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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: Interest rates likely peaking and many real estate stocks are trading at discount. I am considering adding to real estate. Would you comment on this thought and suggest a stock and index.
Read Answer Asked by joe on September 13, 2023
Q: One year ago I decided to choose 6 reits ( avoiding shopping centers and offices),+ one professionaly managed reit etf (mentionned above) .The final result is that the managed ETF did loose 15% +,and the 6 "amateur chosen" ETF gained more than 15% ,the choice was based on the "basic observation"of a slowing economy and specific individual REIT performances,I did then favour industrial, data centers and some real estate REITs.Is it normal that a professionaly managed ETF could underperform so much versus personal choices and why? I wonder if I should trust actively managed products on the future,considering the fees etc..,instead of just choosing stocks or ETFs in safe sectors according to observable macro-economic tendancies.
Read Answer Asked by Jean-Yves on September 12, 2023
Q: hi,
I was reading questions/answers this am. I noticed "John" today asked what to do with 4 equities that are down right now (AQN,Alaris, cargo jet,goeasy). I agree these seem like holds or buys right now. however, I am guessing John was looking for dividend payers with some growth(opposed to high growth, perhaps more speculative stocks), to swap with his current 4 (3,2,1??) equities he has at loss. he is retired. I am in a similar position, and would like your thoughts on potential dividend payers with some growth ( ie capital gains keeping up with inflation, at least ). cheers, chris
Read Answer Asked by chris on September 05, 2023
Q: Hi 5i,
What companies are on your lost of long-term hold dividend positions? I’m building a dividend portfolio and sincerely appreciate your always valuable perspective.

Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Greg on September 01, 2023
Q: Hi 5i,
A coupla questions, please deduct accordingly:

1. I've just received the following cautionary analysis regarding DIR.UN, and wonder if you would provide your comments on the points raised. I'm interested in acquiring DIR.UN but am concerned about the stated risks.

Currently, the following risks have been identified for the company (DIR.UN):
Major Risk
• Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow (8.6% operating cash flow to total debt).
Minor Risks
• Dividend is not well covered by earnings (dividend per share is over 12x earnings per share).
• Profit margins are more than 30% lower than last year (63% net profit margin).
• Shareholders have been diluted in the past year (3.1% increase in shares outstanding).


2. Could you also provide your analysis on BTB.UN based on the same criteria as applied to DIR.UN. I owned it years ago and enjoyed the yield, but became convinced it was too risky for my income portfolio. Now, years later, I see that while its unit price hasn't increased much, none of the fears materialized and had I held on it would have supplied decent income during that time. I'm considering re-entering.
Thanks 5i - much appreciated.
Peter
Read Answer Asked by Peter on August 23, 2023
Q: I have held T for years and have been content with its solid dividend, stability and some growth. Clearly not happy with current events. I am still up 18% in a non-registered account. Would you be inclined to hold the course and hope for a turn around in the next several quarters? Or do you believe - even after interest rates peak - that the combination of growing competition and onerous government regulation mean the telco will continue to struggle? If the latter, can you recommend a replacement? I'm wrestling with this as I want a dividend >4%, a bit of growth and low volatility, but am overweight in Utilities and Finance, where I would be most likely to get this. What do you think of binning T and shifting the funds to Energy (ENB?) or Real Estate (DIR.UN?)? Alternatively, is there another Communications stock you might recommend (Canada or US) that fit my criteria? Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Maureen on July 30, 2023
Q: Further to Kel's July 24th question and your reply re: capital appreciation in the Real Estate sector. You listed 4 favourite Reits - any preference in ranking ? Would you consider the addition of REAL to be a good move ?
Read Answer Asked by Alexandra on July 28, 2023
Q: Thank you for your market update. Following on your comment that real estate sector will play catchup 2H23, what are your best suggestions for capital appreciation? Also what is the rationale - debt/mortgage rates up, not a drain on
Read Answer Asked by Kel on July 24, 2023
Q: I need assistance deciding which of these stocks I should put in a regular acct and which should be in a TFSA in other words, can you tell me if DIR.UN has a much higher taxable capital gains (and therefore should be ideally in a TFSA)?

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Mark on July 13, 2023
Q: Presently I don't hold any Reits as investments. I would like to start off by purchasing two Reits. Can you please give me your top 3 recommendations in this sector. Thank You.
Read Answer Asked by Brian on July 11, 2023
Q: Hello 5i,
With the commercial vacancies, lenders just walking away from commercial properties abandoning payments, with working from home becoming the norm and with commercial property tenants and owners defaulting in payments, is dir.un still an investable REIT or should I take my small prfit and run? I have a 5-10 year outlook, am an older value investor enjoying the dividends. If there is a suggestion to sell would you suggest an alternative please
Stanley
Read Answer Asked by STANLEY on July 05, 2023
Q: Hi, a few years ago I got tired of trying to pick winners in the REIT space and invested in your model portfolio choice of ZRE. I'm wondering now if some of the equal weight holdings are starting to be a drag on performance, that may continue into the medium term? The same average yield could probably be obtained with a few individual securities like CAR and DIR with maybe a better outlook for capital appreciation in that same medium term (understanding that you would be moving up the risk scale again)? Do you think you would do better as a stock picker in this space today or stick with the ETF? If the former, do you have better suggestions today than the two named? Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Stephen R. on July 04, 2023
Q: Hi guys,

I am looking for your top 3 picks on Canadian markets for dividend income and growth with the emphasis being on dividend income.

Which 3 would they be and why?

Thanks

Sheldon
Read Answer Asked by Sheldon on June 27, 2023
Q: With utilities and real estate under pressure these days, can you recommend 4 choices in each sector for a conservative investor with a 10 year time line interested in income with some capital appreciation. Please include 2 ETFs and 2 companies in each sector.
Thanks,
Len
Read Answer Asked by Leonard on June 21, 2023