Investment Q&A

Q: What is your opinion on KMI at current price levels and recent dividend cut? Can you compare it's financials with other utilities and provide a recommendation(buy/hold/sell)?

Q: Hi Team,

I have been researching these three names as alternative investments. My objective is to find one or more companies that will not behave (or correlate) the same as my otherwise well-diversified portfolio made up of equities (growth and income), bonds and bullion-related holdings.

Can you please pick your preference of the three noted and briefly explain your choice? Dock credits accordingly please.

Thanks very much.

Michael

Q: Good morning,
With interest rates currently at very low levels with no sign of going up in a significant manner anytime soon, does a preferred share type ETF or actively managed fund holding mostly reset type preferred have a place in most portfolios. If so, what are your thoughts on PIC.PR.D at this time and can you recommend something else that would be more preferable in this asset class? Thank you

Q: I currently have a 3.09% position in Pembina Pipeline (ppl) to compliment a total 2% position in the oil/gas sector divided between Whitecap and Torc Oil.

I'm wondering why such the big discrepancy between the valuations of Pembina vs Inter Pipeline (ipl)?

I'm considering switching out of Pembina to Inter Pipeline for the lower valuation and to boost monthly income. Would you endorse such a move or would you consider it being "too cute" and just stick with Pembina which has outperformed IPL?

Thanks.

John

Q: Peter and staff,
I am looking to purchase another utility position in my portfolio. currently holding FTS, IPL, and TRP. I am seriously considering EMA but notice that it is never on your recommended list for utilities.
Is that mainly because of its slightly lower dividend than some others? I thought because of substantial US income it would be a good choice.
Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Larry

Q: I got lucky and called both a (near term) top in CSU and a further drop in AAPL, exiting my positions leaving $75K cash to invest.

My belief is that the next 12-24 months minimum are going to be very tough sledding for both the global economy and especially Canada therefore I'm adopting a defensive position, shying away from highly volatile growth stocks and looking to deploy that money among 5-7 dividend paying GARP stocks.

My question: adding to a well diversified Canadian portfolio, and irrespective of sector, what would be your suggestions that best combined a secure 4+ % dividend with the likelihood of share price increases in the next 1-5 years.

Thank you!

Q: I would like your opinion of Fortis purchase of ITC Holding for 11.3 billion U.S. Dollars. Would Fortis still be a safe stock for a senior as it looks like they bet the farm on this deal.

I know it is different but when Baytex made a large U.S. deal it never worked out for them.

Thank you very much
Charlie

Q: Hello 5 I team, IROC suspended trading n now we know they acquired a company. Your thoughts on this purchase. How will it add value short n long term. Thanks as always! Rossana.

Q: Thank you for your recent update on Atlantic Power. The common shares do not provide a good investment opportunity at this time as outlined in your report. My question has to do with the convertible debentures. Below is a comment from quarterly update pertaining to convertible debentures as follows:

Our convertible debentures are currently trading at substantial discounts to par, and repurchases at these levels create value for our common shareholders by reducing our cash interest payments, delevering our balance sheet and improving our debt maturity profile," said James J. Moore, Jr., President & CEO of Atlantic Power.

Based on this comment is it a good time to buy the Atlantic Power Convertible debentures?

Thank you

Q: Hi, can I have your updated thoughts on the following pipelines: IPL, ENB or its income fund, and TRP. Which ones are of better value to you right now? And future Growth? Would you know the payout ratios for each and are they sustainable? Are LNG exports looking positive in your views and for these positive? Thanks!

Q: Which companies we should consider to benefit from the spending budget? FEDRAL.

Q: Hi- can you compare EIF vs RNW for income and growth. Which would you choose to hold for the next 3-5 years? thanks

Q: I've been looking at companies in the groceries line, and am impressed by Metro's ROE of 20% or so. However, on reading your past responses to questions on Metro I see you don't rank it as "best of group". Do you still think Loblaws is better for a medium term hold (or some other, like Dollarama)? I already own ATD.B so that is a consideration, I suppose. Thanks for your always excellent advice.

Q: According to media reports Venezuela is on the verge of bankruptcy and the more the oil price falls the greater the odds. From the Scotia Global site:
"Scotiabank is proud to have a strong presence in Venezuela through ... Banco del Caribe"

How strong is their presence there and will default have long term effects on BNS shares? I note it is a 3.6% position in the BE portfolio which presumably went in at 5%. Thanks, J.

Q: thinking of adding this----on a roll right now ---nice div
What do you think?

Q: I currently own Fortis, Emara and Canadian Utiliites. I am considering ZUT but am looking for a dividend grower. I see their 5 year dividend growth rate is negative ( G & M watchlist ). when I look at the dividend growth of some of the stocks in the ETF this does not make sense. Many have positive dividend growth over this period.
Is there any reason I would not expect the dividend growth to be weighted average of the underlying holdings less the MER of .62%?

Can you think of any other reason not to buy ZUT for utility exposure ( as opposed to the individual stocks )

Many thanks as always.

Paul

Q: Would you please list your top five utility picks for income investors? Many thanks,
Peggy

Q: Do you have any opinion on this ETF as a small part of FI portfolio? Thanks

Q: Can you please rank the following Power companies best to worse. AQN, RNW, BLX,CPX and INE. I currently hold AQN and am thinking of adding to the sector. AQN is 5% of my portfolio. What is your view of the maximum % to hold in this sector?

Q: Hello Peter and Team,

Should the news below be of concern, or does it represent a good entry point for AQN, since it's down today? I was considering AQN for my TFSA, since I have some new cash to deploy since the 'merger' of CDV. Or would you say that AQN isn't enough of a "grower" for a TFSA?

NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Former Attorney General of Louisiana Charles C. Foti, Jr., Esq. and the law firm of Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") are investigating the proposed sale of The Empire District Electric Company ("Empire" or the "Company") (NYSE: EDE) to Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (TSX: AQN). Under the terms of the proposed transaction, shareholders of Empire will receive only $34.00 for each share of Empire that they own. KSF is seeking to determine whether this consideration and the process that led to it are adequate, or whether the consideration undervalues the Company.

If you believe that this transaction undervalues the Company and/or if you would like to discuss your legal rights regarding the proposed sale, you may, without obligation or cost to you, e-mail or call KSF Managing Partner Lewis S. Kahn (lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) toll free at any time at 855-768-1857.

To learn more about KSF, whose partners include the Former Louisiana Attorney General, visit www.ksfcounsel.com.

Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC206 Covington St.Madisonville, LA 70447

As always, thanks for your valuable insight.