Investment Q&A

Q: Hi 5i Team,

I'm curious about your thoughts on sentiment turning against US equities in the coming months. I'm already exhausted seeing all the foolish tweets and news clips coming out of the Trump administration and I have to believe many others are too. Trump 2.0 seems much worse than 1.0! Also, I've been hearing that European markets are already outpacing the US market so far this year and I'm wondering if the US market deserves its current valuation given the increased volatility and increased risks?

I own many US stocks (e.g., 5 of the Mag 7, COST, ISGR, HD, TT, SYK, RS, ZS, HON, V) and I'm thinking for the first time of selling/trimming some of these. I would look to increase my dividend-paying Canadian stocks to generate more income. I'm also thinking about European dividend payers?

I'd appreciate your general views along with any comments you might have related to selling/trimming some of the stocks I've mentioned above. I'd look to sell into the end of this month and buy favourite TSX dividend payers (e.g., ENB, SLF, CNQ, BEP.UN, BIP.UN, T) or others you might suggest after the next tariff decision in early March.

Like many members, I have to thank you again for the wonderful service you provide. Your Q&A section and market reviews are fabulous, especially during difficult times! I also realize this is a long question and the answers are worth more than one credit.

Lisa

P.s. I had registered to attend this week's webinar which may have answered some of my questions. Unfortunately, something came up over lunch and I missed the webinar. Please let me know if there's a chance of catching a replay.

Q: I am wondering what is the real difference between these entities and if there are any implications with holding one or the other in TFSA vs RSP or non-reg account.

Q: May I have your comments on earnings please. BEP

Q: For the two situations below, if you were to buy only one of these two stocks at today’s prices, which would it be?

1. ATZ or DOO

2, BEP.UN or FTS

Thank you

Q: Hello 5i,

Your reply to Mike’s question on affects of DeepSeek was bang on. There is a lot of missing information on GPU’s, heat reduction, capability during high volume, etc, though to their credit the programmers may have found a new way to look at data which may be all that general users require.

BUT, let’s be clear, they could not have progressed without Western ingenuity and the Chinese government encouragement to steal western code and technology over and over again.

Our thoughts: Data centres are coming with the evolution of hardware. The Blackwell GPU may be ahead of its time and that is a risk for NVDA and to some degree VRT. We think NVDA missed an opportunity for extended longevity by announcing Blackwell too early.

Electrical grids require updating to be efficient with changing climate activities and technology regardless of data centres so we will chip away at a few stocks. If you assess the need for electricity from data centres at 50% of what it was projected and infrastructure improvements, what would be your top 5 stocks to purchase today?

Thank you for your advice over all these years

D&J

Q: I added some units of BEP Brookefield renewable Power when it went sub $30. The dividend yield at sub $30 is about 6.5 per cent and the price is getting close to 52 week lows. I know that on Monday a lot of the utilities, especially Vistra in the US, dropped a lot on speculation that the new Chinese AI model might indicate that power demand for AI may not be as robust as some think. But BEP has been drifting down for a while. Is there something wrong with BEP that I don't see? Should I continue to hold BEP or even add some more at these depressed prices?

Q: Trump has said he will suspend leases for wind projects, onshore and offshore. A couple of questions in re BEPC

1. how much of BEP's projects (including those in development ) are wind

2. Of their wind projects, what proportion is in the US?

3. Given the huge ("unstoppable") demand for electrification, plus the fact Trump is not the customer buying it, does it really matter what Trump says about wind?

In short, how much damage can Trump do to my BEP stock?

Q: Good morning

I noticed today that BEPC is trading at round $36.00 and back in December it was at around $44.00 Is BEPC a good entry point today for a long term hold? Any reason for the drop?

Jimmy

Q: BEP.UN is now down close to my ACB and have owned it off and on since it IPO'd in various accounts. Knew it quite well before it became public. Now is 2.5% of total portfolio in my Non-reg account and last took profits in 2021 at its over bought height.. Thinking of selling it with very small gain and switching to BEPC which would bring with it the DTC but add to the claw back on my OAS. But it would also get rid of one entry on the 1135 form filing. Anything else you see I am missing?

Q: Hello Team,

I currently do not have any pure dividend stocks and I'm looking at purchasing one to start. I did a bit of research and came up with the above list, are you able to rank them in order plus add your 2 favorites into the list (if they are not already included). Looking at a minimum of a 6% yield with the possibility of say a 30% return over the next 3-5 years. (setting my goals high). Thanks!

Q: I am interested in the divergence in performance between BN and its associated companies including BEP.UN. I own BEP.UN and BIP.UN both of which have a history of strongly outperforming BN. More recently they have fallen off while BN has fluorished. Can you comment and what would be your advice on switching some holdings into BN?
Thanks

Q: What is the biggest reason hurting the stock price? I have been adding to my holding slowly assuming that the interest rates are going down and 6% yield from the company will be better than investing in fixed income options. Your analysis please.
Piyush

Q: Good info from 5i on recent lackluster BEP.UN stock performance.

I've noticed that historic trends for this company's Revenues and Operating Cash Flow seem to be fairly positive / consistent. However, Operating Margin took a hit last year, and Free Cash Flow has been negative the last three years. Is this a concern to you? Is the projected annual 5%-ish dividend increase in jeopardy (next increase is coming up shortly ! ).

Acknowledging the negatives you mentioned in your recent Q&A responses, would the current yield not soon theoretically help stabilize the stock price - especially considering this is a Brookfield....despite as "complicated" as the company is?

Q: There was to be a merger at the end of 2024. When will that show up in my accounts.
The stock price has been dropping in tandem lately. I do not know why?

Q: The noted stocks are all very weak right now. I suppose on fears of recession and/or tariffs and/or specific company performance. Could you please rank these for potential to rebound in 2025? Any particularly attractive or unattractive right now to purchase with a brief rationale? Thanks!

Q: I read your last update (June), and recent questions about this stock, and reviewed the financials. I cannot see any specific reasons for the steady decline. I don't see the reorganization having any material effect, and because of the international diversity I cannot see any Trump stupidity as having major influence. In fact, I would have thought the reduced interest rates would be a positive effect. Obviously, I am missing something that indicates a sell for some, and I am hoping you could shed some light on what that might be. As well, I would appreciate your comments as to future expectations.
Thanks!
Paul

Q: BEP.UN is on a super slide right now. Even today (Jan 10, 2025) showing a 2.5% down. What is your analysis on this company? Why does it continue to trend so badly? Thanks.

Q: I note that dividends from this firm may be subject to withholding tax.
Can you name any Canadian companies who pay dividends/distributions in US dollars, and who might NOT be subject to holding tax?
I would prefer it if you knew firms who pay in excess of 5% dividends.
Thanks!
Paul

Q: I have been building my position in BN and now sit at 2.63% position size. I am holding a 1.72% position size in BAM in a taxable account. I am thinking of selling BAM and adding the proceeds to BN. Is this wise? In taxable accounts I am more focused on future gains than on dividend return. Currently my BAM position has a gain of 107%. I have ample capital loss reserves to cover any capital gains incurred from selling BAM.

I also hold BEP.UN (1.24% position) and BIP.UN (3.47% position) in registered accounts for diversity and income. No plans to change those.

What do you think about consolidating BAM holdings into BN?

Q: Hi 5i

Please as many questions as needed.

I am heavily invested in stocks and want to raise cash, putting more money into bonds. I have about 10% in Canadian oil and gas, 5% gold stocks, and about 13% in uranium stocks. I am going to hold my gold and uranium.

What allocation would you suggest for a retiree in terms of portfolio holdings of gas and oil?

I am concerned about the possible coming tarriffs and the effect on the Canadian ecomomy. Most of my holdings are Canadian. A lot of these are in dividend stocks. I have held them through the past few years but I do need to increase the allocation to conservative investments. I plan to reduce most by about 20% or consider outright sells. I currently prefer to reduce downside risk than worry about the upside.

Can you help me decide from the viewpoint of possible tarriffs and effect on the Canadian economy which are at risk the most. Could you class these as hold, reduce or sell. I will hold all my U.S. stocks which are about 15% of my portfolio and haven't listed those here.

Thank you for your very helpful advice.