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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: Hello,

The following 5 companies are on my buy list to complete my portfolio:

PBH
TOY
NFI
BCE
CAR.UN

I have room for two in my TFSA, two in my non-registered and one in my RRSP. How should I divide the above 5 stocks into these accounts?

My plan is to buy on pullbacks. But I'm thinking about buying CAR.UN now because it has already pulled back on the mortgage news. Does this make sense?
Read Answer Asked by Carla on October 11, 2016
Q: i asked 5i a few days ago about preferred shares vs reits. 5i response was that reits are favoured due to the fact they can grow their business/distributions over time but both sectors will be impacted by interest rate hikes. i know in the past you have recommended etf for diversification but i've looked at the reit etf's XRE, ZRE, VRE and I have concerns, rightly or wrongly, with either the weightings (Riocan, HR as % of holdings) or certain reits (DREAM) in each etf. what do you think of just holding REF and CAR as my reit holdings instead of an elf, especially given the pullback in those names over the last month or so? would these 2 provide enough diversification in the reit space? these would part of a portfolio with a fair bit of exposure to utilities, pipelines, banks. thank you
Read Answer Asked by Richard on October 06, 2016
Q: Good morning Peter and Team,

Sorry for another question about the changes to the mortgage business! The new rules will undoubtedly disqualify a number of people from obtaining mortgages, thus relegating them to renting instead of buying real estate. I'm wondering if this is a buying opportunity for "apartment" type REITs like CAR.UN and IIP.UN. If so, what REITs do you find most compelling, and is there any preference as to where should they be held? (RRSP, RRIF, TFSA, Non-registered investment account.)

Thanks as always for your valued advice.
Read Answer Asked by Jerry on October 05, 2016
Q: Regarding my question earlier about 2 REIT's to diversify existing position in AX.un, I probably should have pointed out preference for market cap and mimimum current yield. I like (and anticipated) your recommendation of Chartwell however IIP.un sacrifices too much current yield and market cap security to make up for potential growth for me. Would CAR.un fit nicely given my desire for a larger market cap? Is H&R too much like AX.un? thx!
Read Answer Asked by Tom on August 17, 2016
Q: Hi, what is your view of the REIT space right now? They are declining a lot today relative to normal stability, but have been strong lately. I have the ones listed as well as SIA with isn't technically a REIT but in the same area. I believe the new Real Estate category is coming soon, and the US election. In general is it good timing for the REIT sector over the next 6 months. And would you consider any other REITS better than the ones I currently own at the present time? I'm well diversified so I'm not over my % for the category, although could consolidate to fewer than 4 holdings.
Read Answer Asked by Kel on August 12, 2016
Q: Your comments please on CAP REIT's operating results and your thoughts going forward. Am cautious on the impacts new foreign home ownership taxes will have on apartment valuations in BC and possibly Ontario. Apartment REIT's are coming off a bit. Do you see this continuing in light of the tax situation and a possible US rate hike this year.
Read Answer Asked by Alan on August 11, 2016
Q: I believe you gave incorrect information re CAR.un You said:

Unfortunately because every REIT is different, and every year sources income can be different as well, we do not have an ability to screen properly for your list. It is rare that
For CAR, in 2015, 88.2% of distributions were classified for tax purposes as 'other taxable income'. 6.9% were capital gains, and the balance was foreign non-business income and return of capital. None of the distribution was eligible for the tax credit.

On the CAR website, they report that over 83% of distributions were categorized as ROC. A very different picture for tax purposes. Can you please confirm which is correct
Read Answer Asked by arnold on May 27, 2016
Q: Hello 5i team.

I appreciate your answer a day ago which gives me a good understanding of the income from REITS in general.

As my questions stemmed from a specific interest in CAR.UN, am I to assume that your answers apply to CAR.UN? Do you wish to provide specific answers to my questions as these relate to CAR.UN.?

Can 5i inform which of the few REITs would be providing income that meets the qualification for eligible dividends?

Thank you,

SGR
Read Answer Asked by SG on May 13, 2016
Q: I heard there was a study published a few months ago by Royal Bank that concluded investing in REITs was more favourable than purchasing residential real estate directly. I find this hard to believe if you factor in the benefit of leverage. Would you be able to provide a link to this study?

Also, based on a recent TD Research report CAR.UN and MRG.UN are recommended as buys for residential REITs. I like that they have relatively low exposure to the Western provinces with MRG.UN having US exposure. Please give me your opinion on these two REITs.

Thank-you.



Read Answer Asked by Albert on June 23, 2015
Q: Good morning Peter and Team, What are your current thoughts on CAR.UN? As an anecdote, we live close to several of their properties, and they appear to maintain them reasonably well for rental buildings. Their 5% discount on DRIP'ed shares is also attractive. Alternatively, are there other investments in this space that you prefer? Thanks in advance for your guidance.
Read Answer Asked by Jerry on November 26, 2014