Investment Q&A

Q: Hi 5i
In order to adjust utilities weighting up in my portfolio could you suggest a couple of each of Canadian and US please?
Thanks
Mike

Q: Looking to deploy excess cash, mainly for dividends and some growth. I have room in both utilities and telecom sectors. If I compare the Utilities and Telecoms listed, it would seem from current valuations (Fwd PE versus historical PE average) and looking at share appreciation the past 5 years ( history of generating shareholder value) , 5yr dividend growth rates and expected revenue growth, the utilities group easily wins on all counts. Based on this analysis, I should be buying from my list of utilities before I start buying from the Telecom list. Do you agree with my conclusion? Should I add any additional analysis? Thank-you.

Q: Hello Peter, I am intrigued after reading that a Canadian can earn about $50,000 per year of dividend income without paying any income tax. I know about your income portfolio of course, but with a view to maximizing just Canadian eligible dividend income, what would you think of the following portfolio of 14 stocks. Equal weighted, the stocks would yield 5.3%. (Disregard lack of market diversification; this can be achieved in one’s registered accounts.) Also, if one wanted to pare down the list to 10, which 4 would you delete?
BCE, CM, ENB, FTS, CNQ, AQN, CPD, FSZ, MG, KBL, POW, ALA, BIPC and NTR. Thanks!

Q: Hi Peter, Ryan, and team,

My wife's TFSA consists of the above holdings. NFI is down 73.4%, and XMA is a tiny holding where we park cash (no commission with iTrade). The others are doing well, but perhaps they're not the best when held in a TFSA. Are there any outright sells, and what suggestions do you have to employ the possible cash? We'd like a bit more oomph from this account. Your advice is very valuable.

Q: If my first objective is capital appreciation, how would you rank these three? Second question, my perception is that FTS isn't as "renewable" compared to BEP and AQN. How would you compare FTS to the other two in this regard?
Thanks.

Q: Dear 5i team:
Your software indicates our family’s investments are too Canadian-focused. However, I prefer our “home bias”, for three reasons:
(a) most of our assets are non-registered, and the dividend tax credit is especially favourable for Canadian source dividends in a province such as ours (Ontario);
(b) I like supporting the companies that I invest in (e.g., we buy Peller family wines, since we own their shares);
(c) but most important, many of the “Canadian” businesses we own are surprisingly international; among our top 20 equity holdings are:
Alimentation couche-tarde (Circle K is world-wide);
Brookfield Asset Management (globally focused company that invests wherever the opportunities are);
CGI Group (revenues are 84% outside Canada per 2019 annual report);
CP Rail (significant U.S. revenues);
Fortis (65% of earning are in U.S.);
Manulife (growing Asian revenues);
Restaurant Brands International (most of Burger King and Popeye’s restaurants are outside of Canada);
Shopify (not sure, but suspect international revenues are growing faster than Canadian revenues);
TC Energy (dropped “Canada” from its name to reflect its growing U.S. presence);
TD bank (substantial and growing U.S. presence);
Anyways, the above-listed 10 stocks represent about one-third of our overall equity holdings (in absolute $ terms), but I would not consider these companies as being “100% Canadian”. I wonder whether your software could be rejigged to reflect the relative percent earnings (or revenue) contributions, broken down per Canada, U.S., Europe, Asia, and so forth. I suspect our home “bias” is not nearly as substantial as it appears.
Ted

Q: I have these 13 stocks at equal weighting of approximately 5 percent each in my RSP, along with 35 percent in fixed income. Stock value of approx 1,300,000. Fixed income is approx 650,000. Cash 50,000. In your valued opinion, is the above stock selection diversified enough?, or are there other sectors I should be in. I am 69 and going to retire in the next year.

Q: Hi. I would characterize myself as an income investor, but like many others am also trying to position myself for "conservative growth".

I currently hold 3% positions each in BIP, FTS, BEP and a 3.5% position in CPX. I also have a 4% position in ENB (I see it as a pseudo utility/energy).

I'm down about 5% on FTS and BEP, even on BIP and up 15% on CPX.

I'm thinking of selling FTS at a tax loss and picking up AQN for the higher dividend and what I see as better potential for growth.

I may consider adding FTS back in at a later date. What do you think of this strategy, or would I be better to leave things as is? Do you see BIP, BEP, AQN and CPX as having better growth potential in the next 1-3 years? What would be your recommendations given this mix of holdings?

Thank-you in advance.

Q: I will retire in two years at 62 and receive OAS and max CPP at 65.

I have significant savings and investments.

At this moment in time what are your top five long term income producing investments. Relatively safety with some growth potential.

Thanks much.

Q: What is your best guess as to the likelihood of a dividend cut by any of the above listed companies? Thanks.

Q: Good afternoon
Quick question
Fortis or Emera, and why.?
I notice that Emera pays a better dividend
Thank you

Q: What would you consider the best bond proxies at this time?

Q: Hi. I have the above stocks in my TFSA and have some cash to deploy. Could you please give me 3 suggestions and rank them. Thanks.

Q: Hello Peter,
Is Well health technologies taking a hit due to the financing that was lower than the current price? If so, is it a good time to add to it.. Why are companies like fortis and other utilities and telecoms taking a hit . I thought lower rates would favour utilities and with work from home, companies like BCE would benefit as more people use the network. Lastly, do you feel it is time to add to LSPD or take a break given recent surge.. thanks very much

Q: Do you know why the price of Fortis has dropped over the past few days? Thanks for your comments.

Q: Can you please rank these stocks in terms of current valuations / market timing?
I am planning on purchasing 2 or 3 over the next few weeks and am wondering where to start.

Thanks.

Q: Hi! Is it a good time to add to Fortis to a full position. 10 year+ hold. Would you also add to Emera ? Thank you!

Q: There was an announcement a couple of days ago that BC Hydro was idling some facilities due to a reduction in demand. In the current situation I would guess that there must be a significant reduction in the industrial use of electricity. The prices of AQN and FTS have pulled back a bit. NPI is up today, perhaps on decent results. What does your crystal ball tell you about the demand for electricity going forward and the future prices of utility stocks.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Ian

Q: I presently own Fortis and was thinking of selling it for a profit and buying either CU or ACO in its place.

It would not change the asset allocation in my portfolio but would increase my total annual dividends (for income)

A. Can you give me your opinion on the swap, pros and cons of such a move

B. CU or ACO, which has better upside potential (rebound)

thanks

Ernie

Q: I am looking at buying a regulated gas and electric utility company. I am considering AQN and FTS. Which of these would be your favourite and why? Is there a company that you prefer more than these for a long-term hold?