Investment Q&A

Q: With the current gong show at Rogers corporate board would you be inclined to hold on to a current position or sell? I currently hold Telus and BCE as well as Rogers.

Q: Hi, what is your outlook for Rogers - is it more of an opportunity than a laggard? The stock has lagged other telecoms and its below its 200 day moving average.

Q: I notice that you do not think the Rogers-Shaw merger will be approved. Will you explain your reasons for that? Thanks

Q: What stocks in Canada do you believe will do well with the passing of the Infrastructure Bill and Reconciliation Bill in the USA? Please list in order of preference. Thanks.

Q: Hi, I have owned the three big Telcos BCE, Rogers and Telus for about four years now. Since I have owned these companies Bell and Telus have raised their dividends on an annual basis and semi annual basis as is the case with Telus. However, Rogers has not raised its dividend since January 2019. Do you have any idea why Rogers does no raise their dividend as often as BCE and Telus? Also, how would you rank the three of them in terms of preference on a total return basis where 1 is the most preferred. Many thanks.

Q: They are all high-paying dividend stocks, but I want to know why BCE consistently has a higher dividend. Is it because the market is reflecting that BCE doesn't have good growth prospects or are people missing something. Seems like they have at least similar prospects as Rogers (while I know Telus is doing many things outside of telecom so might deserve a higher valuation and lower dividend.)

Q: I'm having trouble locating your last Report on Telus. Would you direct me please.
And would you comment on the present price of Telus being an opportune point of acquisition vis a vis Rogers and Shaw's current dance.

Q: Hi Peter, Ryan, and Team,
Portfolio Analytics shows a 6.78% allocation for GSY. (Thanks so much for recommending this company and helping us to grow our portfolio). Would it be prudent to trim GSY, and to what level would you be comfortable with? PA also shows that we need to add some Communications Services, and we presently own only BCE. I was thinking to add some Telus or Rogers, and would appreciate your thoughts. If we go for Rogers, which one (A or B) do you recommend? Thanks as always for your insight.

Q: Hello 5i Team
Referencing the proposed takeover of Shaw Communications by Rogers Communications, I have the following questions:

1 – No mention of the Shaw Communications preferred shares (SJR.PR.A and SJR.PR.B) was made in the news release or presentation. Do you think they will be assumed by Rogers (i.e. similar to Cenovus takeover of Husky) or would Shaw/Rogers redeem the shares at par value at the next redemption date of June 30, 2021?

2 – Rogers will be exchanging 60 % of the SJR.A / SJR.B shares (owned by the Shaw family) into RCI.B shares, however, Rogers will not be extending this exchange to public shareholders of SJR.B. Do you think activist investors could pressure Rogers to modify their offer to allow public shareholders of SJR.B to exchange their shares of SJR.B for RCI.B [given the Shaw family controls the voting rights for Shaw Communications, I don’t see any support from Shaw family for this change otherwise it would have been part of the deal from the outset]?

3 – The exchange ratio of RCI.B to SJR shares will be 0.70. Given the cash offer price of $40.50 for SJR.B shares this would result in an equivalent RCI.B price of $40.50/0.70 = $57.85. Given RCI.B is trading 6 % higher than the conversion price [$61.57 March 15 close], would it make sense to sell my Rogers shares this week, buy additional shares of SJR and then when the transaction closes, re-purchase my desired holding of Rogers shares? I currently hold equal weight amounts of Rogers and Shaw.

4 – Could the regulators (Federal Government) require Rogers to divest its equity holding in Cogeco Communications as a condition of the deal?

Thank you

Q: In a G&M article it states that the takeover deal requires two-thirds approval of both the Class B (non-voting) shares and Class A (voting ) Shaw shares to complete the deal - how does that work If the Class B shares are (non-voting).
Also, the Shaw family own the majority of Class A shares who already stated they approve the deal. If the Class B shares somehow vote against the deal - does that mean - no deal?

Q: What are your thoughts on this deal?
Thanks

Q: I recently bought RCI.B after the pullback on lower earnings, thinking it would be a good defensive name with room to grow post-Covid. Since then it has languished with a steady slow fall . I already own Telus and BCE. Would you advise holding on and waiting for better times or selling now?

Q: I have held RCI.B in my TFSA for some time. There has been no growth but a small dividend. Should it be sold to make room for some growth in my TFSA or be patient? If your recommend sell RCI.B, please suggest a couple of high growth replacements. Would MG be a suitable replacement?

Q: Hi 5i
Rogers had earnings today and stock down around -6% so far.
Been holding for 3yr with the outlook for some growth and stable dividend....however still down -12% and dividend about 3.4%.
What is its outlook going forward? Is it a lost cause?
Would you continue to hold or not?
Could you suggest a suitable replacement in this sector canada or USA with better potential upside and dividend. I own small position in BCE also down, -10%..lol
Thx
Jim

Q: Hello 5i team,

What do you guys think are the "worst" companies currently in the TSX60 index that you think will under-perform in the coming years? Why?

Are there any fundamental/financial metrics that you think are the most predictive of poor future performance that investors should look out for?

Thanks!

Q: No rush to answer. Retired, dividend-income investor. I am a position "light" in the Communications sector. I already have a full position in BCE....looking to add one of Telus, Shaw, Cogeco, Rogers or another name you might suggest.

When I look at the various metrics (P/E, P/BV, P/CF, P/S, ROE) I filtered out Telus, leaving SJR and CCA and RCI. Reading past questions, some quite dated, I am wondering if time has changed your opinions on these three.

Shaw has a nice (5.4%) but slow-growing dividend. ROE 10%. It's chart looks good from a value point of view, but is it a value trap? Very poor momentum.

Cogeco has a lower (2.6%) but faster growing dividend. ROE 16%. It's chart shows better momentum. I also wonder whether a new takeover offer might be in the future?

Rogers is just ok across the board.

I'm leaning towards Cogeco, but wanted your advice first. What odds would you place on a take-over happening? Please rank all three in order of your preference to buy.

Thanks...Steve

Rogers

Q: I am looking at tax loss selling of these 4 companies. Down significantly on all 4. Is there any I should retain that may have hope of recovery.

Q: Hi 5i Team:

I have about 2% of RCI.B in my portfoilio, and it seems keep going down. And I have lost some 20% of it. Should I take the loss? I also own GIB.A with a gain of 68%, I wonder if I should take the gain on this one.

Please take enough points for my questions.
Thank you.
LL

Q: Hi, could you please rank the Telcom companies from best to worst over the next 1-5 years with brief rationale. Also, how do you see the general outlook for the industry over this period? Thanks.

Q: Hello 5i Team
Comparing Rogers Communications vs Shaw Communications - which is the better company for further growth and increased dividends? RCI-B increased its dividend slightly in 2018 and no previous increases since 2015. SJR-B last increased its dividend in 2016.
I already have equal weight positions in BCE, Shaw and Telus - I am looking for which company I should invest in to reach my desired portfolio percentage in the Communications Sector?
Should I look at the Cogeco family of companies instead of Rogers/Shaw?
Thanks