Investment Q&A

Q: Hello,

I'm currently reviewing some 5i reports to inform new purchases.

In your recent report on MDA you mention Russia as one of three significant customers for MDA. In light of the current meltdown of the Russian economy, how may this effect MDA? Not to mention expected belt tightening of the Cdn federal budget.

Thx.

Cam.

Q: Comment to David's question this morning:
Assuming that the 5-yr BoC rate (used to determine the reset rate of the preferred shares) at the reset date of March 2016 remains at today's (historically-very-low) value of 0.82%, a discounted cash flow analysis indicates, that at the current bid price of $14.10,the long-term yield of FN.PR.A is 5.3%. This is OK but perhaps a bit on the low side for a sub-investment grade preferred ("Pfd-3").

On the other hand, if you believe that the 5yr-GoC will rise to 1.10% (still low by historical standards) by March 2016, the yield-to-perpetuity increases to 5.8%.

Q: Yahoo has about $37B in Alibaba. An Activist Investor who owns about 7.7M Yahoo shares is pushing Yahoo CEO/Marissa to release some of that value to her shareholders and she has committed to outline her Alibaba plans by Wednesday. I'm thinking of Buying some of the stock. what do you think.
Thanks Austin

Q: Hello 5i.
We would like to increase our Healthcare sector alloc.
We purchased JNJ Aug2014 @ $100. We are currently up ~ 2%. It represents only 1% of Pfolio. Have read your reply to Satesh today re etfs XLV and PSCH, and we are considering selling our JNJ, and purchasing 2-3% position in XLV (it holds 10% in JNJ), and 1-1.5% position in PSCH.
What are your thoughts on this idea. Thanks

Q: last up date was April 2014. could you give an update . lots has happened in the year. thinking of adding to my position, so you agree?

Q: KMB & P&G are about to bump heads. 2015 R&D /Marketing US $5B.P&G 3.5B.How do you see the outcome,short & long ?

Q: SYZ has been taking quite the beating lately. Any reason why? Has anything fundamentally changed with the company? I currently hold it (bought at $9.75), but am debating selling it and buying DSG instead. What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks,

Jordan

Q: I understand that Prem Watsa is starting an India Fund but I can't find it listed on my online broker. Is it listed yet and do you know how I can buy it?

Q: Any reason to hold this underperformer?

Q: My wife will be retiring later this year and will depend on her investments to generate her retirement income. While she owns many of the securities in your income portfolio she would like to add a couple of balanced funds to further diversify her investment portfolio. I reviewed all your previous responses to fund related questions and concluded that Mawer would likely be your top pick as a balanced fund manager. Based on your experience in the industry are there one or two other managers that you would recommend for our consideration. Thanks.

Q: I invest mostly in ETF's of foreign equities, but sold in Canada. Example XID. These are held in RRIF and TFSA accounts. If these are held for longer terms, is there any reason I should not purchase U.S. based ETF's instead? In an earlier question you recommended INDA and EPI rather than XID. What are the implications of holding US equities rather than ones based in Canada?

Q: Although outside your scope, any comment you can make on this company would be appreciated.
Thanks.

Q: Hello Peter et al.

I am wondering if you think Ithaca Energy is now hit its low because it seems to be in a trading range of $1.00 to $1.25. It has twice tested $1.27 but has not exceeded it yet. I still believe that oil has not hit its low for the year yet and I am hoping that Ithaca hits a lower price due to this drop so I can pickup some more. However it also has some developments (Stella) that could really increase the price.

Also I was wondering what you think of the Rockefellers getting out of oil all together (selling their $50 billion) back in Sept. Did they know something the rest of us didn't know. Did they know the Saudis would be pumping oil no matter what the market does? How does the little guy get ahead in this environment?

Thanks

Brendan

Q: this company was recently picked by one of the marketcall investor gurus... it was also recently named one of the best
banks in the U.S. I have been looking at Bank of America for the last few months but have been reluctant due to their never ending legal difficulties... what are your thoughts on both the
company itself and the area is doing business??
I was raised in b.c. and am reasonably familiar with the northwest u.s. area which seems to continue to be an extremely
vibrant economical area... appreciate your thoughts!!
ed in pointe Claire, quebec
p.s. - other than within the Canadian Index etf's the only other financial I own is CEW (the equal weight banks and insurance companies)

Q: What do you think of itp's recent announcement.

Q: Hi There
You seem comfortable with the common stock, based on a couple of recent questions. I'm wondering, before I buy some, why the pref has been on such a steady long term decline . Am I missing something with the generous pref yield?

Thanks
David

Q: Where can I find the "Shorts" outstanding for any listed security? Thank you.

Q: I have been told that a major bank in Canada is advising its clients to significantly increase cash positions in their investment accounts. The bank's view was that there will be a significant market correction in Canada. What is your opinion about the Canadian market and their advice? Thanks!

Q: Dear Gentlmen,
On TFSA #3 has AYA (+13%) DHX (+29%) SJ+SJ (+34%)
I want to sell SJ and buy AYA or DHX to lower the number of holding,
Your advice for long term
Thank You
Best Regard

Q: MIC and HCG are both half positions in equity income with growth RRSP with 20+ diversified portfolio. With change in "climate" in Alberta, I am thinking of selling MIC and buying HCG. Makes sense? Your take please.....thanks.....Tom