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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: Can you please advise which ETF you prefer and why: VTI or DIA?

And secondly, why is MSI rated as a hold? I'm up 40% over the last year...and it comes with a respectable dividend of 2.54%. What am I missing here?

Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Maureen on July 31, 2019
Q: Which of these companies do you think has the highest dividend safety? Regarding VET, I am reminded that yield is a function of price and not directly related to performance - a company does not reduce its dividend just because the yield jumps - more likely a buyback if the fundamentals are reasonable.
Read Answer Asked by David on July 30, 2019
Q: With respect to Larry's earlier question about ZST, I was surprised that you did not mention HFR as a better alternative. Althought ZST has a lower MER than HFR (0.17% vs. 0.4%) and a better distribution (2.9% vs 2.4%), its value has declined consistently (-15%) in the past eight years unlike that of HFR (0%). I see no reason to recommend ZST in preference to HFR so why would you?
Read Answer Asked by richard on July 30, 2019
Q: Do you agree with Gordon Pape’s opinion of NFI?
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/markets/inside-the-market/article-despite-an-attractive-yield-investors-should-steer-clear-of-this/
We sold some shares last year at a substantial profit but kept some which is currently around a 3% weighting and we are still up over 100%. I wonder if we should be selling the rest? The company is still profitable but the future profitability seems to be opaque. Mr. Pape comments on the drop in new orders (firm and options). Just wondering if he is spinning the numbers? Has there been a big decline in firm orders excluding options and any idea historically how solid an option to purchase a bus become an actual purchase? When a buyer places an option to purchase a bus does this cost the purchaser any money? If there is no cost to purchase an option to buy a bus then it would seem to be a pretty weak number since the buyer doesn’t have “skin in the game” so to speak.
Any thoughts you have would be appreciated.
Jim
Read Answer Asked by James on July 30, 2019
Q: I hold this in my TFSA account book value $15.00 ,stock today below $10.00.Thinking of averaging down, your thoughts on Husky and buying more as there is no capital loss available in the TFSA? Also I hold HSE.PR.B series 2 in a open account and down 30% have held this for 5 years. Your recommendation on both holdings , buy hold sell or just cry? Thanks MJ
Read Answer Asked by M J on July 30, 2019
Q: I would like your thoughts on my perspective regarding the "a dividend cut may be seen as a positive" angle, with regards to Vermillion.

The way I look at it, against the backdrop of all the other previous oil and gas trusts that have cut their dividend, has there been a company, among this peer group, that has had their share price bounce back after they cut their dividend, and subsequently sustain decent share price performance?

Thanks for your perspective and allowing me to bounce my thoughts off you.

John
Read Answer Asked by john on July 30, 2019
Q: Hello!
PFB popped up on my value screen recently. While interesting, it's not compelling. My concerns are the continuing low volume -- you pointed this out in your last comment from Dec. 2017 -- and the construction outlook, which to my mind is a risk.

I'd appreciate hearing your perspective.

Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Marc on July 30, 2019
Q: I have 5 positions in my TFSA and am looking to add 2 more to better balance my portfolio with a long term time horizon (20+ years). I currently have ENB, CSU, SLF, TRI, and ATD.B. Could you give me 3 or 4 companies that would be appropriate to add at this time?
Read Answer Asked by Lauren on July 30, 2019
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