Investment Q&A

Q: Are you still endorsing a switch from SLF to IFC in the balanced portfolio?

Q: What would be your top 10 “sleep at night” stocks for US and Canada?
Thanks

Q: Hi,
I have been currently holding these for awhile and have done well on them, other than maybe WELL, which has been lagging a bit lately. Here are my allocations: WELL (1.7%), SLF (2%), GSY (3.5%) and NVDA (3.8%).

Recently in the last few months, I trimmed some NVDA and bought some VRT (1%) and SMCI (1%). For a growth investor, how would you rank these 3 stocks going forward? Would you continue to trim and buy these smaller cap higher growth names. With the run that they've had, I've been a little more cautious of a slowdown.

Also with these other names I'm holding, I'm contemplating trimming or completely switching to higher growth and better quality names with better runway for growth. What are your thoughts? Trim, add or switch? For example, does it make sense to trim a 3.0% position into two names that are only 1.5%? I'm against diworsification. Thank you!

1. WELL to VHI
2. SLF to IFC
3. GSY to PRL

Q: Have some cash available to add to one or 2 of the following: CLS, DOL, DOO, GIB.A, IFC, QSR, STN, TIH. For a purchase at the current price, please rank from 1 through 8, for total return over the next 3 - 5 years. I believe you are pretty positive about each of these companies. No concerns about sector allocation.

Q: Am considering taking a position in one of these companies that I believe are in similar type businesses. How would you rank them and why? And would you be a buyer now or prefer to wait based on recent earnings and current stock momentum?

Q: Thank you for your answer to my earlier question. I just want to clarify. I had asked for current dividend growth ideas for a long term hold. In your answer you mentioned “high dividend”…same suggestions or a little different? Thanks again!

Q: In an earlier response to Olympia Financial Group regarding a 1% interest rate increase/decrease having a 33% increase/decrease on the companies annual earnings you said:
"this sensitivity to interest rates is common for financial companies that earn interest on a large investment holding (such as brokers, insurance) "
Please name 5 Canadian companies more sensitive to interest rates (on earnings) then Olympia Financial Group? I want to track a basket of these stocks.

If you expected rates to be revert to 3-4% for the next 10 years is Olympia still a good investment at these levels today?

Q: How the above insurance companies rank in comparison to one another for total return?

Q: What are some of the negative outlooks of GWO? Is it worth investing in as of today and if so is it primarily for the dividend or growth? And how come lots of analysts are reiterating a hold? What insurance company would you recommend over GWO?

Q: Which one would you prefer? Are they tied? Thanx.

Q: Hi, Intact Financial shares dropped today over $3, on no news, while most of the P&C Co's shares in US were holding on well or even higher. IFC is a favorite ( Bal Portfolio) at 5i and the valuation does not seem expensive compared to its US peers. Would you be comfortable adding at current level of $226 ? Thank You

Q: I am considering adding one of the following to my TFSA. Which do you believe has the best long term prospects?

Q: Hi Peter Looking for more growth in a LIF account. Which of EQB, BN or IFC would you choose to replace BNS? Please rank in order . Thanks

Q: Hi, What's your opinion for subscribing to the secondary issue at $227.10 ? I know, IFC is a company liked by 5i ( Bal Portfolio ). Is it a reasonable price to start a position ?
Thanks

"CDPQ announced today that it will sell 2,312,000 common shares ("Common Shares") of Intact Financial Corporation (TSX: IFC) representing approximately 1.3% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of IFC as of February 26, 2024 (the “Offering”).

The Common Shares are being sold on an underwritten block trade basis at a gross price of $227.10 per share "

Q: Hello Peter,

The insurance sector has been outperforming this year and I am wondering if it is still time to add to sector weight.
Your preferred choice here is Intact Financial and if I do not increase my sector weight, I will have to replace with selling either SLF or TSU.
What is your opinion?
Regards
Rajiv

Q: Hello,

I own IAG and it recently missed earnings expectations by 5% and, as a consequence, the market reaction was brutally punitive. How can you compare IAG's overall financial strength to larger Canadian Insurers, say IFC and MFC, and are there overall reasons to worry apart from the market's bad quarter reaction ?

Q: Hello,
I own some FFH and have been concerned by the Muddy Waters report (it's description in the press as it was too specific and complex for me to read and assess) and am wondering if you think it will affect the performance of FFH in the long run and if it is intrinsic to the manner FFH usually does business, compared to, say to another insurance co such as IFC which is more transparent in it's reporting?

Q: What are your top buys (3) right now if you were investing in a mix of growth, quality, and somewhat reasonable valuation? With your answer/explanation can you include fwd p/e or whatever relevant metrics vs peers?

Also, what's a quality stock or two you'd like to buy but would want to see come down a bit/something you'd be looking to pick up in a broad market selloff?

Q: Please rank the above for a long term hold in a TSFA. Some comment on pluses and minuses for each would be welcome. Add any others that you feel are worth considering.
Thanks
Len

Q: If you had $31,000 in a new US rrsp, what 5 holdings would you buy? What would be a decent price for the holdings?