Investment Q&A

Q: Do you fine people feel that BEP.un could be an acquirer of INE should BEP's valuation continue to defy gravity thanks to climate change hysteria and trendy SRI mandates?

Thank you 5i - deduct 2 credits if you would like to take some time with this answer.

Q: Brookfield Renewable Partners (BEP.UN) now forms just over 9% of our joint registered investments and although that is much higher percentage than any other holding (and may be inadvisable), I am somewhat reluctant to sell any, because it is one that has been a winner from the day I bought it. That is in stark contrast to quite a few other stocks that I apparently bought at their height which have since plummeted.

I need a trimming strategy and would like you to give a detailed description of how best to maintain the number of shares held as long as possible, but sell some if the price starts to drop. Perhaps there is a link that you would prefer to send to me.

I have read your opinions on Limit and Stop Limit sales at one stage or other and have also tried this, but it hasn't always worked as I thought it would.

What would you suggest is the best way to address this?

Q: How will fractional shares be handled when the unit split occurs?

Q: 7:02 AM 11/14/2019

There seems to be a lot of confusion. Which of BEP, BIP, BPY are going to be relocated to Toronto and have the 5 for 4 "Stock Split"? Any idea yet of the Ex-Dividend Dates?
Thank you......... Paul K

Q: The way I see it the upcoming "dividend" will be in effect a 5 for 4 split of existing units and I would expect markets to adjust SP's to account for this, correct?

Also TD has no conversions of US$ dividends if held in a US$ account unlike RBC. I expect to receive the entire $2.06 US per unit in my US account this year. The only time conversion would happen is if units are held in a $C account.

Q: BEP and BIP have each grown to just over 9% of my portfolio. That’s great, but I’m in a quandary. With other stocks I might be tempted to trim and reinvest, but there seems to be momentum here and the spin out sounds interesting. What say you? Trim and reinvest? If trim, then back down to 5% each?

Then.... where to reinvest? I’m well diversified and would look for income stocks with some growth potential. Mainly, I’d want something that is a good replacement for the potential and stability of Brookfield. Perhaps a different Brookfield? Perhaps park it for the potential to pick something sold for a tax loss?

Q: Hi,

Looking for a long term hold, preferably lo-volatility and some growth. I own the banks, AQN, BAM, and ZQQ. Can you recommend your top two picks and why?

Q: Would it be better for tax purpouses to sell my BEP.UN.LP shares and purchase the new Canadian Shares?
Thank You
Bill

Q: When BEP.UN trades with the new listing will the two listings be trading at the same price. They will both be trading essentially the same assets yet traded by different investor groups. Will this work as an arbitrage trade. Just Curious.
Thanks, Peter

Q: The payout ratio is about 100% of AFFO. What is your view as to the sustainability of the distribution including guidance for increases? Is this level of payout consistent with peers?

Q: Just curious. Who are those that can't buy limited partnerships like BEP.UN? Thanks.

Q: Your earlier answer stated: "The new corporation will have 'identical distributions' to the existing partnership."

Does this mean the distribution is essentially being increased by 25% (for existing shareholders) upon the formation of the Canadian corporation as distributions from 4 units becomes distributions from 5? Or will the distribution from 4 units be equal to the distributions from 4 units + 1 share?

Q: What happens to the dividend after the stock split. Will it increase by a factor of 4to remain equal?

Q: BEP is forming new canadian company. I hold shares of BEP>UN. Should we hold or bail. What they are doing sounds complicated to me.

Q: Lot of talk about their restructuring or maybe re-engineering. What about the miss on earnings?

Thanks

Q: May I have your comments on the quarter. Please explain what they are doing with the shares. A split?. Cheers

Q: Hello 5i Team
Further to previous comments this morning and apologies for the length.

Comments on the Brookfield family of companies, US $ dividends and tax implications.

From the Brookfield website:
Please note that the quarterly dividend payable on Brookfield's Class A Limited Voting Shares is declared in U.S. dollars. Registered shareholders who are U.S. residents receive their dividends in U.S. dollars, unless they request the Cdn. dollar equivalent. Registered shareholders who are Canadian residents receive their dividends in the Cdn. dollar equivalent, unless they request to receive dividends in U.S. dollars. Prior to the September 30, 2016 payment date, the Canadian dollar equivalent of the quarterly dividend was based on the Bank of Canada noon exchange rate on the record date.
Beginning with the March 31, 2017 payment date, the Canadian dollar equivalent of the quarterly dividend is based on the Bank of Canada daily average exchange rate exactly two weeks (or 14 days) prior to the payment date for the dividend.

What this means is the Brookfield entities "declare" their dividends/distributions in US$ and the transfer agent (Computerserve) pays the broker in Canadian dollars (as the broker i.e. beneficial holder is a Canadian resident ) regardless of whether the shares are held in a Canadian or US dollar denominated account. If the shares are held in a US$ dollar account the broker then "buys" US$ to pay the share owner's account. This results in a small under or over payment of the actual dividend/distribution depending on how exchange rates have moved. This is how my brokerage (RBC Direct Investing) explained it.

Further to the tax issues:
The limited partnerships (BBU, BEP, BIP, BPY) pay distributions which are recorded on a T-5013 (and not a T-3 or T-5). The distributions are a combination of eligible dividends, interest income, foreign income, return of capital and other items depending on the entity. Companies have until March 31 to issue each years T-5013 (similar to a T-3 issued for REITs) which results in delays in filing annual income tax. Therefore it is better to hold the LPs in a RRSP/LIRA/TFSA if you want to simplify your annual tax return, however if the entities are held in a RRSP/TFSA there may be foreign withholding tax that cannot be recovered. Previous years breakdown of the distributions can be found on the individual LP's web page. Each individual should review their tax situation with a their individual tax expert.

BIP and now BEP move to create a Canadian Corporation which will issue eligible dividends will make life much simpler from a tax perspective.

Q: Hello 5i,
Not so much a question as a comment: I went on the SEC website (EDGAR?)and looked up the filing for the BEP split and printed off some of the Q&A. There is a huge amount of information there and it might help if 5i could perhaps do a Blog on some of the more salient points in terms of some of the benefits, mechanics and risks. They do make the point under the "Risk" section that this subsidiary company will only be operating in two South American countries from what I can tell - Columbia and Brazil, I think.
Also, they seem to reiterate that this offering is a Special Distribution and is over and above the regular distribution and will not cost the existing unitholders anything, other than any applicable tax implications.
Lots of info to digest on this one, so any help 5i might be able to offer would probably be much appreciated by any number of members. It also appears that the completion date is as of yet undetermined but will be sometime in 2020.
Hope this is of some help.....
Cheers
Mike

Q: Will current share holders of BEP.UN get the one for four spin off in addition to the shares they now hold or is it in exchange for those trust units? Thanks,
Dave

Q: Can you comment on the restructuring of BEP.UN shares. Will tax reporting change under the new issue? Also seems to have a 4 for 1 consolidation which doesn't make much sense to me . Keith