Porfolio Update: March 2019

The month of March 2019 is now behind us.
 
It was an incredible month in terms of news. In Alberta, Canada, the NDP government informed the lieutenant governor to call an election. The election will be April 16. The economy of Alberta continues to struggle. Although the employment numbers have improved since the depths of the Alberta recession in 2015, the wages are no were close. Lots of people in the oil and gas industry have lost their jobs due to low oil prices. Canada has no control over world oil prices as they are not a part of OPEC. The carbon tax is a hot button issue during the campaigning.
 
The federal government continues be rocked by the fallout over the SNC Lavalin affair. After previous testimony at the House of Commons justice committee by former Attorney General and Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, their have been more resignations. Cabinet minister Jane Philpott resigned. Gerald Butts, long time friend of the Prime Minister, resigned from his post. The clerk of the Privy Council, Michael Wernick, announced his retirement. Member of the liberal caucus, Celina Caesar-Chavannes, quits caucus to sit as an independent.
 
Portfolio Activity

Things have been quiet in terms of porfolio activity.

Two positions dripped more units or shares in the middle of the month.

On March 27, I purchased 20 shares of TD Bank (TD.TO) inside my TFSA.  With this purchase, I now own shares in all 5 of Canada's big 5 banks.  The big 5 banks are Bank of Montreal, Royal Bank of Canada, Bank of Nova Scotia, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce "C.I.B.C" along with TD Bank.

I currently have 2 covered call options.  WestJet has fallen in price , due partially to the grounding of their 737 Max 8 and 9 jets manufactured by Boeing.  Governments across the world have banned planes these planes from flying in their respective air spaces, landing and departing airports in their jurisdictions. This grounding is due to 2 crashes in under a year involving these planes.  Until the problem is fixed these specific planes will remain grounded.

My covered call involving shares of Telus Corporation (T.TO) in my margin account is in the money. This means the price of the T.TO is above my strike price and the option can be called away at any time between now and expiration.  For disclosure, I own a smaller position in T.TO in my TFSA .

Shares Purchased Via DRIP
 
1 unit of CUF.UN.TO @ $11.6135 for a total cost of $11.61 (TFSA)

5 shares of HLF.TO @ $7.46708 for a total cost of $37.34 (margin account)

I own 216 units of Cominar REIT (CUF.UN.TO). Currently, CUF.UN pays $0.72 per unit per year, or $0.06 per unit monthly. This DRIP adds $0.72 to my annual dividend income.

I own 306 shares of High Liner Foods (HLF.TO).  Currently, HLF.TO pays a $0.58 per share dividend annually, or $0.145 per share quarterly. This DRIP adds $2.90 to my annual dividend income.
 
Please note that if some brokerages DRIP shares when there is no DRIP program by the actually company. This DRIP is when the brokerage buys the shares directly off the public market stock exchanges.
 
Dividend Increases

I did not receive any dividend increases during the month of March.  

Dividend Decreases

I did not receive any dividend decreases during the month of March.

Summary:
 
As of March 31 , the value of the portfolio is $121282.01. This is a 0.696% increase over last month's total.
 
Disclosure: Long all fore mentioned stocks.


Please Note: Positions in Restaurant Brands International (QSR.TO) and Brookfield Renewables Partners (BEP.UN) pay dividends and distributions in US dollars, respectively. My investment tab spreadsheet displays the Canadian dollar equivalent within 15 to 20 minutes of real time.
 
DISCLAIMER
 
I am not a financial planner, financial advisor, accountant or tax attorney. The information on this blog represents my own thoughts and opinions and should NOT be taken as investment or business advice.

Every individual should do their due diligence to make their own financial decisions based on their financial situation and tolerance for risk.