Investment Q&A

Q: Good morning - I am overweight Utilities and underweight Energy. I have large positions in BEP and AQN, both of which have considerable capital gains as well as FTS which has plowed along steadily but not much gain. I am thinking of selling FTS and buying ENB or TRP. In an earlier question you suggested that you liked TRP over ENB if you had to choose. Do you like any other energy sector company better for a long term dividend loving old timer? I already have a chunk of SU and Canadian Natural Resources. On the other hand, I am noticing analysts starting to love FTS. Should I stay or should I go, and to which energy company? Thanks for helping me stop going in circles. Al

Q: This is actually a followup question to your answer to Steve's question from earlier this morning.

I also hold a core position in TRP. Dividend investor. Intended to hold 'forever'. I'm 43.

I couldn't tell from your answer to Steve's question whether you view TRP as a 'BUY', 'SELL', 'HOLD' or 'GRADUALLY TRIM UNTIL DIVESTED'. You had previously opined that oil will likely subsist as a fuel source in demand for 20+ years. That would take me to age 63. What do you think is the likelihood that TRP continues to pay and grow its dividend for say, 50 years? I know given the time frame, this is a very difficult, speculative, predictive question, but your guess is better than mine. I don't want to hang on to this position only to have to sell it at a massive loss 20 years from now, but that is the scenario that appears to be gradually unfolding now.

I hold a fairly concentrated portfolio of 20 companies, equally-weighted, and each is selected with the intention of holding for their sustained, rising dividend payments in perpetuity. When this is threatened, either imminently or in the medium to long-term, I sell. I sold SU when they cut their dividend and am glad I did.

Given this context, should I exit TRP? If so, should I use the proceeds to start a new position in AQN? I already own FTS and EMA, would this be too much overlap or too much utilities exposure? If so, I am relatively light on Consumer Discretionary (only hold CTC.A in this sector and have been eyeing QSR - do you think a switch from TRP to QSR would make more sense?

Please deduct as many credits as necessary, this was actually *many* questions in one.

Q: What is your view on TRP.?
Hold or move on. Should I ride it out ?
Down 45% 2.5 % of portfolio.