Investment Q&A

Q: Good Evening
Today's decline in the TSX and Dow was due primarily due to the increase in interest rates.
Can you please comment as to why several rate reset preferred shares like slf.pr.i and bam.pr.z declined as well? CPD also declined by .7%. It is widely believed that the increase in interest rates will favour the rate reset preferred shares.
Thank you

Q: I am trying to trim my portfolio from 38 equity holdings down to about 30. Largest # of holdings is in the Tech Sector which is 19% of my total portfolio. They are:
SYZ, OTEX, ENGH, DSG (held in my 'balanced' RRSP)
ABT, ET (held in my RIF for income)
ITC,PHO,SHOP (held in my TFSA for growth)

All are between 2% and 4% of my total portfolio with the exception of ET at 1.7% and ITC @ 0.7%

I would also like to purchase KXS !! I am turning myself into knots trying to decide what I should drop in order to buy it (if you think it would be beneficial ?) . Plus what other stocks could I sell/increase/purchase in order to trim the # of holdings and still have a robust tech portfolio.
Any suggestions would be appreciated... Thank goodness you are there as an experienced and wise sounding board !!

Q: I currently own GPS at only a 1.65% weight and in a loss position and wonder if I should buy more to bring it up to 2.0%-2.5%. My weight in the technology is good.
Thanks

Q: I have a half position in ZWE...good time to add to it? My understanding is increased volatility is good for the covered call option. Is there any chance of the dividend being reduced? I am retired.

Thanks...Steve

Q: Last week , with the prospect of a correction and growing speculation (esp. in pot and crypto), I sold many equities to lock in profits (retaining a few gold names) and bought some HVU (double volatility index) as a bit of insurance. It paid off handsomely, with a 68% spike yesterday alone. Looking at the long term chart of HVU, volume is unprecedented and it looks like the period of reverse volatility ran long and deep. I know none of us can predict the future, but does it make sense to hang on to HVU as insurance for awhile in the face of what could be a stormy period in the global markets (even without a geo-political catalyst!).

Q: Hi Peter.
What are your thoughts on Nemaska at present & have you heard when or if they will get financing in the near future ? Thank you.

Q: Hey guys great job. Could you rank these companies from best to least best for a long term hold in either an RRPS or TSFA 10 years + hold. If you had to pick one which would it be. Thanks and keep up the great work. KXS,CSU,OTEX,GIB.A (CGI Group 'A'),ABT (Absolute Software),CRM (Salesforce Com)

Q: I’m wondering why Qualcomm continues to fall even though the Broadcom offer has been raised. Is it because Investors don’t think the takeover will happen? Usually this kind of news would bring a stock up to the takeover price at least, no?

Q: For 2018 TFSA contribution money, which of these three companies would you buy this week or would you pass on all them right now?

Q: Though I don't think interest rates can increase very much, can you share which 3 or 4 utilities in Canada have the least amount (and most amount) of debt?
Thanks

Q: Hi All, is the dividend safe here with all the debt the company has?

Q: Hi,
I see in some questions you recommend a 90/10 split between equities/fixed income for long term investors. I’m 32 with good income and a full tfsa etc. Right now my accounts are 85% equities/etfs and 15% cash, just watching for good pullbacks to deploy. Do you think it’s better with the pullback the last few days to use the cash to add to long term safe stocks I currently hold (bns, bep, vfv, vgg, vee) or should it go to some fixed income? Could you make specific recommendations either way please?
Thanks

Q: As a loyal Albertan and patron of their retail outlets, I have held a position in LIQ for six years. I now read (FP) that ACB is initially purchasing 20% of LIQ (103.5MM) through private investment and may purchase an additional 20% of the company later. Apparently LIQ plans to convert some of its existing LIQ outlets and open new locations -- all of which will launch as a new brand of cannabis retail stores. Your comments appreciated. Thanks.

Q: Why does KL drop in price when gold goes up ? Is there a better gold stock or should I keep KL ?

Q: I have a bit of money to invest, these markets I enjoy seeing at times.
Where do you see the most value and the greatest growth going forward from today. I like dividends, but, Photon has no dividends, I can see great potential here even with out the dividend for Photon.
Where would you place your money if you looking to pick a winner in total return. Long time investor.
Inter Pipeline, Savaria or Photon.
Thanks

Q: If someone is sitting with cash to invest and does not have very much in the market currently which 5 to 15 (or more) companies would you suggest? Please consider the recent sell off. Also consider picks from your various portfolios with emphasis on your balanced portfolio or even other stocks that are not in your portfolios.

Q: Good day gentlemen,
Does this company still have a viable business model? So much has been made about this potential take over but I believe the market has discounted this possibility for quite some time. What I’m more concerned about is what’s wrong with the fundamental business? They have been around for some time. Can they no longer produce returns? I know you mentioned that perhaps you would consider selling due to lack of takeover news. Would you consider holding for yield and a solid business, with potential upside?
Thx

Q: Good day gentlemen,
Given the recent market sell off some dividend stocks seem to be sporting juicy yields. Can you compile a list of your top 10 high dividend payers.
Thx

Q: I would like to get your thoughts on an equal weight approach vs a market weight approach with the S&P 500. This would be for long term performance holds of 10, 20 years.

Q: If Motorola is planning on buying the company for $27.00 why can I get no bidders to buy my stock at $27? It trades for less than that. Or is it just that whoever buys it is trying to make a few bucks, i.e. trading at $26.90 to $26.94. Or that there is a chance the deal does not go through.Thanks.