Investment Q&A

Q: Hi Peter and Gang,

My holdings in companies under the Brookfield brand (BAM.A, BBU.UN, BIP.PR, etc...) account for about 15% of my portfolio. Although these companies are in different businesses altogether, I am just wondering if there is too much concentration on the Brookfield brand. Your thoughts and comments would be appreciated.

Harry

Q: Greetings: In one of your recent answers you indicated that best current GIC rates are in the 2.75% range. The best rates I see in Vancouver (2% one year, 2.5% fiver year) are with Oaken Capital, part of the Home Capital Group (Home Trust, Home Bank). Is Oaken Capital a pretty good provider? Are those rates in line with what I should expect? I intend to set up a laddered series with about $100K
Thank you

Q: I would like to have a decent return but preservation of capital is a priority. Please provide your opinion on CIBC Canadian Bond Index Fund – Premium Class CIB585. I am aware that you recommend the ETF CBO so would appreciate your comparison. This would be in a non registered account.
https://www.cibc.com/ca/mutual-funds/no-load-income/can-bond-indx-fund-premium.html

Thank you,

Q: I was wondering how the distribution works, I noticed looking at history that it pays dividends monthly but some months it doesn't pay anything at all.

Q: We depend on dividends for fully half our income. At the moment we have have a full position in TRP and 1/2 positions in IPL and PPL. I'm considering a 1/2 position in ENB for growth and dividend. Is this too much in one sector? And have I missed the ENB boat with all its recent price increases? - Ted

Q: Why would SE be trading 8.5% higher than ENB's offer price? Is the market suggesting another suitor is in play?

Q: I view EQB as a mini HCG. EQB stock has performed well this year and is near its 52 week high where as HCG has not. Why do you think EQB has performed better this year? Which do you think is a better buy at this time?

Q: Why does FTB have such a large spread between the Actual MER (.50) and the Actual Management Expense ratio (.92)/ My financial planner is actively promoting it. I wonder if he gets some of the MER as an incentive therefore encouraging him to promote it. Its current yield is 3.4% wile CLF has a yield of 2.9% with an MER of .15 and .17. Do you have any comment on XBB, XSB, CLF, and FTB. Should I mirror the FTB portfolio of the five bond fund ETFs (CLF, XBB, PGL, ZEF, and ZHY) or buy FTB? I assume the yields are after the MER is taken.

Thank you.

Q: You sent out an email about a company that paid its first div unfortunatly it was deleted so would appreciate the company name

Q: I am considering purchasing a $5000.00 5 year bond paying 5% per annum from Solar Share of Toronto. This bond is RSP eligible. Is this a reasonably safe fixed income investment? I have other blue chip stocks in my RSP. I will not need this money for many years.

Is there a tax efficient way to purchase the bond with existing RSP funds? I would like to avoid withdrawal fees from TD, the bank that holds the RSP.
Thanks, Brenda

Q: As a very long term holder of IPL, I would appreciate your take on the acquisition of NGL; particularly as it relates to the substantial increase in overall debt. Thank you.

Q: In respect of today's announced deal between Enbridge and Spectra, what do you think the impact will be on Enbridge Income Fund, if any?

Thank you

Q: will dividend continue until takeover is completed & when is completion expected thanks

Q: ABT: recommended in latest 5i email: I read the description of it's business and it was like reading a foreign language - I am not a technology person at all and do not buy companies I do not understand; so, please educate me.TTM PE 23, FPE 270, make no or very little money, ROE 0, CF .23, and pays a healthy dividend. I currently hold no technology other than DH if it qualifies?

Q: Today Enbridge Inc. (ENB) announced they are purchasing Spectra Energy Corp (SE) in an all stock deal.

I own Enbridge in my non-registered account (in order to take advantage of Canadian Dividend Tax Credit) and I own Spectra in my US $ RRSP (in order to minimize taxes on US dividends which are treated like interest income).

I want to participate in both the Canadian and US energy infrastructure (pipeline, midstream processing) market.

My question is what can I replace Spectra Energy in my RRSP with? I own Kinder Morgan (underwater), Oneok (above water) and recently sold off Williams (too much drama) in the RRSP account.

Am I better off to sell Spectra now or wait for the Enbridge merger and then sell off the Enbridge or even keep Enbridge in my RRSP as a US holding. Or do I increase my holding(s) in Kinder Morgan or Oneok?

Thanks for the excellent service.

Q: What is your current comfort level with DCI? Results seem to keep the stock in its 12-14 dollar range. I use the high dividend to balance out my other income stocks such as Adw.a, Zcl, sis, Syz, etc..... How does the business look to you?

Thanks,

Robert

Q: What sort of fixed income do you recommend for a portfolio? With so many options, I have no idea which to choose. Where do I begin in making these decisions? Thank you.

Q: I bought this one (BIP.UN) in Feb. with an ACB of $31.00 and now it is over $60.00: 3 for 2 unit split soon - is this the reason for the big increase in share price recently & should I keep - I own 1000 shares which equals a very small position in my portfolio.

Q: Alaris has dropped over 30% in just 2 months! I am aware of their problems with the medical partner as well as the other 2 smaller hick-ups however their must be more, much more to cause this much panic in the stock. Do you know the rationale?
Thank you.

Q: Any thoughts on the recent news release from Alterra doing a 10 for 1 split and issuing a dividend. I own a small amount just wondering if it is worth picking up a few more before the split.

Thanks........