The strike by workers at British Columbia ports was a major news event during July. The strike started on Canada Day and lasted almost 2 full weeks. A tentative agreement was reached and the workers had to still vote on the agreement.
So activity started back at the ports and within a few days, the workers voted against the offer on the table. The workers went back on strike, but the federal government stepped in and declared the strike illegal. The strike was declared illegal this time as the workers did not give 72 hour strike notice.
On August 4, the workers voted approximately 75% in favor of the new contract.
This major labor distribution affected the entire country.
In other news, wild fires continues across the country.
Nova Scotia had to deal with wild fires a few months ago and then a massive flood about 2 weeks ago. If that was not enough, parts of the same area previously flooded were flooded again in the last couple of days. The Port of Halifax is the closest east coast port to Europe.
The S&P500 was up 1.08% over the past month.
The S&P TSX Composite Index was up 2.04% over the past month.
Portfolio Activity
Margin Account Activity
On August 2, I added to my position in Bell Canada Enterprises (BCE.TO). I purchased 150 shares of Bell at $56.30 per share, for a total cost of $8450.12 including commissions.
Bell Canada currently pays a dividend of $0.9675 per share quarterly, or $3.87 per share annually. The yield on cost for this purchase is 6.87%.
This purchase adds $580.50 to my annual dividend income.
TFSA Activity
On July 18, I purchased 125 shares of Telus Corporation (Ticker Symbol T.TO) at $23.60 per share for a total cost of $2954.95 including commissions.
Telus currently pays a dividend of $0.3636 CAD monthly, or $1.4544 CAD per unit annually. Therefore, the yield on cost for this purchase is 6.15%.
This purchase adds $181.80 to my annual dividend income.
Shares Purchased Via DRIP
1 unit of BPF.UN.TO @ $16.70612 for a total cost of $16.71 (TFSA)
1 unit of KMP.UN @ $17.82099 for a total cost of $17.82 (TFSA)
3 share of AQN.TO @ $8.1187USD for a total cost of $31.94 CAD (TFSA)
1 share of T.TO @ $25.8518 for a total cost of $25.85 (TFSA)
1 share of TD.TO @ $86.80833 for a total cost of $86.81 (TFSA)
1.147694 shares of BNS.TO @ $65.27 CAD for a total cost of $74.91 (Transer Agent)
Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund (BPF.UN.TO) pays a distribution of $0.107 CAD per unit monthly, or $1.284 CAD per unit annually. This drip adds $1.28 CAD to my annual dividend income. The yield on cost for this DRIP is 7.68%.
Killam Properties REIT pays a distribution of $.058333 CAD per unit monthly, or $0.70 CAD per unit annually. This drip adds $0.70 CAD to my annual dividend income. The yield on cost for this drip is 3.93%.
Algonquin (AQN.TO) pays a dividend of $0.1085 USD per share quarterly, or $0.434 USD per share annually. This drip adds $1.30 USD to my annual dividend income. This is equivalent to $1.74 CAD. The yield on cost using the Canadian dollar equivalent, for this DRIP is 5.45%.
Telus Corporation (T.TO) pays a dividend of $0.3636 CAD per share quarterly, or $1.4544 CAD per share annually. This drip adds $1.45 CAD to my annual dividend income. The yield on cost for this DRIP is 5.63%.
TD Bank (TD.TO) pays a dividend of $0.96 CAD per share quarterly, or $3.84 CAD per share annually. This drip adds $3.84 CAD to my annual dividend income. The yield on cost for this DRIP is 4.42%.
BNS (BNS.TO) pays a dividend of $1.06 CAD per share quarterly, or $4.24 CAD per share annually. This drip adds $4.87 CAD to my annual dividend income. The yield on cost for this DRIP is 6.50%.
I have some other positions with the DRIP turned on but might not have enough of a dividend to purchase a whole share.
My Enbridge position directly with the transfer agent is set up to DRIP. Around November 2018, Enbridge stopped their DRIP program. If Enbridge decides to start a DRIP, then my shares will start to DRIP again automatically.
Dividend Increases
There were no dividend increases in July 2023.
Dividend Decreases
There were no dividend decreases in July 2023.
Summary:
As of August 6, 2023, the total value of the portfolio is $205655.67. This is a 5.01% increase over last month's total.
The portfolio is estimated to produce an estimated $8740.70 in dividend income over the next 12 months. This is an increase of $784.83 CAD , or 9.86%. Some of the dividends in the Canadian stocks section are paid in US dollars, which are converted to Canadian dollars.
Googlesheets is still not operating properly. So, I had to manually enter the market value for the REITS, BEP.UN, BPF.UN, and AW.UN.
Please Note: Positions in Enerplus Corporation (ERF.TO), Restaurant Brands International (QSR.TO) , Intertape Polymer Group (ITP.TO), Brookfield Renewables Corporation (BEPC.TO), and Algonquin Power and Utilities (AQN.TO) pay dividends in US dollars. Brookfield Renewables Partners (BEP.UN) pays distributions in US dollars. My investment tab spreadsheet displays the Canadian dollar equivalent within 15 to 20 minutes of real time.
Disclosure: Long aforementioned stocks
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.
