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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: Hello, I'm curious about the ex dividend date provided by my investment company. Is that the date - if you own stock on that date - that you earn the dividend dollars? Could i for instance a company with a dividend day of Feb 20, buy 100,000.00 of it on Feb 18, get the dividend and then sell on Feb 22? Not really a strategy I have in mind but I'd love clarification on how it works. I have some stocks I want to sell, some for tax loss purposes and some because they've gotten so high and am looking at this ex dividend date as something to consider.
Many thanks.
Dave
Read Answer Asked by David on February 20, 2018
Q: Oaken has some very attractive GIC rates. I could possibly put in well over $100K.

With that in mind can Oaken be considered to be as safe as a RY or TD to meet both annual obligations and full repayment at the end of the term, be it 1, 3 or 5 years?

Thanks.

Read Answer Asked by Donald on February 20, 2018
Q: I've logged in twice now, after restarting my computer, and there are no new questions since yesterdays question from the 85 year old, is something wrong at your end?
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Greg on February 20, 2018
Q: I'm considering the risk/rewards of these two stocks you've suggested buying. Teck strikes me as much higher risk, but analysts don't forecast much more than a 10% upside during 2018. With A&Ws nearly 5% dividend, isn't it likely to return as much or more for far less risk?
Read Answer Asked by John on February 19, 2018
Q: I'm getting the feeling some income stocks have been punished too heavily as the fear of interest rates increasing has chased investors away from companies that are well run and offer exceptional prospects for the future. I would like to buy some of these companies now that they have pulled back. Do you fell my thesis is correct, and, if so, please give me the names of your top 5 companies that you would suggest as strong value plays. Also, please accept my sincere thanks for your invaluable guidance.
Read Answer Asked by Les on February 19, 2018
Q: Good morning 5i,

Disclosure first: Sorry for another ENB, and also, I've owned ENB for 20 years now, and it's done me very well! However, I have been really thinking about the last several years, more importantly the coming years.

I read the Q&A daily, great service, and have a question about the ratios (P/E, P/CF, P/B, etc) you provide in answers to other ENB questions. Am I correct in assuming they are from Bloomberg ... What numbers / earnings would these be based on ... Adjusted? GAAP? DCF?

Also, from ENB's press release:
•Earnings of $207 million or $0.13 per common share for the fourth quarter and earnings of $2,529 million or $1.66 per common share for the full year, both including the impact of a number of unusual, non-recurring or non-operating factors.

The "number of unusual, non-recurring or non-operating factors."
I'm pretty sure I remember these exact same words in an Enron press release.

From Globe Investor:
Enbridge said it took a $4.55-billion charge in the latest quarter to write down assets in the gas transmission and midstream business.

I can't find 'What' assets, worth $4.55B that they wrote down with no apparent explanation. Hopefully, I'm not looking hard enough.
Did 5i see anything that further explains this?
(for comparison, the Line 3 replacement is $5.3B, so $4.55B must be substantial)

As mentioned, I read this forum daily, and do know that while you endorse the company, you also state it is not without some risk.
(both TRP(~20 yrs ago) and KMI have cut their dividends before)

Appreciate your answer to the ratios question, and comments on the write downs.
Thank you, I do enjoy the service, and have a great weekend.

Rod

(deduct accordingly)
Read Answer Asked by Rod on February 19, 2018
Q: Hello,

In regards to Jules’ comment I would agree with the open next day pricing, that way the stated returns are the same as investors. The reason I say this is because I view 5i as industry leaders in no conflict advising and transparency. I am always leary of stock picking firms who sell a stock, record the gains or losses at an advantage to regular investors. It inflates gains and makes losses appear less than they are.

I would say that taking the opening price into account would add to your credibility as different from the entire industry.

Having said this, returns are what get you more clients so I understand the need to perform.

I am okay with it either way, because you are so transparent, but I think it would add to your overall high credibility! Thanks for the amazing service you provide!
Read Answer Asked by Gerald on February 18, 2018
Q: I would strongly agree with Jules comments quoted below;
"5iResearch announces portfolio changes after markets close and uses the previous day closing prices in costing out portfolio changes. But members don’t have this luxury of selling or buying a stock at the closing price of the day before. They line up in queue and do their transaction at the start of the following market day. My suggestion is for 5i to be transparent and price all trades at the opening prices of the following day. That way there is a sense of alignment with what the stated portfolio returns are and what members can expect to get. "
Please accept this simple recommendation so your published rates of return are representative of what can be expected by the average investor. Otherwise add a statement to the effect your rates of return are calculated based on trades conducted after market close and as such do not reflect the rates of return achievable by the individual investor.

I've followed 5i almost from inception and am deeply indebted to them for holding many stocks that I wouldn't have otherwise purchased and many have returned well over 100% such as: CSU, CCL.B, SIS, KXS, AYA (now changed), ENGH. So I thank 5i for their service and only ask when they make changes to the portfolio they state changes are in effect at market open the following morning. Never mind what mutual funds and other do. Stick with the 5 i's.

Steve
Read Answer Asked by Steve on February 18, 2018
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