Investment Q&A

Q: Hi 5i team,
RAD is up significantly over the past years. Still highly leveraged, the interest rate environment plays in their favor. Restructuring charges seem to be in the past. Their strategy: remodeling stores, wellness rewards program, better buying cost management, etc. seem to be driving same store sales and earnings growth despite the generic drug impact. Demographic evolution of the US population should help. I expect RAD to make its entrance in the S&P500 in a not too distant horizon (2 years? which is well inside my investment horizon). It might look a little expensive, and be a little volatile.
I would like to have your thoughts on the company (including on management). Besides reimbursement program, what are the main threats? Is this a good way to get a first direct exposure to the US economy in a portfolio?
Thank you for your help, Eric

Q: Have your views changed on this company after they got the regulatory approval from FDA. Are there more risks or rewards from this point? Do you see potential for big gains?

Q: what is your opinion of this company?

Q: Could you give me your opionion on this etf?
I'm looking for disney, netflixs, etc.

Q: Good afternoon. The first and last question with respect to VMS was on Jan. 2014. Since then, I believe the mine they are partners in (with HudBay) is in production, and VMS is receiving cash flow from said mine. I have previous (unsuccessful) experience with Junior miners, and am unsure what expectations to have with VMS now that they are producing. My broker advises to hold, but I'm not so sure. Other than VMS and a small position in Goldcorp, I have negligeable exposure to mining.

What sort of upside does VMS have, assuming copper prices remain steady?

Thanks,

Cam

Q: Hi Team - best of the season. Would ELW fit as a higher risk and higher return oil pick? Who would make your top three?
Merry Christmas

Q: I was looking to pick up some Crescent Point but I noticed this morning that the CEO Scott Saxberg disposed of 603,462 shares. (disposed of by private transaction) This seems concerning to
me or is it something to do for tax purposes.

Q: Could you please compare these three health care ETFs(FXH, VHT and FXH). Alternatively could you recommend two or three health care low risk stocks in the U.S. market.

Thanks

Q: Hi guys,

I have 2 separate questions, but I thought it would be simpler to submit them both together.

1 - Given the recent bounce in energy stocks, do you believe we've put in a bottom in oil and the energy shares or do you think its just a bounce to be followed by renewed selling pressure. Despite the strong performance in shares like CPG and VET, RSI indicators still show that these stocks are not close to overbought yet.

2 - I have no fixed income exposure. I'm fairly young at 36 years old, but I want to increase exposure to fixed income over the next few years as interest rates, potentially, start to rise. What type of fixed income products, do you prefer? Corporate debt, rate reset preferreds, GICs (if rates get high enough) and should I stagger these purchases after central banks start raising rates or wait a bit after the first rate hike and then purchase.

Thanks for your help and happy holidays!
Jason

Q: Which one of the above companies has the better chance to
rebound in 2015, and why? Are their dividends sustainable.?

Q: Your quick response is much appreciated. I look after my own investments not because I feel I am more qualified but rather because I truly enjoy it. As such I do a great deal of research / work on weekends etc. The fact that I get a response on Saturday and Sunday is brilliant. As such please factor in this comment for 2 question credits. A small token of my appreciation and a little Xmas bonus. Frugality is not a science but rather an art form. That said the CFO (wife) has told be to take a break for the holiday season so I will be back in the new year. Accordingly I think most members would think that if you knock off Xmas day at noon this would be OK. All the best in the season and a prosperous new year.

Q: I own vsn, vsn.pr.a and vsn.pr.c.
Today Scott Barlow in the Globe and Mail has singled out Veresen one of the companies that could be vulnerable because of their high debt level. Do you share his views? Are the dividends safe for both VSN and the preferreds? Do you recommend holding these shares?

Q: Hello team,

Happy Holiday to you and your families.

In the context of a diversified portfolio, with high risk tolerance, could you compare the following stocks in terms of growth prospects over the next two years?
1 - MacDonald Dettwiler & COM DEV
2 - WEF and HBM
3 - ESP, EXO and SVC

The objective is maximum growth potential.

Thanks for all you do.

BK

Q: I'm looking to place some money into a "long-term" hold ETF. While I have usually went with traditional index-trackers (think most iShares/Vanguard), I'm now starting to look at some of the new funds by Purpose Investments.

Any thoughts on PHR (Purpose Duration Hedged Real Estate) or PRA (Purpose Diversified Real Asset Fund)?

Q: Can you ballpark the effect of Expressscript's decision not to offer the Hep C drug and whether this would be a good time to buy?

Q: Peter and Co.
For a while you favoured Boston Pizza but now you favour A&W. To me they appear to be similar except in size. I have been considering BPF but seeing a local BP close has me wondering if there is something going on that is below my radar. Can you please explain why you now seem to favour A&W and is BPF OK? Thanks in advance and I wish you all and the other members a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Gary

Q: Peter,
This is the latest (Dec19) expected consensus earnings (in %) for 2015 S&P (all revised down from the last one by the way except financials)
Financials +17.6
Cons. discretionary +16.8
Materials +14.8
Tech +11.3
Health +10.8
Industrials +9.7
Cons staples +6.8
Energy -20.4

My question: I have not been able to find the same info for Canada ( a recurring problem for me) but could this US info be used as a proxy for Canada. (my take? not for all)
Thanks for that

Q: Your insight on this investment please.
Thanks, Jim

Q: I would like to sell these 3 ETF's to offset some capital gain. What ETF or stocks would you recommend for income to replace these 3 ETF's. Should I just buy these 3 ETF's after 30 days.I don't need income but I am a senior.

Q: I have had a half position in CXI for about a year. Would you be comfortable adding the other half now or should I wait for a pullback? How expensive is this stock on a PE and PEG basis? What is the key catalyst that might drive the price in 2015? Thanks for your comments.