Investment Q&A

Q: Hello 5i Team

I currently hold E-L Financial (ELF), Economic Investment Trust (EVT) and United Corporations (UNC).

Ultimately the total value of these three holdings is 2.84 % of my equity holdings with ELF (0.77 %), EVT (0.66 %) and UNC (1.41 %).

E-L Financial and the controlling family shareholder holds approximately 25% ownership of EVT (through direct ownership) and approximately 53 % (through indirect subsidiaries) with a resulting public float of 21 %.

E-L Financial and the controlling family shareholder holds approximately 55 % of UNC and approximately 23 % (through indirect subsidiaries) with a resulting public float of 21 %.
Through Normal Course Issuer Bids and Substantial Issuer Bids, E-L Financial is very slowly increasing its control (approximately 1 % per year).

I understand all three securities have extremely low trading volumes (less than 500 shares per day and some days no trades). I am looking at a long-term holding period (> 5 years).

Questions

1 – General comments on ELF, EVT and UNC.

2 – Given the very slow creeping takeover (i.e. 20 years to complete takeover), does it make sense to retain holdings of EVT and UNC and sell my holdings of ELF? The ultimate goal is to reduce the number of holdings in my portfolio.

Thank you

Q: Hello 5i Team
Canadian General Investments (CGI) and United Corporations Ltd. (UNC) are “closed end funds” with a discount to book value and low trading volumes. Both of these entities have been around since the 1930’s.
The primary reason for holding them would be long term growth and stability and not dividend income. I would view them as “ballast” in the portfolio to maintain stability (i.e. low volatility).
In addition, since they hold foreign stocks, it eliminates issues with Foreign Holding reporting (Form T1135) and potential US Estate taxation.
Questions are:
1 – What are your thoughts on either of these as a long term holding in a non-registered account?
2 – Which company would be the better choice?
3 – Would it be better to hold E-L Financial (ELF) instead of United Corporations (UNC) since ELF owns approximately 52.5 % of UNC?

Q: I would appreciate your comments about the very old and sleepy closed-end fund United Corporations Ltd (UNC), which trades well below its NAV. In particular, how safe would UNC.PR.C be as a long-term source of steady income? I recognize that the preferreds are quite illiquid and hence one would want to hold them for the long term.
Thanks!