Q: Hi All at 5i!!
I was reading an article in the National Post by Barbara Shecter and it made me a little uneasy. The article was about Shadow Banking and its potential risks. She mentioned Blackstone and Brookfield. My question... I own both, but I am more concerned about Blackstone and its exposure to poor corporate loans and office real estate , among other things it dabbles in. I am up in the stock and wondering if I should take a profit. Is the company in for some trouble ?
Thanks,
Tamara

Q: I am looking for a couple of US dividend-paying companies that provide decent yields for retirement income. Several of the companies that you have suggested are providing growing dividends and some equity growth but the yields are low. I am currently looking at AMGN, BX and EXR. I am leaning towards BX as I think property could be poised for growth but I am concerned that the dividend seems to jump around. Were special dividends paid in the past few years or has the payout been negatively affected by declining rental income?

Which of the three would you prefer given the desire for increased income, stability of income, future dividend growth and some equity growth? (or are there other suggestion you may have)

Appreciate your insight.

Paul F.

Q: I have been holding qcom for over 3 years and i am up about 100% now i would like to trim it a bit because lately it is not performing as well. If i purchase bx because the dividends are a little better, which one of these companies would you believe that would have a better upside in the next 2 to 3 years from now.