Investment Q&A

Q: Brookfield and related entities. What percentage of total portfolio would YOU be comfortable holding. Right now I am at about 13% including BN, BAM, BEP, BIP and BIPC all held in a USD non-reg account. BN is largest holding in Portfolio.

Q: Hello 5i Team

Further to the reader’s question about US$ denominated dividend deposited into US$ denominated accounts at RBC Direct Investing.

I experienced the same issue with RBC Direct Investing and they explained as follows. I will use Brookfield Infrastructure
Partners (BIP) which I hold in a US$ denominated account.

BIP transfers the total dividend to Canadian Depositary for Securities (CDS) for all the BIP shares held by CDS (in excess of 100 million shares) on behalf of Canadian Brokers. This dividend payment (in US $) is converted to C$ (unclear whether its BIP or CDS) at “wholesale” rates.

CDS then transfers to each Canadian Broker (i.e. RBCDI) the Canadian dollar equivalent of BIP dividends held by the individual brokers (i.e. RBCDI). RBCDI then buys US dollars for dividends deposited into US$ denominated accounts. There is a difference in the exchange rate between the dividends received from CDS and the transfer to individual accounts. This results in the small discrepancy between dividends declared and dividends received.

The result is for 1,000 shares of BIP

BIP declared dividend = US$0.43 x 1,000 shares = US$430.00

RBCDI deposited $0.429544 x 1,000 shares = US$429.54 a difference of $0.46

Sometimes it works the other way and RBCDI deposits a slightly greater amount of US$ than the equivalent original dividend amount.

Other US $ stocks do not seem to have this issue, as I mostly hold US domiciled companies in my US $ accounts. It may also be a result of how the dividend issuing company transfers funds to CDS.

It is annoying as I originally purchased BIP on the NYSE and expected to receive the declared dividend amount.

I hope this explains the matter to the reader.

Q: Good morning,
I own a 3% position in BIPC and smaller positions in BBUC and BBU.UN. I was thinking of selling all three and adding to BN before the split. I also own BEP.UN.,BAM, BEPC and BN. This is in non -reg account. Since they are relatively small gains, taxes are not an issue. Thanks, Paul

Q: When looking at portfolio weightings and the Brookfield companies - do you consider each incarnation of the brookfield empire as a different company or do you consider them the same? Trying to figure out if I should trim or not, given their connections.

Q: What are your thoughts on BIPC earnings. Please advise if I should add on weakness today or what price do you consider as great buy.

Thanks for the great service

Q: Good afternoon - I have several Brookfield positions. My BN and BAM positions have more than doubled. My BEPC and BIPC positions have done well but nowhere close to a double. I do get higher dividends in BEPC and BIPC but BAM pays almost 3% at current prices. I'm thinking of selling BEPC and BIPC and putting the proceeds into BAM. The tax consequences are manageable. Your thoughts, please.

Q: I have all three of these positions.

I'm happy to keep my capital invested in the Brookfield empire, but it feels inefficient and not thought out the way it sits in my portfolio, almost like a series of afterthoughts.

The breakdown of the three (as a % of their cumulative totals in my portfolio)

BN = 57%
BEPC = 8%
BEP.UN = 35%

(Ignoring the whole tax schmozzle with reg vs NR accounts),

Would you recommend any changes? That could include adding another Brookfield entity as a possibility.

Q: Hi, can you rank these stocks for best to worst expected total return over the next 3 years in a non-registered account. Also, rank them for the lowest to highest risk.

Thanks for the great service!

Q: What’s your opinion on the BIP’s Q1 result? It seams the 6% increase in dividends is above the increase in AFFO. What is now the payout ratio of the AFFO? I like this dividend increase but are they getting agressive given the AFFO results?

Q: Good morning: Which of the brookfield companies you think will be most benefitted in the next 12-18 months. Could u listed them in order of preference?
Secondly, How much does each of these companies contributed into the parent BN's bottom line. Thank you.

Q: This is not a question, just a comment so I'm not sure what other forum there is for me to do that

I see that you recommend BEP and BIP for income investors . I think you should highlight that because these are partnerships, the income is a combination of dividends , interest and foreign income . So a form t5013 will have to be filed and not all the income from the partnership is taxed with the favourable dividend tax treatment . Luckily, neither of these has $US business , therefor are not subject to the 10% withholding
cheers
Tim

Q: Can BIPC be owned along with TRP, ENB & BEPC in a non-registered account? Not too much overlap? Good to receive dividends in US dollars in this crazy period.

Thanks for your input.

Q: Hi Folks,
May I have your thoughts on BEPC and BIPC. I am thinking of selling my shares in BEPC (breaking even) and buying BIPC which seems to be doing better. This would be in my TFSA.
Thanks

Q: Please explain how those Brookfield entities and others fit in a balance portfolio of stocks in terms of growth and income. What would be your ranking preference long term? Would you suggest other Brookfield companies to complete the picture?

Thank you for your great services

Q: Hi, I have a good problem and looking for some suggestions here. I have Brookfield group companies to 17.5% right now. RRSP A/C- BAM-1%, BN-8.6%,BEP-5% , Non-Registered A/C - BIPC-2.8% . Should i let them grow or reduce and which one? Thanks

Q: HI, I own several CDN Utilities, AQN, SOBO, PPL, BEPC, BIPC, EMA, ENB, FTS, TRP. Trying to reduce # of CDN Utilities I own. I am thinking of selling AQN, SOBO, BEPC, and BIPC. What is your opinion of selling these and adding PPL, and EMA. What is your opinion on CDN Utility ETF instead. Can you suggest CDN Util ETF for a reasonable return and potential for growth. Welcome if you have any other suggestion. Thanks

Q: I hold BAM, BIP.UN, BIPC, BEP.UN, BEPC and BN in a non registered account. For September and December dividend payments, I noticed that a withholding tax was applied to BIP.UN. For tax purposes, would any of the 6 stocks listed be better off in a registered account?

Q: Looking to increase exposure to the infrastructure theme by either adding to a 3% position in BIP or taking new position in PWR. Are they too similar to hold both or can holding both add diversification strength to a portfolio? Which one would have greater growth potential over 3-5 year timeframe? Thanks for all you do.

Q: Please advise which is more benefit to hold in unregistered accounts. Also are they both the same stocks and it looks like BIPC has outperformed.

Thanks for the great service.

Q: Some analysts think infrastructure is a good space to invest in 2025. What exactly is included in the infrastructure space and what are some companies that you think have good prospects for 2025?