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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: Like a few of your previous questions I find myself in the pleasant position of being overweight BIP.UN { 21.4 % for the third time } and BEP.UN { 5.6 % } . The latter is only marginally overweight so I'm good with that. The former will be trimmed to 15 % for the third time. I know that is still too high but I'm comfortable with it. I was planning on deploying the funds taking a 4 % position in EIT.UN and 2 % into cash. But I've noticed that 5 I generally recommends taking at " least " a 5 % position in ETF's. I wouldn't be adverse to that as it has a juicy yield. I realize that weightings are a personal decision so I'll ask it this way. Between what percentage weighting low to high would 5 I recommend I make my decision in a moderately conservative portfolio ? Also I have done my due diligence on EIT.UN... I'm aware of the MER. I'm aware of the energy weighting. And I'm aware of being capped by a covered call strategy.... What I don't know is the return of capital and how much this should affect my decision . On their tax page I see capital gains as a return of 48 % and return of capital as 46 %. To make it meaningful should one be subtracted from the other ? Basically I'd like to know what the number is and " how to ? " and " should I ? " use it in making my investment decision ? Also in the selling of the 6 % BIP.UN should I wait to receive my free shares before doing so ? ... Thank you for your terrific service.....
Read Answer Asked by Garth on November 28, 2019
Q: I own 3 banks: CM:CA, BMO:CA and BNS:CA. I am thinking of selling CM:CA and split the proceeds to buy 2 Brookfield positions. What would you recommend between BIP.UN, BPY.UN, BIP.UN? Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Kimberley on November 28, 2019
Q: Thanks for your many comments on the securities cited. Currently I hold small positions in both in my TFSA and with the New Year fast approaching, I wonder if I would be best served if I transferred both to my taxable account and increased my contribution room in the TFSA for 2020 and expanded my holdings in the TFSA with other securities next year. Your insights and opinion would be appreciated as always. thanks, Bill
Read Answer Asked by Bill on November 27, 2019
Q: Goodmorning
I have a 1% position in ZGI and a 3% position in BIP.UN I am thinking of selling ZGI and using the proceeds to invest in BIP.UN in an effort to cut down on the number of positions I have in the total portfolio I am wondering what your thoughts would be with such a move?
Thks
Marce
Read Answer Asked by Marcel on November 27, 2019
Q: In a state of confusion regarding these holdings...the spinouts? and the future outcome. Would like to hold forever (like the dividend)........What should I do? Positions. BIP.UN, 3.6% of portfolio, value now $280k..with gain of +74k. BEP.UN, 2.8% of portfolio, valued at $215k with gain of +86K
Read Answer Asked by David on November 27, 2019
Q: I am Canadian citizen/resident who owns both BEP.UN:CA and BIP.UN:CA within my TFSA (at TD-Waterhouse). After receiving the new shares related to both of these holdings, should I keep all four securities within the TFSA, or should I consolidate into one of the other type of security (and if so which one)? (I don't mind paying the transaction fees if this helps simplify things.) Also, I currently hold both positions within the Canadian dollar portion of my TFSA, but I can move these over to the U.S. dollar side of my TFSA, if this makes more sense to you, in advance of these spinoffs.

Ted
Read Answer Asked by Ted on November 19, 2019
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
Read Answer Asked by Paul on November 14, 2019
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?
Read Answer Asked by Dano on November 14, 2019
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.
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on November 12, 2019
Q: Hi,
I am looking for income and considering the above Brookfield companies. Would you please provide an overview of the different tax treatments of the income distributions. Are they best held in a registered or a non-registered account? Also, do you prefer one company over the other and if so why? Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Gordon on October 28, 2019
Q: I own all three of these Brookfield companies BAM.A, BIP, and BEP at 1.23%, 0.86% and 1.08% weightings respectively (total 3.18%). I am a long term growth investor. From previous questions, I think it's okay to own all three correct and there is not much overlap. If I were to maintain a 4-5% weighting total in these companies, how would you weight each for maximum capital appreciation? Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Keith on October 21, 2019
Q: Can you explain a bit more about what is going to happen with the upcoming stock split? This is what I've seen so far: "Currently, unitholders are expected to receive 0.11 BIPC shares for each unit held of Brookfield Infrastructure (i.e., one BIPC class A share for every nine Brookfield Infrastructure units held) in the form of a special distribution." Also do you know when this will take place? Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Paul on October 07, 2019
Q: While the conversion may improve marketability and market value, won't it reduce distributions by virtue of tax at the issuer level? As a retiree holding in a RRIF and relying on cash distributions, I am concerned. By reason of tax, is the following statement correct (which you quoted): "it will not result in any underlying change to aggregate cash flows"?
Read Answer Asked by Carl on October 02, 2019
Q: Hi 5i,
Further to Andrew's question about the BIP.UN creation of the BIPC entity, here are a couple of exerpts from BIP's press release. They do make mention of this also being something of a "special dividend", for what it is worth.
"the transaction will be analogous to a unit split as it will not result in any underlying change to aggregate cash flows or net asset value except for the adjustment for the number of units/shares outstanding."
And,
"Currently, unitholders are expected to receive 0.11 BIPC shares for each unit held of Brookfield Infrastructure (i.e., one BIPC class A share for every nine Brookfield Infrastructure units held) in the form of a special distribution."
Not sure if this helps clarify or just further muddies the waters, but thought I would pass this along.
Cheers,
Mike
Read Answer Asked by Mike on October 01, 2019