Investment Q&A

Q: Peter,

I own Atco, Algonquin Power, Fortis, Canadian Utilities , Emara and Brookfield Infrastructure. My concern is I am missing out on the renewables / green space companies. In the utility space what other recommendations you would give to ensure I am covered.

Thank you
Paul

Q: Hi Team,

I'm considering reducing my fixed income portfolio allocation in favour of adding some Preferred shares/ ETFs And some Utility stocks. What investments would you make to accomplish this portfolio change?

Q: My question relates to sector allocation. Specifically, I am significantly overweight in Utilities (23%), but underweight in Energy (3%). That said, most of my utilities are related to renewable energy (AQN, BEP/BEPC and NPI, as well as FTS which is starting to tilt toward renewables). Does it make sense to 'assign' a portion of these stocks to the Energy sector? And if so, what percentage of each would you suggest could be reassigned? Thank you.

Q: HI, There seems to be a growing consensus among market watchers and strategists, that Utilities are likely to shine in coming months and years. In this sector, specially the companies which have more exposure to Renewable and Green energy seem to be the favorites. One of the reasons cited for this view is a possible Biden win in coming US elections. We presently have about 9% sector weighting, equally divided between AQN and FTS, but wish increase to may be 15%. Over recent weeks, rising valuations have also reflected this optimism, although, for some more than others.( e.g.,Boralex from $27 to now $41). Which of above companies, in your view, have best potential for growth and prospects for consolidating their position in Green energy ? Also, from valuation perspective, which ones will be your favorites, for more capital appreciation over next few years ? It would help, if you could rank them in preference and explain your reasoning. Thank you for your great insight, as always.

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: During these times, which is a better long time hold. TC energy or Fortis.

Q: Retired dividend-income investor. Long term holder of TRP. Would the recent decline in share price be attributable to the Biden-Trump debate #1, which analysts say Biden won (therefore putting Keystone XL at further risk) and/or the movement towards the change in sentiment (carbon-based vs renewable energy)?

I normally am a long term holder of core positions, with trimming/adding when rebalancing is required. I was due to add, once TRP came back down to $58. Now it is at $55 and I have adjusted my "adding" target to $50. I am not too far below a full position (at roughly 85%).

I do not plan to sell TRP believing that as the pandemic subsides, the oil & gas industry will recover. However, I am beginning to wonder that I may be better served to allocate these "top-up" funds to the renewable part of the energy sector instead. I also own AQN and FTS.

Your thoughts? Thanks for your help...Steve

Q: I'm a long term holder of Fortis (in the "hold forever" part of my portfolio). I have been seeing quite a few headlines regarding Fortis's commitment to moving into renewable energy, including wind and solar.

Here is one recent announcement: "FortisBC announced its energy conservation and efficiency program expenditures will increase substantially to $368.5 million over the 2019-2022 period. The new program represents a doubling of expenditure in 2019 and a tripling of expenditure by 2022. The new program will lower energy use, emissions and costs in everything from hospitals to homes. Customer benefits include extending the residential high-efficiency natural gas furnace rebate to be offered year-round and providing greater access to certified experts to help manage energy use."

How do you see this move impacting Fortis's earnings and share price (with the current investor interest in renewables)? Do you see this move as part of a broader trend with ultility/power companies increasing their stakes in renewable energy?

Q: Can you rate the following companies in order of expected dividend growth over the next 5-10 years: CU, EMA, FTS. How do they rate in respect to their renewable energy prospects and growth?

Q: Retired, dividend income investor. Currently own AQN, FTS and TRP. If I wanted to add a 4th name (with a focus on renewables), what would you recommend? It would be mostly in a taxable account, with possibly some in a TFSA account. Or if AQN and FTS are enough names, should I just add funds to them? If AQN-FTS are not enough names, would you consider BEPC or BIPC? I like utilizing the dividend tax credit.
Thanks for your help...Steve

Q: Hi 5i team,

PA suggests I up my utilities by 5%. I was thinking of adding two stocks one being AQN at 2.5% to 3%. Can you please suggest a few large and mid cap companies that would complement AQN.

Thank you

Q: Hi 5i
In order to adjust utilities weighting up in my portfolio could you suggest a couple of each of Canadian and US please?
Thanks
Mike

Q: Looking to deploy excess cash, mainly for dividends and some growth. I have room in both utilities and telecom sectors. If I compare the Utilities and Telecoms listed, it would seem from current valuations (Fwd PE versus historical PE average) and looking at share appreciation the past 5 years ( history of generating shareholder value) , 5yr dividend growth rates and expected revenue growth, the utilities group easily wins on all counts. Based on this analysis, I should be buying from my list of utilities before I start buying from the Telecom list. Do you agree with my conclusion? Should I add any additional analysis? Thank-you.

Q: Hello Peter, I am intrigued after reading that a Canadian can earn about $50,000 per year of dividend income without paying any income tax. I know about your income portfolio of course, but with a view to maximizing just Canadian eligible dividend income, what would you think of the following portfolio of 14 stocks. Equal weighted, the stocks would yield 5.3%. (Disregard lack of market diversification; this can be achieved in one’s registered accounts.) Also, if one wanted to pare down the list to 10, which 4 would you delete?
BCE, CM, ENB, FTS, CNQ, AQN, CPD, FSZ, MG, KBL, POW, ALA, BIPC and NTR. Thanks!

Q: Hi Peter, Ryan, and team,

My wife's TFSA consists of the above holdings. NFI is down 73.4%, and XMA is a tiny holding where we park cash (no commission with iTrade). The others are doing well, but perhaps they're not the best when held in a TFSA. Are there any outright sells, and what suggestions do you have to employ the possible cash? We'd like a bit more oomph from this account. Your advice is very valuable.

Q: If my first objective is capital appreciation, how would you rank these three? Second question, my perception is that FTS isn't as "renewable" compared to BEP and AQN. How would you compare FTS to the other two in this regard?
Thanks.

Q: Dear 5i team:
Your software indicates our family’s investments are too Canadian-focused. However, I prefer our “home bias”, for three reasons:
(a) most of our assets are non-registered, and the dividend tax credit is especially favourable for Canadian source dividends in a province such as ours (Ontario);
(b) I like supporting the companies that I invest in (e.g., we buy Peller family wines, since we own their shares);
(c) but most important, many of the “Canadian” businesses we own are surprisingly international; among our top 20 equity holdings are:
Alimentation couche-tarde (Circle K is world-wide);
Brookfield Asset Management (globally focused company that invests wherever the opportunities are);
CGI Group (revenues are 84% outside Canada per 2019 annual report);
CP Rail (significant U.S. revenues);
Fortis (65% of earning are in U.S.);
Manulife (growing Asian revenues);
Restaurant Brands International (most of Burger King and Popeye’s restaurants are outside of Canada);
Shopify (not sure, but suspect international revenues are growing faster than Canadian revenues);
TC Energy (dropped “Canada” from its name to reflect its growing U.S. presence);
TD bank (substantial and growing U.S. presence);
Anyways, the above-listed 10 stocks represent about one-third of our overall equity holdings (in absolute $ terms), but I would not consider these companies as being “100% Canadian”. I wonder whether your software could be rejigged to reflect the relative percent earnings (or revenue) contributions, broken down per Canada, U.S., Europe, Asia, and so forth. I suspect our home “bias” is not nearly as substantial as it appears.
Ted

Q: I have these 13 stocks at equal weighting of approximately 5 percent each in my RSP, along with 35 percent in fixed income. Stock value of approx 1,300,000. Fixed income is approx 650,000. Cash 50,000. In your valued opinion, is the above stock selection diversified enough?, or are there other sectors I should be in. I am 69 and going to retire in the next year.

Q: Hi. I would characterize myself as an income investor, but like many others am also trying to position myself for "conservative growth".

I currently hold 3% positions each in BIP, FTS, BEP and a 3.5% position in CPX. I also have a 4% position in ENB (I see it as a pseudo utility/energy).

I'm down about 5% on FTS and BEP, even on BIP and up 15% on CPX.

I'm thinking of selling FTS at a tax loss and picking up AQN for the higher dividend and what I see as better potential for growth.

I may consider adding FTS back in at a later date. What do you think of this strategy, or would I be better to leave things as is? Do you see BIP, BEP, AQN and CPX as having better growth potential in the next 1-3 years? What would be your recommendations given this mix of holdings?

Thank-you in advance.

Q: I will retire in two years at 62 and receive OAS and max CPP at 65.

I have significant savings and investments.

At this moment in time what are your top five long term income producing investments. Relatively safety with some growth potential.

Thanks much.