Investment Q&A

Q: Hello 5i,
We too have ECI stock. Thank you. Tendering is new to me. After a Google search we have enough information to be dangerous. Our portfolio is with RB. We only see an option to sell. Can you help by explaining how we tender our stocks? Is it easier just to sell? With FTS and AQN at 5% weighting we are not sure converting to 100% BIP shares is the best plan for our portfolios. Any help is appreciated.
Thank you
Debbie and Jerry

Q: Hello, like many other investors I have an happy problem today, thank you. I have read all the questions on ECI today. Let's say I have 1000 ECI shares and I choose to tender my shares, does this mean that 750 ECI shares (75%) will be sold for a cash deposit in my account and that 250 ECI shares (25%) will be rollover in BIP shares at takeover date? The ECI price on TMX Money is $28.88 right now, do you think this price can fluctuate significantly in the meantime of deal completion? Thanks, Gervais

Q: hello
would you suggest I purchase these companies in my RRIF

Q: Why the seemingly large premium?
Thanks

Q: Hello 5i,
Sorry for another ECI/BIP question, but the questions to date that I have seen haven't addressed my question.
Given the dividend that ECI currently pays out of cash flow, and that BIP will ultimately receive that cash flow, and the nature of the funding, might it be reasonable to expect that BIP would increase their dividend in one of the first two quarters of 2019? Or, would their acquisition make debt re-payment a priority do you think?
Obviously, I know you cannot read the minds of BIP's Board and Executive team, but given their financial ratios, I though you might have some insight.
Thanks!!
Cheers,
Mike

Q: Hi 5i,
Just a comment in relation to BIP.UN’s buy-out of ECI. I have held both of the securities for a number of years. ECI shareholders who have not previously held BIP.UN should take a careful look at it to determine if it is appropriate for their needs. ECI pays a fully eligible Canadian dividend on a monthly basis at a higher yield, relative to the recent past price range of ECI. It may be that the takeover premium makes BIP’s yield higher but only by dramatically lowering ECI’s. In contrast, BIP pays a quarterly distribution that is not an eligible dividend, is broken into three categories for tax purposes, and is paid in $US. Depending on one’s brokerage account set-up, some people may find that they are paying a currency transaction fee on each BIP distribution. It is important to be sure that BIP is really the kind of vehicle one wants to own. I hold BIP in an RSP account and it works well for me in that context but I would probably not want to have it in another kind of account. In regard to tendering to the cash and shares offer, people may want to consider how many BIP shares they would expect to end up with. If one’s ECI holding is relatively modest in the first place and one is likely to receive only 25% or less of the value in shares, a person could end up with a BIP holding that 5i would advise selling as “too small to have a meaningful impact on the portfolio.” If that is the case, it may be better to go for all cash (or sell it all at once in the meantime) and avoid paying a transaction fee later on an unnecessary tag end.
Cheers!

Q: Hello,

Currently a very happy ECI shareholder. Some questions on the transaction.
1. Based on $29 eci share and current bip.un price, if you accept the rollover there would be a bump up in yield as well, correct?
2. Do we know how the distributions from the rollover security would be taxed?
3. Which option (cash or rollover) would you prefer?

Appreciate your service. Regards.

Robert

Q: I just heard about the takeover. As a buy-and-hold, longterm dividend investor, I was very happy owning ECI, but wouldn't mind owning BIP.UN, either.

What should I do with my ECI shares? Will they get 'converted' into BIP.UN shares? If I were to sell my ECI shares and buy another consumer stock, which would you recommend? Either similar dividend as ECI or can accept slightly lower yield if stronger dividend growth is anticipated (maybe CTC.A?). This is for extremely long-term hold (hopefully forever), please do not include any suggestions from your Balanced and Income Portfolios.

Thank you.

Q: As always, thank you.

I have $40K of each. What do I do now? A nice problem...

Paul

Q: Thank you in advance for your enlightened advice. Which seem to you the best investments. I am looking for a dividend in a non-registered account as well as growth for a term of 2 to 3 years. The weighting of my interest is 30% towards the dividend and 70% towards the growth. The companies I am looking at are:
AFN, BNS, CM, BIP.UN, CHR, ENB, EIF, FRU, MAXR, SMU.UN
Could you rank them in terms of preference and write down the ones you would avoid. Sector weighting is not a criteria.

thank you very much

Q: I understand that US companies are not your focus but am looking for some advice on these companies. I hold the above companies in the US side of my RSP account and am wondering about holding both JPM and BAC. Would you recommend dropping one of these US banks and if so which one? If yes, what would you replace it with?

Thanks Ken

Q: I own both ENB and BIP, although much more of the latter. I would like to get your opinion of the purchase of gas assets by BIP announced today. I realize the benefits to ENB's balance sheet, but is it also accretive to BIP at this price? Are there good growth opportunities provided by this purchase? Also, I believe that a portion of this acquisition does not close until 2019 - how much of the cash flow will be delayed until then?

Q: Hello Peter,
Kirkland Lake Gold continues to surge. I am thinking of adding to the position from 3 percent to 4 percent weight given its momentum. Any comments? I would like to add more to BAM.A or BIP.UN; I have 3 percent of weight in each. I am leaning towards BIP.UN. Please let me know your thoughts. Thank you.

Q: My question is regarding the recent sale of assets by Enbridge to Brookfield Infrastructure Partners. The Globe and Mail columnists are quite positive on the future of Enbridge shares. Do you agree with the optimism and do you think this deal is good for Brookfield and its future share price. Thank You.

Q: I have a large position in BIP. I count on the income and the growth in distributions for my retirement. I was wondering if I should be concerned about their recent dealings with Brazil. Are they protected somehow or did they get such a good deal that the problems there can't hurt them. Can the involvement with brazil jeopardize the distribution in the short or medium term?

Q: Interested in a longer term (3-5 years), relatively safe stock (low Beta) with a good dividend and perhaps a little growth.
What is your opinion of POW and PWF at this time? Which would you prefer?
Or is there another similar stock you would recommend?

Q: I have a full position in BIP my RIF portfolio. The stock it has come off it's 52 week high by $8.00 & paying almost a 5% yeild. I'm thinking off adding to a TSFA for a longer term hold any thoughts if this would be a good entry point in the TSFA, I'm not sure why the market has the stock in a downward trend do you have any issues or concerns with BIP that I could be missing.

Q: hi, again I am asking for your top picks for income, I have a full position in BNS. if I hold your picks I may top up, if you think this is a good time to buy and why thx Jack.

Q: hi Peter I am selling BPF.UN and seeking growth and income from the sale proceeds presently long in pipes telcos and banks how would you rank the above listed companies as a replacement thanks for the great service Richard

Q: Hi Gentlemen
Aside from BAM itself which of the Brookfield companies do you believe represents the best long term holding?
Thanks