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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: Pipeline companies normally employ take or pay contracts with its customers. However, pipeline stock prices tend to mirror the price of WTI. Is there a reason for this dichotomy?

Ken
Read Answer Asked by ken on March 23, 2020
Q: Hi team - I was hoping to get your general thoughts on leveraging during this time of turmoil. Some of the Cdn banks are throwing off significant yields, CIBC for example 8.09% at the time of writing. I can't find any info on when they last cut their dividends even during the 2008 crisis. I'm considering using my HELOC at 3.45% (interest payment s only) and buying one of the banks and collecting the difference between the yield and interest charges. As well, writing off the interest payments next year as carrying charges in a non registered account and thinking the stock will grow in value over the next year or so. Is this a sound strategy or should I shake my head, your thoughts? Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by William on March 23, 2020
Q: Thanks for all your hard work during this uncertain period.

I'm transferring conservative Mutual fund monies (to get out from under their fees) over to Questrade.

I want to keep that money conservative. I'm not drawing back, but just trying to keep my allocation.

I've read that similar bond ETFs are not the best way to go forward. Some recommend cash, even US cash but this seems too fearful.

Please recommend an ETF option for this situation.


Read Answer Asked by Kevin on March 23, 2020
Q: Hi Peter & 5i,
Thank you for all your professional advice with your years of experience and calmness during this market turmoil.
My question is about bonds.
I have a portion of my fixed income in CBO.
Currently a retail investor can pick up some fixed income bond/debenture from the above mentioned banks with longer term maturities (say 2028 to 2030, they are callable between 2024 and 2026) with a 4% interest rate at current valuations (which are below $100). Even if they did get called then you would get the capital gain and the better interest rate for 4 to 6 years.
Do you think it would make sense to sell a bit of CBO and buy a few of these bank instruments in the current environment?
Your opinion is much appreciated. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Dennis on March 23, 2020
Q: If I look at REITS for quick valuations, I cannot use the same metrics (debt is high, they can trade well below book - especially now!) as with other companies. Leaving aside sector (and sub-sector i.e. oil vs. healthcare property holdings) related risk, what would be the key financial metric or three that one should look at and what are good levels for these? Thank-you
Read Answer Asked by Alex on March 23, 2020
Q: XBB, HFR and FLOT have not held up well during this challenge. Can you suggest some liquid bond ETF's that will simply stay flat and pay a modest dividend?
Read Answer Asked by Gregory on March 23, 2020
Q: Realizing that all the above listed securities differ, they all got battered like everything else. Your opinion would be appreciated as to slowly buying into these positions and your preferred ordering.
Thank you, as always!
Read Answer Asked by Sigrid on March 23, 2020
Q: Considering buying US large caps ETF when things turn more positive.
To hedge or not to hedge with the Cdn$ having fallen so much largely but not only because of the Russia/Saudi war on the price of oil - which will get resoved. I understand under normal circumstances your preference for not hedging.
Thanks for your great service especially during these uncomfortable times.
Read Answer Asked by bill on March 23, 2020
Q: I'm looking for tax-loss harvesting guidance with some ETFs. Can you provide alternatives to hold for XEF, XEC, and VUN that would likely be accepted by the CRA as non-wash? Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Andrew on March 23, 2020
Q: 5i had answered a similar question back in November, however I would appreciate it if you could revisit the question in light of today's environment. Between the Premium Brands Holdings an Maple Leaf Foods, which do you see as having better potential for growth? Is debt an issue with either?

Your answer in November had been "PBH is now bigger than MFI, is cheaper on valuation, has better growth potential, and recent earnings/outlook were far better. It would be our choice today."

Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Cory on March 23, 2020
Q: Your suggestion to not have covered calls make sense, however can you suggest ETF's to replace the 3 I have?
Also you say this is a good time to buy dividend stocks, can you please suggest some good ones.
Read Answer Asked by Bonnie on March 23, 2020
Q: Hello Peter and Staff

Today all rental housing stocks I follow (CAR.UN, KMP.UN, IIP.UN and TCN got hammered

I would have thought they would stand up well - rental shortages and future refinancings likely at lower rates ?

Does that logic make sense?

Any reason other than someone starting a rumour about mandated rent holidays?

Thanks and have a great day
Dennis
Read Answer Asked by Dennis on March 23, 2020
Q: I am a buy and hold investor with 5 to 10 years of time horizon
I have roughly 7.5% of my portfolio in a 8 different preferred shares. They are in the order of their weights: PWF.PR.F, EFN.PR.I, ENB.PF.I, TRP.PR.K, ALA.PR.K, GWO.PR.M, FFH.PR.M, ENB.PR.A. All except one (FFH.PR.M) are either Perpetual or Minimum rate reset preferred. Minimum divided rate at reset or the current rate for perpetual on the face value is from 4.76% to 5.8%. In the last few weeks, their prices have dropped considerably. I am using preferred as part of my Fixed income. Because they are perpetual or Minimum rate reset, I expected them to be much more stable or even appreciate with the cut in the the interest rate. What is your advise under the current circumstance. My guess is that their dividend is at risk and that’s why they have dropped? As you can see they all have dividend paying common shares. What is your advice? Should I sell some of them and if so which ones?
Read Answer Asked by Naren on March 23, 2020
Q: Good afternoon,
With the US$ significantly spiking up of late due to extreme market volatility, would it make sense at this time to journal US stocks such as AQN, BAM.A, etc back to the TSX Cdn exchange? This may well be a short term trade if and when the US$ drops back to more reasonable levels. As usual your thoughts and comment would be most appreciated. Thank you.
Francesco
Read Answer Asked by Francesco on March 23, 2020
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