Investment Q&A

Q: Hi 5i,

Portfolio analytics is recommending that I reduce my utility holdings 12%. I have held AQN (3.4% weight), FTS (4.3%), BEP (5.2%) and BIP (5%) for four years and do like the dividends and renewable energy aspect. Today's TD analyst comments also gave me pause about being overweight utilities: "As WTI oil and energy prices have recovered over the past year on rising interest rates, alternative energy and utilities in general have underperformed. We believe that a potential rise in interest rates on improving COVID-19 trends and impending
tapering, along with the renewed relative strength in the energy sector, will
further pressure the utilities sector." My questions for you:. 1. where and how would you trim from the above holdings? and 2. your thoughts on the analysis outlined above. Thanks for your guidance.

Q: What are your current thoughts on Baba? I have a full position and I am down more than 30%.. it is an RRSP though so I could exit and reenter or stay put..What are your thoughts?

Q: What percentage of each would you suggest for a good balance between Canadian and US stocks at this time? (Thanks so much for your help. I have benefitted immensely from your good advice for a few years now.)

Q: HI folks
ODFL has been a good old plough horse. With the understanding that you dont cover US stocks, can you see any red flags ahead?
Much appreciated for all you do and have a great weekend.

Q: I am considering increasing my WCP position from 2% to 3.5% by selling my position in WELL. The purpose of this trade is to achieve a greater capital gain over a shorter timeframe. Thank you.

Q: BIPC's stock price has been struggling as the company sorts through its IPL acquisition. When would you anticipate prices will begin to rise again? (Utilities currently held - in relatively equal amounts - are BIPC, AQN, BEP and NPI.) Thank you.

Q: Peter and team,

I use the US side of my portfolio mainly for growth opposed to CDN for income and some growth. Thinking of a switch from docu to affirm looks like good money to be made in this one. Can you give a comparison between the 2 and do you think affirm is a better investment now?

I've hit the highest ever by far in my portfolio this year akin to your father in law thanks in very large part to your recommendations.

From a very grateful many years standing customer!

Q: Where could a person find as near to "real time" as possible all of the holdings of mutual funds and ETF's - when looking at company documents on their websites they can be months behind current. I even tried SEDAR but could not find.

Q: Hello, I am cleaning up my portfolio to take advantage of YE losses... I am down about 5% on these stocks, except PINS ( I am down 20%) which one(s) would you keep and which one(s) you would sell now?
Thanks
Carlo

Q: X Div date on SIS is 9/28, If I buy tomorrow,Sep 27,do I get the Div. Txs for u usual great services & views

Q: I would appreciate your opinion and outlook on (AOSL:US). Would you consider this a buy at this time? Thank you

Q: What is your view on Fortis for a retirement portfolio? Is there another safe utility stock that would provide better growth? Would you ever hold both Fortis and Emera in the same portfolio or is that duplicating a similar type of holding.

Q: I have a nice gain on TFII of 40%. Given its higher valuation with recent price increases, would you trim or change this holding to another industrial? Its currently about 4% of our retirement portfolio.

Q: How much of Power Corp's profits come from China? How much of their business/money is there?

Q: How do you interpret Institution Holdings? Does this information help you analyze a company?

In the information about companies on the 5i website, most US companies and some others show Institution Holdings above 100%. This presumably is incorrect so what is happening? Where Institution Holdings are under 100% on the 5i website, is it likely that these numbers are reasonably accurate?

Q: Hi, I have read that several U.K. utilities have recently collapsed given soaring wholesale natural gas prices and the inability to pass costs on to customers. Could the same thing happen here and if so which companies might be the most susceptible? Could any of the above companies be impacted? Thanks.

Q: Energy companies seem to be generally riding the wave the continued higher oil and gas prices and their share prices are rising accordingly in many cases. My question is do you feel that we may see some companies in the sector initiating new dividends? if so how much of an effect on stock price can one expect if a dividend is initiated by a company? any thoughts on some companies that may be set to start paying a dividend?

Q: Hi Team,
I read a news release sept.20 stating magna will acquire veoneer. I just wanted to confirm this is now a done deal. And do you see this deal as a long term positive or am I the only one judging by investor sentiment? Last I had heard Qualcomm had a higher bid?? Can you confirm ; and as well is it worth holding magna at these levels or should I be taking a tax loss on it (down 8% on it )? Are there any catalysts that could help the stock in the next few months or do you expect further down side? As of today it’s my only play on the EV sector. I had thought when I bought it to be a safe play on the sector and expected strong auto demand once the chip shortage went away. Thanks for your input !

Shane

Q: I remember years ago, 5i/Peter had mentioned to watch out for companies that initiate dividends and might support a buy thesis.

The reason (if I remember correctly) is that

1) this likely signals that the board thinks that the company has now reached some level of stability that they can afford to pay out a regular dividend instead of plowing it back to other ways to allocate capital

2) likely means that the board is shareholder friendly to some degree or thinking on behalf of shareholder by returning some cash flow to them.

With that said, is Micron Tech (which initiated their first dividend this past quarter) a company to look out for?

Q: Failure of the US Congress to raise the debt ceiling is being described as catastrophic in WSJ and other business journals. We should never presume anything with this US government. If this happens the market could tank big time. I am concerned there is too much complacency in the market right now. I would be interested to read your comments.