skip to content
  1. Home
  2. >
  3. Investment Q&A
You can view 3 more answers this month. Sign up for a free trial for unlimited access.

Investment Q&A

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

Q: Comments on Emera's bought deal. Seemed like a really small discount to the previous closing price and the stock is trading below that today. $300 million dollar proceeds are going to be used for general corporate purposes. I don't generally like when companies dilute shareholders for no specific purpose. Is this to reduce debt or just to cover themselves in case their share price decreases substantially in the current environment?

Thanks,
Jason
Read Answer Asked by Jason on November 29, 2016
Q: Hi 5i: I have two questions - please charge as appropriate.
(1) I have been holding CU in a dividend reinvestment account for about three years. The account focusses on stocks that provide a good dividend that is increased regularly (the usual Canadian suspects). CU has consistently underperformed the other stocks, and I'm wondering what the future holds, in particular given the changes in Alberta's approach to coal-based electricity generation.
(2) Could you give me data on dividend growth rates for EMA and BEP.UN?
Many thanks for your great advice and service.
Read Answer Asked by Roland on November 28, 2016
Q: Hello 5i
Thought I would ask Investor portfolio management and psychology/behaviour question.

As I watch my profits in companies like Emera drain away 2% per day ( down $5/share since August), I wonder what the statement to investors should be when the question comes up, why did we not get out seeing clearly this stock is in a down trend and with rates moving up, is going to be out of favour and see price declines?

Waiting for an annual dividend of $2 when in four months $5 of capital disappears, just does not make good math sense or a profitable stance.

In September this was a good investment. What are your thoughts on this today with debt high, rates moving and short sellers pointing at companies like this?

Should we not have been selling at $50 instead of holding at $45.....and watch the price tick lower?

As you can imagine, it is tough watching long term paper profits in REITs, Telcos and utilities drain away.

Would you please offer your thoughts on the emotions that arise in this situation and with the stated company and sectors?

Thanks
Dave
Read Answer Asked by David on November 11, 2016
Q: I have a small position in Emera. No other exposure to utilities. Just went over their Q3 earnings release. Negative current ratio, $14 billion dollars in debt, rising 10 yr bond yield, some free cash flow, but not sufficient to pay down the debt rapidly and net debt to total capitalization of close to 70%. Aside from the yield, I don't see many positives. Should I sell and move the funds into a more cyclical name?

Thanks,
Jason
Read Answer Asked by Jason on November 11, 2016
Q: Hi Peter, Ryan, and team,

In a recent BNN "Top Picks", Daniel Lloyd recommended shorting EMA because of their high debt. He states: "Emera, having recently purchased TECO, is now saddled with $14.7 billion in debt which represents a roughly 13x debt/cash flow ratio on a stock that trades an excessive 18x earnings multiple." Not that I'm contemplating shorting EMA, but looking at a gain of 21%, would you recommend staying the course with EMA, or switching to something like FTS which you seem to like more? Or, assuming appropriate balance among the sectors, would you recommend something else entirely? EMA is presently held in a TFSA, along with CAR.UN, DHX.B, KXS, GUD, PBH, and SIS. All except DHX.B are up, and SIS is up 108%. :) Thank you for your terrific recommendations and on-going advice and insight.





Read Answer Asked by Jerry on November 11, 2016
Q: Hi Peter,
Reits, Telecoms and Utilities have not been participating in the market rallies for a while now. Just wondering when you think that the yields on these types of stocks will start to hold up the stock prices. (a few of mine are starting to get come nice yields on them now.

Thank you,
Charlie
Read Answer Asked by CHARLES LA on November 10, 2016
Q: Planning to add 2 of the suggested utilities to a growth portfolio or alternates that you might suggest & the rationale. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Robert on September 25, 2016
Q: I have zero exposure to utilities at the present time. I believe that you advocate having exposure to all sectors of the market because you never can know for certain what the market will do. While most people expect interest rates to rise and utilities to under perform, the same could have been said in 2013. Which is your favourite utility and which utility offers the best dividend growth to potentially offset future interest rate increases. I am looking for low volatility, good dividend yield and good dividend growth.

Thank you,
Jason
Read Answer Asked by Jason on August 22, 2016
Q: What are your thoughts on the earnings of the above companies - Emera just bumped up their dividend by 10% and results looked good. Results were good for Fortis and Enercare also. All 3 have exposure to US.

I currently hold Enercare and am looking to add more weight for long term (20+ years) to utilities. Any recommendations ?
Read Answer Asked by Mayur on August 09, 2016
Looking for more? Sign up for a FREE 14 day trial! No credit card required

We invite you to sign up for a 14 day free trial of 5i Research!
Experience all the benefits and tools we have to offer; stock research, model portfolios, Q&A with our experts, and so much more. Join a community of like-minded investors today!