Q: Hi, all. I wonder what your thoughts are on Carnival Corporation. We only own 100 shares, but as we spend about a month a year with Princess, owning 100 shares gets us about $500 U.S. in spending credits on their cruises as a shareholder benefit. Plus, it has a nice, decent dividend. Thanks.

A: Carnival Corp., $44.68, symbol CCL on New York (Shares outstanding: 718.6 million; Market cap: $31.7 billion; www.carnival.com), operates a fleet of 104 cruise ships worldwide and is based in Doral, Florida.

Carnival’s portfolio of cruise line brands includes Carnival Cruise Line, Fathom, Holland America Line, Princess… Read More

Q: I am a new member and wondered what you think of a stock I have been looking at—Sienna Senior Living. I am finding your articles very informative as I try to upgrade my portfolios to your better stocks. Thank you.

A: Sienna Senior Living Inc., $18.67, symbol SIA on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 66.1 million; Market cap: $1.3 billion; www.siennaliving.ca), is one of Canada’s largest operators of seniors’ housing and Ontario’s biggest licensed long-term-care provider. In 2015, the company changed its name from Leisureworld Senior Care Corp.

Investors… Read More

Q: Pat, do you have any information on WSP Global, the Montreal-based engineering firm? Thanks.

A: WSP Global Inc., $80.95, symbol WSP on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 100.8 million; Market cap: $8.6 billion; www.wspgroup.com), is a professional services consulting firm. It employs about 49,000 people, mainly engineers, technicians, scientists, environmental specialists, planners, and architects. The company is headquartered in Montreal, with more… Read More

Q: Pat, can you please give me your views on the iShares MSCI Frontier 100 ETF? Frontier markets are one step below emerging markets, but this fund looks interesting. Thank you.

A: Frontier markets are developing countries, but with economies considered still too small to be emerging markets.

While risky, the best of frontier-market stocks can offer sound prospects for growth and good fundamental value.

Many frontier countries have sizable populations with favourable demographics, including a rising middle class,… Read More