Investment Q&A

Q: Fortunately I sold PRV.un and NXR.un over a year ago and now wondering if it is time to repurchase. I'm reminded of Warren Buffet's expression to be "greedy when others are fearful" and there is lots of fear out there at the moment. In your opinion, what are the three most important ratios when evaluating REITs and what are the yellow (caution) the RED (danger) zones for those ratios? What are the ratios for the subject REITS?

Q: Peter, what are your top 10 defencive dividend paying stocks in Canada in order of safety please.

Q: My plan is delay OAS, at the same time trying to not go overboard on dividend-payers in my taxable account to limit the clawback. I'm wondering if adding REITs instead tend to help that situation.

Generally speaking, is the payout from Canadian REITs such as GRT.UN and DIR.UN in a form that is beneficial in that regard? Is there a CAD ETF that invests in the U.S. that might also be a good idea?

I hope this doesn't come across as tax advice.

Q: What would be your top picks for stable Canadian dividend stocks that are trading at historically low valuations?

Thanks so much!

Q: My discount broker commented that DIR.UN "is running out of steam" and that the largest shareholder sold 800,000 shares last week at $13.02. It is significant to note that the said shareholder now owns no units of the REIT.
Recently you indicated that this REIT is one of your top 5 favourites.
Can you please comment whether this is still your favourite REIT ? Is the insider selling significant? I will appreciate further if it is a hold, sell or a buy.
Thanks

Q: Could you please outline the main risks to Dream Industrial REIT. I am also confused because over 2.5 years their P/E has gone from 4 to 24, yet their stock price has dropped (~$16 to $13) and their earnings have increased (as I understand it). Please correct me if I am wrong. Also, do I have it right that their NAV is ~$17? Do you know their average interest costs and if/when that might increase significantly? Other than those debt questions, and the sector, I'm wondering what I'm missing with this stock continuing to drop. Thank you.

Q: What would be your top 5 U.S. or Canadian REITs today based primarily on both valuation and quality balance sheet.

Q: Do you see interesting dividends stocks down that we should keep an eye on with potentiel harvesting tax-loss season coming? Canadian and US stocks with a good balance sheet.

I have been looking at dir.un, plc, ko and pfe

Q: These large cap dividend stocks have declined significantly. Would you consider them on sale now to add or purchase at these time? Eventually these stocks should recover perhaps even without cutting theirs dividends.
Thanks for your input on this matter.

Q: I'm not sure if I should take comfort in the fact that you still have ZRE in the portfolio or not, the last little while has been rough. If you were putting new money into the sector under current conditions would you stick with the equal weight ETF approach or would you just choose a couple of your favourite individual stocks like DIR and/or CAR (or perhaps another ETF that is not equal weight)?

Q: Can you comment on your current top 5 Canadian dividend stocks?

Q: Me, thinking of selling CAR.UN and adding to DIR.UN. My reason, DIR.UN has more upside. In the income portion of the portfolio, about 18% of total portfolio, CAR.UN has a weighting of 1.47%, while DIR.UN  comes in at 6.88% but I'd be okay with overweighting DIR.UN. What is you take for this potential move???.....Tom

Q: Hello 5i,

This is a sector allocation question. Portfolio Analytics indicates I have about 14% allocated to Real Estate and should only have 4%. My 3 real estate holdings are DLR:US, DIR.UN:CA and GRT.UN:CA. Would you suggest selling one of these 3 or trimming a bit from each?

Thanks

Q: Interest rates likely peaking and many real estate stocks are trading at discount. I am considering adding to real estate. Would you comment on this thought and suggest a stock and index.

Q: One year ago I decided to choose 6 reits ( avoiding shopping centers and offices),+ one professionaly managed reit etf (mentionned above) .The final result is that the managed ETF did loose 15% +,and the 6 "amateur chosen" ETF gained more than 15% ,the choice was based on the "basic observation"of a slowing economy and specific individual REIT performances,I did then favour industrial, data centers and some real estate REITs.Is it normal that a professionaly managed ETF could underperform so much versus personal choices and why? I wonder if I should trust actively managed products on the future,considering the fees etc..,instead of just choosing stocks or ETFs in safe sectors according to observable macro-economic tendancies.

Q: hi,
I was reading questions/answers this am. I noticed "John" today asked what to do with 4 equities that are down right now (AQN,Alaris, cargo jet,goeasy). I agree these seem like holds or buys right now. however, I am guessing John was looking for dividend payers with some growth(opposed to high growth, perhaps more speculative stocks), to swap with his current 4 (3,2,1??) equities he has at loss. he is retired. I am in a similar position, and would like your thoughts on potential dividend payers with some growth ( ie capital gains keeping up with inflation, at least ). cheers, chris

Q: Hi 5i,
What companies are on your lost of long-term hold dividend positions? I’m building a dividend portfolio and sincerely appreciate your always valuable perspective.

Thank you!

Q: Hi 5i,
A coupla questions, please deduct accordingly:

1. I've just received the following cautionary analysis regarding DIR.UN, and wonder if you would provide your comments on the points raised. I'm interested in acquiring DIR.UN but am concerned about the stated risks.

Currently, the following risks have been identified for the company (DIR.UN):
Major Risk
• Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow (8.6% operating cash flow to total debt).
Minor Risks
• Dividend is not well covered by earnings (dividend per share is over 12x earnings per share).
• Profit margins are more than 30% lower than last year (63% net profit margin).
• Shareholders have been diluted in the past year (3.1% increase in shares outstanding).


2. Could you also provide your analysis on BTB.UN based on the same criteria as applied to DIR.UN. I owned it years ago and enjoyed the yield, but became convinced it was too risky for my income portfolio. Now, years later, I see that while its unit price hasn't increased much, none of the fears materialized and had I held on it would have supplied decent income during that time. I'm considering re-entering.
Thanks 5i - much appreciated.
Peter

Q: Could you compare DIR.UN and NXR.UN?

Q: What are your favorite REIT's now?