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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: 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
Q: I’m hoping to add to some positions in the next couple of months with summer-time volatility. About a year ago I started a long-term position in Altagas at about $45.75. I’m hoping to add about 50% more shares to fill out this holding, and – with ALA’s chart continuing to slope downwards, as well as the possibility of a U.S. interest rate increase in September – I picked a bid price of $35.86. Is it realistic to think ALA has a little more to go down or am I just getting too cute in the bid process?
Read Answer Asked by Peter on July 13, 2015
Q: Here's a syndrome I'll bet a lot of investors who were sold preferred shares can relate to. You become overly comfortable as it seems to be relatively immune to ups and downs for many years. Then one day you wake up and see it has recently tanked and you have lost as much as all the income you've ever gotten from it... and more. Any comments or advice about dealing with this syndrome in general (or in particular as regards ALA.PR.A)? Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by John on June 23, 2015
Q: I purchased Alta Gas some time back as a long term hold. Everything that I read about the company is very positive about its long term prospects. Your comments on this site have tended to be supportive of this position. Yet the shares continue to fall despite all this. The shares are down a lot since February and technically look extremely weak. Is there something that we are all missing relative to this company's prospects as the fall since February has been relentless. Today's trading appears to be starting another leg down having broken the support around $40. Clearly the market is not as positive about this company. at least in the past 4 -5 months. Is there any explanation for this drop and any rationale for continuing to hold the shares rather than stepping aside. I would appreciate your comments.
Read Answer Asked by John on June 05, 2015
Q: AltaGas reported Fourth Quarter and Year End Results this morning. The results were mixed with EBITDA and funds from operations increasing year over year and normalized net income(not sure what this is) decreasing. The shares have been drifting down in recent trading sessions, perhaps in anticipation of theses results and reacted quite negatively this morning to this recent report . Is there anything that we should be concerned about regarding the company's future prospects. I own the shares for income and hopefully reasonable growth over the next 1-3 years. Your comments are appreciated.
Read Answer Asked by John on February 26, 2015
Q: I am in the process of rebalancing our portfolio and I want to sell about 1000 shares of ALA. As I will be at work when the market is open I am thinking of placing the order on the weekend. I assume the trade will happen when the market opens. Is it OK to do the order at market or should I sell at the bid price? Does it make sense to sell all 1000 shares at once or should I break it down into 2 lots of 500 shares each? You have cautioned in the past about "weird" trades at market opening.
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by James on January 12, 2015