Thursday, April 30, 2020

Benefits, Danger with Monthly Dividends

Moez Mahraz, an analyst at 5iReserch talks on Money Letter the benefits and dangers of monthly dividend payments.

I must admit, I have never had a problem with fluctuating dividend payments. I take out from my trading account cash each month according to my budget. For me March, June, September, and December (the third month of the quarterly dividend cycle) have the highest level of dividend income and almost twice what I get in the other months.

I must admit I have heard complaints from others on dividend income about the fluctuations. I do plan. I have a budget. I do know budgets have a bad reputation, but that seems to be that people set up unrealistic ones. You have to set up a realistic one. I base mine on what I spent in the previous year, how I would like to change my spending habits, if applicable, on dividends I received in the previous year and on what I will be taking out of my RIF accounts.

I use Quicken to record my spending and income from investment. It is not the only product out there to use. I also use spreadsheets. Personally, I love spreadsheets but I do realize that what I do is not applicable to others and is not necessary. You can get the necessary information from using any applicable software. But if you are going to live off dividends, you have to plan accordingly to what money you are going to get and when you are going to get it.

On my other blog I wrote yesterday about Thomson Reuters Corp (TSX-TRI, NYSE-TRI) ... learn more. Next, I will write about McCoy Global Inc (TSX-MCB, OTC-MCCRF) ... learn more on Friday, May 1, 2020 around 5 pm.

This blog is meant for educational purposes only and is not to provide investment advice. Before making any investment decision, you should always do your own research or consult an investment professional. I do research for my own edification and I am willing to share. I write what I think and I may or may not be correct.

See my site for an index to these blog entries and for stocks followed. I have three blogs. The first talks only about specific stocks and is called Investment Talk. The second one contains information on mostly investing and is called Investing Economics Mostly. My last blog is for my book reviews and it is called Non-Fiction Mostly. Follow me on Twitter. I am on Instagram. Or you can just Google #walktoronto spbrunner8166 to see my pictures.

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

5 Small Companies for 2020

From the Investment Reporter, the site Advice for Investors has an article suggesting 5 small companies for 2020. They are as show below.

Evertz Technologies (TSX-ET)
Firan Technology Group Corporation (TSX-FTG)
Hardwoods Distributions Inc (TSX-HDI)
Intertape Polymer Group Inc (TSX-ITP)
PFB Corporation (TSX-PFB)

I follow all but Firan Technology Group Corporation. I do not follow it because it has not dividends but the rest of the list do. I own only Evertz Technologies. I have included in the above list, links to my latest report on these stocks.

On my other blog I wrote yesterday about WSP Global Inc (TSX-WSP, OTC-WSPOF) ... learn more. Next, I will write about Thomson Reuters Corp (TSX-TRI, NYSE-TRI) ... learn more on Thursday, April 29, 2020 around 5 pm.

This blog is meant for educational purposes only and is not to provide investment advice. Before making any investment decision, you should always do your own research or consult an investment professional. I do research for my own edification and I am willing to share. I write what I think and I may or may not be correct.

See my site for an index to these blog entries and for stocks followed. I have three blogs. The first talks only about specific stocks and is called Investment Talk. The second one contains information on mostly investing and is called Investing Economics Mostly. My last blog is for my book reviews and it is called Non-Fiction Mostly. Follow me on Twitter. I am on Instagram. Or you can just Google #walktoronto spbrunner8166 to see my pictures.

Thursday, April 23, 2020

Surviving Bear Markets

I live off my dividends, so I am interested in surviving Bear Markets. I have been through quite a few as I started to invest in the mid-1970’s. I started off in Mutual Funds as most people I think do. I did not buy my first stock until 1982.

I have a CDN$ Trading Account, a US$ Trading Account, a TFSA Account, a RIF Account, and a LIF Account. Each year I have to take money from my RIF and LIF accounts. I do this in December. This is funding the for following year. So, the money I take out in December 2019 was funding for the year 2020.

I am fully invested in my CDN$ Trading Account and now also fully invested in my TFSA Account. Ditto for the US$ Trading Account, but there is not much left in that one. For my RIF Account and my LIF Account I always have enough in cash and anticipating earnings to be able to fund 3 to 5 years of withdrawals.

For my CDN$ Trading Account, I have a $10,000 line of Credit that I use to invest in stocks. Before the last drop in the stock market, I had run this down to almost $0. At present, I have spend most of the line of Credit on Pembina Pipe Lines.

I do transfer stocks from my RIF and LIF accounts to my CDN$ Trading Account, but I also need cash. There are basically two things I need cash for. One is to pay my taxes due in the year of my withdrawal and the second is to top up my Reserve Fund. I never, ever want to be in a position when I have to sell investments in these accounts at a loss to cover my yearly cash withdrawal.

I do not have any health insurance coverage. When I first stopped working, I did not buy any because I had not used much the health insurance coverage that I did have while working. I have not lived to regret this, at least not yet. Since I have stopped working in 1999, I have had only one large bill. This was a dental bill for $8,000. Most years it is just regular dental bills. I do not pay for drugs fully because Ontario covers most things and I have not had to get much.

I have a reserve fund. This is in cash in savings accounts. I have used it when I could not fully cover my expenses with my dividends which often happens in February each year. I have used it for special expensive vacations. I have used to fund trips for my great nephews when they graduate High School. I have used it to fund some medical bills. I have it now in cash in case too many of my dividends get cut in the current bear market.

There will always be unexpected expenses. There will always be bear markets. It is best to be prepared.

On my other blog I wrote yesterday about SNC-Lavalin Group Inc (TSX-SNC, OTC-SNCAF) ... learn more. Next, I will write about Fortis Inc (TSX-FTS, OTC-FRTSF) ... learn more on Friday, April 24, 2020 around 5 pm.

This blog is meant for educational purposes only and is not to provide investment advice. Before making any investment decision, you should always do your own research or consult an investment professional. I do research for my own edification and I am willing to share. I write what I think and I may or may not be correct.

See my site for an index to these blog entries and for stocks followed. I have three blogs. The first talks only about specific stocks and is called Investment Talk. The second one contains information on mostly investing and is called Investing Economics Mostly. My last blog is for my book reviews and it is called Non-Fiction Mostly. Follow me on Twitter. I am on Instagram. Or you can just Google #walktoronto spbrunner8166 to see my pictures.

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Owning a Home

Owning a Home is Not For Everyone is an article by Ben Carlson on his site of A Wealth of Common Sense. Ben Carlson gives the pros and cons about buying a house and whether it might be worthwhile to rent. Some of the basic stuff would apply to us and Toronto.

I grew up living in houses. First, I lived as a kid in the Pape/Danforth area. I loved living in this area. Then when I was a young teen my parents moved to what was then a suburb of Thornhill. They loved it because we had a half acre lot. I hated it. There was nothing to do and I had to go to High School via the TTC to Thornhill Secondary School. The buses ran every 40 minutes in rush hour as I remember.

After I graduated from Grade 12, my parents went on holidays and I moved to Toronto and got a job and refused to go back home. My parents go over it, eventually. I was lucky because this was 1964 and a woman having a degree did not help much in business. I started at $54.00 a week. A woman with a degree started at the same time and got a few more dollars a week than me but did basically the same work as me. (Of course, men at that time were hired as Management Trainees.)

I was lucky because I worked for a Life Insurance company that would pay for any College or University course an employee would take if they passed the course. I took fully advantage of this going to Ryerson and taking some math and computer courses and then to U of T for a variety of courses including accounting. I ended up in a good IT job.

When I moved back to Toronto, I used shared-accommodation ads in the Toronto Star to find roommates. I shared a number of 2 bedroom apartments with 4 other girls, until I moved to where I am now which is a three bedroom that I started off sharing with 2 other girls. It was great fun sharing an apartment. I am still friends with some of the women I shared with. I discovered I loved apartment living.

When I decided to live with my future husband, I was only living in the 3 bedroom apartment with one other girl. My future husband moved in and my girlfriend moved out. Because it was a three bedroom apartment, it was no problem staying when I got pregnant.

I must confess I did have a cottage at one time. I bought it with the life insurance I got paid after my husband died. My sister was a school teacher at the time and she offered to look after my son for each summer if I got one in her area, which was Kingston. I sold it when my son was older and did not want to go to the cottage anymore. I must admit that when I had it, there was always something that needed repair each year. But in the end, I sold it for more than I paid for it.

I think about buying a condo every once in a while, and maybe someday I will. But I love apartment living and I love the area I live in. I think whether your rent or buy has a lot to do with your preferred life style. I would never buy a house, but I might consider a condo in the right area.

On my other blog I wrote yesterday about Barclays PLC ADR (LSE-BARC, NYSE-BCS) ... learn more. Next, I will write about SNC-Lavalin Group Inc (TSX-SNC, OTC-SNCAF) ... learn more on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 around 5 pm.

This blog is meant for educational purposes only and is not to provide investment advice. Before making any investment decision, you should always do your own research or consult an investment professional. I do research for my own edification and I am willing to share. I write what I think and I may or may not be correct.

See my site for an index to these blog entries and for stocks followed. I have three blogs. The first talks only about specific stocks and is called Investment Talk. The second one contains information on mostly investing and is called Investing Economics Mostly. My last blog is for my book reviews and it is called Non-Fiction Mostly. Follow me on Twitter. I am on Instagram. Or you can just Google #walktoronto spbrunner8166 to see my pictures.

Thursday, April 16, 2020

Dividend Growth 2

I have in the covering spreadsheet, information about stock dividend increases and decreases since 2007, which is 15 years ago. Of the 156 stocks I currently have in my spreadsheet, 152 have had dividend increases and 4 have not. There are 3 stocks that never had dividends and one stock that has had flat dividends since 2007.

When I look at Dividend Growth over the past 5 and 10 years, I find that currently I have 79 stocks where the Dividend Growth over 5 years is higher than the Dividend Growth over 10 years. The number of dividend increases seem to go up until 2019, then currently there is a smaller number of increases. There are 3 stocks that never had dividends, so they are in Blank section. Of course, the other thing is that we are not through this year yet and I have not finished updating all my spreadsheets.

For example, take the Bank of Montreal, the Dividend Growth over the past 5 years is 5.6% per year. The dividend growth over the past 10 years is 3.6% per year. Therefore, this is counted in the “Up” group. Another example is Alaris Royalty Corp where the dividends grew by 2.3% per year over the past 5 years and grew 3.6% per year over the past 10 years. This one would be in the “Down” group.

Direction Percentage No.
Up 51.28% 80
Down 45.51% 71
Same 1.28% 2
Blank 1.92% 3
Total 100.00% 156

If I look at this same data for the end of 2019, I find there is a higher percentage in the “Up” group. So, it looks to me that the percentage of increases is down at present.

Direction Percentage No.
Up 54.78% 86
Down 42.04% 66
Same 1.27% 2
Blank 1.91% 3
Total 100.00% 157

If I look at this same data for the end of 2018, I find there is a lower percentage in the “Up” group. So, it looks to me that the percentage of increases was the highest in 2019.
Direction Percentage No.
Up 51.95% 80
Down 44.16% 68
Same 1.95% 3
Blank 1.95% 3
Total 100.00% 154

If I look at this same data for the end of 2017, I find there is a lower percentage in the “Up” group than in 2018, so, it looks like the number of stocks with dividend increases is going up.

Direction Percentage No.
Up 48.39% 75
Down 49.68% 77
Same 0.00% 0
blank 1.94% 3
Total 100.00% 155

If I look at this same data for the end of 2016, I find there is a lower percentage in the “Up” group than in 2017, so, it looks like the number of stocks with dividend increases is going up.

Direction Percentage No.
Up 44.23% 69
Down 51.92% 81
Same 1.92% 3
Blank 1.92% 3
Total 100.00% 156

If I look at this same data for the end of 2015, I find there is a lower percentage in the “Up” group than in 2016, so, it looks like the number of stocks with dividend increases is going up.

Direction Percentage No.
Up 35.81% 53
Down 60.81% 90
Same 1.35% 2
blank 2.03% 3
Total 100.00% 148

On my other blog I wrote yesterday about Pembina Pipelines Corp (TSX-PPL, NYSE-PBA) ... learn more. Next, I will write about Canadian Natural Resources (TSX-CNQ, NYSE-CNQ) ... learn more on Friday, April 17, 2020 around 5 pm.

This blog is meant for educational purposes only and is not to provide investment advice. Before making any investment decision, you should always do your own research or consult an investment professional. I do research for my own edification and I am willing to share. I write what I think and I may or may not be correct.

See my site for an index to these blog entries and for stocks followed. I have three blogs. The first talks only about specific stocks and is called Investment Talk. The second one contains information on mostly investing and is called Investing Economics Mostly. My last blog is for my book reviews and it is called Non-Fiction Mostly. Follow me on Twitter. I am on Instagram. Or you can just Google #walktoronto spbrunner8166 to see my pictures.

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Dividend Growth

I have been tracking the increases and decreases in dividends for the stock that I cover since 2014. There were 9 stocks with dividend decreases in April 2020. This is higher than for any other month since 2014. The number of dividends that increased for April at 12 seems to be a normal number.

Also unusual is that the 25 stocks with dividend increases in March 2020 is the highest number of increases in dividend I have recorded also. However, it seems that March is the month for a large number dividend increases each year.

# Mths 2020 2020 2019 2019 2018 2018 2017 2017
Action Incr Decr Incr Decr Incr Decr Incr Decr
1 Jan 6 1 8 1 7 0 6 2
2 Feb 9 0 6 1 7 0 10 0
3 Mar 25 0 23 2 22 0 23 0
4 Apr 12 9 11 2 8 0 10 1
5 May 4 0 3 0 5 0
6 Jun 13 2 13 0 13 0
7 Jul 2 0 4 0 4 1
8 Aug 2 0 4 0 0 0
9 Sep 12 2 11 0 10 0
10 Oct 2 0 1 0 0 0
11 Nov 5 0 5 1 5 0
12 Dec 8 1 9 1 12 0
Tot 52 10 96 11 94 2 98 4
% 33% 6% 63% 7% 62% 1% 64% 3%
157 158 152 154


# Mths 2016 2016 2015 2015 2014 2014
Action Incr Decr Incr Decr Incr Decr
1 Jan 4 0 4 0
2 Feb 5 2 8 0 14 0
3 Mar 18 5 19 3 15 1
4 Apr 8 4 9 3 14 0
5 May 3 2 6 1 7 1
6 Jun 18 0 14 1 14 1
7 Jul 3 1 6 1 3 0
8 Aug 4 0 4 2 9 0
9 Sep 7 1 7 3 9 0
10 Oct 1 1 1 1
11 Nov 6 0 4 1
12 Dec 12 0 13 2 13 0
Tot 88 15 95 18 99 4
% 56% 10% 64% 12% 68% 3%
156 148 145


I only have the total number of increases and decreases in dividends from 2007 to 2013. What is interesting is 2009 where there were 25 stocks that decreased their dividends, but 55 that still increased their dividends.

Tot 2013 2013 2012 2012 2011 2011 2010 2011
Incr Decr Incr Decr Incr Decr Incr Decr
Tot 87 8 90 5 85 10 66 11
% 60% 6% 62% 3% 59% 7% 46% 8%
156 156 156 156
2009 2009 2008 2008 2007 2007
Incr Decr Incr Decr Incr Decr
Tot 55 25 95 10 101 7
% 38% 17% 66% 7% 70% 5%
156 156 156


When you look at just the months from January to April, I see that in 2016, to April, the decreases at 11 are higher than the 10 for 2020, except that they are spread out over three months.

# Mths 2020 2020 2019 2019 2018 2018 2017 2017
Action Incr Decr Incr Decr Incr Decr Incr Decr
1 Jan 6 1 8 1 7 0 6 2
2 Feb 9 0 6 1 7 0 10 0
3 Mar 25 0 23 2 22 0 23 0
4 Apr 12 9 11 2 8 0 10 1
Tot 52 10 48 6 44 0 49 3
% 33% 6% 32% 4% 29% 0% 32% 2%
157 158 152 154


# Mths 2016 2016 2015 2015 2014 2014
Action Incr Decr Incr Decr Incr Decr
1 Jan 4 0 4 0
2 Feb 5 2 8 0 14 0
3 Mar 18 5 19 3 15 1
4 Apr 8 4 9 3 14 0
Tot 35 11 40 6 43 1
% 22% 7% 27% 4% 30% 1%
156 148 145


If you are like me and have dividend stocks for the long term, there are going to be variations from year to year. No business is going to run smoothly all the time over the long term. The thing is to pick good companies that over all will provide a nice stream of income. Every bear market is different and every one affects companies in different sectors. But if you have a number of good companies in different sectors, you should do just fine.

On my other blog I wrote yesterday about Barrick Gold Corp (TSX-ABX, NYSE-ABX) ... learn more. Next, I will write about Pembina Pipelines Corp (TSX-PPL, NYSE-PBA) ... learn more on Wednesday, April 15, 2020 around 5 pm.

This blog is meant for educational purposes only and is not to provide investment advice. Before making any investment decision, you should always do your own research or consult an investment professional. I do research for my own edification and I am willing to share. I write what I think and I may or may not be correct.

See my site for an index to these blog entries and for stocks followed. I have three blogs. The first talks only about specific stocks and is called Investment Talk. The second one contains information on mostly investing and is called Investing Economics Mostly. My last blog is for my book reviews and it is called Non-Fiction Mostly. Follow me on Twitter. I am on Instagram. Or you can just Google #walktoronto spbrunner8166 to see my pictures

Thursday, April 9, 2020

Something to Buy April 2020

There is always something to buy in the stock market. On Tuesday, I put out a list of the stocks that I covered and showed what stock might be a good deal based on dividend yield. Now I am trying to categorize what sorts of stocks may be a good deal based on dividend yield. The dividend yield test in this note is a quick way of finding possible stock buys.

The advantages to using dividend yield to judge how cheap or expensive a stock is, is that you are not using estimates or old data (like last reported quarter's data). You are using today's stock price and today's dividend yield. However, this is just a place to start. It is a good idea to check the stock with other tests, especially the P/S Ratio test.

For other testing, like P/E Ratios, P/S Ratios, P/CF Ratios, P/BV Ratios and Price/Graham Price Ratios, you use estimates or data from the last reported financial quarter.

If a stock is showing as a buy using the dividend yield test, I usually like to verify it is a buy by doing a P/S Ratio test. Here you compare the current P/S Ratio to the 10 year median P/S Ratio. If the current P/S Ratio is lower than the 10 year median, then the stock is a buy. I note that Morningstar gives a current P/S Ratio. The 10 year median ratio is shown in my review of a stock. The 10 year median ratio in a review is good for one year from the date of review.

This historical dividend yield test does not work well for old Income Trust companies. These companies had quite high Dividend Yields which will probably never be seen again. So, I started a column called VT (for Valid Test) and this applies to checking stock price using dividend yield. If it is not a valid test, I use N to show this. For these stocks, you might be better comparing the current dividend yield to the 10 year median dividend yield.

However, no system is perfect. But if you are interested in buying a stock a list of stocks cheap or reasonable using dividend yield data might be a good place to start.

Categorizing stocks is not as simple as it might seem. Every site you go to has categorized stocks a bit differently. I try to keep this as simple as possible. See Something to Buy April 2020 Spreadsheet to see what stocks are showing whether a stock is relatively cheap based on historical high dividend yields (P/Hi), historical average dividend yields (P/Ave), historical median dividend yields (P/Med) or on 5 year median dividend yields (P/5Yr). As in other spreadsheets, you can highlight a line or a number of lines for better viewing.

In the following notes I am only going to list stocks showing as cheap using the historical high dividend yields (P/Hi) and historical median dividend yields (P/Med).

I follow 23 stocks in the Consumer Discretionary category. Six of these stocks (26%) are showing as cheap by the historically high dividend yield and they are BRP Inc (TSX-DOO, NASDAQ-DOOO), Canadian Tire Corp (TSX-CTC.A, OTC-CDNAF), Leon's Furniture (TSX-LNF, OTC-LEFUF), Magna International Inc. (TSX-MG, NYSE-MGA), Molson Coors Canada (TSX-TPX.B, NYSE-TAP), and Stingray Digital Group Inc (TSX-RAY.A).

Dorel Industries (TSX-DII.B, OTC-DIIBF) Reitmans (Canada) Ltd. (TSX-RET.A, OTC-RTMAF), has been deleted from this list. Both these stocks have suspended their dividends. BRP Inc (TSX-DOO, NASDAQ-DOOO) has been added to this list.

Fifteen (or 65%) of Consumer Discretionary are showing cheap by historical median dividend yield. They are BRP Inc (TSX-DOO, NYSE-DOOO), Canadian Tire Corp (TSX-CTC.A, OTC-CDNAF), Dollarama Inc (TSX-DOL, OTC-DLMF), Goeasy Ltd (TSX-GSY, OTC-EHMEF), Goodfellow Inc (TSX-GDL, OTC-GFELF), High Liner Foods (TSX-HLF, OTC-HLNFF), Keg Royalties Income Fund (TSX-KEG.UN, OTC-KRIUF), Leon's Furniture (TSX-LNF, OTC-LEFUF), Linamar Corporation (TSX-LNR, OTC-LIMAF), Magna International Inc. (TSX-MG, NYSE-MGA), Molson Coors Canada (TSX-TPX.B, NYSE-TAP), Pizza Pizza Royalty Corp (TSX-PZA, OTC-PZRIF), Richelieu Hardware Ltd (TSX-RCH, OTC-RHUHF), Savaria Corporation (TSX-SIS, OTC-SISXF), and Stingray Digital Group Inc (TSX-RAY.A).

Dollarama Inc (TSX-DOL, OTC-DLMA), and Richelieu Hardware Ltd (TSX-RCH, OTC-RHUHF) has been added to this list. Dorel Industries (TSX-DII.B, OTC-DIIBF), and Reitmans (Canada) Ltd. (TSX-RET.A, OTC-RTMAF) has been deleted from this list. Both Dorel and Reitmans have suspended their dividends.

I follow 10 Consumer Staples stocks. No stocks are showing as cheap by the historically high dividend yield. There is no change from last month.

Six stocks (or 60%) are showing cheap by historical median dividend yield. These are Alimentation Couche-Tard (TSX-ATD.B, OTC-ANCUF), Empire Company Ltd (TSX-EMP.A, OTC-EMLAF), Loblaw Companies (TSX-L, OTC-LBLCF), Metro Inc (TSX-MRU, OTC-MTRAF), North West Company (TSX-NWC, OTC-NWTUF), and Saputo Inc. (TSX-SAP, OTC-SAPIF). There is no change from last month.

I follow Five Health Care stocks. Two stocks (or 40%) of these stocks are showing as cheap by the historically high dividend yield. They are HLS Therapeutics Inc (TSX-HLS, OTC-HLTRF), and Sienna Senior Living Inc (TSX-SIA, OTC-LWSCF). Sienna Senior Living Inc (TSX-SIA, OTC-LWSCF) has been added to this list.

Five or 100% are cheap by the historical median dividend yield. The stocks are Chartwell Retirement Residences (TSX-CSH.UN, NYSE-CWSRF), HLS Therapeutics Inc (TSX-HLS, OTC-HLTRF), Johnson and Johnson (NYSE-JNJ), Medtronic Inc. (NYSE-MDT), and Sienna Senior Living Inc (TSX-SIA, OTC-LWSCF). Chartwell Retirement Residences (TSX-CSH.UN, NYSE-CWSRF), and Sienna Senior Living Inc (TSX-SIA, OTC-LWSCF) have been added to this list.

I follow 10 Energy stocks. Seven stocks or 70% are showing as cheap by the historical high dividend yield. They are Canadian Natural Resources (TSX-CNQ, NYSE-CNQ), Cenovus Energy Inc. (TSX-CVE, NYSE-CVE), Ensign Energy Services (TSX-ESI, OTC-ESVIF), Husky Energy (TSX-HSE, OTC-HUSKF), Mullen Group (TSX-MTL, OTC-MLLGF), Ovintiv Inc (TSX-OVV, OTC-OVV),and Suncor Energy (TSX-SU, NYSE-SU).

Cenovus Energy Inc. (TSX-CVE, NYSE-CVE), Husky Energy (TSX-HSE, OTC-HUSKF), Mullen Group (TSX-MTL, OTC-MLLGF), and Ovintiv Inc (TSX-OVV, OTC-OVV) have been added to the list.

There are Seven stocks (or 70%) showing cheap by historical median dividend yield. They are Canadian Natural Resources (TSX-CNQ, NYSE-CNQ), Cenovus Energy Inc. (TSX-CVE, NYSE-CVE), Ensign Energy Services (TSX-ESI, OTC-ESVIF), Husky Energy (TSX-HSE, OTC-HUSKF), Mullen Group (TSX-MTL, OTC-MLLGF), Ovintiv Inc (TSX-OVV, OTC-OVV), and Suncor Energy (TSX-SU, NYSE-SU). ARC Resources Ltd (TSX-ARX, OTC-AETUF) has been deleted from this list.

I follow 8 Bank stocks. Two (25%) is showing as cheap by the historically high dividend yield and it is Barclays PLC (LSE-BARC, NYSE-BCS), and CIBC (TSX-CM, NYSE-CM). CIBC (TSX-CM, NYSE-CM) have been added to this list.

Seven stocks (or 88%) are showing cheap by historical median dividend yield. They are Bank of Montreal (TSX-BMO, NYSE-BMO), Bank of Nova Scotia (TSX-BNS, NYSE-BNS), Barclays PLC (LSE-BARC, NYSE-BCS), CIBC (TSX-CM, NYSE-CM), National Bank of Canada (TSX-NA, OTC-NTIOF), Royal Bank (TSX-RY, NYSE-RY), and Toronto Dominion Bank (TSX-TD, NYSE-TD). There is no change from last month.

I follow 14 Financial Service stocks. Five stocks (36%) are showing as cheap by the historically high dividend yield. They are Accord Financial Corp (TSX-ACD, OTC-ACCFF), Alaris Royalty Corp (TSX-AD, OTC-ALARF), Atrium Mortgage Investment Corp (TSX-AI, OTC-AMIVF), IGM Financial (TSX-IGM, OTC-IGIFF), and Power Corp (TSX-POW, OTC-PWCDF). All 5 have been added to this list.

Ten (or 71%) stocks are showing cheap by the historical median dividend yield. These stocks are Accord Financial Corp (TSX-ACD, OTC-ACCFF), AGF Management Ltd (TSX-AGF.B, OTC-AGFMF), Alaris Royalty Corp (TSX-AD, OTC-ALARF), Atrium Mortgage Investment Corp (TSX-AI, OTC-AMIVF), Chesswood Group (TSX-CHW, OTC-CHWWF), CI Financial (TSX-CIX, OTC-CIFAF), Equitable Group Inc (TSX-EQB, OTC-EQGPF), IGM Financial (TSX-IGM, OTC-IGIFF), Onex Corp (TSX-ONEX, OTC-ONEXF) and Power Corp (TSX-POW, OTC-PWCDF).

Atrium Mortgage Investment Corp (TSX-AI, OTC-AMIVF), and CI Financial (TSX-CIX, OTC-CIFAF) have been added to this list.

I follow 5 Insurance stocks. Power Financial is no longer separate from Power Corp so I have one less insurance stock. Three stocks (60%) are showing as cheap by the historically high dividend yield. They are Great-West Lifeco Inc. (TSX-GWO, OTC-GWLIF), IA Financial Corp (TSX-IAG, OTC-IDLLF), Manulife Financial Corp (TSX-MFC, NYSE-MFC). All 3 have been added to this list.

Four stocks (or 83%) are showing cheap by historical median dividend yield. These stocks are Great-West Lifeco Inc. (TSX-GWO, OTC-GWLIF), IA Financial Corp (TSX-IAG, OTC-IDLLF), Manulife Financial Corp (TSX-MFC, NYSE-MFC), and Sun Life Financial (TSX-SLF, NYSE-SLF). Power Financial Corp (TSX-PWF, OTC-POFNF), has been deleted from this list.

I follow 32 Industrial stocks. Because I have so many and Industrial is not very descriptive, I have divided my Industrial stocks into 4 separate categories under Industrial. They are Construction, Industrial, Manufacturing and (Business) Services.

I have 6 Construction stocks. None are showing as cheap by the historically high dividend yield. There is no change from last month.

Three stocks or 50% is showing as cheap by historical median dividend yield. They are Bird Construction Inc (TSX-BDT, OTC-BIRDF), Stantec Inc. (TSX-STN, NYSE-STN), and Toromont Industries Ltd (TSX-TIH, OTC-TMTNF). There is no change from last month.

I have 3 stocks I have left with the sub-index of Industrial. Two stocks (67%) are cheap by the historically high dividend yield. They are Finning International Inc. (TSX-FTT, OTC-FINGF), and Russel Metals (TSX-RUS, OTC-RUSMF). Both these stocks have been added to this list.

Three stocks or 100% are showing as cheap by historical median dividend yield. They are Exchange Income Corp (TSX-EIF, OTC-EIFZF), Finning International Inc. (TSX-FTT, OTC-FINGF), and Russel Metals (TSX-RUS, OTC-RUSMF). Exchange Income Corp (TSX-EIF, OTC-EIFZF) has been added to this list.

I have 7 Manufacturing stocks. Four stocks (57%) is showing as cheap by the historically high dividend yield. They are Ag Growth International (TSX-AFN, OTC-AGGZF), Exco Technologies Ltd. (TSX-XTC, OTC-EXCOF), Hammond Power Solutions Inc (TSX-HPS.A, OTC-HMDPF), Intertape Polymer Group Inc (TSX-ITP, OTC-ITPOF).

Ag Growth International (TSX-AFN, OTC-AGGZF), Exco Technologies Ltd. (TSX-XTC, OTC-EXCOF) and Hammond Power Solutions Inc (TSX-HPS.A, OTC-HMDPF) have been added to this list.

Five stocks or 71% are showing as cheap by historical median dividend yield. They are Ag Growth International (TSX-AFN, OTC-AGGZF), Exco Technologies Ltd. (TSX-XTC, OTC-EXCOF), Hammond Power Solutions Inc (TSX-HPS.A, OTC-HMDPF), Intertape Polymer Group Inc (TSX-ITP, OTC-ITPOF) and PFB Corp (TSX-PFB, OTC-PFBOF). Ag Growth International (TSX-AFN, OTC-AGGZF), and PFB Corp (TSX-PFB, OTC-PFBOF) have been added to this list.

I follow 16 Services stocks. Three stocks are showing as cheap by the historically high dividend yield. They are Canadian National Railway (TSX-CNR, NYSE-CNI), Pason Systems Inc. (TSX-PSI, OTC-PSYTF), and Ritchie Bros Auctioneers Inc (TSX-RBA, NYSE-RBA). Canadian National Railway (TSX-CNR, NYSE-CNI), and Ritchie Bros Auctioneers Inc (TSX-RBA, NYSE-RBA) have been added to this list.

Six stocks or 37.5% are showing as cheap by historical median dividend yield. These stocks are Canadian National Railway (TSX-CNR, NYSE-CNI), Pason Systems Inc. (TSX-PSI, OTC-PSYTF), Ritchie Bros Auctioneers Inc (TSX-RBA, NYSE-RBA), TFI International (TSX-TFII, OTC-TFIFF), Transcontinental Inc (TSX-TCL.A, OTC-TCLAF) and Wajax Corp (TSX-WJX, OTC-WJXFF). TFI International (TSX-TFII, OTC-TFIFF) has been added to this list.

I follow 10 Material stocks. One stock (10%) is showing as cheap by the historically high dividend yield. This stock is Methanex Corp (TSX-MX, NASDAQ-MEOH). Methanex Corp (TSX-MX, NASDAQ-MEOH) has been added to this list.

Seven stock or 70% are showing as cheap by historical median dividend yield. The stocks are Barrick Gold Corp (TSX-ABX, NYSE-ABX), Chemtrade Logistics Inc. Fund (TSX-CHE.UN, OTC-CGIFF), Hardwoods Distribution Inc. (TSX-HDI, OTC-HDIUF), Methanex Corp (TSX-MX, NASDAQ-MEOH), Stella-Jones (TSX-SJ, OTC-STLJF), Supremex Inc (TSX-SXP, OTC-SUMXF), and Teck Resources Ltd (TSX-TECK.B, NYSE-TECK . Teck Resources Ltd (TSX-TECK.B, NYSE-TECK) has been added to this list.

I follow 10 Real Estate stocks. One stock (10%) is showing as cheap by historically high dividend yield. That stock is H & R REIT (TSX-HR.UN, OTC-HRUFF). H & R REIT (TSX-HR.UN, OTC-HRUFF) has been added to this list.

Siv stocks (or 60%) are showing as cheap by historical median dividend yield. They are Choice Properties REIT (TSX-CHP.UN, OTC-PPRQF), First Capital Realty (TSX-FCR.UN, OTC-FCXXF), Granite REIT (TSX-GRT.UN, NYSE-GRP.U), H & R REIT (TSX-HR.UN, OTC-HRUFF), Melcor Developments Inc. (TSX-MRD, OTC-MODVF), and SmartCentres REIT (TSX-SRU.UN, OTC-CWYUF).

Choice Properties REIT (TSX-CHP.UN, OTC-PPRQF), First Capital Realty (TSX-FCR.UN, OTC-FCXXF), and Granite REIT (TSX-GRT.UN, NYSE-GRP.U), have been added to this list.

I follow 3 of the Telecom Service stocks. One (33%) stocks is showing as cheap by historically high dividend yield and it is Shaw Communications Inc. (TSX-SJR.B, NYSE-SJR). There is no change from last month

Three stocks (or 100%) are showing cheap by historical median dividend yield. These stocks are BCE (TSX-BCE, NYSE-BCE), Shaw Communications Inc (TSX-SJR.B, NYSE-SJR) and Telus Corp (TSX-T, NYSE-TU). This has not changed from last month.

I follow 9 Tech stocks. Two stocks (22%) are showing as cheap by historical high dividend yield. They are Computer Modelling Group Ltd. (TSX-CMG, OTC-CMDXF), and Evertz Technologies (TSX-ET, OTC-EVTZF). Both these stocks have been added to this list.

Four stocks (or 44%) are showing cheap by historical median dividend yield. They are Computer Modelling Group Ltd. (TSX-CMG, OTC-CMDXF), Enghouse Systems Limited (TSX-ENGH, OTC-EGHSF), Evertz Technologies (TSX-ET, OTC-EVTZF), Quarterhaill Inc (TSX-QTRH, NASDAQ-QTRH), and Sylogist Ltd (TSXV-SYZ, OTC-SYZLF). Enghouse Systems Limited (TSX-ENGH, OTC-EGHSF) has been added to this list.

I follow 7 of the Infrastructure type utility companies. Two stocks (29%) are showing as cheap by historical high dividend yield. They are Enbridge Inc. (TSX-ENB, NYSE-ENB), and Keyera Corp (TSX-KEY, OTC-KEYUF). Both these stocks have been added to this list.

Siv stocks (or 86%) are showing cheap by historical median dividend yield. They are AltaGas Ltd (TSX-ALA, OTC-ATGFF), Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (TSX-BIP.UN, NYSE-BIP), Enbridge Inc. (TSX-ENB, NYSE-ENB), Keyera Corp (TSX-KEY, OTC-KEYUF), Pembina Pipeline Corp (TSX-PPL, NYSE-PBA) and TC Energy Corp (TSX-TRP, NYSE-TRP).

AltaGas Ltd (TSX-ALA, OTC-ATGFF), Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (TSX-BIP.UN, NYSE-BIP) and Pembina Pipeline Corp (TSX-PPL, NYSE-PBA) have been added to this list.

I follow 10 of the Power type utility companies. One stock is showing as cheap by historical high dividend yield. This is ATCO Ltd (TSX-ACO.X, OTC-ACLLF). There is no changed from last month.

Three stocks (or 30%) are showing cheap by historical median dividend yield. Those stocks are ATCO Ltd (TSX-ACO.X, OTC-ACLLF), and Canadian Utilities Ltd (TSX-CU, OTC-CDUAF), and Fortis Inc (TSX-FTS, OTC-FRTSF). Fortis Inc (TSX-FTS, OTC-FRTSF) has been added to this list.

On my other blog I wrote yesterday about Supremex Inc (TSX-SXP, OTC-SUMXF) ... learn more. Next, I will write about Leon's Furniture Ltd (TSX-LNF, OTC-LEFUF) ... learn more on Friday, April 10, 2020 around 5 pm.

This blog is meant for educational purposes only and is not to provide investment advice. Before making any investment decision, you should always do your own research or consult an investment professional. I do research for my own edification and I am willing to share. I write what I think and I may or may not be correct.

See my site for an index to these blog entries and for stocks followed. I have three blogs. The first talks only about specific stocks and is called Investment Talk . The second one contains information on mostly investing and is called Investing Economics Mostly. My last blog is for my book reviews and it is called Non-Fiction Mostly. Follow me on Twitter. I am on Instagram. Or you can just Google #walktoronto spbrunner8166 to see my pictures.

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Dividend Stocks April 2020

First, I want to point out that not all of the stocks I follow are great investments. I follow a diverse selection of stocks. There are some that I would never invest in personally. I follow a number of resource stocks even though I personally have little invested in this area. I follow what I find interesting and with resource stocks, I think it is important for Canadians to know what is happening in the resource area. On the other hand, I do follow of good number of great dividend growth stocks.

The theory is that you should use the dividend yield to see if a dividend stock is selling at a stock price that is relatively cheap. A stock price is considered cheap if it is selling at a dividend yield higher than the historical high yield or higher than the historical average yield or historical median yield. See my spreadsheet at dividend growth stocks that I just updated for April 2020. On this list,
  • I have 43 stocks with a dividend yield higher than the historical high dividend yield,
  • I have 77 stocks with a dividend yield higher than the historical average dividend yield
  • I have 101 stocks with a dividend yield higher than the historical median dividend yield and
  • 117 stocks with a dividend yield higher than the 5 year average dividend yield.
When I did my list last list in March 2020,
  • I have 17 stocks with a dividend yield higher than the historical high dividend yield,
  • I have 56 stocks with a dividend yield higher than the historical average dividend yield
  • I have 87 stocks with a dividend yield higher than the historical median dividend yield and
  • 87 stocks with a dividend yield higher than the 5 year average dividend yield.
When I did my list in January 2014,
  • I had 9 stocks with a dividend yield higher than the historical high dividend yield,
  • I had 45 stocks with a dividend yield higher than the historical average dividend yield and
  • 39 stocks with a dividend yield higher than the 5 year average dividend yield.
If you had one share of each stock, total dividends last month would be $180.79. This month dividends would be $176.89. It can vary as because some stocks are paid in US$ and so this figure is affected by currency exchange. This month it was also affected by 2 stock splits. Of the stock that I follow 12 stocks has raised their dividends since last month.

Alimentation Couche-Tard (TSX-ATD.B, OTC-ANCUF)
Badger Daylighting Ltd (TSX-BAD, OTC-BADFF)
Canadian Natural Resources (TSX-CNQ, NYSE-CNQ)
Chartwell Retirement Residences (TSX-CSH.UN, NYSE-CWSRF)
Enghouse Systems Limited (TSX-ENGH, OTC-EGHSF)

Hammond Power Solutions Inc (TSX-HPS.A, OTC-HMDPF)
Innergex Renewable Energy (TSX-INE, OTC-INGXF)
Parkland Fuel Corp (TSX-PKI, OTC-PKIUF)
Power Corp (TSX-POW, OTC-PWCDF)
Premium Brands Holdings Corp (TSX-PBH, OTC-PRBZF)

Stella-Jones (TSX-SJ, OTC-STLJF)
Suncor Energy (TSX-SU, NYSE-SU)

Of the stocks I follow, 5 have cut their dividends.

ARC Resources Ltd (TSX-ARX, OTC-AETUF)
Barclays PLC (LSE-BARC, NYSE-BCS)
Chemtrade Logistics Inc. Fund (TSX-CHE.UN, OTC-CGIFF)
Inter Pipeline Ltd TSX (IPL-OTC-IPPLF)
Melcor Developments Inc. (TSX-MRD, OTC-MODVF)

Of the stocks I follow, 2 stock has suspended or terminated their dividends.

Dorel Industries (TSX-DII.B, OTC-DIIBF)
Reitmans (Canada) Ltd (TSX-RET.A, OTC-RTMAF)

Most stocks went down in price from last month except for the 5 stocks listed below. So, this is 5 out of 157 stocks that went up or 3%. There were

Barrick Gold Corp (TSX-ABX, NYSE-ABX) – 10.35%
Kirkland Lake Gold (TSX-KL, NYSE-KL) – 8.02%
Lassonde Industries (TSX-LAS.A, OTC-LSDAF) – 9.15%
Loblaw Companies (TSX L, OTC-LBLCF) – 8.99%
Metro Inc (TSX-MRU, OTC-MTRAF) – 10.39%

Most stocks went down in price from last month. The list below shows the 5 stocks that went down the most.

BRP Inc (TSX-DOO, NASDAQ-DOOO) – 64.11%
Cenovus Energy Inc (TSX-CVE, NYSE-CVE) – 64.94%
Ensign Energy Services (TSX-ESI, OTC-ESVIF) – 73.33%
Obsidian Energy Ltd (TSX-OBE, NYSE-OBE) – 68.29%
Ovintiv Inc (TSX-OVV, OTC-OVV) – 68.86%

Last month I listed Great-West Lifeco Inc (TSX-GWO, OTC-GWLIF) as having increased its dividend to $1.72. I should have shown that the dividend was increased to $1.75.

There were two dividend splits for this month that are showing up in my spreadsheet. They were for: Brookfield Asset Management (TSX-BAM.A. NYSE-BAM), a 3 to 2 split
Telus Corp (TSX T-NYSE-TU), a 2 for 1 split

Barclays PLC (LSE-BARC, NYSE-BCS) had announced previously and as recorded last month a dividend increase. They have just announced that they will not pay any dividend in April of this year and will decide at the end of the year whether or not to pay a dividend later in the year. Normally dividends are paid in April and September. The TD bank’s WebBroker has cut the dividend back to where it was. So, I am going with this at present, but there may not be any dividend this year. See Barclay’s site here.

For Brookfield Asset Management (TSX-BAM.A, NYSE-BAM), TD WebBroker says the current dividend is $0.32 US$. After the split of 3 to 2, I get a dividend of $0.48 ($0.72 divided by 1.5). G&M says $0.48 also, so I am going with $0.48. I can find nothing about any dividend cut for BAM.A.

Power Corp (TSX-POW, OTC-PWCDF) has reorganized and has given Power Financial Corp (TSX-PWF, OTC-POFNF) shareholders stock in Power Corp in exchange for the Power Financial Corp stocks. Here is the news release from Power Corp.

Most of my stocks started out as Dividend Payers. Currently 14 stocks are not paying any dividends and this would be some 9.03% of the stocks that I follow. Four of these stocks never had dividends, so 5.81% of the stocks I follow have suspended their dividends. The three stocks that never paid dividends are Ballard Power Systems Inc. (TSX-BLD, NASDAQ-BLDP), Blackberry Ltd. (TSX-BB, NASDAQ-BBRY) and Trigon Metals Inc. (TSX-TM, OTC-PNTZF).

I am showing whether a stock is relatively cheap based on historical high dividend yields (P/Hi), historical average dividend yields (P/Ave), historical median dividend yields (P/Med) or on 10 year median dividend yields (P/10Y). See these fields on the right side of the file. You can highlight a particular stock using your cursor to highlight the appropriate line.

There are always some stocks to buy because they are priced reasonably. There are always stocks to currently avoid because they are overpriced. Looking at dividend growth stocks that are selling at stock prices that give them a dividend yield above the historical median dividend yield are probably the best bet.

The stocks that are selling at prices that give them a dividend yield above the historical high yield could be good stocks to buy. However, these stocks may be selling so cheap because of current troubles, especially financial troubles and should be treated with caution. Do not forget that I have all the stocks I follow on this spreadsheet and some are much better investments than others.

You should always investigate a stock before you buy. Sometimes different stocks in certain sectors are just out of favour or the stock market is just in one of its declines. However, a stock may be relatively cheap because it has problems. That is why you should always investigate a stock before buying.

Looking at stock this way is equivalent to a stock filter. A main problem I know of is for the old income trusts. These companies have generally lowered their dividend yields forever and they will probably never get back to the old dividend yield highs they made as an income trust company. For these stocks, you might be better comparing the current dividend yield to the 5 year median dividend yield. I also started a column called VT (for Valid Test) and this applies to checking stock price using dividend yield. If it is not a valid test, I use N to show this.

Also, on some stocks I have a lot more information years in my spreadsheets than for other stocks. So, finding a stock on the list as "cheap" is only the first step in finding a stock to buy. This is the same with any other sort of stock filters that you can use.

The last thing to remember is that I have entering figures into a spreadsheet. I could put them in incorrectly, I can transpose figures and I can misread figures. This is another great reason why you should check a stock out before investing. As this is just a filter, it works better on some stocks than on others.

See my entry on my methodology in establishing the historical dividend yield highs and lows for the stocks that I cover. I have an entry on my introduction to Dividend Growth. You might want to look at my original entry on Dividend Growth Stocks. I have also written about why I like Dividend Growth companies.

On my other blog I wrote yesterday about Toromont Industries Ltd (TSX-TIH, OTC-TMTNF) ... learn more. Next, I will write about Supremex Inc (TSX-SXP, OTC-SUMXF) ... learn more on Wednesday, April 08, 2020 around 5 pm.

This blog is meant for educational purposes only and is not to provide investment advice. Before making any investment decision, you should always do your own research or consult an investment professional. I do research for my own edification and I am willing to share. I write what I think and I may or may not be correct.

See my website for stocks followed and investment notes. I have three blogs. The first talks only about specific stocks and is called Investment Talk. The second one contains information on mostly investing and is called Investing Economics Mostly. My last blog is for my book reviews and it is called Non-Fiction Mostly. Follow me on Twitter or StockTwits. I am on Instagram with #walktoronto.

Thursday, April 2, 2020

Power Financial Corp

The Advice for Investors site talks about what you should do if you own Power Corp or Power Financial Corp. I own Power Financial Corp and for me, it looks like a good deal.

For Canadians, if you want to defer all or a portion of the gain that might otherwise arise from the disposition of your common shares, the information you need is here. Information on the reorganization of the Power Corp group is here

On my other blog I wrote yesterday about Sun Life Financial Inc (TSX-SLF, NYSE-SLF) ... learn more. Next, I will write about Alaris Royalty Corp (TSX-AD, OTC-ALARF) ... learn more on Friday, April 3, 2020 around 5 pm.

This blog is meant for educational purposes only and is not to provide investment advice. Before making any investment decision, you should always do your own research or consult an investment professional. I do research for my own edification and I am willing to share. I write what I think and I may or may not be correct.

See my site for an index to these blog entries and for stocks followed. I have three blogs. The first talks only about specific stocks and is called Investment Talk. The second one contains information on mostly investing and is called Investing Economics Mostly. My last blog is for my book reviews and it is called Non-Fiction Mostly. Follow me on Twitter. I am on Instagram. Or you can just Google #walktoronto spbrunner8166 to see my pictures.