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Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: Hi 5i,

I would like to sell BEPC to benefit from tax loss and buy back in 31 days.

Portfolio includes:
2.5% Fortis
2.5% BEPC
1% PIF

Also have :
2.5% BIP.UN
1% BAM
2% BN

I am retired, like dividends and some growth.

1. Looking for a proxy for BEPC for one month
2. Your suggested mix of Utilities.

( Will probably increase BAM some more.)

3. PIF - I like the dividend but volatile for a utility and hasn't gained SP for many years. I have a small loss. Is the dividend secure? Any reasonable gain anticipated over next year or two for PIF?
Might gains be a little more outsized due to interest rate reductions in next year or so?
Do you think it could be a takeover candidate?
Should I hold this or sell?

Thank you for your usual great advice.
I prefer more rather than less detail. (Subtract as many credits as needed.)
Read Answer Asked by Tulio on January 19, 2024
Q: This is a question regarding portfolio composition, which I would describe as alpha-balanced. I have chosen not to invest in real estate (as I own a home) or materials (too volatile). I am overweight in Tech (17.5%), Industrials (19.25%) and Finance (22.3%). The other sectors are all at appropriate weights. I am somewhat concerned about having too much allocated to financials and seeking advice. The stocks I hold in relatively equal amounts are: BAM, BN, X, V and HMAX. (I hold HMAX strictly for the out-sized dividend with the expectation of little growth; with a solid dividend here, it frees up other funds to invest in more aggressive companies that don't pay dividends such as HPS.A and LMN.). Long story short: do I have too many eggs in one basket, or do my financials have sufficiently different drivers that you would be comfortable with this imbalance? Any other comments with regard to the strategy behind my chosen portfolio composition would be most welcome. Many thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Maureen on January 17, 2024
Q: Greetings 5i,
I am looking to lower my exposure to financials and raise that of consumer staples. This does not have to be done but should result in better diversification.
Would a switch from BAM to NWC, purely for better diversification, be advisable? I note the slightly better yield on NWC.
Thanks as always
Read Answer Asked by Steve on January 16, 2024
Q: Hi Team,
Once again the hopeful small cap Jan bounce has done the opposite so far with essentially all growth being sold off. It’s amazing how a new year is here and it’s like a light switch where the narrative turns to everyone selling to lock in profits. This confuses me some as I thought year end Dec would be the time to lock in gains? What’s your take on the selloff and when’s your best estimate of when would be a good time to buy the dip? Is there a history of how long a Jan selloff typically lasts? Also; is there any standout buys in the market you see today now as a result of the recent selloff ? Thanks ,

Shane
Read Answer Asked by Shane on January 04, 2024
Q: Thinkinf of swaping out Sunlife now in a hopefully falling rate environment for a stock with more overall growth potential, but still a dividend over 4%. Please provide a few names for a dividend focused retirement portfolio that also bring strong overall return potential. Or, thoughts on whether Sun Life is still a stock to own in this situation.
Read Answer Asked by Gerry on January 03, 2024
Q: Hello, As a result of the spinoff I own BAM and BN.. As I understand it: BN remains BAM’s largest shareholder with a 75% ownership stake. And since BN has exposure to several business sectors, I am thinking of keeping my 1100 shares of BN and sell the 275 shares of BAM?
Your thoughts?
Thanks
Carlo
Read Answer Asked by Carlo on January 02, 2024
Q: I am planning towards retirement within 5- 10 years and would like to transition my TFSA from growth oriented to dividend paying stocks to supplement my income upon retirement.

Can you suggest dividend paying stocks with min 3% yield with history of dividend growth. Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Mario on December 29, 2023
Q: What is your dividend and share price growth opinion on these 2 over the next 12 months? It seems that their primary revenue source is selling data which provides limited growth. They seem to have lost out on the content distribution sector and I don't see new growth areas for them. Where do you think their growth will come from? I currently hold both (which is not good) and am considering selling both. I had originally invested for share price growth and dividends.
Read Answer Asked by George on December 26, 2023
Q: For a growthy TFSA contribution for 2024, I’m considering one of these companies. Please rank based on potential gains for a 3-5 year period, with a brief comment on each one. Moderate to high(ish) risk (like SHOP) is fine with me.

Also, are there any other companies you’d recommend I consider and why.
Thanks for such a great service.
Read Answer Asked by Warren on December 22, 2023
Q: Hi, I've heard that over the long term, dividends make up the most significant portion of one's stock market gains. Is this true? When I look at my winners, (CSU for one), it's not, but in any case, could you list 3-5 of your current favorite dividend growers?
Thanks as always, Rod
Read Answer Asked by Rod on December 21, 2023
Q: These all in my RESP, most of them under water except ATD and BAM. Please advise what should I buy to add 10k to it for 2 years hold. Also any thing need to be cleaned up in this list.
Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Peter on December 20, 2023
Q: Hi Group can you give me your thoughts on 2 Financial + 2 healthcare
stocks. The above picks are just shots in the dark are there others you like better or? also short explanation with you suggestions would be helpful
Read Answer Asked by Terence on December 18, 2023
Q: If you were forced to use borrowed $ to invest where would you park it? Interest cost is close to 6%, bonus points if the investment or investments pay a monthly dividend.
Read Answer Asked by Charles on December 15, 2023
Q: Thanks for your explanation on BN and BAM ..... However I still don't see the thesis for buying BN ..... Mr Market is giving no credit to " cash in the bank " ..... Mr Market knows everything we do yet gives the capital gains to BAM.... For example BAM is up 3.57% today and BN is up 1.6% on an upmarket day .... And since inception BAM has consistently been the one rewarded .... Mr Market is giving the nod for both income and growth currently to BAM...... Why shouldn't I have my cake and eat it too ?
Read Answer Asked by Garth on December 15, 2023
Q: There has been lately a significant advertising pressure regarding alternative investments . What is your opinion on these? Which Canadian companies could be considered as being sort of companies with an alternative investments focus which would fulfill such type of investment for a small independent retail Canadian investors? Would you also recommend some US names with a similar focus. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Miroslaw on December 14, 2023
Q: hi, I feel "overbrookfielded" in my investments. I own BAM, BN, BEPC and BIPC. I'm thinking of selling BAM, and putting the proceeds into BIPC and BEPC ( my position in BN is large enough now ). my thinking is BAM has less potential for capital growth compared to BIPC/BEPC ( and the latter 2 also have a good dividend, like BAM ). I would keep BN for more growth focus. Does this sound reasonable to you ( overall my brookfield investments are about 2.5% of total ). cheers, chris
Read Answer Asked by chris on December 07, 2023