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Investment Q&A

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Q: Could I get your thoughts/interpretation on latest news release from SYZ.
"Sylogist was not, at this time, selected for a master service agreement with the state of North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. To date, two larger organizations have been awarded agreements to compete in the North Carolina market once they pass a number of hurdles, including state compliance. The Department of Public instruction has, however, agreed to fund customer upgrades for the modern K12 certified solution. Given the lengthy process ahead for the new entrants' certification, testing and piloting of new system offerings, the timeline for selection and early implementation of replacement systems has been extended by 4 years or more from the original plan. The current plan leaves Sylogist with a much longer runway of continued support for its legacy system and funding for upgrades to its modern K12 system. The Company has adjusted the forward operating parameters in the business to address the current situation and these changes result in projected increased profitability over an extended period of time. On a financial basis the Company is very pleased with the developments in this market to date."
Read Answer Asked on May 29, 2019
Q: hi folks:

as a followup to my earlier query on savaria's accounting i would like your further comment

sis employed hedges when it had ZERO debt , claiming it wanted to smooth out earnings variation caused by currency --- in those years this hedging cut profit in half

today they have debt which, along with the hedges, is impairing profit --- revenue is up 55% while operating income rose half that amount and EBITDA, (which is a phoney figure) is even less.

their accounting is unnecessarily complicated which always concerns me

if you look at a big company, like Teck or LNR, the reporting is 'fairly' straight forward

in my opinion these SIS guys try too hard to look better than they are - and are potentially just awaiting the next acquisition to get back to growth

comments?

thanks
Read Answer Asked by Robert on May 27, 2019
Q: Hi Peter

every quarter they highlight growing sales and EBITDA, but it never translates to the bottom line

profit is flat

what is wrong with the company, that growth never comes out the bottom line?

also with 59% of revenue from the USA, why does it need to have currency hedges to protect itself from rising material costs priced in US dollars? --that should be a natural hedge

most quarters (except last one) those hedges are a drag on profits

and now they hedge interest rates too !!

thx in advance
Read Answer Asked by Robert on May 24, 2019