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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: You seem lukewarm on STN lately. Synergies from the large MWH acquisition seem to take time to flow to the bottom line...

However, it seems to be that are extracting a lot of value out of the MWH acquisition. STN is not a SW company, so it makes sense that they would divest "Innovyze" as non-core asset. However, I am surprized that they got USD-$270M for it - given the relative sale price versus the entire MWH acquisition price of ~$1B (i.e. 27%).

In their press release, they make no mention of expected revenue from this Innovyze business. I would have thought that if they would be losing ~25% of the revenue gained from the MWH acquisition, they would have had to mention this as 'material change'...

Would $270M US, they can repay the debt quickly and focus on core markets. Do you see the same value in this non-core sale and are you surprized at sales price obtained?
Read Answer Asked by Jennifer on May 09, 2017
Q: I am starting to lose patience with STN. I have owned it for 2 1/2 years and am up a grand total of 2% (plus dividend). It seems to have been in a trading range since Nov 2013. Is it time to move onto something else? They report on May 11th: should I wait for the earnings report and if not satisfied then sell (or just sell now since my patience is wearing out)?

p.s. I own WSP and have done very well with it.

Paul J
Read Answer Asked by Paul on May 05, 2017
Q: I consider WSP and STN my core holdings but now due to excellent appreciation they represent 7% and 3% of my portfolio. ARE has been a laggard and represents 1%. With ARE should I go back to SNC which I owned in the past (upside due to the recent acquisition?) or just keep WSP and STN as the only stocks in this area?
Read Answer Asked by JR on April 09, 2017
Q: I am holding smaller positions in all three in a fairly well balanced RSP but I need to convert to a RIF in a couple of years.
Is it time to let these go into some more conservative dividend growers or would you suggest I maintain a balance in my RIF similar to your income and balanced portfolios??
Thanks as always,
Peter
Read Answer Asked by Linda on April 04, 2017
Q: Hi, I have held STN for years, remain just above break even. Considering a switch to WSP for better dividend and growth. Your thoughts on this move? Have also held SJ and KBL for years, have done well but both seem weak lately, would you recomend any potential replacements, or just a hold pattern? Thanks, Lavern
Read Answer Asked by Lavern on March 27, 2017
Q: Peter and Team,
We hold both WSP and STN. Comparing the charts its obvious that since Jan 2015 WSP has outperformed STN. It also has a better yield. For the Eng portion of infrastructure is it worthy to sell STN and buy more WSP, or barring some unforeseen issue with WSP is it better to diversify by holding both ? Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on March 20, 2017
Q: I'm looking to increase my exposure to the infrastructure sector. Current fundamentals are an important consideration but I'm most interested in the company's future prospects and its ability to take advantage of infrastructure spending that is necessary and promised by many present governments. I would appreciate it if you could suggest 3-4 companies that you feel are the most capable of taking advantage of opportunities as they develop in Canada and globally in the next 1-2 years. A safe and increasing dividend is always a plus. As always, thanks in advance for your advice.
Read Answer Asked by Les on February 28, 2017
Q: Can you please give me your top 3-4 industrial stock picks. Looking at adding some diversity to my holdings, 5% industrial. Don't have any industrial picks other than what is held in ZDV. Moreover, if I hold physical gold and silver would this be considered material sector allocation?
Read Answer Asked by Nino on February 15, 2017
Q: Peter, I believe you've most recently favoured WSP over STN. STN seems to have behaved much better over the past few months. I'm about ready to pull the purchase-trigger on WSP (as I typically prefer a bargain over 'momentum') but thought I should check. For a long-term hold as of today, which of the two would you favour? Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by James on February 08, 2017
Q: I would like to add one infrastructure company to my portfolio (I have none) which one of the above specified companies do you prefer, or do you have another suggestion?
I like the WSP's dividend, but I like to see some growth as well. Which one of these companies will give me the highest total return? i.e dividend plus share appreciation.
Thanks in advance,
Jacob
Read Answer Asked by Jacob on January 20, 2017
Q: thank you for reading my email - and for your assistance.
I have these above stocks in an rrsp, - can you suggest - how I can diversify
Read Answer Asked by Marla on January 11, 2017
Q: Joining 5i (and following your advice!) has been my best investment decision ever. Thanks for a wonderful service.

I'm planning to move one of Cineplex, Stantec, or Stella Jones from a RIFF to a TFSA, and am wondering which of the three you would think would be poised for greatest growth over the next few years.

Read Answer Asked by Jim on January 06, 2017
Q: I would like either STN or WSP and would appreciate your comments on which one is preferable and why.
I have no health care and would like your suggestions for this sector, individual companies or ETF's.
Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Nadine on January 03, 2017
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