Investment Q&A

Q: About a year ago (Nov 2016), you provided 10 "forever"stock ideas. Would you still categorize those same 10 stocks as "forever" stocks today?

Q: Hi 5i,

I sold EMA in my RRSP last week just before it dropped.
I want to replace it with 2 Utilities in my RRSP and 1 in my TFSA. What Utility stocks would you pick today?
These are income portfolios with approx 5% per position.

I look forward to your answer..

Q: Which would you prefer, BEP.UN or AQN, for a conservative income portfolio with no other utility exposure?

Q: Hello 5i,

Would you have interesting companies on your radar screen that are either in the renewable energy, water, or waste sector that would be eco friendly?

Please exclude BEP.UN AQN, BLX, and INE.

(aware of market cap risk and sector risks)

Thanks!

Q: Sale of St Lawrence gas business for US$70mil.Has problems with its pipeline in Michigan.Any impact from these 2 events? Thanks for u usual great services & views

Q: What do you think about Algonquin's 54% debt to asset ratio? Is this a little high or not bad? I note that it is higher than bep and bip's ratios. With word of them looking at more acquisitions, are they in potential trouble with debt levels if they do so? Thanks.

Q: Aa aging seniors, my husband and I are beginning to feel our "investing for the long term" is probably less appropriate than investing for the short term. Following your observation that CGX is less reliable than it once was, therefore, can you suggest a good replacement for it? It has done extremely well for us. And we are still well "up" on it. Thanks for your continued sage advice.

Q: Can you tell me the debt to asset ratios for the above four companies? And how about the payout ratio for each? Thanks.

Q: Although I have referenced AQN and FTS in this question, I am hoping you can apply your answer to utilities in general.

My question is how do these companies operate such that some are considered to have good to great growth potential while operating in a sector that tends to be highly regulated in terms of pricing power. The major companies tend to be acquisitors. However, unlike other industries, buying another company doesn't improve pricing power, eliminate competition or reduce selling costs through operating synergies (or at least I don't think they do.) Ontario Hydro's purchase of a company in the US northeast comes to mind here.

I can see that financially, larger companies may have lower costs of capital and higher cash flows which could lead to quicker modernization and better upkeep of equipment but is there more to it than that? What am I missing that makes AQN a growth story and not just a dividend producer?

Appreciate your insight.

Paul F.

Q: Can you give your thoughts on the most recent quarterly results from AQN and EMA? How did they compare to analyst estimates?

Thanks

Q: Hi 5I, I have sold AQN and RNW with profit, but holding FTS. Sine they dropped in price, I am thinking of rebuying one or both or adding to FTS. I would appreciate your advise.
Also, has some US $ and thinkin of buying VRP or PSP or if you can recommend a better one.Thank you for your advise. J.A. P., Burlington

Q: What would you expect the very long term dividend growth to be for a growth-oriented utility like AQN? I know they have come out with a projection of about 10% per year for the next 5 years but I am wondering what % I should plug in for my calculations after this 5 year period. Management seems very dividend growth oriented. Thanks.

Q: I own FTS BCE T. I am thinking of swapping BCE for AQN. Your thoughts please.

Q: I'm elderly and invest for safety and income. I'm looking at adding half positions in AQN and AAR.UN,$12,500 each, to my portfolio. Your opinion on these two for safety and possible growth? Many thanks. - Ted

Q: I already own BEP and was considering adding another renewable energy company. Was considering Nextera. Has a good growth profile and has consistently increased the dividend. Your thoughts on the company or should I go with FTS or AQN.

Q: Greetings, everyone.

I have a follow up to my previous question. What are the factors that give Algonquin Power and Crius Energy a more favourable view that Northland Power, right now, in your opinion?

Thanks.

John

Q: Hello again!
It came to my attention that AQN declares its dividends in US$. Do they adjust for exchange rate and if not should I ask for my dividends to be paid in US$ while the loonie is getting higher and higher?
Have a good day!
Chantal

Q: Would AQN be a reasonable add for diversification to BEP.UN and FTS for a conservative senior?

Q: Greetings guys.

Question: If you had to split a 5% position among the names above, using strength of balance sheet, dividend growth, eps growth and valuation as determining factors, which name or names would you select and what percentage would you allocate to them.

Do you think the utility / alternative energy sector is a decent place to invest in against the backdrop of a rising rate environment. Theoretically, what weighting in a portfolio would you make this sector.

Thanks.

John

Q: Sold aw.un been a good run in an income RIF looking to replace it with Npi or Cpx or a similar utility . I am well diversified and switch does not alter weighting.

Would appreciate your opinion on this matter.

Thanks