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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: Hi there : what would you recommend to protect the portfolio from a high inflation due to all the stimulus packages for the pandemia ?, gold (i.e CEF) , or ENB (with physical assets that will go up in value if inflation goes up). Are shares of financial companies (i.e. TD) protected against inflation ?
thanks
Read Answer Asked by Alejandro (Alex) on April 27, 2020
Q: On Apr. 1 I sold ENB and PKI for tax-loss purposes and bought, at your suggestion PPL and SPB respectively as proxies. Since then PPL has appreciated 16% vs ENB 5% and PKI is up 20% vs SPB 15%. So thank you very much for those suggestions!
My question is what to do at the end of the month when I can repurchase the original holdings, now that l have a cap gains on both of my "new" purchases (maybe $2,000 total). (I know this is a nice "problem" to have!)
My preference is to buy back PKI because I think it is a better overall company for the long term and less of a commodity type holding. (concur?) My bigger question, I think, is PPL vs ENB. I am a long term investor and while you seem to favour ENB somewhat over PPL you also seem to suggest that PPL has been more oversold than ENB. I'm not one to usually wait and guess for a future price but I am wondering if in this case, I should hold PPL as it may appreciate faster or sell after the 30 day holding period expires regardless because, in the long run, you feel ENB will come out ahead.

Appreciate your insight.

Paul F.

Read Answer Asked by Paul on April 23, 2020
Q: I would like your help putting together a yield portfolio of between 15 and 20 names.
This would be the entire investments for my wife and I. We are both retired and now live full-time in the U.S. And at some point I expect my Canadian newspaper pension to disappear, so I am looking to replace that money.
I would like your opinion of the above names with regard to safety of the income and overall diversification.
I would also appreciate some additional ideas and would like to know if I`m off base on any or all of these names.
I am currently only invested in CM, BNS and BMO and DIR.UN.
Please take 20 credits (or more).
Thank you in advance for your invaluable assistance.
Read Answer Asked by Kyle on April 21, 2020
Q: 1st question on ENB , I see lots of recommendations on ENB. I understand that this co. has mostly take or pay contracts (I am also aware of their investments in renewables etc.) however, it looks like there is a possibility of oil storage filling to capacity, if this does happen many pipelines will have basically slow to a trickle or even stop for a while, if this were to happen would this not give energy cos. stuck with take or pay an out as their contracts wouldn't be honored, it seems like a very risky situation to me for all the pipelines, what is your take on this?
2nd question would you endorse buying ZQQ for a 1 stop tech exposure ( I like the idea of being hedged) or would you prefer something else. I was also looking at the ARK etf's F W K ( tesla seems heavy in some of these) which of these would you prefer in combo with a ZQQ or instead of? dock as many as needed as I don't use many, lol. Thanks for your perspectives and all the work you do.
Tom
Read Answer Asked by Tom on April 17, 2020
Q: I would like to add a mix of income stocks to my portfolio (for a 5-10yr hold) which has been primarily growth oriented and comprised of a number of 5i’s BE Model Portfolio names.
a) Could you please rank the above listed stocks for dividends with preference for long term yoield of at least 4-5%, and growth back to YTD highs over the next year or two. Moderate to high risk is okay.
b) List any particular concerns you see with any of them.
c) Your suggestions for 1-2 better names in the current market to represent sectors such as utilities, financials, Telecoms, Reits, and ndustrials would be much appreciated.
Thanks for your wisdom and guidance over these unprecedented times.
Read Answer Asked by Alvin on April 16, 2020
Q: Thanks for your flash report. Much appreciated.
Without doing a full review, which of the above would risk being downgraded if you were to do a full review? Thanks. Your service is great!
Read Answer Asked by Marco on April 15, 2020
Q: Hi,
I read the Globe & Mail interview with Al Monaco this weekend and he makes no secret of the fact that Enbridge is on the hunt for an acquisition, or maybe more than one. The Spectra deal shows that he's not afraid to go big. With that in mind, could you identify some companies that might make suitable targets for Enbridge and, specifically, would Keyera belong on the list?
Thanks,
Peter
Read Answer Asked by Peter on April 14, 2020
Q: ENB vs PPL.....which would you prefer for a 3 - 5 year hold? Or half a position in each? Are the dividends safe? I'm looking for the dividend plus modest share price appreciation. Any other recommendations in this space?
Thanks for your help.
Read Answer Asked by Dennis on April 13, 2020
Q: POW has now fallen to a price giving a similar yield to ENB, around 8%. For a senior living on dividend income, which of the two has the safer dividend for a long term hold? You have tended to favour SLF in the insurance/financial space, so would you still recommend SLF over POW for dividend safety and growth, despite its lower yield? If you don't like any of these three stocks, what's your top Canadian pick for a senior looking for a decent safe yield, with some potential for long term growth?
Read Answer Asked by David on April 06, 2020
Q: with the glut of oil currently in the marketplace and chatter that there is nowhere left to store it will this affect the amount of product flowing thru their pipes...and hence reduce operating cash flows...which of the 2 companies would it affect less...do you have a preference at this point between the 2 companies...with thanks...Cheers
Read Answer Asked by Cam on April 06, 2020
Q: I am considering selling my shares in ENB and using the funds to top up my holding in BAH. What are your thoughts on this move?
This would be in a registered fund. There is no tax loss advantage. I am interested in total return whether it be dividend or capital gain over the next 2-3 years.
Read Answer Asked by Elliott on March 31, 2020
Q: Hi 5i,

Main question: How much overlap is there in the equities exposure of VSP and XQQ? Are there specific companies where any such overlap is concentrated to the point of being worth mentioning?

Follow-up clarification: In Derek’s March 30 Canadian pipelines question where you ranked 4 pipes on balance sheet strength and preferability, you named Enbridge 3-bal and 1-pref. What offsets the weaker balance sheet aspect? Balance sheet differences not being material? More reliable income stream maybe in the event of a sector meltdown? The track record on growth and dividend growth maybe? Size?

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Lance on March 31, 2020
Q: So with the pipeline companies yielding between 8 and 20% and factoring in a 50% dividend cut, they would still have a nice yield. I suspect that some might increase, or at least slow price decline if cut.
Please list these companies in order of balance sheet strength and debt % and coverage, and order of preference. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Derek on March 30, 2020