Q: I hold a small position in BCE. My thinking is that other than the dividend (yield), it is pretty much "dead" money for the foreseeable future. I could replace it with Telus, but I'm not impressed with its performance over the last few years. Taking sector & industry out of the equation, are there some other stocks that you like better [preferably with the potential for growth / share price appreciation & a (growing) dividend] that trade around the same price as BCE or less? Thanks once again for your great service.

Q: Hello, I would like your opinion of BCE. I have had a position in BCE, on and off, since 1996. I sold it last year for tax-loss reasons, bought and sold it again twice since for tax-loss reasons again, riding it from 48$ to 29$ recently. From June 26th, I will be able to buy it again after 30 days, probably at or below my last selling price. I suspect I suffer from « official » loss aversion by wanting to buy it again instead of moving on and buy something else, like BTB REIT, for income (like BCE), for less capital and the same income without income tax as a bonus. So, if I were a potential new investor in BCE, for income and some growth, would you recommend it for a long term hold? Are the dividend cut and PSP investment enough to lift BCE out of its hole? Thanks!

Q: Hi Peter and 5i Team,

An article in the Globe & Mail (May 27) was titled:

“Telus to invest more than $70-billion in Canada over next five years to expand infrastructure”

Given that its payout ratio is now approximately 100%, and if interest rates should rise while there’s a slowdown in the economy, is this a prudent decision for Telus to take? Having recently sold BCE at a loss, and still owning T, are my concerns justified?

In the Communications Services Sector, we also have a small position in QBR.B, which is doing reasonably well so far. Its debt leverage is the lowest among its peers, which I believe to be an important metric at this time.

Thanks in advance for your insight.