Jill
Read Answer Asked by Jill on February 10, 2015
Q: Hello, I have a small position in this stock. Since I purchased it, it has increased in value by 15%. I am thinking of adding more to my position. The stock has a ROE of 50%, a P/E of 3.3, trades at double its book value,has a 5.5% yield and has exceeded its profit projections on the last two quarters. On this basis, it appears to be a excellent value. My question is "am I missing something?"

thank you for your response.

Regards, Alan
Read Answer Asked by Alan on February 10, 2015
Q: Hello,
I have very little fixed income in my portfolio (7% GIC's) and feel that I should probably increase this as I will be retiring in 3 years. What are your thoughts on adding ZLC, to bring my fixed income up to about 11%.
Thanks
Roy
Read Answer Asked by Roy on February 10, 2015
Q: What are your thoughts on FRX : TSX as a spec play?
Read Answer Asked by Michel on February 10, 2015
Q: Good Morning Peter, Ryan, and Team,
This morning it was reported on BNN that a larger competitor of Avigilon, "Axis Communications" of Sweden, was purchased by Canon of Japan. The price paid was $2.83 billion US. From a pure technological perspective Avigilon appears to have the best end to end mouse trap. How do you think this transaction will affect Avigilon going forward and do you think that AVO may end up being acquired by someone as well ??? Thank you for your wisdom and insight. DL
Read Answer Asked by Dennis on February 10, 2015
Q: hello, i would like to know if you have an opinion on sirius xm. thanks jim a.
Read Answer Asked by jim on February 10, 2015
Q: I own Gilead and Celgene already , and am considering Medivation or BDSI ...
Am I in a high risk sector , or is this the space where growth is most likely . Any thoughts you might have would be appreciated .
Read Answer Asked by Thomas on February 10, 2015
Q: Finding out whether or not investments are foreign, even if listed on the TSX, is only part of the fun.

Here's the CRA updated information for Form 1135 for 2014.
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/nnrsdnts/cmmn/frgn/1135_rprtng-eng.html

I had thought the old form wanted adjusted cost base but now they seem to be talking highest fair market value at the end of any given month. At least it's aggregate.
I'm tempted to just go with what my monthly brokerage statement deems as foreign, and that total ( which does not always agree with what I suspected was foreign, or with where head office is!) since that is the tax paperwork that the CRA will get.

Anyway, enjoy everyone. We all know that 5i is not a tax accountant service!
Marilyn
Read Answer Asked by Marilyn on February 10, 2015
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