Investment Q&A

Q: Hi 5i, I've held both Fortis and BIP.UN in a registered account for just over five years. I am thinking of selling Fortis and reinvesting the funds into a larger BIP position. When I look at the Fortis return of approximately 7% and dividend yield in comparison with BIP return and yield, BIP appears to win. I like the fact that BIP's business is broader and more global. My current Brookfield family holdings are about 11% of equity holdings so I realize that this move would increase my exposure to Brookfield to about 15%. I know you can't comments on position sizing but would appreciate your thoughts on making such a move. I know Fortis has an exemplary track record in increasing dividends but maybe it's time. Thanks for your service!

Q: 9:51 AM 1/20/2024
Does the US newly instituted tax rule on limited partnerships doing any business in the US now apply to BEP.UN, BIP.UN. BEPC, BIPC?
I have owned these for many years and all have very large capital gains in cash accounts so I am reluctant to sell them due to the crippling 10% 'disposition' tax on top of the big capital gain were I to sell. It seems I am caught in a tax trap! I would appreciate any advice on which ones are vulnerable to the tax and what to do.
Regards............ Paul W. K.

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.)

Q: I'm down a fair amount in registered plans after holding each of the 13 listed stocks for some time. Please rate in terms those that are worth keeping as the prospects are good vs those where it's probably time to cut losses and move on. Timeframe of 5 years before starting to draw down from portfolio.

Q: Regarding BIP.UN and BIPC, you answered to a member back in early November: “These are 'paired' companies and economically equivalent, owning the same assets. They are essentially the same company exactly.” Then, why is BIP.UN down -1.51% and BIPC down -14.50% over the last 3 years? I got those percentages from the Company Profile section, comparing the 2 companies together using the Interactive Chart with Percentage Change. Thank you

Q: I am considering adding to current positions in these companies. I know timing is impossible to predict but which of these companies would you be adding to now and which would you wait given that we are heading in to end of year selling<

Thanks
Tim

Q: I HAVE APPROX EQUAL $ AMOUNTS IN BOTH OF THESE COS.
IF I WAS TO SELL ONE WHICH ONE COULD IT BE AND WITH THE SALE PROCEEDS WHICH OTHER BROOKFIELD CO WOULD YOU CONSIDER TO BE THE BEST. THANK YOU.

Q: Hi Peter and Staff

BIP.UN is in utilities sector in G&M and on your website. You have mentioned you have a preference to it versus BEP. Your favourite utilities when asked are usually BEP, FTS and H?
How would you rank it if ranked with the other 3?

Thanks for all you do

Dennis

Q: Hi Folks,

My RRSP portfolio consists of the above stocks all with relatively the same weighing. Can you suggest 5 names or so, (CDN and U.S) that I take a look at that would complement the above? I am looking for a company that would be a good buy today for both income and capital appreciation - total return.
Thanks

Q: Good day,

What are your outlooks for OLED and ZWP? I bought OLED some time ago and figured their patent library should have caused some movement with everybody going OLED these days... And with ZWP, do you see a recovery coming? Or is it still a sit and wait?

I've been watching DE on and off for some time, and they seem to continue to act on what drew me to them in the first place. Are they a buy right now? Anything else you would suggest in its place? (I have ATS after a previous question)

BIP seems pretty beat up, are they a buy for you now? Or would you still suggest BN? In a registered account, is BIP better than BIPC? Would you move from BIP to BIPC as they come closer to par?

Thanks!

Q: RIF account looking for consistent income and some growth
Getting the feeling we are at or nearing the end of rate hikes (CDA and US). However, I'm also feeling we are in for a longer period of higher normalized (current) rates
Question: Is long term bond XLB worth holding on in the higher for longer environment? I'm contemplating a switch to equity and BIP.UN (preferring the currency diversification). Your thoughts on rates and the switch

Q: I own the above high dividend yield Canadian stocks, just under 4% yield and up. I am looking to add maybe 10 to 20 % to 4 or 5 positions. The yield on these is enough for us now so no hurry to sell anything.
Retired, but still looking at safety of capital. I have left out O&G plays and other potentially riskier plays. (except Enbridge)

Which of these, or other stocks do you believe have the greatest potential for price appreciation over the next couple of years if/when interest rates drop.

I am looking for your top 5, here but feel free to add other picks.

Thank you. Take as many credits as needed.

Q: i am thinking of switching from CP (2%) to BIP. Looking for growth and div with this move.
Don't like CP drifting lower.
I already own 4% BN. Do you think BIP stock can grow faster then BN?

Q: Dear 5i team.

Of the badly beaten up Utilitiy stocks, please rank the top three from the worst five that have the best chance of significant bounce once interest rates peak or decline.
A couple reasons why for each would help as well.

Many thanks for your help.

Q: Can you please provide proxies for tax loss selling for the above noted stocks/ETFs
Please deduct as many credits as necessary.
Thanks for your insight.

Q: Hi Team,
I had the following on my watchlist to "buy the dip" so to speak: LMN,BN, BIP.UN. WELL. After today they have all had nice moves off what was hopefully a "bottom". Is it time to buy? Is risk on again? Or is this a suckers rally after the fed induced rally? Predictive question I know...just looking for opinion. This being said; if it's a good time to buy, What Canadian stocks would you be your Top picks to buy today for a long term hold? Could you rank a list for me please? Thanks

Shane.

Q: Looking to take tax losses and not sure which to pick ? Some of them I can sell and not rebuy ? Please rate them as sell, hold, sell and rebuy. Thanks guys.

Q: BIP.UN and BIPC.TO are down significantly YTD. However recently BIP.UN has recovered some of the lossess and appears to be formimg a base wheras BIPC.TO continues to go down. Do they own the same assets and why is BIP.TO performing worse than BIP.UN

Q: Hello Peter,
Given the huge decline in shares of both stocks and your positive views on both stocks (despite short report on BIP), is it a good time to increase the weights to 5 percent for 3 to 5 year hold and collect the dividends while the stock gets the momentum.. Much appreciate it.

Q: Hi 5i,

Back on Oct 17-20, a few questions were asked about the waterfall in stock price of BIP, but there was only comments with regard to dividend stability and a few big sellers like BMO and Morgan Stanley. Yesterday (Oct 28th) a short report, by Keith Dalrymple, was discussed by Seeking Alpha (found under BIPC:US). Alpha wasn't too impressed and here are their conclusions:

"I held BIP for more than 10 years until I sold everything upon reading and thinking over the report.

Even though his report specifically targeted BIP, all Brookfield companies will be affected if the report is only partially true. In the world of alternative asset managers, reputation means a lot and it is questioned by the report."

Can I please have your opinion. Thx.