Investment Q&A

Q: My Reit and Utilities have become underweight in my portfolio (not because they haven't done well - other stocks have just done better). What would be your top three value investments in these sectors today (they all seem a bit expensive right now) in both the US and Canada. i am looking for both income and a bit of growth.

Q: I already own BAM, RY, T, BOYD Income, and ZLU, but I'm looking for another lo -volatility dividend stock with some growth. What do you think of my adding NPI or BEP? Is there another choice you like?

Q: I have a 6% position in NPI and am happy with what the company is doing. But I am interested in any comments you may have regarding this article. Do you see this as a net negative for companies trying to raise money in Canada or for us retail investors?
Thank You

"The Globe and Mail reports in its Monday edition that Northland Power ($25.26) raised $346-million in a stock sale this month to pay for an acquisition in Colombia. The Globe's Andrew Willis writes that Northland plans to spend $1.05-billion on an electrical distribution network that serves 1.3 million South American customers. Northland's portfolio already includes wind farms and solar-power facilities in Canada, Germany, Taiwan and Mexico. To pay for the acquisition, Northland sold $346-million of subscription receipts and will borrow the balance to buy the business from Brookfield Asset Management. A string of equity offerings of late have been poorly received. Banks struggled to sell shares of New Gold, Corus Entertainment and Green Organic Dutchman Holdings. The lack of investor appetite for what Corporate Canada is serving up feeds into a larger debate over the relevance of ordinary, retail shareholders in a market that is increasingly dominated by passive investors, such as index funds, and private sources of capital. Mr. Willis says investment bankers are wringing their hands over a steady slide in public market offerings. The value and volume of equity financing in Canada is dropping steadily".

Q: Why do the renewable stocks seem to be loosing steam here?

Q: I see that NPI is getting clobbered today, down $0.79 to $24.33 as I write this. It would appear that the market does not like the acquisition announced yesterday. What is your view of NPI going forward ? Thanks as always for your advice. Steve

Q: Please comment on your opinion of the merits of the financing.

Q: Were any of Northland's properties harmed by Dorian ? Thanks.

Q: when looking at both the P/E on Bep.un is astronomical compared to NPI, payout ratio is high, what makes you recommend this stock with an A rating? why does NPI not get the same love?

Q: Which would you prefer long term, how are their businesses different.

Q: What are your thoughts about the latest results and your future outlook ? Thanks.

Q: I hold all of the above in roughly equal weight in the income portion of my portfolio. The first three are at roughly breakeven, the latter five are up, two of them over 20%, as economic conditions have weakened. I am wondering why I don't simplify life by selling them all and buying the PDC ETF which provides greater diversification and has a dividend yield of 4.59%. I realize that 25% of PDC is in energy but mostly safer pipelines. Would this be a good move or am I better off to keep what I have?

Q: How many utilities are enough and where? I have AQN in TFSA and , BEP, BIP, FTS in cash account (along with BAM.A and BBU.UN - total Brookfield is 8.91%). My spreadsheet indicates I have 3% space left in utilities sector to add but your PA says I am over. Sold all of H (was largest utility holding) due to political risk of current chaotic provincial government. Looking at a replacement for H. Don't really need the income for living , looking more for safety and some growth. Looking for your view on how you would rank above prospects or should I add to existing, or stand pat?

Q: How would you rank these based on valuation, growth and management. Market seemed to yawn at CPX results, it isn’t as high profile as FTS but seems to have gotten more shareholder friendly, sixth consecutive annual dividend increase, wondering if this one and NPI are flying under the radar, Thank-you.

Q: I manage a TFSA for a 26 year old relative, with the following stocks:
GSY, CSU, PHO, KWH-UN, COV, GOOG

With the cash coming from KWH, we are looking to buy. So two questions:
1. Is there any obvious "hole" in terms of sector that we should try to fill?
2. She has indicated a desire for a renewable energy stock. We are considering BEP.UN, AQN, NPI, RNW - which you you choose, or is there another you would suggest instead?

Thanks for your excellent service!

Q: Can you tell me what companies operate electricity generation facilities in Manitoba, Alberta, and northern Quebec? If possible please indicate which facilities are renewable in nature. Thank you.

Q: Is it a good time to buy NPI.
Considering the debt level. Is the dividend covered and is there good growth potential for revenue?

Thank you

Ed

Q: I have about 3/4 positions in the above utility stocks in my non-registered portfolio. I also have some money to add to this sector. Would you suggest I top up one or more of these stocks or open a new position in ACI? Thanks for your advice.

Q: My wife only wants to invest in environmentally friendly companies ( eg renewable energy sector etc). I have bought for her QST. I would like to put her in solid larger companies that pay a dividend. Could you recommend your top 5 picks?

Q: 4:17 PM 5/8/2019
Your 5i profile on NPI shows Debt/Equity of 9.22 and Morningstar gives a comparable figure of D/E of 8.96. These figures are a world ahead over, for example, Enbridge [1.05 and 0.93 respectfully], and PPL [0.63 and 0.53], and RY [0.12 and 0.49] and CSH.UN [2.31 and 2.32].

These figures suggest that NPI has staggering debt. Can you resolve this issue.

I do not want to invest in companies overburdened with unmanageable debt yet you still recommend NPI over AQN [answer to Morgan may 8th] which has D/E of "only" 1.11 and 1.05 from 5i and Morningstar respectively.
Thank you............. Paul K

Q: Could you provide what you see as the best 3 investable stocks that should benefit from continued growth in the renewable energy sector and the move away from carbon based fuels. I am not looking for high risk new technology but rather companies that look like a good bet to grow profitably over the next 10 years.

Thank You