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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 thought I had asked this earlier to day, however haven’t seen a response.

My question relates to the usable life of solar panels and the blades used for generating power via wind. I don’t know of anybody recycling the panels or the big blades. Is there a way to economically recycle or use these things at the end of their usable lives. Or are we setting up our children to find an answer to a mess we created like we have done with radioactive waste.
Read Answer Asked by Robert on September 03, 2020
Q: Good afternoon 5iR,
I am requesting help with understanding why Manulife would trade 22,000 boe/d for 12.5% of Whitecap’s and NAL’s combined 82,000 boe/d, which amounts to 10,250 boe/d. All numbers from Whitecap’s August 31, 2020 press release. Why is a barrel of Whitecap’s oil worth over 2 barrels of NAL’s oil. Are NAL’s reserves much lower than Whitecap’s. Otherwise Manulife is to be lauded for taking the long term view for value of a growing, progressive Whitecap and Whitecap is to be congratulated for making a great deal especially with respect to deleveraging the balance sheet.
I do not own shares in WCP or MFC either directly or indirectly.
Thank you for your highly valued assistance.
Cyril
Read Answer Asked by Pat & Cyril on September 03, 2020
Q: Hello and thank you for the great advices as always! In a locked-in RSP, about 10% of my portfolio is exposed to oil&gas since I bought WCP, ERF, BIR, TOG AND VII in the big drop of March. Although I am Extremely happy with the run up so far, I've started to add stop limits to TOG, BIR and VII as I am A) scared of another downturn in the second half of 2020 (COVID related risks and current valuations) and B) I've also noted from reading the Q&A section that 5i isn't particularly bullish on oil short term and that you often categorize these companies as not a ''must have'' for the sector.

1) I haven't been able to get myself to think of selling or putting a limit on WCP. I know you aren't too much excited about the company, but I am emotionally attached to it. One of my best play. Love their Greener-ish Footprint. Love the monthly dividend(DRIP). Love that the operations are located in Canada. I think it will be a good consolidator (Manulife's NAL resources for a start). What's your view on the company today and would you consider my sentiment for the company irrational (or financially dangerous)? I've seen 5i recommend VET over WCP, but I don't understand why. I find VET very disappointing this year, not well paid to wait and its geographic dispersion a headache.

2) Similar story about ERF. They have one of the stronger balance sheet for the sector I hear and wanted your take as well on the company as of today. I found their planned approach for the future a little too conservative on their latest earning call. My two fears with them is that they are a much smaller player and with the US elections coming up, their Dakota operations are stressing me more especially with Biden's statements on energy.

3) I hold some Suncor&CNQ in other accounts and I will eventually reduce my total exposure to the sector, but for fun's sake : If you could only keep one position between ERF and WCP (drip active) for the next 5-10 years, which one would it be and why?

Thank you very much again for the help and the great service.
- Michael
Read Answer Asked by Michael on September 01, 2020
Q: Wondering about getting returns from non-tech companies, since I have plenty of tech. The world largely still runs on oil. Of course Russia and Saudi Arabia can swing the market, as we have seen. I have some Suncor (SU) and Exxon (XOM). Is Exxon's (XOM) dividend safe? Any wild guesses as for how many quarters out an upswing for energy might be? Thoughts on adding to XOM or SU? I feel like there is potential there that might be better than say Loblaws or other basics.
I appreciate any insights.
Read Answer Asked by Marilou on August 31, 2020
Q: Hello 5i, I purchased these stocks at a much higher (higher) price. As we approach tax loss selling , which ones are worth keeping? and which ones sell now?
Thanks for your great service.
Carlo
Read Answer Asked by Carlo on August 31, 2020
Q: The Canadian pipelines had a bit of a dip on Wednesday. Is this share price decline related at all to the hurricane in the US? If so, how will the hurricane impact business for the Canadian pipelines, as a whole?

Thanks.

John
Read Answer Asked by john on August 28, 2020
Q: Pason's current price and cash might look appealing to someone who doesn't have any exposure to oil in their portfolio. What are your thoughts on Pason at this time? Would you prefer a producer like Suncor or something midstream like Enbridge?
Read Answer Asked by Bashir on August 27, 2020
Q: Why doesn't the company suspend the dividend and divert the money to debt. It can be reinstated later when it is more viable. Most investors would not miss it. If you own ten thousand shares you only get one hundred dollars a month dividend. I would gladly give it up if it went directly to debt. It seems pragmatic.
Read Answer Asked by Steve on August 26, 2020
Q: I currently have a total of 5% of my portfolio in an equal combination of ENB and PPL. How advantageous (if at all), would it be to add BPMP for the sake of its dividend and seemingly low current valuation? As this would be a non-registered account investment does the tax treatment of U.S. dividends present a material issue?
Read Answer Asked by David on August 26, 2020
Q: I hold ET in a registered account, and as it is a MLP I've had non-resident taxes withheld from dividends. They have indicated that they will likely convert to a c-corporation, and I'm wondering how that would affect the withholding tax on distributions, and if that would automatically mean a lower distribution.
Read Answer Asked by Rick on August 25, 2020
Q: I have been looking at this company, and can't understand the steep discount on its share prices. I understand the Dakota Access Pipeline issues, and the fact that "energy companies" are generally in disfavour, but the cash flow looks solid and rateable, and debt levels are high, but sustainable and interest rates are lower, not higher, so debt levels look not so bad. What am I missing here??? Am I glossing over some risks???
Read Answer Asked by David on August 25, 2020
Q: What with the obvious appeal of Enb:CA and Ppl:CA, you may not get too many questions regarding U.S. pipelines. Regardless, can you give me your opinion of BPMP vs Enbridge/Pembina from a tax-resistance, dividend reliability and valuation perspective? Do you perceive other pipeline companies as greater value/dividend opportunities?
Read Answer Asked by David on August 25, 2020
Q: Seems nat gas has been on an upswing lately. I know you can't buy Canadian equities but would you buy into this trend now you could, and if so, which of the above 3 companies has the most upside. Are there other companies you would recommend?
Read Answer Asked by Les on August 20, 2020