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Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: I'm interested in GSY and I notice you've been giving it some more praise lately as a good option of a beaten up stock. When doing my own DD I find it looks very good on many metrics but it always has negative cash flow and many years has negative ROIC, both of which at first glance would deter me from this stock. I'm sure this is due to the fact they are loaning out money or something along those lines but can you help me understand this? Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Adam on February 12, 2018
Q: I have sent Avigilon's Investor relations an inquiry about this, but, in general, wouldn't there be a shareholder's vote on the takeover? I don't usually stick around for these things (I take my profits and run!) but in this case I don't like the offer very much and would definitely vote against it. The only mitigating factor now however is the announcement that the CEO is retiring. Do you think this news is material to the possibility of another offer?

Thank-you.
Read Answer Asked by Alex on February 12, 2018
Q: Hi, we started investing in Constellation Software, 4-5 years ago and stock has done phenominally well. Over time, we have trimmed the position by half, but still it is about 10% of our portfolio. This company continues to please investors with consistent growth thro' strategic acquisitions and smartly integrating in its model. Acceco Solutions acquisition for $250 mln was quite impressive. I ( and most shareholders) have developed enormous respect for Mark Leonard, as we learn more and more about his capital allocation strategies and management style as. ( Not to mention his decision to cut his salary to Zero ).

I continue to believe that CSU is tremendous value even at current levels and there is temptation to add more shares to our portfolio (specially with last 2 days pullback).
There does not seem to be many similar investment opportunities in Technology sector in Canadian markets. Would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by rajeev on February 12, 2018
Q: I am looking at the payout ratio. Capital expenditures have a big impact on the calculation, which based on EPS or FCF, makes the dividend look perilous.
Considering the distinction between "accretive" and "maintenance" capital expenditures and the maintenance of debt to equity ratio/debt coverage etc., are you comfortable in general and, in particular, with your rating of B+ in March last year?
In general, what is the difference in the allocation of capex between EPS and FCF (or the comparable calculations for a REIT)?
Read Answer Asked by Carl on February 09, 2018
Q: I would like to buy one of the above companies. DSG's share price is expected to go up nicely in the next year, but it does not appear to have the push the other two have. What would you recommend?
Read Answer Asked by Bruce on February 08, 2018
Q: Hi,
The only financial stock I own right now is bns. I want to add one more while they’re all still down a bit. Would you prefer ecn, slf or gsy (would you even count this as a financial)? Or is there a better financial to add?

Also, what are your favorit 1-2 for consumer cyclical and discretionary?

Thanks! This probably counts as 2 questions.
Read Answer Asked by david on February 08, 2018
Q: Hey guys,

Nice dip on DSG which leads me to my question after reading that it was removed from the portfolio. I wrote awhile back about it being a top pick and asking what the expected catalysts were. I understand that since then we have seen an acquisition which was among the reasons for expected increases. My question then is two fold

1. In light of the removal from the portfolio, would you guys walk back the inclusion as a BNN top pick or would you make that pick again today?

2. Would you have expected the recent acquisition to create a leg up if it had not fallen in the midst of a grumpy market? Did that acquisition make it more or less appealing?
Read Answer Asked by Tim on February 08, 2018
Q: Uber-guru Warren Buffett once said something along the lines of "Better to buy a great company at a fair price than to buy an average company at a great price". After the market pull-back of the last few days, there may be some great companies available at fair or even better prices. Can you name a few?
Read Answer Asked by Bryan on February 08, 2018