Investment Q&A

Q: Hi, you had a comment on AT&T late July and I was wondering, with recent weakness, what the fundamentals look like for this company now. Do you see long term value here? If you think this is a stock with limited prospects going forward, do you have another US income stock (any sector) that might make for a better replacement? Many thanks. Michael

Q: Pretty beaten up. What do you think the trend is for the next year, Thanks

Q: In my diversified portfolio, which of the following in your view are worth holding for income and/or possible capital gains in one year, and which should be sold now, for better opportunities? I do not need the cash nor tax losses. CHE.UN BHC CGX HCG HR.UN SKM(US) AT&T(US). Thank you.

Q: Your thoughts on the court ruling in favour of AT&T's acquisition of Time Warner please. With the price drop today it yields 6% with a P/E of 7. Seems attractive. Can you offer any insight as to why the markets hold it so out of favour?

Q: Hi. What are your thoughts on the AT&T - Time Warner merger?

Q: at&t are paying 6 pct dividends .do I get dividend tax credit on US companies. thank you. mike miller

Q: I read the blog post on best US dividends.

5) IVZ - Invesco Ltd
4) AMAT - Applied Materials
3) T - AT&T
2) WBA - Walgreens Boots Alliance
1) CAH - Cardinal Health

What do you think of these? If I bought US Cash now to get some exposure are these relatively safe to hold for income and potential growth in the next 1 – 5 years?

I searched past questions on a few of these and I didn’t necessarily see 5i recommending them. Interested to know your thoughts / ranking.

Thanks.

Q: Hello,
Once a while 5i Research Blog has posted some articles from Mr. Nick Mccallum. I am wondering how is his Sure Dividend track records. Does 5i Research endorse Nick Mccallum’s recommendations. Like most recent one, he give 5 best dividend stocks in S&P 500 (IVZ, AMAT, T, WBA, CAH) to buy. I would like to know your thought for these 5 stocks. To me the wording sounds promotional.
Thanks
Victor

Q: Greetings 5i,

I currently hold a full position in BCE, and consider it one of my "core" holdings. Moreover, I very much like the prospects of the telecom sector as a whole, given its (at least in theory) ability to hold up well under adverse economic conditions. Thus, I have been considering adding a position in either AT&T or VZ to diversify my geographical exposure to the sector. I have a fairly long time horizon (I am 36), and am in no great rush, but would, nonetheless, greatly appreciate your insight into each as a long-term "core" addition to a generally conservative portfolio.

Thank you.

Q: I recently inherited 500 shares of AT&T, what is your opinion of the company? I have not done any research but recent price action has been negative suggesting some adverse news or changes. I already have 1260 shares of BCE for telecom exposure.

Should I hold or sell?

Q: Dividend payments from US stocks like T generate a withholding tax which is not insignificant. Is there a process for getting a refund of this tax under dual taxation with the US?

Q: would buy AT&T at this time?

Q: In view of the PROBABLE acquisition by AT&T (T.us) of Time Warner, would AT&T now appear more pretty in your eyes now than it seems to have been in the past? (I am unable to see some past responses) . OR do you believe that political and regulatory uncertainty over the AT&T proposal is such that T.us is still not attractive enough to hold, notwithstanding the Time Warner possibility. AT&T's attractive dividend is all very well but not if growth is unlikley.

I have both Vodafone VOD.us and AT&T (T.us) in a registered account. VOD gives me Europe and India exposure. VOD has also been strong past couple of days, but I am not clear why.
Given my comments above , which one (IF ANY) would you sell and PLEASE your reasoning would be greatly appreciated. Thanks


PS: Previously on your site there was a link to questions one has asked oneself. Is that feature still available? Not critical for me, but was handy when I didn’t get émail that my question had been answered.

Q: Hi.
I keep my Telco at a 5% portfolio weighting. Presently I have 3/5ths BCE. How do you recommend I fill up the other 2/5ths? All in BCE presently with positive momentum. Telus to match the 5i portfolio recommendations. AT&T to take advantage of American Dividend and Share price drop? This will be held in a registered account. Thank you J

Q: Hello, I see that AT&T has not been doing very well, actually down by about 22% since the beginning of the year. How do you explain that poor performance? Should we switch for another name in the same sector? Regards, Gervais

Q: Both CTL and AT&T I believe have extended acquisition closing date deadlines.

Do you have any information and or opinion on the odds for them closing their respective deals?

Thank you!

Q: Hi,
My question is about AT&T (T:US). I know you don't focus in depth on US companies. Do you have any general comments on AT&T's share price slide this year and if the fundamentals have changed in a material way? I understand the merger with Time Warner was delayed a bit but both parties have agreed to extend the deadline. Are there any major regulatory roadblocks you see? Do you think T still has potential going forward as an income holding?
Many thanks, Michael

Q: I hold BCE and T for income, as well as CTL in a retirement income portfolio.
I am thinking of switching either BCE or T for BPY for a similar income because of the much reduced (I think) Capex requirements and likely better growth prospects.
My utility and real estate sector holdings currently are 20% and 23%, respectively,each spread over about 12 companies.
What would your thoughts be?

Q: Hello 5i.

I have some cash and would like to add another US stock to my portfolio, and looking for a recommendation.

I currently own Enbridge (US market), Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, UnitedHealth Group AT&T and McDonald's.

Based on what I own, can you recommend 3 or 4 stocks which you think would be good for my portfolio?

Income is not necessary, but not a problem if it has a dividend. I am looking to invest in a well managed company, with good balance sheet, and good growth potential.

Thank you for taking the time to answer my question.

Q: Dear Peter and Team,

My weighting in bonds has decreased as my stocks (matching BE portfolio plus some US and international holdings) have increased. I was considering trimming some stock gains and adding some short-duration bonds. What do you think of the following two choices?

1. AT&T INC, 3.2 coupon (current Ask YTM is 2.77835%) maturing 3/1/2022
2. FORD MOTOR CREDIT CO LLC, 3.336 coupon (Ask YTM 2.71415%), maturing 3/18/2021

The goal I am trying to achieve with the bonds is preservation of capital with small returns as a bonus and reduction of portfolio standard deviation by adding low-correlation securities. Current total bond weighting is about 7.5% and I am 35 years old.