Investment Q&A

Q: In my 35-stock portfolio, I have a 9% overall weighting in the following:

ALA - 3%
ENB - 2.5%
TRP - 2.1%
BEP.UN - 1.4%

I am assuming that 9% is an "okay weighting" for this group (?) but my main question is, whether or not you see too much overlap in these stocks.

I know this group provides a mixture of storage and pipelines that move shale oil, crude, gas, etc. I also have exposure to renewable energy which has kept me from investing in other power-related stocks such as Fortis and Canadian Utilities.

Do you have any concerns about the weighting or overlap?

By the way, the only energy stock I have is TOU - 1.2%, if that makes any difference.

Thanks.

Jim

Q: Your response to Brian on Dec 15 included the following comment: "if you own 85% of your portfolio in high dividend stocks, then this is more of a concern".

I am a retired, conservative, dividend-income investor, with a pension, CPP, annuities, the above listed stocks and 3 income producing MFs (RBC Cdn Equity Income, Sentry Cdn Income, Sentry Global REIT).

I fit the 85% easily. I believe my portfolio is diversified by sector and by security. I also believe the securities have, for the most part, sustainable and growing dividends. I am a "buy-and-hold investor with reasonable tolerance for volatility.

Your comments and concerns please, along with any recommended improvements. Thanks...Steve

Q: I am trying to quantify my risk if 10 year treasury rates go back to the "normal" levels of 10 years ago (i.e. 4.5% to 5%). Would you be able to provide a reference to a source of dividend yields for the above stocks at that time? Would this be a good indicator of price risk for these stocks?

Thanks

Q: Hello 5i, between these energy companies, TRP, ENB, PPL.un , and IPL.un, KEY, which of the following companies would you recommend buying now for a long term hold?
Please advise from best to least liked, or please advise if you would have a different recommendation of the energy sector companies? Thank You.

Q: Is it a good time to buy above stocks for RRSP?I appreciate your order of preference.Thank you.Ebrahim

Q: As a retired income investor, I own TRP (3.7%), ENB (3.5%), ENF (0.7%), PPL (1.7%), IPL (2.8%), ALA (3.7%) representing ~16% of the Canadian investments across all my accounts (registered & unregistered).

I am uncertain whether I should continue to hold all of these because the overall percentage is too high. Keeping in mind that I need income, should I perhaps cut the 16% down to ?? or is it fine to continue with this percentage? Which are your preferred picks for a longterm hold?

Should I rationalize down to 3 or 4 of these names or cut percentages of specific stocks? Do you view any of them as especially risky?

(Canadian banks and telcos represent 24% and 10% respectively of my Canadian investments.)

This may count as another question which is fine:
• Have you any insight into the geographies served by the smaller pipeline companies?
• Is there any likelihood of acquisition/ merger activity between them or with TRP or ENB or ?

Thank you 5i, as always!

Heather

Q: Do you think TRP would be a good buy just now?

Q: What do you think about the $3.2 Billion TransCanada deal at $58.50?

Q: What do you make of recent news about Transcanada offering lower rates to to companies wanting to transport natural gas in its pipelines? Do you know if this is for existing customers or new customers only? What does this mean for other pipeline companies? Is this an indication of a loss of pricing power? And lastly, what could it mean for the prospects for future dividend increases?

Thanks, and keep up the good work,

Q: Further to today's Q&A from Stephen R. re sector diversification and PPL / TRP, I too have a similar issue with TRP and ENB. I have been (arbitrarily) assigning both of these holdings as half Energy, and half Utility. Could you give me your opinion on this approach. Thanks kindly, T.

Q: Hi 5i Team:
I’m sold on the need to maintain sector diversification and use your suggested weightings for an income portfolio as my guide. It is how to classify pipelines that always gives me difficulty. I hold Algonquin, Fortis and Innergex to the tune of 10% classified as Utilities. I hold Canadian Natural Resources and Parkland Fuels which make up 7.0% as Energy. Now the problem, I also own Pembina and TransCanada to a total of another 6%. If I go against the TSX and say they are Utilities then I am pretty much in line with where I want to be. If I say they are Energy, suddenly I am overweight Energy and underweight Utilities. My question is do you have any data that would suggest which sector the pipelines are actually more strongly correlated to historically? My feeling is that they have probably moved down with Energy when the oil and gas sector gets beaten up, but also move down with Utilities when interest rates go up so not sure it really matters that much unless one has a crystal ball? But I try not to invest by feelings, would love to know if there is any hard data to support a decision? Alternatively, if you just look at the above and say “too much energy exposure for proper diversification” that’s good enough for me. Appreciate your guidance as always, thanks!

Q: I am looking to crystallize gains in PPL, and seeking an alternative in the pipeline/utility sector. I currently own ENB and TRP as well as FTS. What do you recommend for diversification in combination with those three?

Q: Peter; The Alberta government just announced they are going to challenge a agreement made by the previous PC government to basically allow power companies out of contracts if they proved to be unprofitable due to actions by the government. It's called the ENRON agreement.. Can you quantify which companies these would be, and the impact, if the challenge is upheld.? Thanks. Rod

Q: Thank you 5i for your excellent service!!!

I have divided up my portfolio into thirds.
One third is a diverse group of ETFs.
One third is cash and a group fluid group of stocks made up primarily from stocks you recommend. SJ, CCL, SIS, KXS... etc.
One third is made up of the seven stocks listed above. Do you have any concerns about any of these being a long term hold. I know Magna is cyclical but is that a concern?
Cheers,
Bryan

Q: Peter

I am working with a friend to restructure her portfolio It is criminal that the broker of a large bank investment division put all her accounts in high fee mutual funds The TFSA had 89 % in one mutual fund

My question is what is your opinion on holding short term ETF bond funds as opposed to holding interest sensitive stocks I do not see any reason to be in a bond fund

Could you recommend half a dozen Canadian stocks that would serve aws bond proxies

Could you also recommend some of the new rate reset preferreds with a floor on the rate reset

Thanks for your response and great service

Paul

Q: 9:53 AM 6/29/2016

Hello Peter:

Today you made this distinction between "Safe" and "Secure" dividends in your answer to Grant asking about Superior Plus : "We would consider the dividend 'secure'. 'Safe' is a different category completely".

1. I am looking to concentrate on companies whose dividends you consider to be in the "safe" category, and which yield over 3.5% as these should/must be at least the main core of any pensioner's holdings for reliable income. This can be confusing to sort out since I presume that you will not consider all banks, utilities, telcos, REITS, Pipelines, etc. qualify as "safe".

2. So if you could sort out a short list of the few that qualify for the "Safe Dividend" category it would be most appreciated. I do understand that disasters do occasionally happen, and any company no matter how safe can get into trouble.

2. This brings up the problem of portfolio concentration caused by owning only a few names or sectors. Is it better or "ok" to just own a portfolio of only "Safe" dividend stocks, or are we advised to dilute the quality of our portfolios and own some less safe dividend stocks to supposedly "diversify" risk? This harks back to the people whose portfolio consists of only the big five Canadian Banks and who have done brilliantly for the past 50 years!

Your considered opinion on this issue will be most appreciated........ Paul K.

Q: Hi guys, I'm wanting to start a position in pipelines, which of the three do you favor for growth.

Thanks as always
Rob

Q: Can you please discuss and rank these pipelines for a 3+ year hold from a growth perspective?

thanks

Q: I would like to add a pipeline to my portfolio. Which one (or two) would you recommend.

Ray

Q: Hello 5i Team,
Utilities and pipeline companies are counted as 'blue chips' in many retirees' portfolio due to 'safe' dividends and some growth opportunities.
With the current thesis of the decline of fossil fuel in the context of low carbon future, what are your thoughts on these companies? Would there be a change of guards with these industries being replaced by renewable energy and clean tech energy in the next decade?
I have the following names which I am concerned about where they will stand few years from now? Which are the weaker ones that I should sell?
PPL, KEY, AQN, TRP, FTS, ENB.
Are there Cdn or US companies that you can suggest as future 'blue chip' in the renewable energy and clean tech energy industries? I already owned BEP.UN. Thanks.