Investment Q&A

Q: I'm holding the following since I thought they would be considered safe stocks, however they are going down with all the rest.

1) I made the big mistake that gold miners would actually do well in the current situation, however I know see my mistake that I should have purchased gold directly. Would you, given the situation today, sell the miners and buy gold directly - what has the past crises shown about gold versus gold miners?
2) Do you think the utilities above will stabalize near current levels, or do you see that there will be a reset in all P/E and P/C levels down to lower levels?

Q: Any idea why ppl which currently yields 5.27% was down last week while the above other defensive stocks were up?

Q: It looks as though utilities, and renewable utilities in particular, have taken off, while Canadian pipelines, which are also traditionally stable investments, are either flat or dropping.
Do you have any comments on whether:
1. this is a short term disparity or a fundamental shift,
2. whether one group is better than the others at current prices, and
3. If the recent drop now otherwise creates a good point of entry for any or all?

Q: Retired, conservative dividend-income investor with a "buy-and-hold & trim-add around a core position" strategy. At times like these, I take a fresh look at my holdings and ask two key questions. #1 = are there any of my equity holdings that have alarm bells going off? #2 = how safe are the dividends (knowing that no dividend is 100% secure)? The portfolio capital may rise or fall, but it is the continuation of the dividend that is more important.

For asset allocation purposes related to individual stocks (as opposed to sector allocations), I use the following:
5% targets = AQN, BCE, BNS, PBH, RY, TRP, WSP
4% targets = AD, AW, CSH, NWC
2% targets = LNF, MG, NTR
ETF targets = roughly 3-7%

Q#1 = are there any of these equities that you hear alarm bells?
Q#2 = are there any of these equities where you foresee dividend risk?
Q#3 = any thoughts on how I have my asset allocations set up (knowing it is a very personal decision?

Take a bunch of credits. Thanks for your help...Steve

Q: Which stocks (US or Cdn) in your opinion may serve as something of a hedge during the virus scare. Kinaxis, for example, doesn't seem to be getting beaten up (yet). I'm thinking of online shopping support stocks, streaming networks, or other businesses that won't be affected, and may even see a boost, if people choose to stay in.

Q: Top 5 picks for a Smith Maneuver portfolio of dividend paying stocks for someone in their late 30's?

Q: Hello Peter
I want to open new position in my portfolio AQN or BEP.UN, which one would you prefer and why.
Andrew

Q: Hello 5i team,
I've held a good number of stocks you hold in your BE portfolio and I've managed to obtain a 14% compound annual total return in the last 11 years.
100% of my portfolio is in equities; I'll be shortly 77 years old and plan to reduce my equity exposure to 30%, with the above stocks in mind.
Your opinion is most valuable
Antoine

Q: Comments on AQN 4th quarter?

Q: Hi 5iTeam,
Which one of these two: NPI and AQN would you prefer?
Cheers,

Q: Hi 5i,

In my non-reg account I prefer to hold stocks that I can hold onto for a minimum of 3 to 5 years and possibly 10 to 20, that have a yield of around 3% to 5% with the stock price growing +/-5% annually.

Having said that, I am looking to add a stock that would be equal to approx. 1% of total portfolio value.

I am considering adding to my renewable utility stocks (BEP, AQN, INE and BLX which currently total 7.5% of total portfolio value), bank stocks (TD and RY currently 6% of total portfolio value) or telecommunications (Telus or BCE currently 0% of total portfolio). My concern with T and BCE are the current CRTC talks and what may be the market reaction to any deemed negative outcome.

Other than the above listed stocks do any others come to mind that you would recommend at this time?

Please deduct for multiple questions as you see fit.
Thanks!

Q: The valuations on companies with a favourable ESG component are lofty at best. Do you see any in this sector that are still reasonably priced? A dividend would be preferable.
Thanks for your consideration.

Q: The favour of the day is clearly companies with a large ESG factor, however the valuations are through the roof. Can you suggest some names that are still in the reasonable p/e range.
Thanks in advance.

Q: Could you suggest a few Canadian names that are dividend growers in the utility space that are most reasonably priced, for a long term hold?

Thank you!

Q: As a retired investor, I am keen on stocks with low betas, high dividends and some growth. AQN, NPI and BEP all meet these criteria and are all up significantly, riding on a crest of green sentiment. These three stocks now compromise 13.5% of my total portfolio. I am loathe to part with my green energy stocks as they are doing so well. That said, have I put too many eggs in one basket? At what percent should I cap my green energy investment? Other than higher interest rates, what could impact continued growth in this sector?

On a related note, I am now overweight in utilities, which now represent 21% of my total portfolio. This includes the three above-mentioned stocks, plus Fortis and BEP. Would you suggest reducing this weighting? And if so, which stock(s )would you be inclined to sell?

Thank you.

Q: Utilities seem to go parabolic since December 2018 with no sign of slowing down. Since interest rates seem to remain low for a foreseeable future, is this a new secular trend emerging from improved interest in green energy. ZUT in particular includes many renewable power generator companies. So I basically have 2 questions: If this is a new secular trend should one increase their utility allocation ? 2: Is there still life for oil and gas companies ?

Q: I hold the above equities. I have additional funds to allocate. Your suggestions please. Take this opportunity to thank Peter for a great job, very reliable.
I would not want to add to my positions in ECN.PR.A , ENB, PNG ,& LSPD because of weighting’s and/or risk.

Q: These companies represent 17% of my portfolio, with ENB and NPI positions being 3.5% each and the remaining approx 2 % each. Recently stock prices of several of these have increased 10 % or so.

Should I adjust any of these positions?

Without really knowing the remainder of my account, what percent in utilties would be suitable for a ten year horizon?

Q: Hi 5i Team:

Good day!

I am owning the above 4 stocks with a total less than 4.5%. The largest one is ENB. Instead of putting my cash (more than 10% of my portfolio) I wonder if I should buy more of some of these 4 stocks to earn dividend. I realize the stock may go up/down. My current holdings are well diversified, and having a good gain. I don't want to add more, or until I sell any of the current ones.

Your opinions and recommendations please.

There are more than one stock in my question, please take as many points as you need to.

Thank you.
Louisa

Q: Hi, how do you compare these two companies? And is it better to choose one of them or have both?

Thanks!