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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: I have zero exposure to utilities at the present time. I believe that you advocate having exposure to all sectors of the market because you never can know for certain what the market will do. While most people expect interest rates to rise and utilities to under perform, the same could have been said in 2013. Which is your favourite utility and which utility offers the best dividend growth to potentially offset future interest rate increases. I am looking for low volatility, good dividend yield and good dividend growth.

Thank you,
Jason
Read Answer Asked by Jason on August 22, 2016
Q: Regarding Richard's question re AQN. I think he was asking about the instalment receipts in particular. They were recommended on BNN Market Call.
I participated in the EMA and FTS instalment receipt deals with their large USacquisitions. In both cases things worked out well. Of course it has been a hot market for utilities so the underlying shares increased in value while I was holding the receipts, which obviously helps.
Two comments 1) These deals make sense only if you would be comfortable owning the shares when the call for funds comes (when you have to put up the other 2/3 of cash). It is kind of like selling a put. The income is nice, but you have to be ready to buy the security if things go wrong. 2) best not to buy in a registered account, unless you have room to add the additional 2/3 cash to buy the shares. You don't want to be forced to sell the receipts at a bad time just because you are trapped by your RRSP or TFSA limit.
Hope this was useful.
Cheers
John
Read Answer Asked by john on August 18, 2016
Q: Good morning Peter, Ryan, and Team,

Apparently Enron has reared its ugly head once again. This article from the Globe and Mail describes a lawsuit announced by the Alberta government:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/alberta/e-mails-reveal-how-albertas-enron-clause-was-orchestrated/article31303953/

From the article, "The court action names Enmax; TransCanada; and Capital Power. It also names electricity generator Atco Ltd., the Balancing Pool, which is a public body, and its own power regulator as defendants. The court case is slated for November."

Enmax isn't a publicly traded company, but the other two are. (I don't own either). Are there any other companies that may be impacted from the fallout that will occur from this lawsuit? I'm thinking of AQN and FTS as examples.

As always, thanks for your insight.
Read Answer Asked by Jerry on August 09, 2016
Q: Hi 5i I notice members are asking about renewable energy companies. I would like to add 2 renewable energy companies to my portfolio, at present I have none. I'm a very long term investor, something like till the day I die. Thx for your wise advise, I was starting to believe in the " sell in May and go away " but this year staying with the market has been very good for me thanks to the 5i group. Thx again Gerry
Read Answer Asked by Gerry on July 20, 2016
Q: Alqonquin, Capial Power, and Altagas have rate reset preferred shares selling at a significant discount with reset dates in 2018. With a 5 year Government rate of .55 to .7 they have issues that will still offer a very attractive rate of return. For a conservative investor would you rate these issuing companies as an acceptable TFSA investment?. How would you rank them?

Thanks Team
Read Answer Asked by Warren on July 12, 2016
Q: Hi Peter and Staff
I hold a small position in CPX in my utilities group. Wondering how you feel about KWH.UN that I do not own as a replacement or would you suggest I keep CPX or sell CPX and look elsewhere entirely in a different sector as I own all the other usual recommended suspects in this sector.
Read Answer Asked by Dennis on May 12, 2016
Q: I have 1600 shares of this looser,(cost $32.98) CIBC research's 12 mo target is $26.0, I am considering to sell it and replace it with a couple infrastructure stocks or ETFs. I like to have your opinion and suggestion. Looking for income and some growth.
Have looked at BIP.un but doesn't seem to have any growth in the next 12 months. I have AQN,H,RNW,FTS ZWU and ZUT in my portfolio. Many thanks J.A.P,Burlington
Read Answer Asked by Joseph on May 09, 2016
Q: Hello 5i Team,
Utilities and pipeline companies are counted as 'blue chips' in many retirees' portfolio due to 'safe' dividends and some growth opportunities.
With the current thesis of the decline of fossil fuel in the context of low carbon future, what are your thoughts on these companies? Would there be a change of guards with these industries being replaced by renewable energy and clean tech energy in the next decade?
I have the following names which I am concerned about where they will stand few years from now? Which are the weaker ones that I should sell?
PPL, KEY, AQN, TRP, FTS, ENB.
Are there Cdn or US companies that you can suggest as future 'blue chip' in the renewable energy and clean tech energy industries? I already owned BEP.UN. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Willie on May 05, 2016