Investment Q&A

Q: Without regard to sector what are you top picks in cyclicals also renewable sectors?

Q: I switched from bep.un to bepc the first day I could. Then I switched back when the spread was around $11.00. Now the spread is around $17.00. I guess this is a lesson in supply and demand since the big institutions can only by BEPC. But it seems way over done, doesn't it?
Btw, why would Brookfield maintain both a trust and a regular equity for the same company? Do you think they will completely switch over at some point?

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: Could you explain just what the difference is between BEPC and BEP.UN? I understands that one is a trust and the other isn't, and I understand the tax advantages of BEPC in an unregistered account. But aren't they essentially the same company? And if so how is it it BEPC can be up over 7% this week while BEP.UN is up less than 1%? I would expect this to even out, but even on the month BEPC is up much more than BEP.UN. How is that possible if they're the same company?

Q: Anything changing, or news, at Brookfield Renewable to cause the 4% drop today?

Thanks

Q: Could you please offer your thoughts on these three going forward. AQN has lagged peers in renewable energy over the last six months and I noted from past question responses that its future growth rate is expected to be comparatively low. Is there a problem here? After the recent rally in BEP, Boralex and others are they no longer attractive in valuation relative to historical multiples? Where would you put your cash at this point and are any of them attractive from a growth/valuation perspective?
Thanks for your insights.

Q: Hi, Regarding a question on renewable energy stocks (Sep 28 AM), your answer mentioned a 75% growth for BEP.un. Since this is much higher than the other stocks, could you elaborate on where this super growth will come from. Thanks as usual

Q: Hi,
I own both BEP.UN and BEPC in my RRSP. I decided to keep both about a month ago following a response to a question. But now it seems as time goes by that the capital appreciation of BEPC outweighs by far the higher dividend of BEP.UN (at least in my case). Would you still recommend holding both today in a RRSP or to sell BEP.UN and hold only BEPC?
Thanks

Q: Hello 5i,
I held BEPC in a non registered US account as dividends supposedly were in US dollars. I sold BEPC and added to my BEP in that US non registered account. I also have BEP.UN in a non-registered Canadian account. Should I keep both BEP and BEP.UN or would it be advantageous to sell one of them and add to the other? If so, which one? I have increases in each but am within the portfolio percentage of where I want to be.

Q: Thanks for your response on the renewable power /clean energy participants; it prompted a closer examination of earnings expectations and current rating for each. With certain exceptions it seems to me that i) rerating and price enhancement took place mostly in 2019, ii) that for the most part valuations are now generous and iii) that the participants are primarily utilities such that, absent special situations, sustainable earnings growth will be modest when compared to growing industrials and others with which we have become accustomed. The discount issue then hinges on valuation methodology; their pe/peg ratios are excessive unless the conventions applying to utilities are very different from generally accepted norms, and I am not familiar with accepted cash flow ratios for the sector if these are appropriate and used. What is the generally accepted pricing criteria for these names and customary ratio ranges. Thank you again.

Q: Hello
I have an 18% gain in BEP.UN in a non registered account. I received the spin out shares in BEPC. Is there any tax advantage in selling the BEP.UN shares and buying the equivalent BEPC shares? Meaning, despite the cap tax gain hit, will the future taxation in BEPC be more advantageous over BEP.UN?

Also I recently bought GOOG C shares maybe by mistake. Is there any advantage to sell them and buy the A shares instead?

Thanks
2 deductions if you see fit.

Q: Hello,
Over the years, I've accumulated a significant amount of BIP.UN in an RRSP account, with the intention of holding it for the income generated over the long term. Since the Mar 31 split, shares of BIPC are up around 50% while BIP.UN is up around 28%.

Does it make sense to cash in this gain, sell the BIPC and use the proceeds to buy BIP.UN, thus adding some "extra" income generating units? Would also make tracking a little simpler.

Any other factors to consider?

Thanks for your time,
Roman

Q: It looks as though renewable power is becoming politically accepted, with the above as assumed potential sector participants. What is the anticipated growth rate for each and to what extent have each potentially already discounted the coming year's anticipated growth in value. I Look forward to your response.

Q: Thank you to the entire 5I team for your wise advice which helps us make important decisions for our lifelong savings. That said. There are many uncertainties as a second wave of COVID approaches, the American elections which are already problematic, not to mention the results which could be contested and which would plunge the market into great uncertainty. Couple this with the tax season losses and you have a month of October and November that should certainly be very volatile. This leads me to ask a question of market timing, yes I know no one can predict the market but for stocks that have fallen a lot this year like those offered in this question and that I own, is it not timely to sell before sales season and buy them back or other bargains during tax season?

Thank you

Yves

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. I owm both of these at the moment in an RRSP since the split a few months ago. If I was to only own one which one makes most sense and why? 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: Hello 5i Team
I own several Brookfield entities (BAM.A, BEP/BEPC, BIP/BIPC, BPY/BPYU and BPO preferred) in various accounts based on tax effectiveness/reporting (based on my own interpretation).
1 - What would be a reasonable percentage of an entire portfolio (non-registered, RRSP and TFSA) that should be allocated to the "Brookfield Empire"? My thoughts are an investor should have no more 10 % of an entire portfolio invested in the various Brookfield entities as an optimum amount.
2 - What would be the absolute maximum of an entire portfolio (non-registered, RRSP and TFSA) that should be allocated to the "Brookfield Empire"? My thoughts are an investor should have no more than 15 % of an entire portfolio invested in the various Brookfield entities as an absolute amount.
3 - What would be the allocation of the amount invested to each of the Brookfield entities in the portfolio amount allocated to the Brookfield entities (i.e. BAM.A 25%; BEP/BEPC 25 %; BIP/BIPC 25 %; BPY/BPYU 20 %; BPO Preferred 5 %).
I have not included BBU as part of the question as I don't see the need to invest in it.
Thanks

Q: What five income stocks do you see as undervalued at this time. How much upside potential in each do you calculate. What is the time frame involved before you believe each reaches its price expectation. Thank you

Q: After the reorganization of BEP.UN, I hold over 8% (for all 3) in a RRIF.
Is it worth trimming down to 1 or 2 of these and which would be better for long term hold in a RIFF?
The portfolio is otherwise fairly balanced but leaning overweight in financials and solid Dividend payers.
Thanks for the continuing advice!
Peter