Investment Q&A

Q: My industrials currently consist of SIS@4.3%. BIP@ 3.8% and ZCL@3.5%. Each month i have the ability to contribute about 1% of portfolio value. I would like to add to my industrial section. Any suggestions or changes to holdings? Probably happy with three stocks but could add another. Hold about 33 stocks in my balanced portfolio.

Q: Both these companies report in USD. They are listed in NY and Toronto. Is the Toronto price basically a function of the rate of exchange?

Do these companies have a hedging strategy to protect the Canadian shareholders?

I suppose that an investor concerned about foreign exchange losses should examine the hedging strategy of any company holding assets outside Canada.

Q: I read about the recent problems regarding corruption in Brazil, and the huge drop in the brazilian markets today. Since BIP has major projects in brazil, I am left wondering if the latest problems there will impact BIP. If so, will the impact be short term or longer term? Or the problems such that we should lighten up on the stock?

Q: I currently own BEP.UN and BIP.UN. Thinking of adding BAM.A.
Are these companies linked in such a way, that really bad news would bring the other Brookfield stocks down?
Thanx
Saw your response on rating the order of the Brookfield stocks on the 17th. Noticed you put BAM.A ahead of all the Brookfield stocks.
What makes it better than the two I have , in your opinion.

Q: Please rate these Brookfield companies in order of you best choices for growth, valuation and risk.
Thanks,
Terry

Q: You have indicated a recent buying preference of BIP over BE. I notice that the analysts predict a 10% price reduction for BIP in 2017 but stable for BEP. Does this affect your preference?

Q: I have the above two stocks but would like a bit more European exposure. Do you have a stock recommendation with solidity and growth in mind?

Q: Could you please comment on their results and outlook.

Thanks,
Milan

Q: Over the past two years I have acquired all three of the above companies and they now (together) comprise 10% of my portfolio. Do you see any problems with this? My portfolio is well diversified.
THANKS!
Bryan

Q: Which stock would be your choice at today's valuations, $bep.u or $bip.un?

Thanks Valter

Q: Do all four of these have dividends that are taxed differently and therefore shouldn't be in a non-registered? Does this apply to a TFSA as well, as foreign income I believe is taxed in a TFSA?

Where should I hold each of these? in an RRSP, TFSA or non-registered?

Q: What are the chances of Wsp increasing the dividend -it has been the same for at least the last 5 years. Given that the stock price is up nicely this month I wonder if it isn't time to move on to a higher dividend stock or a stock with dividend growth for my income account. What do you think and what would you suggest as a replacement -I own most of the stocks in your income portfolio.
Thank you.

Q: Good day,

If I were to only have one Brookfield that would provide the most stable and long term growth, which one would it be?

Cam.

Q: I currently hold BPY, but am considering selling it for a small
profit and buying BIP for more growth.
Or would I do better to sell AD at a substantial loss, put the proceeds to work in BIP and hang on to BPY
Your thoughts please.
Thank you very much

Q: Hello Peter, I have full positions in FTS, BIP and EMA, and a long-held triple position in BAM. With some new money, I'm tempted by ALA for its good yield and steadiness. Do you think this is too much duplication (considering the fact that I probably already own too many individual stocks, probably 60-70 if I include my RRSP, TFSA and non-registered). Or is the excellent yield enough to justify the addition.

Q: Hi Guys!

I have a question about how to wait. I bought BIP in November 2016 and sold it after I made 4%. Looking at the chart now, I could have made much more than that (20% actually).

I've learned how to buy right and sell right. But how do you just "wait" right. What is a good waiting/monitoring strategy.

Thanks so much!

Dave

Q: Hello all,
This is further to the question regarding BIP.UN and tax reporting. I have had this equity for several years and it is always, without exception, the last tax form I receive. As of yet, this year's (2016) has still not arrived.
Having said that, it is a very small problem. Annoying, yes, but nothing more.
So, some final points:
1. It is probably not tax-advantageous to keep in a taxable account in the first place. (That was the only room I had available when I chose to purchase it - my bad.)
2. Kept in a TFSA, RRSP or other tax-efficient entity I don't believe the tax issues apply so if you have, or can make room, put BIP.UN (this would apply to BEP.UN as well, I imagine) in one of those vehicles.
3. We are in the process of moving our BIP.UN into our TFSA's each year until it is all in TFSA's, thus our tax issues become smaller each year until they will finally go away.
4. BIP.UN has been a stellar performer in our portfolios both in terms of dividend cash flow and capital appreciation - it would take something really dramatic for us to part with it. I guess it would be one of our "core" holdings.
All the best!
Cheers,
Mike

Q: Re: Ian's earlier question - I have held both for several years in taxable accounts and have never had any issues getting the tax forms (T5013) on time. Complexity comes from the fact that the Distributions are not "Dividends" but include elements of Foreign Income, Interest, Return of Capital as well as Eligible Divs.....so tax hit is different than a dividend that qualifies for the DTC. This changes each year and and the T5013 lays all this out quite clearly. If you would like to get a breakdown of the elements of each historical distribution - there is also good summary on each of the firms websites. I am a very happy shareholder of both!

Q: I am considering investing in BIP.UN & BEP.UN but have been advised not to on account of complex tax accounting & sometimes late reporting of the required tax info. If you or customers that have held these investments can offer enlightenment I will be grateful.
Thanks, Ian

Q: I Have BEP.UN, and BPY.UN which have gone sideways for me in the last year, I also have BIP.UN which has done very well.
I am thinking of selling BEP and BPY and buying BAM.A with proceeds. Is this a good switch.
Thank You
Hooray for the ethical 5 I