Stock price when the opinion was issued
It's a Hold, not a Sell, because there don't seem to be a lot of reasons for it to go down. Catching a tailwind as a bond proxy with bonds in rally mode. Good and safe dividend, will probably grow, well supported by cashflow. Well managed. Not a Buy, as there are better ideas. He owns FTS instead, as it's larger and more diversified.
Hydro One is too expensive to buy here. QBR.B is in a very challenged space with the 4 well-capitalized players. Whole telecom industry is cheap, QBR.B will work over time, decent dividend.
Gun to the head, he'd pick QBR.B. No gun, putting capital into a dividend stock for 3-5 years, he'd pick neither and put money into MFC instead utilizing the Canadian dividend tax credit.
Likes it. Decent pullback. US tariffs may not be positive for a stock like this, but let's just wait till January 20 to see what happens. Decent surplus of electricity in Ontario, which can impact prices to the downside. If you foresee volatility and lower interest rates, not a bad choice.
Not a growth stock. Pays a dividend, but not the highest. Stable company.
People are nervous about the uncertainty out there and are looking for safety. But the relative strength of the defensives is not good. Over the past few weeks, he's reduced his defensive positioning. He's focusing on pricing power and dividend growth. Recognize that the market's showing us that there's more economic strength out there than people think.
He thinks the Ontario election could cause some danger. This has been a political football for many years. There has been mismanagement of the hydro assets, which has resulted in dramatically higher rates over the past 12 years. Are you really buying a private company, when the government still owns over 40%. They have been attempting a US acquisition, which may face delay if there is a new government. Shareholders have a chance of being treated poorly following the election. An NDP government may look to purchase the privately held shares but would not likely re-purchase them at the issued price of $20.50 per share.