Investment Q&A

Q: When I look at cash flows from utilities, they also seem to show a negative cash flow. In general terms, how do they run there business if they are always in the negative ? Are they always looking to the bond and/or stock market to pay for their huge capex spending ?

Q: My TFSA is pretty much the way I want it. But now I'm organizing my non-registered account. First, Is there too much overlap between BAMR and SLF. (if so which one would you prefer). Second, Is there too much overlap between FTS and H (if so which one would you prefer. Could you put all of these in rank order, best fundamentals first. Finally, should I just take equal sized positions in all, even position sizes end up being quite small, like somewhere between 1.5% and 2%. If you think those size positions are too small I will eliminate the last 2 or 3 from your rank ordering. I mainly want the dividends in a set and forget style setup, and I will add to positions as funds come available. Thank you again for excellent insight and advice. I learn an enormous amount from the Q/As daily.

Q: Hi 5i team,

I want to start investing in Renewable energy and utility companies. What are the key financial metrics to value if the company's share price is expensive? Ex. I am considering to get BEPC but it seems very pricy comparing with AQN on Fwd P/E basis (193 vs. 20)

Thanks,

Q: Greetings 5i.

I would like your view on the following. Would you prefer to buy a basket of power utilities (FTS/H/AQN etc) to create a hybrid ETF for sector exposure? (if so, can you provide a list of your favorites?) Or is it worth the mer to buy an ETF that has most of them embedded within? In which case, which ETF would you recommend?

Many thanks for your help.

Q: I’m 71 years old. As I get older I’ve tried to simplify my portfolio, going from about 50 stocks years ago, to my current portfolio of about 16 stocks, 3 ETFs and 15% cash.
I am a subscriber to your Portfolio Tracking and Analysis service and I’m told I need to make changes to reach a suggested asset allocation and portfolio diversification. Right now I’m tech, utilities and financial services heavy.

Here’s what I’d like to do:
The following set up gives me an allocation of 70% equities, 20 % bonds and 7% cash. I’m comfortable with this and have gone through many 20 and 30% corrections in the past 30 years without too much despair.

In my Canadian cash account I’d have CDZ, FTS, AQN.
Locked in RSP (LIRA) I would have AAPL, ZSP, ZEM.
Unlocked RIF I ‘d have CLF, ZAG.
TFSA would have QQQ, ZEM, ZDI, CSU, TOI, SIS.
I’d like cash around 8% of portfolio.

I’m wondering if I have my portfolio diversification covered and if the right stocks or ETFs are in the appropriate accounts for best tax efficiencies?
Your input would really be helpful.
Thanks
Frank

Q: Its astonishing how similar the charts look alike for FTS, EMA and CU. They have had a good move. The charts on AQN and NPI look very similar to each other as well, however moving sideways. Why do you think AQN and NPI seem to be lagging FTS, EMA and CU? Best, Don

Q: Hello, which is your order of preference for long term hold, future price and dividend appreciation. Thanks.

Q: Which stocks (US or Cdn) in your opinion may serve as something of a hedge during the virus scare. Kinaxis, for example, doesn't seem to be getting beaten up (yet). I'm thinking of online shopping support stocks, streaming networks, or other businesses that won't be affected, and may even see a boost, if people choose to stay in.