Investment Q&A

Q: The share price of BIP.UN has dropped 7.30% in the last month. I know this stock has been up 45% this year, but is there any reason for this end of year tailspin other than some investors' profit taking to use up the tax losses sold?

Year end trade patterns are always tough to rationalize.

Q: Want to pass along info from BIP investors relations regarding Unit Split and creation of an Exchange Corporation (BIPC) on how it affects the Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Exchange LP units holder:

1. LP units are exchangeable to BIP.UN 1:1 for 7 years,
2. The exchange is deemed disposition, i.e. taxable, last day to exchange for 2019 tax year is 12/27,
3. LP unit holder will NOT get BIPC shares upon split, only BIP.UN holders get BIPC shares,
4. LP units holder will get equivalent value of additional LP units instead.

Happy Holidays and all the best in 2020 !!

Q: I am interested in adding "infrastructure" sector stocks to balance my investments. I would appreciate your comments on ARE, WSP, BIP.UN , STN. or other options in this sector. Thank you

Q: I hold both of these companies and need to take some profits and redistribute to other holdings. From previous questions I understand a date for the spin offs has not been announced. I do not want to sell now and lose out on the benefits of the spinoffs.
Would the current share price reflect the value of these spinoffs and then drop a corresponding amount when it hits the effective ex-div date similar to regular dividend payments?
I also plan on rebuying the spin off version of bip.un in my taxable acct (both currently in RRSP) based on my understanding that the full dividend would then be eligible for the dividend tax credit. Is this correct?
Thanks.

Q: I have read question on Bip.un I am still confused are bip.un shares automatically changed to bipc

Q: I asked the following question earlier this week: "I was a shareholder of Enercare and received Exchangeable LP Units on BIP.UN's acquisition of Enercare. When the Exchange Corporation is created - will I receive 0.11 BIPC shares for each of the Exchangeable Units? (I have asked BIP.UN the same question but have not received an answer yet)"
I have now heard back from BIP.UN Investor Relations and they have advised that only holders of the regular units of BIP.UN will receive the BIPC shares and that in advance of the split (1Q 2020) that I could exchange the Exchangeable LP units for BIP.UN units. I checked with my broker (RBC Direct) and they confirmed that there is the option to exchange now and that I need to advise them by 12/27. I have also asked BIP.UN if the exchange of Exchangeable Units for regular BIP.UN units is a "non taxable event" but have not heard back from them yet.
Thanks

Q: Any reason why this stock keeps dropping? I'm planning on selling it after the split and buying it back in a non-registered account (unless it keeps taking a dive).
Thanks!

Q: I was a shareholder of Enercare and received Exchangeable LP Units on BIP.UN's acquisition of Enercare. When the Exchange Corporation is created - will I receive 0.11 BIPC shares for each of the Exchangeable Units? (I have asked BIP.UN the same question but have not received an answer yet)
Thanks

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.....

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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.

Q: Can you please comment on the latest quarterly earnings. Also, can you explain why this company/limited partnership has such a high P/E multiple and such a low ROE? I suspect it has something to do with its Corporate structure but not sure.

Q: What percentage ownership does Brookfield Asset Management have in the other 2 companies?

Q: I currently own BIP, could you compare the two as a long term income hold.