Investment Q&A

Q: I own Algonquin and as many of your members I am down. I see this as a long-term holding and do you see it as a HOLD. Thanks.

Q: I purchased AQN a couple of years ago and when it hit around $10 a week or so I purchased again doubling the amount I own. It is still not a significant amount of my holds.
However, I am wondering if I could sell the original amount purchased couple of years ago at a higher price and claim a capital loss for those shares even though I have purchased more recently.

Q: I just read this morning tour response to the possibility of a dividend cut st Algonquin. Then i read an article in the globe and mail about a number of directors buying shares. One would assume that they would know if a dividend were to be cut, no?
Thanks as always for the great advice

Q: Hi 5i,
sorry for beating this horse but I would appreciate your thoughts on AQN.
These are speculative events. Can you prioritize these possible future events and give some high level reasons they might do it. Priority #1 being the most likely if it ever happens. (a) approx. dividend cut by 50%. (b) issuing more shares. (c) buying back shares. (d) issuing more debt. (e) asset sales. (f) others? I noticed that there has been some insider buying buy the CEO very recently. Thanks for your thoughts!

Q: Hi 5i team,

Algonquin Power's yield is over 9% with recent drops on the share price. Can you please predict the odds for the company cuts the dividend? Is current CF able to cover the all the expenses?

thanks,

Q: I am aretired dividend investor and tend to keep stocks. My full position in AQN is nearing a half position (its in a RRIF so no tax loss selling). The 9.4% dividend for a Utility is extremely attractive. I am thinking of buying some more. I have read the questions and I realize a dividend cut could happen but since they will not report again until March 1, is a cut, if there is one, before then unlikely?

Q: I am a 60+ retired income investor,

I consider the above noted equities to be my riskiest holdings.

About 1,000 each - mostly in my cash account.

I understand SYZ reduced its dividend today and of course the issues with AQN.

Still up on AQN. Underwater on all the rest.

Looking for some advice - sell or hold by holding?

And of course any general comments would be appreciated.

Thanks very much.

Q: What does your crystal ball say about the potential of a large activist investor getting involved in aqn and shqking things up?

Q: I could use AQN as a tax loss against sufficient gains for tax year 2022. I believe that tax loss selling in AQN most likely is going on right now. Do you expect the pace of selling to increase or subside. I am wondering if I should hold off or pull the trigger now. What is your opinion?
Thank You!
Albert

Q: Hello Peter,
Greenland Renewables results did not seem to be that bad, but during the rally, the stock either stayed the same or declined. Can you comment please? During market call, the manager indicated BEP does not provide good value and feels taking dividends out of cash flow (instead of net income) does not make sense (unless i misunderstood). Also, i plan to hold AQN for dividend for long term and was wondering if that makes sense given your posted comments. Finally, is knight an example of company where one should not rely on past performance of a CEO? Thanks very much

Q: You are likely tired of questions on AQN so please bear with me. I have a full position in AQN, have long term investing horizons and like a steady dividend. Do you see AQN as a long term hold or should I just take my lumps and move on? thanks al

Q: Hello Peter
What is your opinion on Northland and Algonquin Power
Are the dividends safe ?
Which has the greater potential for growth

Thank you
Howard

Q: Hi Peter, Ryan, and Team,

Your last answer to a 5i member (Peter) regarding the sustainability of AQN’s dividend is more positive than David Berman’s piece in today’s Globe & Mail.

In light of his article, where he repeated a comment by a Scotiabank analyst: “We have taken all dividend growth out of our model and, even still, the payout ratio remains 103 per cent of earnings per share in 2023 and 97 per cent in 2024,” Robert Hope, an analyst at Bank of Nova Scotia, said in a note.

Algonquin’s management said last week that it was targeting a dividend payout ratio of 80 per cent to 90 per cent, meaning that the company expects to distribute no more than 90 per cent of its profits as dividends over the longer term.

“This payout ratio target would be above its peers and, in general, makes growing the business without external equity more difficult. If the company does pursue a full reset, we could see a reduction in the dividend,” Mr. Hope said.

Is 5i still of the opinion that the dividend won’t be cut? My feeling is that if in fact the dividend is cut, the stock will decline even further, and as always, welcome your thoughts.

Q: Do you see any danger of AQN becoming insolvent?
With appreciation,
Ed

Q: Hi 5i,

I currently own the above noted renewable energy utilities. I am thinking of selling AQN. If I did so, (and I would like to keep it in renewables) would you recommend putting the proceeds towards one of the above or something like NPI or possibly a renewable energy ETF. Could you recommend 1 to 3 ETFs?

Thanks!!

Q: does AQN make an attractive take-over candidate at current prices or marginally lower prices...would look to harvest tax loss but trying to assess risks of that strategy...would it be more attractive to a US peer vs. Can...many thanks...cheers

Q: Hi 5i Team

Pretty disappointing day for AQN investors. Three questions:

1) Do you think they will need to do an equity raise in 2023 relating to the Kentucky Power acquisition? Initially, they're planning to cover it through existing borrowings (at floating rates) but management indicated on the CC that is expected to be short term.

2) Do you have any info on the actual NAV of their assets (thinking of this like a REIT)? If not, any suggestions where to look / how to calc?

3) Given the importance of dividends to investors (current and future), what will likely be the catalyst for cutting it and how long do you think they will hold the line before deciding it's necessary?

Thanks
Peter

Q: I have a question about 956
Good Morning. I think it’s time to sell Algonquin ( albeit about 6 months late) I was initially going to ask for a proxy but now with its prospects doubt I ever buy it back. With a long time frame and no restrictions on sector/ risk etc can you suggest 2 high conviction names please.
Thank you

Q: Good morning all at 5i!!

I hold both having just purchased capital power a little while ago. I have held Algonquin for a long time. Should I sell Algonquin shares and buy more Capital power, or keep both since they are held in different portfolios???
Cheers,
Not liking the snow.. Tamara

Q: I’m still in the green on AQN, having owned it for a while. I held on for the dividend and because it is in a non-registered account and didn’t want to pay the tax. Of course, the share price is about half of its peak of about a year ago. I did not see any signs at the peak that AQN would have such a precipitous fall.

How to view this?
1. Tune it all out as noise and keep collecting the dividend.
2. In future, trim any stock that more than doubles and reinvest in a different company, taxes be damned.
3. Consider this drop as over done and a buying opportunity.