skip to content
  1. Home
  2. >
  3. Investment Q&A
You can view 3 more answers this month. Sign up for a free trial for unlimited access.

Investment Q&A

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

Q: I bought DFN and HMAX a few months ago because of the dividends--today they are 16.85% and 12.76%
but also a pleasant surprise of growth in each of 31% and 34%
So have now added the above stocks
I monitor all of them daily
Would be interested in you comments on this??
Read Answer Asked by peter on October 30, 2025
Q: Hi 5i
At what share price will FTN discontinue its dividend? I know you've mentioned split share dividends are dependant on NAV but how does one find the NAV value? I cant seem to find it??
How do you view dividend going forward .....?
Does current dividend look like it in trouble at these levels?

And are the preferred dividends fixed or subject to adjustment ?
Thx
Read Answer Asked by jim on March 13, 2025
Q: I generally like and follow your advice when making an investment decision and own the balanced portfolio,plus many stocks in the other portfolios.But I strongly disagree with you on class A split shares,especialy ftn.I've used them for years and have made a great deal of money on them,for example I purchased ftn at around 7.50 paying 20% dividend,it now sits at 10.15!!They are definitely not a buy and hold stock,but can produce a massive amt. of income at times.Dfn used to be a favourite,but went through some tough times and is slowly recouvering!!But not to worry,I still value your advice on most everything else!!
Read Answer Asked by terry on November 28, 2024
Q: Can you go over your thoughts (other than sector differences) between these 2 types of products. I know they both use covered calls to generate additional income and that one is a split share.

Would a product like umax typically keep its payments at some level more consistently (as there is no preferred share to protect)? Is the upside (downside) potential higher on the split?

That is what I am thinking are the main differences but wondering if there are any other differences in how you see them.

If one was lookig at a swap from FTN to umax to keep a similar yield and lower leverage risk is that a reasonable view?
Read Answer Asked by Graham on November 27, 2024
Q: I have a question about FTN.A (and other split shares) and exactly what happens on the 5 year termination date.

I gather that the preferred could be redeemed or rolled over at whatever the new rate is (not 100% sure on the redeemed part) but on the class A are they redeemed and reissued (so your value stays the same over a different #of shares) or do they just truck along?

I'm guessing the latter as they need to match with the preferred. Can they be tendered if the price is lower than the windup amount (which is rarely the case I know but this is just about understanding the mechanics)?

And lastly are they ever wound up in practice?
Read Answer Asked by Graham on November 09, 2023
Q: I'm having trouble understanding why FTN keeps having these unexplained price drops!!Last time it happened I bought a lot of it and sold it for a hefty profit a few days later,which I then invested in FTN.PR which just raised its dividend to 9.25%.Now FTN is back down to where I bought it a few weeks ago!!!The yield is 22% and as long as the NAV remains above $15 it will pay the dividend,NAV is $16.82 as of Sept 15.I know you're not a fan of split shares or short term investing,but would FTN not seem like a screaming buy here???
Read Answer Asked by terry on October 03, 2023
Q: Regarding Scott’s question of 7 Sept on FTN. The NAV as of end Aug is $16.50 and the company announced its regular monthly dividend for Sept. Your answer doesn’t match the above information from the company’s website. Do you know why the share price has declined so dramatically over the past week? Thank you

Kenn
Read Answer Asked by Kenneth on September 08, 2023
Q: Please comment on these high dividend payers. Are they returning capital to achieve these lofty rates? How secure are the dividends?
Read Answer Asked by Terry on October 19, 2022
Q: With the recent drop in prices, are any of the above attractive for dividends and price appreciation?
Read Answer Asked by Vineet on March 07, 2022
Q: I know that 5i has not generally recommended these split corp funds but I would like your take in this scenario. We know they bottom when asset value drops below an acceptable number and this has occurred. I recall years ago the same thing happened and yields disappeared and values plummeted. When the market bounced back however each roughly doubled and paid lucrative dividends until of course the next major downturn. My question given that we all expect new highs some day, is whether these would not be nice tuck ins today that will eventually appreciate if not double and begin paying great dividends?
Read Answer Asked by Tim on June 02, 2020
Q: I recently purchased FTN .to (Financial Split Shares Corp) as the NAV dropped below $15.00, the dividend was cancelled, and the share price dropped to $3.50 The NAV was $14.45 at Dec 31. Since Jan 2 the US and Canadian bank stocks have started a bit of a recovery and it seems like it wont take too much to regain the $15.00 NAV and dividend reinstatement.
What is your outlook for Canadian and US banks for the coming year and am I treading on thin ice here?? I know you aren't a particular fan of split shares, but it seems like there would be some nice capital gains and dividend if the NAV does go back over $15.
Thank you so much for your valued opinion.
Read Answer Asked by Don on January 11, 2019
Q: About ALA, FTN, PIC-A, how safe are those dividends ? For income would you buy any ? If so in which order. If none are buyable which other high dividends payers would you recommend ?
Already own over 20 dividend payers but mostly are under 5% except BYP, KWH, BEP, NWH.
Thanks for your help.
Read Answer Asked by Luc on September 06, 2018
Looking for more? Sign up for a FREE 14 day trial! No credit card required

We invite you to sign up for a 14 day free trial of 5i Research!
Experience all the benefits and tools we have to offer; stock research, model portfolios, Q&A with our experts, and so much more. Join a community of like-minded investors today!