skip to content
  1. Home
  2. >
  3. Investment Q&A
You can view 3 more answers this month. Sign up for a free trial for unlimited access.

Investment Q&A

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

Q: Hi, i am looking to add some of these names to my portfolio. I want long term growth. I am young and can hold 5 years plus. Please ignore sector diversification. Can you rank best to worst. Can you also comment on significant valuation differences? IE MG versus NFI or WPK. Is it simply business earnings stability? Because it appears growth in Magna earnings is quite significant even relative to NFI or WPK.
Read Answer Asked by Jordan on October 16, 2017
Q: Hi Peter and Team,

In our combined portfolio, we hold the following Industrials: BAD, EIF, KBL, NFI, SIS, and STN. In this group, we're frustrated with EIF and are just breaking when considering its healthy dividend. I like your idea of "forever" stocks and note that CNR is your pick in this sector. My questions are: Given that all of the above (with the exception of EIF) are performing well, would you be OK with replacing EIF with CNR, or perhaps you have a better suggestion? Are there too many Industrials in our portfolio and is it time to exit one or more of the group?

As always, your advice is greatly appreciated and valued.
Read Answer Asked by Jerry on October 13, 2017
Q: With all the rebuilding that will have to be done to restore those storm ravaged areas do you expect to see any Canadian miners, forestry companies etc. benefit from the increased demand for resources over the next year or so?
GUY R
Read Answer Asked by Guy R. on October 10, 2017
Q: From the recent 5i report on Stantec: "Out of STN’s direct peers of WSP and SNC, we would
view Stantec shares as the cheapest of the group while offering
similar growth potential relative to competitors."

Comparing STN with WSP, which I hold, I see one cheaper on 3 metrics (STN - PE &
EV/EBITDA - by a whisker- & forward EV/EBITDA) and the other
cheaper on 3 metrics (WSP - P/B, PSR & Forward PSR)

The dividend at STN is half that at WSP. The 3 year performance at WSP is 50%
better. Would you endorse a switch from WSP to STN or if light on
WSP just direct new sector $$$ to STN? I wonder, too, if this is a cyclical industry that
would suffer with a real estate correction or business slump, say, or are there
enough government contacts which definitely are not cyclical?
Read Answer Asked by Jeff on October 10, 2017
Q: Greetings 5i,

My question is fairly long-winded, so please deduct as many credits as you deem appropriate.

I currently hold a half position in both STN and WSP. Do both need to be held in this space? Do you favour one over the other for a long term hold (5 years plus)? Moreover, if you do favour one, would you recommend dropping the other completely, folding the capital from one into the other, or trimming each slightly to maintain diversification while redeploying some capital elsewhere?

I have a fairly long term horizon (I am 35 years old), and, in the industrial sector, also hold a full position in CNR.

Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Lucas on August 23, 2017
Q: I am considering selling my Stantec (STN) stock and replacing with WSP Global (WSP), and indeed wish I had done so earlier. I have reviewed your recent answers on this question (and variations). If I were making an initial investment, it seems clear that I would perhaps lean toward WSP, but given that I currently own STN, should I hold or sell it and buy WSP? This is for a long-term investment seeking growth. (Stantec is currently my only industrial stock and about 8% of my portfolio.) Thanks, and great job.
Read Answer Asked by Christopher on July 07, 2017
Q: Good day Peter and Team, I too am impressed with your ability to limit the number of stocks in your portfolios. As I'm overweight in the financial sector and in the Canadian banking sector we hold BNS, TD, and BMO. I'm thinking of selling BMO at a slight gain, to deploy some extra funds for the Industrial sector where we're underweight. Aside from TNC, would you recommend adding to any of these Industrial stocks: EIF, KBL, SIS, or STN? I'd rather not buy a new Industrial stock unless there are compelling reasons to do so. As always, your advice and recommendations are of great value.
Read Answer Asked by Jerry on July 07, 2017
Q: I am putting together a portfolio for my daughter who is somewhat risk averse. The portfolio will include a TFSA, RRSP and open account. A recurring question I know but does the drop in STN make it a more compelling long-term buy now than WSP or does WSP's momentum win out? Since the stock could go in any of the accounts, I am wondering if WSP's dividend in the open account is just enough to win the day? Income is not the prime pre-requisite here but it wouldn't hurt either.

Appreciate your insight.

Paul F.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on June 14, 2017
Q: Good morning 5I.

My question concerns when to sell a stock that is at a loss and move the money to a better holding.

I have ridden some stocks right into the ground. Guestlodgix (GXI) for example 100% loss. On the other hand I have sold losing stocks only to see them have a miraculous recovery. Lumenpulse Inc. (LMP) for example which may have been an exceptional case was bought out right after I sold out.

Fortunately I have very few stocks in a loss position, due to your great service, but wonder should I cut my losses and move on or should I hold on for an eventual recovery? Specifically:

Aritzia (ATZ) down 12% (which in fairness you to told me not to rush into)

Currency Exchange International (CXI) down 20%

Highliner (HLF) down 18%

Stantec (STN) down 5%.

What do you think? Stand pat or fold?
Read Answer Asked by David on May 15, 2017
Q: Good day,
I have some cash to deploy.
I am considering to buy SNC Lavalin (SNC) but I also like Stantec (STN)in the engineering field, which company would you recommand in this field?.

I am also considering taking a half position in ACQ. It seems less risky (although it is far from a blue chip..) following the recent drop, what do you think of the long term prospect of this company?

Finally, I have no gold stocks in my portfolio and feel I should add some, which names would you recommend at this point?

Thanks for the good work!
Read Answer Asked by Michel on May 15, 2017