Investment Q&A

Q: I bought WEC.us a couple of years ago, thinking of it as a bond proxy. WEC appreciated modestly in value this past year. I just looked at updated financial metrics and WEC struck me as expensive –but I am not sure.

Is WEC a good proxy for bonds? Should WEC be sold and a 'growthier' name bought? For this question ‘growthier’ mean to me means a security that is expected to have reasonably good dividend growth, consistent with industry, interest-rate and other risks.

If, in your opinion, there are other, better bond proxies, I would be thankful for your suggestions. US and ‘Europe ex-UK’ preferred but I am also open to Canadian names you care to suggest. (If you want, disregard tax aspects. The Cdn and US Governments own 60% of me; I finally accepted that resistance is futile.

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: I am overweight Tech, as well as a high allocation in small cap. With no Utilities or Telcos, I think selling GPS and ITC to buy ENB would be a prudent move. My problem is usually being prudent has cost me, over weight and high allocations has served me well for the most part, I'm sure I'm not alone here. Thoughts?

Q: BCE is down third week in a row and technically breaking a serious support trend line from 2009, any news or concerns here?

Q: What would be a "fair" price to start initiating a position in firstservice?

Q: What is do you think the Outlook on this stock is with increasing interest rates? And would it be a good entry point at the price today?

Q: I am considering these two companies for the income portion of my portfolio. What would you consider the better pick of these two high yielders (or do you have a better suggestion)?

Thank you!

Q: I bought AX.UN for income and growth, and while the 8% dividend remains attractive I am concerned about growth in this space. I'm thinking of trading for KWH.UN for same payout but possible greater growth potential. I would appreciate your thoughts on this action.
Thanks as always fro the great service
GUY R

Q: Good morning from the West Coast.
What is your opinion of this stock as a long term hold in an income portfolio ?
Thanks
Rick

Q: hello 5i:
could you detail the differences between HFP and HPR, please, and what type of interest rate environment would be optimum for each? Would holding BOTH be a strategy and is it necessary?
And, could you include backtest results as to what could be expected in the case of an extreme drawdown?
thanks
Paul L

Q: Should we take the PPL shares or take cash and buy ENB?

Q: I have some new money to deploy in a non registered account. I am considering a new portfolio of 10 canadian dividend stocks, 5 canadian growth stocks and 4 US stocks.
The goal here is income with some growth. Keeping in mind that I am also concerned about being diversified what would be your top reccomendation here.

Q: Hi Guys
What contributes to the wild swings in BIP.UN stock prices?
Many thxs
Wayne

Q: I am trying to compare these 3 construction companies, are you able to give me a snapshot comparison?

Q: 12:32 PM 9/11/2017
Hello 5i
Thank you for your answer to my question this morning about selecting companies with the highest probability of reliable long term income and dividend growth.

Just to follow up, if I am reading between the lines correctly I infer you would clearly choose banks if we didn't already own some. But since we do your suggestion is to buy CSH.UN and NWC.

I am fine with your suggestion but did you make it basically just to provide "diversification" at the cost of buying much much smaller and possibly less stable companies or would it be just as safe to simply overweight on Canadian banks.

Do you really think CSH.UN and NWC are as "safe" as RY and TD? After all if banks go down, so goes everything else. Just how "dangerous" is it to have a 20+% position in the big 5 banks?

Thank you............. Paul K

Q: 9:57 AM 9/10/2017
Hello Peter :
My wife and I are in our 70's and require additional steady dividend income to complement our pensions and bond income. We wish to choose companies that we never need to consider selling and that have reliable dividend growth and little chance of dividend cuts.
We have a 4.5% cash position we want to invest.
We need to decide between two options:
1. Invest the whole 4.5% in RY or TD, [we already own 10% split between BNS and CM], or
2. Add to 2 or more of these existing positions : CSH.UN [3.2%], SIA [3.9%], NWC [2.2%], CSW.A [3.1%], RPI.UN [1.0%], or invest part in new positions in one or more of ET, ZCL, ABT, or ADN.
What choice or choices would you advise us to make for the highest probability of reliable long term income and dividend growth?
Thank you............. Paul K

Q: What impact will this devastating hurricane season have on Emera? They have assets in the Caribbean and gas/power business in Florida? Do you recommend switching it to a similar utility?

Q: I'm seeing a substantial increase in volume since they announced the recent deal. Would you see this as institutional interest or just normal retail buying?

Q: If you could only own one of these, which one would you choose for safety of the dividend and growth potential of the stock price? Thank you.

Q: Vsn has hovered in the 17's for quite awhile with the cash price of 18.85.Could you comment