Investment Q&A

Q: My question relates to sector allocation. Specifically, I am significantly overweight in Utilities (23%), but underweight in Energy (3%). That said, most of my utilities are related to renewable energy (AQN, BEP/BEPC and NPI, as well as FTS which is starting to tilt toward renewables). Does it make sense to 'assign' a portion of these stocks to the Energy sector? And if so, what percentage of each would you suggest could be reassigned? Thank you.

Q: what are your top TSX choices in the renewable energy space for the next three to five years? Please give your arguments for this selection. Thanks

Q: HI, There seems to be a growing consensus among market watchers and strategists, that Utilities are likely to shine in coming months and years. In this sector, specially the companies which have more exposure to Renewable and Green energy seem to be the favorites. One of the reasons cited for this view is a possible Biden win in coming US elections. We presently have about 9% sector weighting, equally divided between AQN and FTS, but wish increase to may be 15%. Over recent weeks, rising valuations have also reflected this optimism, although, for some more than others.( e.g.,Boralex from $27 to now $41). Which of above companies, in your view, have best potential for growth and prospects for consolidating their position in Green energy ? Also, from valuation perspective, which ones will be your favorites, for more capital appreciation over next few years ? It would help, if you could rank them in preference and explain your reasoning. Thank you for your great insight, as always.

Q: Could you please offer your thoughts on these three going forward. AQN has lagged peers in renewable energy over the last six months and I noted from past question responses that its future growth rate is expected to be comparatively low. Is there a problem here? After the recent rally in BEP, Boralex and others are they no longer attractive in valuation relative to historical multiples? Where would you put your cash at this point and are any of them attractive from a growth/valuation perspective?
Thanks for your insights.

Q: I am planning to take some losses as offsets to capital gains from previous years. In some cases, I am considering replacements as well. Please advise of any concerns with, or suggest alternatives to, the following sale (purchase) plan.

Sell HWO, PSI & IPL (buy PPL and AQN - already own ENB, ALA & KEY)

Sell SU & CJ (buy CNQ and PXT - already own ARX). I also have a sizeable loss on VET, but consider that is presently so far below comparables, that I should wait for some recovery – or sell now and move on?

Sell HR.UN (buy another REIT, possibly TCN.UN and/or ERE.UN - already own IIP.UN & NWH.UN).

Sell CHR.

Thanks - Don

Q: I have a small (30K)cash account that is currently divided into three, with equal amounts in cash, AQN and ENB. I am adding more money to the account and would like to either add another position or add to one of the two securities I already have. Please advise. I do not have to worry about diversity. I just want a good, fairly safe, dividend payer.

Q: Retired dividend-income investor. Long term holder of TRP. Would the recent decline in share price be attributable to the Biden-Trump debate #1, which analysts say Biden won (therefore putting Keystone XL at further risk) and/or the movement towards the change in sentiment (carbon-based vs renewable energy)?

I normally am a long term holder of core positions, with trimming/adding when rebalancing is required. I was due to add, once TRP came back down to $58. Now it is at $55 and I have adjusted my "adding" target to $50. I am not too far below a full position (at roughly 85%).

I do not plan to sell TRP believing that as the pandemic subsides, the oil & gas industry will recover. However, I am beginning to wonder that I may be better served to allocate these "top-up" funds to the renewable part of the energy sector instead. I also own AQN and FTS.

Your thoughts? Thanks for your help...Steve

Q: Thanks for your response on the renewable power /clean energy participants; it prompted a closer examination of earnings expectations and current rating for each. With certain exceptions it seems to me that i) rerating and price enhancement took place mostly in 2019, ii) that for the most part valuations are now generous and iii) that the participants are primarily utilities such that, absent special situations, sustainable earnings growth will be modest when compared to growing industrials and others with which we have become accustomed. The discount issue then hinges on valuation methodology; their pe/peg ratios are excessive unless the conventions applying to utilities are very different from generally accepted norms, and I am not familiar with accepted cash flow ratios for the sector if these are appropriate and used. What is the generally accepted pricing criteria for these names and customary ratio ranges. Thank you again.

Q: Please rate the above for survival and continued Div. payout in the next 5 years, based on cash- flow that well covers the dividend . I am a senior and need income. I have a position in all the above and would like a rating best first. Please insert your suggestions for the above criteria.
thanks
Yossi

Q: Retired, dividend income investor. Currently own AQN, FTS and TRP. If I wanted to add a 4th name (with a focus on renewables), what would you recommend? It would be mostly in a taxable account, with possibly some in a TFSA account. Or if AQN and FTS are enough names, should I just add funds to them? If AQN-FTS are not enough names, would you consider BEPC or BIPC? I like utilizing the dividend tax credit.
Thanks for your help...Steve

Q: It looks as though renewable power is becoming politically accepted, with the above as assumed potential sector participants. What is the anticipated growth rate for each and to what extent have each potentially already discounted the coming year's anticipated growth in value. I Look forward to your response.

Q: Hi 5i team,

PA suggests I up my utilities by 5%. I was thinking of adding two stocks one being AQN at 2.5% to 3%. Can you please suggest a few large and mid cap companies that would complement AQN.

Thank you

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: It seems the Liberals are going to heave a whole lot of money at likely renewable energy and infrastructure in the coming months. Does 5i have some suggestions where some of its subscribers would place some investment funds?

Q: We have 300K which we want to use to build a portfolio of Canadian dividend payers in an open account.
This forms a significant chunk of our semi retirement portfolio. We have growth stocks in registered accounts and also some cash in a HISA.

1. Would you think that 10 companies offers sufficient diversification?
2. Which companies would you recommend? (we are thinking 2 x financials, 2 x telecoms, 2 x utilities, 1 or 2 materials, 1 or 2 energy)
3. Over what time frame would you recommend purchasing these companies? (TD charges me $10 a trade)

Thank-you,
Jim and Sharon

Q: Just wondering your thoughts on these two companies. CPX has higher dividend which may increase the risk. Recently sold some CIBC with terrific gains and want to lower my financial exposure.
Thanks.

Q: What five income stocks do you see as undervalued at this time. How much upside potential in each do you calculate. What is the time frame involved before you believe each reaches its price expectation. Thank you

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: Hi
If you had to put together a shopping list of solid long term dividend payers that you could pick-up if things went on sale again in the coming quarters, what would you buy? I'd want yields north of 7% so it would have to be a good sale. :)
And if you wanted to do it in one swoop with an ETF, would one of these be suitable: XEI or XDIV?
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!