Investment Q&A

Q: I currently own both Canaccord and Fiera with a significant loss on CF and not much to show for FSZ during the past year. I originally invested in these because I was looking for something different from the traditional banks and wealth management and deal making in a growth environment seemed ideal. Do you still see value in these because Element is of interest and I am wondering if a switch out of one or both is in order.

My concerns with EFN are two fold. First, there has been much discussion about them buying a big part of GE's leasing business. I am assuming that this is reflected in the price. So, if that deal does not go through, would you expect a sharp price decline.

Second, they are quite exposed to interest rates changes. You have discussed this previously as it pertains to EFN and you noted that interest rate increases could negatively affect the stock. Do you make your recommendation to buy this based on your belief that rates are not going up or that they have the administrative where with all to weather that storm?

Thanks for your insight.

Paul F.

Q: I am looking at adding to my energy exposure and considering buying either TOG (hold 1.6 percent)or VET (hold 3.6 percent). Do you have a preference at current prices. Thanked.

Q: Hi, there has been a decent amount of insider buying reported after recent quarterly earnings release, in past few days. The next quarter is already 2 months in and besides the dividend increase, outlook provided by management was quite positive in the recent MD&A. Do you think, it could be a signal of strong performance by the company/stock price ahead of us? I also noticed in the quarterly report that company had almost 2/3rd of its revenue coming from US operations. What are your comments on this trend? CEO also made a note that they are looking for acquisitions in Canada and US. Thanks

Q: This stock has grown steadily for me and is my only exposure to life sciences. I like it, it seems well managed with a huge history of successful acquisitions and the probable Pall merger looks quite good, though large to digest, expensive and increasing debt quite a lot. But DHR has suddenly turned complex. Should I exchange some DHR for NetScout? Should I continue to hold both the life science and industrial companies post split? Or should I take my profit and look to get back into some part of ex-DHR/Pall later, when there's better visibility on how all this played out?

Q: Good morning...I am thinking of investing in mutual funds offshore in $US (ie no tax issues to be concerned with)...I have not invested in individual Global stocks(including US)rather focused on Canada. I am now deciding to invest a portion into some form of Global fund or country specifc (Japan)...Do you have any fund you could recommend and any countries you would recommed in addtion to Global...3 to 4 year time frame...growth in mind...also two or three global stocks you would own if you could with no tax issues to be concerend with..

Thanks

Matt

Q: Hello Peter:
I am starting to look after my Mum's investments. Her guy at Odlum Brown has some of her money in this mutual fund, Frank Bissett Canadian Equity. The MER on it is 2.62%, add that to the 2% OB is charging her to manage her account and to me that's beyond ridiculous. It's heavily weighted to financials(40%) and energy(25%). Can you give me an the name of a Canadian ETF that would be equivalent or perhaps better? Thanks for all your great advice.

Q: Balanced portfolio and revenu from pension: What would be the best approach if one would want a balanced portfolio considering the revenu from a fixed pension revenu. As an example, if one would need a yearly revenu of 75K$ and receives a 50k$ from pension, you would have 66% in fixed income from pension, would the 33% remaining in a portfolio be invested in all stocks growth or value. How much would the portfolio be balanced with growth and value stocks considering the revenu from the pension. In essence, is the revenu from pension considered like bonds because it is fixed income. Thanks
John

Q: I bought FN for income and modest growth. I read they have the highest PE ratio of 17.91, comparable to other special industry financials. With the recent results, (losing market share)what is their chance of revenue growth this year. Thank you for providing such a valuable forum. Greatly appreciated.

Q: Thanks to your advice I am now convinced of the power of diversification with respect to investing. I am 54 years old and have no defined pension plan. I would like to diversify my investing via your portfolios. All money is in non registered accounts and TFSA.
With these facts in mind what percentage of my investment portfolio should be in your income, model, growth portfolios and a accompaning canadian blue chip portfolio. From your previous answers I have found that you recommend that your portfolios be backed up with canadian blue chip stocks.
I have been gradually cashing out my RRSP's and putting the money into my nonregistered accounts and TFSA with the goal to have them cashed out by age 65.
I look forward to hearing your percentages as this will be most helpful going forward.

Q: SAFT has a nice yield coupled with a 5 year dividend growth streak. Could you please give me your thoughts on the company going forward.

Q: What are your thoughts on Pilgrim's Pride? The valuation is decent, the divvy is tempting, but I am having some difficulty wrapping my head around the cyclicality issues as well as the risk factors especially avian flu. Your thoughts are appreciated.

Q: My broker mentioned this to me today as another client asked him to purchase some. Looks to me like a closed end fund trading on the TSX. Thinly traded. Returns look interesting but I'm trying to get away from mutual fund fees by owning stocks directly. Do you have any comments on the name?

Q: My granddaughter has no financials in her TFSA. She holds Boston Pizza and Brookfield Renewable in eqal valuations. I am considering adding SLF or TD. Which would you recommend or do you have a preferred alternative stock that pays a dividend?
With appreciation.
Ed

Q: Hi Peter and Co.

Your thoughts on Photon's 1st Quarter numbers? And have you given any thought to covering Photon?

Thanks,

Michael

Q: Hi, Could you give me your opinion of this small company and your thoughts on their latest 1/4, looks like they shot the lights out!

Q: If someone has only $35,000 in their TFSA and no other investments, what stocks would you recommend?

Thanks
Dolores

Q: Hi Peter in my RRSP acc. I have 80 shares of CPG which are down form my purchase price and 400 shares of LEG which are also down from my purchase price is it worth buying more of either one and if so which one. CPG is about 5% and LEG is about 2% of the overall portfolio. Thanks, Nick

Q: Peter's last visit on bnn picked element and said the p/e ratio was about 17 times. Is this valuation based on a forward multiple? From a quick look at google finance I see trailing 12 months earnings(diluted) added up to $0.56/share. Would this be roughly 34 times trailing earnings?
Thanks

Q: How does your team evaluate the Big Banks Private portfolio wealth management? Is this a valid method of investing for an older investor who wants little future input? Do you know how these various management teams are rated?

Thanks for your insight.

Q: Could I have your opinion on CPG purchase of Legacy Oil & Gas?
Does this purchase raise your opinion on the company given the unrest in Alberta's political situation.
I currently hold WCP, PMB & BTE representing 5% of overall portfolio.
I entered into the above companies in December so I am up in all of them. I would like to add another 2 %. Should I add to WCP or add CPG into the mix. Thanks for the great service.