Investment Q&A

Q: When companies like Telus issue millions of Restricted share units (RSU) like it recently did does this affect the share count and are these free shares given out as compensation irregardless of performance of the company? Thx for helping me to understand.

Q: Hello 5i,

I'm thinking of selling my BCE shares in my non-registered account for tax loss purposes since I'm also expecting a dividend cut shortly. I'm looking to replace the dividend income as much as possible and I'm thinking of putting the proceeds in Telus (which I already own) or FRU.UN (not owned but I already own TOU). I'm debating whether a possible capital appreciation with BCE following a dividend cut makes it worth rebuying after 30 days instead of continuing to hold T or FRU.UN for the long term? Overall, my goal is to maintain my dividend income with this particular trade.

I'm also thinking about replacing FSV with HPS.A (I had HPS.A FOMO a few months ago but I'm not sure it's going back to its previous days?) in my TFSA for overall returns and I'm wondering if you have a preference between the two?

Thank you,
Lisa

Q: Bank of America downgraded Telus to neutral from Buy. The reasons are excessive leverage and the dividend exceeding cash flow. The stock is down 5%.
Three questions:
1. Do you agree with the assessment of the analyst ?
2. The Analyst making the assessment is assigned only one star on a scale of five according to my broker. Does the fact that the analyst is assigned only one star makes his prediction less reliable?
3. What is your recommendation going forward for Telus ? Sell or hold ? Is there more downside risk? Although the dividend was increased twice in 2024 is there a risk of an imminent dividend cut ?
Thank you as always for your insight.
Please deduct as many credits as deemed necessary.

Q: Looks to be lots of inside buying on Telus or are RSU shares must be purchased as compensation?

Thx

Q: What do you think of telus or bce for income and some growth. is there a recovery in the near future.

Q: Hello. Notwithstanding the obvious issues with some of these names, as well as with the sector more broadly, how would you rank these 4 on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the best. Context is ~ 2 year timeline.

Thank you.

Q: In process of rebalancing growth leaning portfolios, so for the Communications sector, what would be your top five or six "must own" holdings, any market in this sector. Currently I have a notional 6% allocation to sector and small positions in GOOG, SIXG (FIVG), NBIS, and Telus. At a 3.6% position I have room to grow and looking for ideas.

Q: Hi group can you please comment on Capitol direct trust - last quarter they paid out 9% + over last 3 yrs they have averaged 7+ %. What is your assessment of the risk rewards in this sector i suspect that restrictions on liquidly and management fees are concerns but the attractive quarterly payout are very attractive in this unstable market overall your thoughts please. I am 74 and retired so steady income is a driver. Also please rate the above stocks (1-10 . 10 being best) Thanks for your help

Q: Hi Peter and Team,

With the intent of better opportunities elsewhere, would YOU be a seller of BCE held in a registered account? (A significant loss, given the time we've held BCE)

Or, would YOU consider it a hold?

If a seller, would YOU add to our current holdings in Telus?

Or would YOU not stay in the sector for the time being due to all the headwinds it’s experiencing?

Thanks for your help.

Q: Hi 5i, thoughts on quarter, looks like the market approves. Forward guidance looks good, along with cost savings planned to reduce debt. Thx.

Q: Hi 5i Team,

I'm curious about your thoughts on sentiment turning against US equities in the coming months. I'm already exhausted seeing all the foolish tweets and news clips coming out of the Trump administration and I have to believe many others are too. Trump 2.0 seems much worse than 1.0! Also, I've been hearing that European markets are already outpacing the US market so far this year and I'm wondering if the US market deserves its current valuation given the increased volatility and increased risks?

I own many US stocks (e.g., 5 of the Mag 7, COST, ISGR, HD, TT, SYK, RS, ZS, HON, V) and I'm thinking for the first time of selling/trimming some of these. I would look to increase my dividend-paying Canadian stocks to generate more income. I'm also thinking about European dividend payers?

I'd appreciate your general views along with any comments you might have related to selling/trimming some of the stocks I've mentioned above. I'd look to sell into the end of this month and buy favourite TSX dividend payers (e.g., ENB, SLF, CNQ, BEP.UN, BIP.UN, T) or others you might suggest after the next tariff decision in early March.

Like many members, I have to thank you again for the wonderful service you provide. Your Q&A section and market reviews are fabulous, especially during difficult times! I also realize this is a long question and the answers are worth more than one credit.

Lisa

P.s. I had registered to attend this week's webinar which may have answered some of my questions. Unfortunately, something came up over lunch and I missed the webinar. Please let me know if there's a chance of catching a replay.

Q: What is your level of concern around a possible dividend cut at some point on Telus?

Q: Are the telcos oversold? Are they a good dividend play at the levels?

Q: Hello, I own above for my RSP... Obviously, I am disappointed with Telus and BCE and I am down some 25%.. I can understand BCE's poor management, but how about Telus? also in the dumpsters.
If I sell Telus and BCE, do you suggest that I add to one of the above as I want to keep my holdings to 10-12 stocks . Any suggestions?
Thanks
Carlo

Q: Hello Team,

I currently do not have any pure dividend stocks and I'm looking at purchasing one to start. I did a bit of research and came up with the above list, are you able to rank them in order plus add your 2 favorites into the list (if they are not already included). Looking at a minimum of a 6% yield with the possibility of say a 30% return over the next 3-5 years. (setting my goals high). Thanks!

Q: TIXT continues to drop (today down around 10%) with no news that I can find. Are you aware of any reason for the significant drop? Also, what is your take on how the senior executive team at Telus could have got this so wrong?

Q: Hi 5i

Please as many questions as needed.

I am heavily invested in stocks and want to raise cash, putting more money into bonds. I have about 10% in Canadian oil and gas, 5% gold stocks, and about 13% in uranium stocks. I am going to hold my gold and uranium.

What allocation would you suggest for a retiree in terms of portfolio holdings of gas and oil?

I am concerned about the possible coming tarriffs and the effect on the Canadian ecomomy. Most of my holdings are Canadian. A lot of these are in dividend stocks. I have held them through the past few years but I do need to increase the allocation to conservative investments. I plan to reduce most by about 20% or consider outright sells. I currently prefer to reduce downside risk than worry about the upside.

Can you help me decide from the viewpoint of possible tarriffs and effect on the Canadian economy which are at risk the most. Could you class these as hold, reduce or sell. I will hold all my U.S. stocks which are about 15% of my portfolio and haven't listed those here.

Thank you for your very helpful advice.

Q: Good day and happy New Year to all the 5i staff. This is my first, and hopefully last multi stock question.

I am really beginning to take Trump seriously about tariffs. His reasons don’t hold up, but I believe he has unstated reasons of his own for wanting to do so. I don’t usually jump quickly but I have a bad feeling and am thinking of selling some Canadian holdings and buying US. I am wondering what you would think of this?

Even if my fear is justified, though, some of the stocks I am considering may do well under Trump’s regime, anyway. The above stocks are the ones i am considering and i would appreciate your views on whether they might do alright under Tariffs? Any other Canadian stocks you might think will react particularly badly?
Thanks for your great service

Q: Hi, I have these two stocks in my rrif account. Thinking of selling my two losers DIR and TELUS, and putting it in ZMI.
DIR and TELUS don’t seem to be doing much, while ZMI has US holdings, is steadily increasing in price with a good dividend.
This would be for a 5+ year period.. your thoughts please.

Q: Happy New Year to all at 5i and fellow members as well,

For this year's 7K TFSA contribution, I'm considering adding Alphabet. Due to the decline in both BCE and T, we are very underweight in this sector. Also, we're underweight in USA holdings as well. Would you endorse this strategy? Thanks as always for your insight.