Investment Q&A

Q: Would you mind commenting on ALC's latest numbers. Revenue appears to be up but not earnings. Was the hit on earnings a one time issue? Is debt repayment on target?

Sorry to trouble you on Christmas day - I can wait for the answer.

Q: My question is why are you answering questions on Christmas day? This has nothing to do with religion. Everybody needs a break and down time. Anybody submitting them Christmas day should not expect an answer until the next business day at the very earliest.

Paul Condon

Q: Hi 5i,
if you have to choose 5 companies from your equity portfolio and 5 other from the income portfolio,which one you'll select and why?

regards and happy holidays

Q: I keep wondering why so many pundits, including you, seem to prefer BNS and TD to the other banks. I have positions in all the major banks and, on checking my holdings, see that BNS has not moved in a year while BMO is up over $11 a share since last January. Your thoughts?

Q: I am considering increasing my 1% ownership of Inogen inc---a small company that develops, manufactures and markets oxygen devices for people with chronic breathing problems. Can you comment on this industry/company/management.

thanks---joe

Q: I am a retired dividend investor with 30% exposure to clobbered oil/gas stocks. When the price of oil finds a bottom and begins to rise again, should I increase my exposure at much cheaper prices to pursue potential capital gains?

Q: Good morning
D.Un has dropped a significant amount since 3Q report. The only internal event in this period was the Disposition of some LPB units to Dream Industrial REIT.

Can you explain what this transaction means eg have they made an investment in DIR.UN? Is the transaction material? Is the dividend safe at 9%+?

Thanks for your insight & merry Christmas

Ernie

Q: Hi! I would like to make sure my equity (this portfolio is 100% equities) portfolio is properly diversified by allocation and sector diversification. I can get confused under which sector particular companies belong. Is there a tool (preferably free) that you can recommend that will analyze my portfolio and make recommendations. Or do how do I go about this? Hope I am not repeating an often asked question.

Q: Good Morning 5i team

I have owned MFC for some time now and to be honest it has felt somewhat like dead money with my realizing a modest 8% return including dividends. Without the dividend return on equity is around 3% or approx 1/4% higher than my savings account.

I read your answer for George on Dec 13 and read your blog comparing Sunlife & MFC. Quite telling.

I am thinking about selling out of my MFC position and buying into Sunlife. It seems like an obvious move and am wondering if you would agree?

Thanks for all you do and Happy Holidays

Gord

Q: I don't know if I agree with what sector the TMX site says all companies are in. What sector would 5i put the following stocks be in:
AYA, DH, DCI, SPB, pipelines.
Also, once an investor joins the wait list for a review, is there a rough estimate of timing?

Q: Hi Peter
Our annual stock picking contest starts on Jan2nd ---WE each pick 2 stocks--throw in $100 each and the best growth wins
Can you tell me the 2 that you would pick? I am not adverse to trying to hit a home run with a penny stock if you so chose
Thanks

Q: Bearing in mind your earlier view that a small position in DCI is acceptable for income, my 1,700 shares have climbed 20% since early November, a very good return.
Should I sell and realize the gain or hang in there for the 8% dividend and potentially even higher gains?

Q: Hi Peter & 5i Team,

On Market Call on Dec 24, Jason Donville of DKAM seemed to be negative on RC. Do you agree with his views. I currently have a 2 % position with a gain of 10%. Would you advise me to sell. If so, which small cap stock (non energy/tech) would you recommend to buy to replace it.

Thanks in advance

Francis

Q: At present I have a %5 weighting in HR I am considering a switch to BPY at the same for increased growth and income. Your thoughts please.

Q: I'm short some LT CLF.US puts, which means it'll cost me to close the position...

To me the crucial question is whether CLF is a low or high cost producer.. Oligopoly is inherently unstable.. Not unlike the current oil situation, some of the low cost producers may be trying to force out the high.. Given the recent drop in pellet prices is CLF a survivor??

Q: energy complex

I am heavily invested in the oil, gas, services and pipelines.
I would like your cometary oil prices as it pertains to the below areas:

1. cost of and continued use of gasoline additives and their impact?
2. economic lift to large economies from low oil prices and how that may influence demand?
3. how current prices might influence supply and how fast ?
4. supply disruption due to instability and political factors in many producing countries ?
5. how much supply will be deemed not profitable at $60 oil.
6. other then the weather where do you see NG prices long term 93 years) especially in light of NLG projects in North America

bottom line do you feel that oil price will be at a reasonable and sustainable $70- $80 when and why?

thanks
happy holidays to everyone at 5i and all subscribers
Yossi

Q: Do you think that 10 stocks are enough for a diversified equity portfolio?

Thanks,
Hans

Q: How is that no analyst ( to my knowledge) covering the oil and gas sector was able to predict the substantial imbalance between supply and demand of oil which lead to the ensuing collapse? The information was out there. Merry Christmas

Q: In a recent answer you said you would not buy it at this level. Would this be a good time to take some profit and wait for a pullback? The ex-dividend date is Monday - does that mean I have to own it on Monday and sell Tuesday in order to get the dividend or can I sell Monday and would still receive the dividend. One last question - did the dividend decrease this month from .125 to .11. Thanks for all the terrific information. Happy holidays.\m

Q: Hi Peter: I made a mistake selling a stock within 30 days after purchasing for tax loss. Then people told me I could use the loss amount to increase the ACB if I buy the same stock again, is this true? Is there any time limit to buy it back? Thank you.

Merry X'mas & Happy New Year to you and your team.