Please advise me of your views on Cisco Systems. Thank you.

Cisco Systems Inc., $18.79, symbol CSCO on Nasdaq (Shares outstanding: 5.8 billion; Market cap: $109.6 billion), is a leading maker of products that link and manage computer networks. These include routers, local-area network (LAN) and asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switches, dial-up access servers and software. Cisco’s IOS (Internet Operating System) software ties these products together, delivers network services (which interconnect …

We feel that most mutual-fund investors should own no more than five funds. When you own more than this, you run a higher risk of over-diversification. This could cause your portfolio to produce a return that matches that of the market, minus the 2% to 3% cost of fund-management fees and expenses.

Bissett Multinational Growth Fund mainly invests in North American-listed …

Brookfield Asset Management 4.75% Series 17 Preferreds, $14.85, symbol BAM.PR.M on Toronto, are perpetual preferred shares. That is, they have no fixed maturity date, and they have to pay their stated dividend forever, or “in perpetuity,” before they can pay common dividends in any given year. The shares began trading at $25 each in late 2006, and have fallen steadily …

We think that you need to look at insider selling (and buying) on a case-by-case basis. It’s just one of many factors worth considering.

We also think it’s a mistake to put too much weight on insider trading, since insiders can delude themselves about their employer just as easily as outsiders can. However, it pays to remember that insiders may sell …

Sherritt International, $5.24, symbol S on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 293.1 million; Market cap: $1.5 billion), is up over 65% since April 14. That’s when President Obama announced an easing of restrictions on American relations with Cuba.

The U.S. is maintaining its 47-year-old trade embargo, but Obama plans to allow Cubans living in the U.S. to make unlimited trips and money transfers …

Husky Energy, $30.84, symbol HSE on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 849.4 million; Market cap: $26.2 billion), is an integrated oil and gas company. Hong Kong-based billionaire Li Ka-Shing holds 70.6% of the company’s shares.

Husky produces conventional oil and gas across western Canada, as well as heavy oil (a heavy, black viscous oil) at Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, and from the oil sands at …

Shaw Communications, $19.48, symbol SJR.B on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 429.8 million; Market cap: $8.4 billion), is the second-largest cable-television operator in Canada. Only Rogers Communications (symbol RCI.B on Toronto) is larger.

Shaw’s 2.2 million cable subscribers, located in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and northwestern Ontario, represent about 30% of the Canadian cable-television market. Moreover, roughly 70%, or 1.6 million, of …

Goldcorp Inc., $34.33, symbol G on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 730.2 million; Market cap: $25.1 billion), is a major gold producer, with 10 operating mines and several major projects under development.

Goldcorp owns the Red Lake, Porcupine and Musselwhite gold mines in Canada; a 37.5% interest in the Alumbrera gold/copper mine in Argentina; the El Sauzal, Los Filos and San Dimas …

As a general rule, it’s better to borrow to buy stocks after a drop, rather than when the market has steadily risen for several years. We think you’ll benefit most from this buying opportunity by sticking with the kind of stocks we recommend, as well as the mutual funds and ETFs we recommend in Canadian Wealth Advisor.
These include the iUnits …

Equinox Minerals, $1.88, symbol EQN on Toronto (Shares outstanding 685.8 million; Market cap: $1.3 billion), is focused on mining and exploration in Zambia.

Equinox first sold shares to the public at $0.71 each, and began trading on Toronto in June 2004. The Perth, Australia-based company is also listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.

Equinox operates its 100%-owned Lumwana copper mine in Zambia, …