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Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: Good morning Peter, Ryan, and Team,

Apparently Enron has reared its ugly head once again. This article from the Globe and Mail describes a lawsuit announced by the Alberta government:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/alberta/e-mails-reveal-how-albertas-enron-clause-was-orchestrated/article31303953/

From the article, "The court action names Enmax; TransCanada; and Capital Power. It also names electricity generator Atco Ltd., the Balancing Pool, which is a public body, and its own power regulator as defendants. The court case is slated for November."

Enmax isn't a publicly traded company, but the other two are. (I don't own either). Are there any other companies that may be impacted from the fallout that will occur from this lawsuit? I'm thinking of AQN and FTS as examples.

As always, thanks for your insight.
Read Answer Asked by Jerry on August 09, 2016
Q: Peter; The Alberta government just announced they are going to challenge a agreement made by the previous PC government to basically allow power companies out of contracts if they proved to be unprofitable due to actions by the government. It's called the ENRON agreement.. Can you quantify which companies these would be, and the impact, if the challenge is upheld.? Thanks. Rod
Read Answer Asked by Rodney on July 27, 2016
Q: Alqonquin, Capial Power, and Altagas have rate reset preferred shares selling at a significant discount with reset dates in 2018. With a 5 year Government rate of .55 to .7 they have issues that will still offer a very attractive rate of return. For a conservative investor would you rate these issuing companies as an acceptable TFSA investment?. How would you rank them?

Thanks Team
Read Answer Asked by Warren on July 12, 2016
Q: I hold TOU, ALA, KEY. Down 18%, 24% and 13% respectively. This is all my direct oil/natural gas exposure which represents 17% of my entire portfolio.
I have 10+ years investment horizon for these stocks. These stocks fluctuate a lot which I don't mind but I dislike being underwater for a prolong period of time.

Should I stick with these names or should I make a switch to other oil companies like VET? If yes what names would you suggest and how should I divide the investment % wise? Which stock(s) to sell and which one to keep? Switch now or later?

The goal of the switch is to position myself for eventual(I believe) oil recovery.

Appreciate your insight.
Read Answer Asked by JR on June 15, 2016
Q: Altagas has dropped in last week. Did this occur because of Fort Mcmurray fire. What is the impact of the fire on Altagas company and its' holdings ? Do I need to be concerned ??

Did the fire affect any other companies (that I should be concerned about ?) (I think Great west life took a hit too ???)

thanks

Ernie
Read Answer Asked by Ernest on May 10, 2016
Q: Just curious, on 21 Apr, I asked if this is a good time to add to ALA on a 3% position and your answer was "Not weak enough to sell, not strong enough to add to an already 3% position"

Since then, it dropped ~2% before the rise today, your answer to Jim's question this morning is fine to add. Wondering if something changed or just a difference between our portfolio weighting.

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Steve on April 26, 2016
Q: I am a dividend growth investor and invest for the long term. I currently hold Altagas, but would like to increase my weighting. In the past many analysts were projecting good growth for this company over the next few years.

With the stock languishing recently relative to others such as Enbridge, Pembina, etc., do you see any issue in adding on to my 2% position?

It appears that you believe their dividend is relatively safe with their current payout ratio. Do you see continued growth of that dividend looking towards the future?

Thanks.

Jim
Read Answer Asked by James on April 26, 2016
Q: I sold all my energy and pipeline positions in early 2015 and currently have no such holdings. I am considering slowly re-entering this space. Do you think it is a good entry point for Ala, ppl and ipl? Any addition, deletions and modification would be appreciated. I am not adverse to risk. Thanks for all the good advice past, present and future.
Read Answer Asked by Ford on April 21, 2016
Q: I am looking to buy up to ten (10) shares of ALA to start a DRIP program for a granddaughter. Could a fellow member perhaps direct me to a web site where one can purchase shares to put in her name. Thanks for all help and knowledge provided by 5i's by professional staff and by fellow members. Thanks, Bill
Read Answer Asked by Bill on January 18, 2016
Q: This comp. has incr. it's dividend 2x this yr. by .01 cent each time: PR +300%, ROE minimal ( not making any money or very little), high debt.. I own and have for 6 yr now TRP & ENB and realize that this is not a pipeline company; but, does have a utility component now, I believe. Would I be putting too many eggs in one basket, if I bought this company? What am I missing here because all the number say stay away!!!!
Read Answer Asked by James on December 08, 2015
Q: The MInimum Rate-Reset Preferred Shares BEP.PR.G, ALA.PR.I, BAM.PF.H, CU.PR.I seem almost to good to be true. They offer rate resets that are a 100 bps or higher than the previously issued rate reset shares of the same companies as well as a guaranteed yield of 4.5 to 5.5%. The only caveat I have been able to find is that the distribution is projected to be composed of 50% eligible Canadian dividend, 25% income and 25% return of capital (http://prefblog.com/?cat=14). How and when would the return of capital be taxed in a non registered account? Would the return of capital diminish the redemption price of the shares? What percent of a fixed income portfolio would allocate to this type of security?
Thanks David
Read Answer Asked by David on November 30, 2015