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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: This is not a question, but rather a comment on your statement that ALA.r distributions are mostly income for tax purposes. That is incorrect. It is mostly ROC. ALA put out a link to the month-by-month income vs ROC for distributions in 2017 here:
https://www.altagas.ca/sites/default/files/2018-02/Subscription%20Receipts%20Taxation%20Information.pdf

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RE:
Asked by Rajiv on February 14, 2018
5I RESEARCH ANSWER:
Utility and income stocks are not having a good year at all, on fears of higher interest rates. ALA is down 9% YTD. But we have no particular worries on the company itself and do not see the dividend at risk. As 'part' of a portfolio designed to generate income, we would be comfortable with it. Note the receipts pay interest income (for tax purposes).
Read Answer Asked by arnold on February 17, 2018
Q: Hello
A few months ago I had asked you about going overweight with Crius Energy as a means for covering margin interest. It has worked well for me so far. I do have anear full position in Altagas subscription receipts ALA-R. At today's prices, would you recommend going overweight here as well so as to cover some margin interest?
Read Answer Asked by Rajiv on February 14, 2018
Q: all of these holdings are between 1-3%...financials i hold 13% with energy next largest at 6%...yet all of these are hitting 52 week lows...which would you consider dumping if any...yours truly dazed and confused...
Read Answer Asked by adam on February 14, 2018
Q: Hi 5i Team,
I own positions in IPL, ENF, KEY, ALA, and PPL. I am a long-term income investor who (like many) is a bit disappointed with the relative (to the market) decline in the share prices of these companies. All of them have been good at growing their businesses, earnings, and cash flows, and dividends - cornerstones of my investment strategy. On a fundamental basis, I don't see anything wrong with any of them, and am inclined to stay the course, thinking the market will eventually reward these companies. I recognize that many of these companies carry significant debt (at low, long-term rates I would think, and not variable rates), and the current Canadian regulatory environment is a negative for the industry.
Can you poke any holes in my investment strategy with respect to these names?
Read Answer Asked by Brian on February 09, 2018
Q: SALES BY INSIDERS
I have seen some insider selling activity for the above noted companies. A few officers of Enbridge sold over 50,000 shares each in December. As well, I noted a few ALA directors sold over 15,000 shares each last month.
Do you view these insider selling activities as unfavourable?

On the other hand, another Energy company (IPL) had favourable insider selling activity, in my opinion, since there were only buyers and not sellers.
Read Answer Asked by Terry on February 01, 2018
Q: I have a 20% overall weighting in above names. At 57 do you feel this weighting is excessive? Thanks!

Rob
Read Answer Asked by Rob on January 29, 2018
Q: I hold ALA common shares at a small loss (bought just under $30), and am surprised that it has not been able to get back up near the $31 receipt issue price. I am considering selling ALA and buying back the same number of shares as ALA.r, at a slightly lower price. Is it correct that if the deal does not go through, the receipts are cancelled at $31 per receipt, and if the deal does go through, the receipts become ALA shares on a 1 for 1 basis?

My thinking is that if the deal fails, then I have a capital gain on the receipts (including claiming the current loss on ALA), and if the deal goes through, I am essentially in the same position, whatever the share price. I guess the downside is that if the deal fails and the market really likes that, ALA common shares could go above $31. Am I thinking straight here, and do you have any comment on this plan or the potential market reaction to the deal failing.
Thank-you
Read Answer Asked by grant on January 22, 2018
Q: I am fairly new at this and of the companies mentioned above I want to set up a Dividend portfolio using 3 to 4 of them. Suggestions would be very much appreciated as I am not well schooled in this area.
Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Ron on January 16, 2018
Q: Hello 5i
Happy New Year!

I am looking to move cash from savings into a higher ROI investment yet not add very much market risk. With Savings offering 1.5%, I feel with a small amount of risk uptick an investor should be able to increase return.
An example of one selection as likely candidate, I have been looking at PPL.PR.K - rate reset 2021, minimum 5.75%. current yield @ 5.47%
Would you think BCE, EMA, KBL and/or ALA.R suit this consideration.

Would you please offer a few ideas for this ROI Upgrade that may be suitable for this effort?
While I am aware any desire to increase in return will drive an increase in risk and one needs to be careful to not reach too far for yield, what additional comments or thoughts would you have for this type of investment move?

Thanks for your excellent service.
Dave
Read Answer Asked by Dave on January 05, 2018
Q: These receipts were issued at $31 and are now trading around $29, if the deal with WGL doesn't go close you get your $31 back. If it does close you get a share of ALA 1 for 1 for $31, in the meantime you get the same dividend as ALA which they just increased. What's the downside if any. The deal is supposed to close approx. in Q2 of 2018.
Read Answer Asked by John on January 03, 2018