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.
Same as Metro a year ago, when it was poised to break out, and he wanted exposure to defensives and dividends. Price momentum was improving a year ago. A long-term hold. Is down 10% this year as portfolio manager sell defence to buy offence. This is now attractive.