Investment Q&A

Q: I understand that, on its ex-dividend date, a dividend-paying stock will likely decline in proportion to the value of the payout. Knowing that, can one do anything to avoid getting caught in a rush-to-the-exits? For example, while WFC declined by $3 (that is, by the payout value) on the ex-dividend date, it continued to decline (by an additional $2.50) over the following two days (it has since recovered.)

In this connection: where the exchange supports trading outside of regular trading hours, does the 'ex-dividend date' still align with the regular open?

Q: What is the difference between these 2 stocks if held in RRSP? The US stock has a dividend of 4.1% and the Canadian stock has 2.99% dividend.

Q: Do you think that the Canadian Internet providers are at risk of being disrupted by Starlink? Have the Telcos addressed this issue to the investment community and explained their strategy to deal with this challenge?

Thanks.

Q: Given the results just released, what are your thoughts on Sagicor. I have it mostly for the dividend but not happy about the 15% loss I've had. Any chance it gets back up around $ 6.00 anytime soon ? And do you think the dividend is "safe" ?

Q: Hello 5i Team

I currently hold Enbridge (ENB) and looking selling 50 % of my ENB holdings and purchasing Gibson Energy (GEI). The resulting portfolio would have 2 GEI shares for every 1 ENB

Overall my total dividends do not change significantly as the ratio of ENB dividend to GEI dividend is 2.28 (0.8875 / 0.39 = 2.28).

ENB raised their dividend 3.20 % in 2023 versus GEI which raised their dividend 5.48 %. My thoughts are ENB will continue to raise their dividend by 3 % per year (slower growth) and GEI will continue to raise their dividend by 5 % per year.

Is this a reasonable course of action or should I continue to hold a larger portion of ENB and ignore GEI?

Thanks

Q: Comments on quarter

Q: I'm considering adding PPL to my portfolio and just went through their website. I found the mix of Oil vs Nat Gas vs LNG very easily...Oil = 40%, NG = 25%, LNG = 35%.

For comparative purposes, I went through TRP and ENB websites = not so easy to pull out the same data breakdown. Can you help...thanks...Steve

Q: With EPS of $2.96 and a forward dividend of $3.87, is there any danger BCE could cut its dividend or do they have sufficient free cash flow to cover it indefinitely?

Q: Corby now ranks among the top 10 undervalued stocks in the Consumer Defensive sector and is trading near its 52-week low. It recently reported decent second quarter results, pays a nice dividend and carries no debt. Do you agree this is a good entry point for a small position, long-term hold in my RRIF? I am otherwise well diversified and have good liquidity.

Q: I'm generally underweight energy and was thinking of averaging down on TOU and ENB and starting a position in CNQ.

I'm a bit hesitant with ENB.

Any concerns? Or anything I should be aware of?

Thanks,
Robert

Q: Retired, dividend-income investor. I hold AQN in my RRSP, bought it in 2011 at $5.60 (not a typo) and have trimmed it multiple times due to asset allocation. Not that it matters, but I am still up 15% over my ACB.

Looking forward is what really matters. AQN is up roughly 20% from it's low of around $9/share. Q#1 = Do you think AQN can continue their short term performance?

I hold AQN, FTS, TRP, NNRG, NRGI, and utility-energy stocks held within CDZ, ZLB, ZWC. Q#2 = What conservative utility or infrastructure stocks should I consider that might "fill the gap" in my current holdings? Please list 4-6 stocks for me to do further research on.

Q#3 = Should a component of "renewables" be a consideration? That was one of the reasons for holding AQN. Ideas?

So the bottom line is = what's done is done. AQN appears to be starting to recover and there is always the chance of being bought out.
1. Hold of sell,
2. Replace with what,
3. Include renewables?

Thanks for your help....Steve

Q: Can you comment on latest news today about PKI valuation by Engine Capital. What might transpire going forward? What impact do you think it will have on share price? Is this a time to buy?

Q: Although I'm not big into oil and gas with TOU being my only holding, this name showed up on screen of companies which may have low debt, decent earnings and dividend and upside potential. I realize its small in size, but wondering if I can get your opinion? Would it make it on to your buy list?

Q: Over the years, I have heard some fund managers calling the ENB business model deeply flawed: taking on more debt to fuel ”growth” while simultaneously raising the dividend. If ENB was truly creating shareholder value I would expect that to be reflected in the stock price over a long period of time. Yet ENB stock has been flat for nearly a decade. Is it reasonable for investors to take on equity risk in order to earn 6% rate of return in a company with increasing debt? Would it not be better to invest in a company that can demonstrate some organic growth or accretive acquisitions?

Appreciate your perspective. Thanks.

Q: Good morning - I have slightly profitable position in both ENB and BEP. I am wondering about reducing ENB and increasing BEP. I like both companies and have a long term horizon. Both pay decent dividends. Your thought please.

Q: does TOU have any long term contracts in place to provide natural gas to any to the LNG plants approved or under construction in Canada? if yes can give details on these contracts thanks Richard

Q: In an answer to Don earlier today, you mentioned SIA has a 61% POR. In their latest news release they said the AFFO payout was 98.7%. Could you elaborate on how you made this calculation?
Thanks - and Happy St. Patrick's Day! - Paul K

Q: hi, can I get your thoughts on earnings, thoughts on AQN going forward, etc.
I still own large position, suffered the downturn in price/dividend, with a potential good size tax loss advantage if sell. do you see this as a buy, sell or hold for an average investor? and in my case, if selling for the tax advantage, can I get 5 or so names of mid/higher dividend yield/some dividend growth/decent company earnings growth and decent ROE, with lower risk and lower volatility? names do not need to be utilities (I own plenty). further, if you have high conviction on any growth stock (CDN companies) right now I could consider, eg BN?????
cheers, chris

Q: Thoughts on Firm Capital please. Can you please describe this company and its metrics with comment on stability of the dividend. On a scale of 1-10, where would you rate this company in terms of risk. Thank you!

Q: I couldn't resist this dividend machine and picked it up in Dec'22. I know there's a lot of factors involved (oil prices/shareholder payouts/production costs/depletion/new plant & equipment etc.) but in the current environment it appears to me that they'll be cash flow positive enough to eliminate their meager debt this year and then some. Do you have any idea what the cash flow forecast is for Gear this year and how it is derived (i.e. various components)?
In summary, do you think a return of capital is likely?