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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: I am interested in some balancing to my overwhelming Canadian holdings.
1. Can you suggest some low MER ETFs to provide US and World (excluding North America)?
2. What do you think of 'fundamental' ETFs compared to those based on 'market cap'? Any suggested names for further research?
The complexity of the expanding ETF field seems self defeating to their intended purpose. Thank you for your guidance.
Read Answer Asked by Richard on January 15, 2016
Q: I have built up about 60% cash. I held onto RY TD and BNS. With blood in the streets I am considering deploying some cash (gradually). What sectors should I look at and in what order. Any individual stocks that look compelling at this time. Thank you in advance
Read Answer Asked by Roger on January 15, 2016
Q: Hello.
Been watching and looking for an entry point for GUD. In a recent answer you indicated this would be a good time to buy. I don't understand how an investor would choose this as an entry point. The stock price seems to be diving through support values.......would you please comment on what makes this a good time to enter and take up a new position?
Thanks
Dave
Read Answer Asked by David on January 15, 2016
Q: It looks like a lot of people are taking that RBS advise to "sell everything " to heart today. Wouldn't selling now just lock in loses? Do you advise the best course is do nothing and just ride it out for those who don't need the cash?
Read Answer Asked by David on January 15, 2016
Q: Hi 5i

Does this company have a future or is it just a small fish in a big pond waiting to be eaten up by the sharks fanduel or draftkings?

thanks Paul
Read Answer Asked by Paul on January 15, 2016
Q: I have a fairly diversified portfolio with stocks and etfs in different sectors. But I am seeing a majority of my holdings are down. Practically, anything which was bought within the last couple of years is down especially anything in the last couple of months (which was when I invested a majority of holdings) is down. I have a fairly long time frame but what should I do at times like these? What should I learn from this? Even those stocks which seemed like a good buy at that time seem overvalued..On top of this the drop in Canadian $ was a big hit.
Read Answer Asked by Shyam on January 15, 2016
Q: hi folks:

I own important, yet relatively small amounts of these energy related service co's

canyon (frc); Gibson (gei); McCoy (mcb); strad (sdy)

is there any obvious reason to sell any of them?

fairly sure they are all well run and simply affected by the obvious oil decline

what are your concerns on each one, and what order would you
buy more?

thanks in advance

Read Answer Asked by Robert on January 15, 2016
Q: Can you please comment on the S&P500 valuation at the moment and going forward in this environment ? We keep hearing about the strong dollar which affects earning but it appears the index remains very high at close to 2000 (vs the last 5-10 yrs). Also, do you think the tsx will be closely correlated with the US index in the next 2-3 years. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Pierre on January 15, 2016
Q: Hello 5i!
I have the following O&G related stocks: BAD(-20%), BNK (-87%), CVX.us(-12%), ENB(-15%), EPD.us(+12%), HWO(-9%), MCR(-43%), PEY (-30%), PRW(-68%), RRX(-26%), SGY(-74%), TOG(+4%), TOU(-58%), VET(-51%) & WCP(-40%).

I am thinking cutting down the number of positions to about 6, or whatever makes sense to have a good balance with a growth profile. I understand some of the above offer services, and BAD is not 100% tied to the energy sector, you may put these aside for the exercise if required.

Biggest losers by $ are BNK, SGY, TOU & VET and I can claim tax loss for each of them.

Based on your knowledge, which one should I keep in the list?
Also, what are your thoughts on selling everything I can claim tax loss and wait a month before getting back into the market based on the current market outlook?
I recently started to average down and it seems I could be doing that for a few months! I am setting up things for the long term and can handle risk.
Thank you so much for your usual great services!
Read Answer Asked by Etienne on January 15, 2016
Q: Which would you prefer in the refining space, Holly Frontier (HFC.US) or Valero (VLO.US) and why?
Read Answer Asked by Andrew on January 15, 2016
Q: I hold XIT in both my RRSP and Cash accounts as my tech exposure, which is roughly 10%. 77% of the ETF is made up of 5 stocks = CGI-24%, CSU-21%, OTC-15%, BB-11% and DH-6%. It has performed reasonably well, even beating out it's USA cousin XLK (7.8% vs 1.3% total return over the last year).

I am reasonably positive on CGI, OTC and DH, neutral on BB and thought quite highly of CSU until recently. It appears to be rolling over. I suspect it might be some profit taking due to these ugly markets.

Is XIT still a reasonable holding for tech exposure? It really comes down to CGI and CSU, in my opinion...thanks for your guidance.
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on January 15, 2016
Q: Is this a good environment to invest in Gold Stocks. What is your view? How would you rank these gold/silver stocks in terms of growth:
G,AEM,THO,SEA,OSK,DGC

Also which ones have a higher probability of a takeover. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Imtiaz on January 15, 2016
Q: I am thinking of buying more gold stocks .What is your feeling
About Pershing gold us .
thanks.
Read Answer Asked by philip on January 15, 2016
Q: SWC is at a multi-year low. Given net cash, lower costs and the relative strength of the auto industry, at what point does it become 'interesting'?
Read Answer Asked by John on January 15, 2016
Q: DDD and SSYS have taken a beating. Do you think these are worth investing in hoping for a rebound. Or is there better value in another company in the 3D printing sector?
Read Answer Asked by Grant on January 15, 2016
Q: Any information on why Agt is reaching new highs. Would you buy it now and if so what would be your exit strategy.
Read Answer Asked by dan on January 15, 2016
Q: Short term placement for $150,000 US in todays very volatile market 3 - 6 months. Growth only!
As always, thank you for your expertize.
Read Answer Asked by Robert on January 15, 2016
Q: BDI reduced their dividend from 8 cents to 5 cents a few months ago. Do you believe the 5 cents dividend is safe. I don't mind holding the stock for the long term if its dividend is safe.
Read Answer Asked by George on January 15, 2016