Investment Q&A

Q: Here is the current EV/EBITDA ratios for the following energy producers (lowest to highest): CPX (8.3), BEP.UN (9.3), NPI (11.6), FTS (13.0), H (14.0), AQN (16.5), BLX (17.4), INE (37.1). CPX seems to be a top contender for value, with lowest P/B too at 1.49. Considering all factors, please rank from best to worst, in terms of possible best total return over the next 10 years.
Thanks!

Q: For a longer term (5-10yr) dividend hold we currently own AQN and are wondering if adding or replacing it with another such as EMA, FTS or NPI is prudent given AQN's flaccid performance over the past 18 months.
Thank you for sharing your insight.

Q: Hi 5i,
I currently use my TFSA as my primary investment vehicle. As such, I've been trying to keep it as diversified as possible which has resulted in purchase of both growth stock and dividend stocks across various sectors. Examples of the dividend stocks include: TD, FTS, and T.

I am close to maxing out my contribution for the TFSA and now find myself in a bit of a pickle as I want to move out the dividend stocks in favor of growth names.

My plan now involves:
- selling the dividend positions in the TFSA
- opening a new RRSP account and re-buy these same dividend stocks
- redeploy the 'freed-up' cash within my TFSA into growth names

1.) Are there obvious pitfalls you can see with this strategy? I can't see any issues other than being a little clunky in execution.
2.) What are your current top-5 growth names (regardless of sector)

Thanks,
Kyle

Q: Hi. Are there any Canadian companies that meet the U.S. dividend aristocrats criterion of having increased dividends for at least 25 consecutive years?

Q: Earlier this year we created an equal weighted 'balanced' portfolio of 30 Canadian companies in a non-registered account. Most were chosen from companies either covered by a 5i research report or included in a 5i model portfolio. The remainder were chosen, based on the 5i Q&A section, from what appear to be 5i sector favourites. All purchases in the portfolio are made with the intent to be long-term holds (10+ years).

As per an earlier question we posed, we then increased our positions in 12 of the 30 companies. At this time we would like to increase our investments in 6 of the remaining 18 companies. The intent is to increase the other 12 in approximately 4 months. Which 6 would you add to today? Please rank them, include a small blurb explaining each choice and suggest an entry point. Thanks!

Q: I have a 1.7% weighting in Fortis, which is the only utility I own in my RRSP. I'm hesitant to do so because of their gargantuan debt levels. With total liabilities of around 33.4 Billion, this is higher than their total market cap of around 27 Billion.
Net Debt to EBITA ratio around 6.2x , and low interest coverage of 2.3.
Free cash flow also only covers around 11.5 % which is quite low.
So do you still see Fortis as an attractive investment for a 10 year hold ?
Thanks !

Q: Hi 5i,

Portfolio analytics is recommending that I reduce my utility holdings 12%. I have held AQN (3.4% weight), FTS (4.3%), BEP (5.2%) and BIP (5%) for four years and do like the dividends and renewable energy aspect. Today's TD analyst comments also gave me pause about being overweight utilities: "As WTI oil and energy prices have recovered over the past year on rising interest rates, alternative energy and utilities in general have underperformed. We believe that a potential rise in interest rates on improving COVID-19 trends and impending
tapering, along with the renewed relative strength in the energy sector, will
further pressure the utilities sector." My questions for you:. 1. where and how would you trim from the above holdings? and 2. your thoughts on the analysis outlined above. Thanks for your guidance.

Q: What is your view on Fortis for a retirement portfolio? Is there another safe utility stock that would provide better growth? Would you ever hold both Fortis and Emera in the same portfolio or is that duplicating a similar type of holding.

Q: Hi, I have read that several U.K. utilities have recently collapsed given soaring wholesale natural gas prices and the inability to pass costs on to customers. Could the same thing happen here and if so which companies might be the most susceptible? Could any of the above companies be impacted? Thanks.

Q: Please advise 5 top defensive growth stocks - Canada, US or global.
Many thanks for your advice.

Q: Please rate your top 5 electric Canadian utilities
1. for long term growth potential
2. for safety in a correction.
Thanks

Q: We are often reminded that one should not try to time the market, and that it is time in the market that counts. But would you be in favour of an investor re-weighting to more defensive positions if one is worried there is a "correction" on the horizon, for example if the Delta variant explodes Covid numbers, there is a gov't policy or interest rate change, an external shock with China, etc, ? If one was going to make that change, can you pls provide 10 names that currently would be more defensive? Thank you for your very excellent service.

Q: Over the next few months, I plan to buy the 5 stocks listed. Not sure if there is a preferred order of purchase. This will be in a non-registered investment account, where dividend accumulation and safety of principal are the main goals. Buy and hold forever. I keep all of my growth stocks in my TFSA, and I have most of those recommended by 5i. Could you please recommend an ordered sequence for purchase of these 5? (If you see one.) Thank you for continued great service.

Q: We have new contribution room in a small TFSA. Can you suggest 3 CDN stocks for buy and hold (even at these record levels) at this time ?

Q: I need in increase my portfolio weightings in Consumer Cyclical and Utilities. I currently hold AQN, BIP.UN and FTS in Utilities in roughly equal amounts and hold QSR and LNF for Consumer Cyclical with QSR double the holding of LNF. Should I add to my current positions to increase my weighting in both sectors or consider adding new stocks?

Q: Hi 5iGang,

Would you please recommend 3 or 4 defensive stocks in each of the CDN and US markets.
Thanks for the nice work.
H

Q: Earlier this year we created an equal weighted 'balanced' portfolio of 30 Canadian companies in a non-registered account. Most were chosen from companies either covered by a 5i research report or included in a 5i model portfolio. The remainder were chosen, based on the 5i Q&A section, from what appear to be 5i sector favourites. All purchases in the portfolio are made with the intent to be long-term holds (10+ years).

Our intent is to increase our investments in the 30 companies over time. We have recently increased our positions in BIPC and MG. At this time we would like to increase our investments in 10 of the remaining 28 companies. The intent is to increase the remaining 18 in approximately 6 months. Which 10 would you add to today? Please rank them, include a small blurb explaining each choice and indicate an approximate buy price. Thanks!

Q: Which do you prefer for a long term hold.

Q: My wife has full positions of BMO, ENB, LIF, POW and RSI in her RRIF. She has some cash to deploy, looking for quality income stocks with decent dividend yields. Would you have any suggestions?

Thank you!

Q: Have reviewed from report on BEP.UN.CA. Already have a large position in Fortis and AQN..T Reasonable to add BEP.UN,CA, or drop one of the others ? Await your comments ,