Suncor Energy Inc. T.SU

Some Thoughts on Investment Strategy

[Experienced]

In countless posts on this subject, I have made it very clear that the most important aspects of investing is to determine your investment objectives and your tolerance to risk and then stick to it unless something significant happens in your life which causes a re-think.

I will be the first to admit that my situation is not same as many (most?) others here.  When I outline what I am doing, I am not suggesting that everyone else here do the same as me because your individual situation may be different than mine. Frankly, at my advanced years and financial situation, my investment approach is likely to be more conservative than the majority of people here.  When I was much younger, my investment approach was much less conservative.  But one thing I did have back then was a healthy respect for the wisdom of people had more experience than I did and those that looked at what was happening and saying -"I've seen this movie many times before and this how it turns out"

Even if your situation is very different, there may be some aspect of what I have posted which may be of use to you and if that happens to even just one person then as far as I am concerned it is mission accomplished.  If what I say is of no use to you, the fact that you considered it and came to this conclusion is useful in its own right.

I do believe that the primary benefit of a forum such as this is to share ideas, information and perspectives for the benefit of all and that through this there is an opportunity for participants here to make better investment decisions.  

 My father said to me when I was a child, that the day you stop learning is the day you die.  His advice was to hear others out, not demean them or criticize them or try to shut them down but to take their views into account even if you don't agree.

 In that vein, I found that the posters here who follow that philosophy and are willing to share in return have helped me in my decision-making.  Conversely, those whose agenda is solely to criticize others and put them down contribute little.  We have all seen good Boards destroyed by such people and the end result is that the better and thoughtful people simply move onto another Board.

 With all that, I would like to wish everyone here a Happy Holiday and think about what is really important to you in your life.

[Experienced]

In looking back at some of the posts here, I see that perhaps I haven't talked about an important element of my overall strategy and by extension and an important aspect of successful asset allocation. In doing so I may have created a misconception which needs to be discussed. I have talked mainly about my overall strategy being conservative given my concerns about the storm I see coming and

[Ariahp]

Good general thoughts. and here I am earning dividends of over $250k annually in O&G/Pipeline companies  and Canadian Bank Stocks ( 9 holdings  in total)  and I am not about  to change. My strategy going forward is to move 85% into Canadian Banks and earn juicy dividends. I have gone through 5 or 6 bad times. Never Bailed out as I had good companies. Always came out

[Torontojay]

Hi Ariap, let me address your investment strategy for a sec. It is true that everyone has different risk preferences and what may be right for me is not necessarily right for you. However, what if I tell you that you could achieve similar returns, say over the next year, but without the risk of capital depreciation? It is my opinion that Canada is already in a recession and so things could get

[Experienced]

Jay - as we have discussed, I agree with you that buying fixed income investments at least over the next year and perhaps two will yield higher risk adjusted returns.  There is also the potential for short run pressure on the banks over the next year as you suggest. That said, for longer term investors, buying into the banking sector particularly if they are on sale next year is a good

[Ariahp]

Torontojay let me share with u my recent bank experience. I bought  2050 CM at $49.23. Friday it clised at $64.17. I made a gain  of $30,627  in about 4 weeks.  Dividend OF $3.58  IS not to shabby .eh. I bought 8,050 BNS it is up $3.28. Pays A  Dividend Of $4.24, that is $34,132 annual dividend  etc, etc No I plan to go upto 85% Banks. My Dividends alone will

[Experienced]

ariahap....yep as they say - if ain't broke then don't fix it. In terms of the banks, I see them being beneficiaries of AI in terms of productivity gains and hence lower costs and greater profit margins over time.  So in that sense they are a good investment choice going forward IMO.