Infrastructure, Brookfield and Bank Earnings

 

On the 31st of August, Brookfield Infra Partners LP Units is the day for the quarterly ex-dividend with a current yield of 4.72%. Looking at BIP.UN on the growth aspect, the stock price has moved up by about 29% .

Along with the popular Brookfield Renewable LP Units, BEP.UN, dividends are paid in USD while targeting 5 to 9% dividend growth with a distribution payout of around 70% via FFO or Funds from Operations,  

Overseeing operations is Brookfield Corporation, BN which conducts business around the world and frequently comes up in the news with acquisitions, bidding on companies or in on major contracts. Lots of moving parts and as an example, BIP,UN is merging with Brookfield Infrastructure Corporation, BIPC in the fourth quarter of this year to become Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Inc.,  BIP. 

I'll have to wait and see how this "Simplification" move affects the stock price and future dividends to shareholders.

Canada's Federal Government plans to spend billions on infrastructure on it's northern borders and elsewhere which I'm sure top companies with the resources to do the jobs will be involved. Canada's ATCO, ATCO-X , which I hold is already doing work up north with expansion and roads.

I look at these companies in comparison to Fortis, FTS.TSX which is in a league of it's own with over 50 years of dividend growth and continues to use capital to expand and improve it's service plus infrastructure while rewarding it's shareholders.  

Canada's big banks start reporting 3rd quarter earnings starting on the 25th of August with BNS, and BMO kicking off bank earnings week. The banks have had quite the run so far this year. Royal Bank, RY.TSX recently announced they are getting heavier into Europe investments increasing staff and office space. 

While the S&P 500 in the US has dominate sectors in IT (Mag7 and more), Communication and Financials ... Financials rule in Canada's TSX followed by energy and materials with the majority of my portfolio having holdings in these sectors. 

I mentioned in a previous article I trimmed Suncor, SU.TSX, which I planned to buy more of at a lower price but Middle East tensions have flared up again with the US and Iran locking horns drawing in other countries with cargo ships are being hit so the price of oil is staying higher at this time keeping SU at about $94 a share currently with September 4th being the day to have buy confirmations in to get paid the additional dividend.

Never a dull moment with interesting topics to follow in the world of stocks.

August 20th: Great timing to go with this post I thought. Dan from Stocktrades posted an informative video about Brookfield and it's subsidiaries with merging news in the 4th quarter of this year as I mentioned. Loaded with info I didn't know and interesting about Brookfield Asset Management, BAM. Great for reference when looking over the Brookfield stocks.

I Ranked Every Brookfield Stock

 

Staying Insured Mid August, 2026

 

Heading into mid-August, my focus switches to the top insurance companies in Canada.

With Manulife Financial I'm going against the grain with the preferred investing method of weighting a stock to about 5% in a portfolio. In the financial sector of my portfolio I'm at 20% for MFC and the company had a decent 2nd quarter report with a dividend increase of 10% back in February of 2026.

Dan over on Stocktrades has interesting videos on his ranking of Canadian companies and bank sectors I'm more invested in than others. I viewed his ranking of Pipeline companies and agree with his top pick I own.

His recent video ranks Canadian Insurance companies.  Of those companies reviewed, I own Great-West Life, Sun Life and Manulife Financial with an ex-dividend date of August 21st.

Looking at price growth over the last year, MFC with 49%, GWO with 73% and SLF with 47%. I'm pleased with the performance for those growth stocks along with the dividends they pay out to share holders for total return. The current bull run contributes I figure and I don't expect the same results when and if a major correction happens within the next year or not but it's always wise to prepare for the worst. They are my long term holdings regardless.

I've been following the BTSX strategy or Beat the TSX for years and it rejigged my investing style years back when I first read about it. Cut The Crap Investing with Dale posted, The 2026 Beat the TSX portfolio has the energy to outpace the TSX Composite.

BCE and T, I both sold last year when their debts were out of whack with expectations of dividends cuts to happen, which they did. Both Telcos are working to balance their books but for now, I'll watch their quarterly earnings progress if any.

The remaining 8 stocks are doing the lifting as mentioned in Dale's article. CNQ, ENB, PPL, CNQ, TRP, BNS, EMA, and CTC-A. These days I'm watching their valuations looking at analyst predictions and the Graham Numbers plus the P/E numbers I like to see under 20, preferably 15 but these stocks are attractive to many an investor for growth and dividends. Predictions I take with a grain of salt which can change frequently.

There are many choices above and as always, this post is just my personal opinion and long term goals, not investment advice.

Brookfield Corporation can be a complicated company looking at it's many arms and what they manage. I'll be looking over two of these before their 31st ex-dividend dates and I have mentioned these in previous articles geared toward dividends paid in USD.

September will be one of my busiest months looking over the stocks from energy, pipelines and power providers I have an interest in.