Q: 40-70% losses on paper on these 4 Cies ,2 are now under book value and one is getting close,I wonder if there is a limit on the downside.At this level I am ready to wait for some kind of recovery..Would a "switch" between these stocks or even a sell would be to consider at this level ?I know that predictions are impossible,but your impressions are always appreciated..

Q: Hi 5i,
I like putting you guys on the spot because I can get objective opinions.
If one wanted to buy and hold either CU or AQN today for an RRSP with no short or medium terms plans to sell (ie collect income and hold for long term). Which one would you buy and what would be your high level reasons? I already own a full postion in BIP for my RRSP but I think another multi-utility might be good to own since they seemed to have depressed prices and very good dividends.

Q: I am a long-term buy & hold type of investor. There are 3 companies in my portfolio with renewable energy assets--AQN, BEPC, NPI-- with percent weightings in my portfolio of 0.7%, 0.9%, and 0.8%, respectively (2.4% in total). I have an unrealized loss with AQN of ~$40,000, and so was thinking of crystallizing the loss-- temporarily shifting the proceeds to BEPC--with a plan to re-buy AQN in >30 days. HOWEVER, given that AQN is planning to divest its renewable energy assets (correct?) and given that I have lots of other utility exposure (FTS, EMA, with these 2 securities totaling 3.5% portfolio weighting), perhaps it would be better to just keep the proceeds from the AQN sale in BEPC (and perhaps also upping the NPI holding somewhat), and not bother re-buying AQN in >30 days time. With the general caveat that you are hesitant to give "personalized" advice, how would you handle this type of situation?

Ted