Would you kindly comment on the sale announcement by Desjardins. I am down 25% and holding in a registered account. Would you recommend hold or sell.
Mike
Desjardins is looking to sell its entire stake in FSZ, raising questions of who will eventually control the company and whether the CEO will be able to keep control. While it only owns 7% of the equity, the share structure has allowed Desjardins to choose two-thirds of the board of directors, essentially giving it full control of the company. Management has expressed interest in the block, but may have trouble raising capital. The structure has stopped activist investors from targetting the company, and has also reduced its interest as a takeover target. So, there may be positive changes in a 'shake up' of the company. But shares dropped 10% on the news, and anytime a major shareholder wants 'out' investors get worried. If owned, we would HOLD now that the news has dropped the stock. But risks are still high here. But it may offer a little bit more excitement than usual for a short period of time. The stock is very cheap, and we think a privatization would be posleib; here, but we would not buy just on that possibility.