Investment Q&A

Q: I’m worried about ECI. The price trend has been down for three months, but my bigger worry is about criticism of its core business model in the media recently. It seems some of ECI’s clients are complaining they were locked into high-priced long-term (14+ year) water heater rental contracts unknowingly, and without the ability to opt out, when they bought their new homes. Apparently if they want to get out of these contracts now they must pay huge sums of money that make doing so very uneconomic. There are demands for government action to regulate such predatory contracts. Some water heater rental companies are doing this for sure, though I am unsure about the specific terms of ECI’s contracts compared to other companies. Can you shed any light on this? In your view, how much is this raising the risk profile of ECI?

Q: Hi Team, I am thinking about switching MAXR for MG. This would mean selling MAXR at a loss. Which do you think has more upside potential over the next1-2 years?
Thx

Q: Hi guys
I see High Liner had a new CEO appointed: " High Liner Foods Incorporated (HLF.TO) on Wednesday named Rod Hepponstall as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective May 1, 2018. Hepponstall will assume this role from Henry Demone, Chairman and CEO, who will continue as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Hepponstall will also serve on the board.

According to a statement, Hepponstall has 25 years of experience working in the food industry in the United States and Canada, in both retail and foodservice. It said he has held positions of increasing responsibility at several publically traded food companies, including Lamb-Weston, Inc., ConAgra Foods, Inc. and Maple Leaf Foods. He most recently held the position of Senior Vice President, General Manager Retail & Foodservice Business Units at Lamb-Weston Inc.."

I would have thought given the complexity of the fish wholesale market that they would have chosen a fish veteran rather than a person with more general food service direction or am I missing something. The market did not seem to like the choice as the stock was down 5%. Any thoughts of what this choice in CEO may bring to the direction of High liner.

Much thanks
Stuart

Q: Have held GUD for over 3 years and as a reward I am down aprox, 5% with no divy. to temper my impatience. Am thinking of replacing with BCI or OTEX in my growth portfolio. Would you endorse this move?.....which would have more upside? At what point does 5i run out of patience and throw GUD to the curb?

Q: Good morning. Why is K-Bro Linen continuing to drop almost daily? Is it time to sell?

Q: Hello:
With all of the news of trade wars, is it an appropriate time to sell SIS and MG due to their volatility related to this topic?

Q: In an April 2nd answer pertaining to a question about PBH, you stated that it is not cheap at 27X earnings. Both TD WaterHouse & 5iResearch’s company page states PBH’s P/E ratio is about 44X. Does the 27X figure refer to the forward P/E. If it does, from where did you obtain that figure & is it possible for 5iResearch clients to have access to companies forward P/E ratios. Thanks … Cal

Q: I can't see any news on Boyd to account for a 4% jump on a dreadful day. Any insight?

Q: because goeasy announced some mgmt changes, the stock is getting hit . is this justified.the stock is getting very very cheap.i know it is one of your favorites. can you comment dave

Q: A BNN guest recently made mention of a European competitor that may soon enter the NA marketplace that could severely impact Savaria's business, to the point where a friend of his considers SIS a short (I think this is also in part due to its valuation). Are you aware of any such threat on the horizon? Does Savaria have any kind of moat or special advantage that might insulate it from new (presumably established & high quality) competition?

Q: Hello 5i, I am up over 70% on this company. So I am wondering if it is time to consider selling or should I accumulate more. It's still under 5% of my portfolio. Do you see any reason to sell? What is your assessment of the company. They seem to be doing all the right things for some growth. Do you see anything in the near term that could cause some downward pressure? Thanks for your service..

Q: MAXR has been beaten up recently and justifiably so due to its expanding debt and poor earnings forecast. Lately they have been issuing a few press releases detailing new contracts, some from repeat customers. The contracts don't seem large enough to have a material impact on the company but they are good news none-the-less. The stock appeared to bounce on Friday up 3%. I am thinking of averaging down to my very long held position. The weighting would increase from 1.7% to 2% so I wouldn't be risking too much. Any comments or concerns?
Thanks,
Jim

Q: Fiera is paying the quarterly dividend on May 2nd. If they were on schedule, this would have been paid on March 15th. Just wondering if the gap in time is included in the May 2nd payment?

Q: I am low on industrials. Have RME 2.2, SIS 5.3, and WTE 2.8. What would you add to complement these three? I noticed the ticker for CERV is CVL on your coverage summary. Thanks!

Q: Hi, I have had this company for quite awhile and bought at 12.60 .
Is it a sell, or is it near the bottom,and hold on? I have only kept it this long because of the dividend. Or should i wait for Nafta to be settled?
If i sell what would you replace it with that pays 3+% dividend, in the same sector. I like to be payed while i wait with a little growth. Is New Flyer an option?
Thanks, Brad

Q: KXS had a media day yesterday, do you know if they did an update on the contract with Toyota? To me that is likely a "company maker" deal. I have been after them for an update (since the deal was announced two months ago) but their IR department seems to think that is some sort of "state secret" and just read off a scripted non answer that said absolutely nothing when I contacted them.

Do you by any chance have more information to share on the Toyota deal? Thanks.

Q: I assume that the recent weakness in TSGI is primarily due to the increased volatility in the US markets. But today they released a good NR as they prepare to launch into the second most populace nation on earth. Time to add to the position?

Thanks as always.

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Sugal & Damani Group and The Stars Group Inc. today announced that PokerStars.IN will be available to customers across a majority of Indian states beginning on April 17.

Sachiko Gaming Pvt Ltd, a Sugal & Damani Group company that focuses on games of skill, will operate PokerStars.IN with The Stars Group licensing its brand and providing certain support services.

PokerStars.IN will be available on desktop and mobile to a majority of the age-qualified, adult Indian population and will offer online poker to players in Indian Rupees in a number of skill game formats, including No-Limit Hold'em and Omaha variants. PokerStars.IN will also host localized versions of branded series and events, such as the Sunday Million and World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP).

"The popularity of poker in India is growing and we are excited to build the market with the support of the global leader in online poker," said Kamlesh Vijay, Chief Executive Officer of Sugal & Damani Group.

"Pokerstars has helped to make poker one of the most popular skill-based games in the world and we look forward to Sachiko Gaming introducing the brand into the Indian market," said Rafi Ashkenazi, Chief Executive Officer of The Stars Group.

PokerStars.IN will offer industry-leading responsible gaming, player protection and fraud detection mechanisms to help ensure the integrity of games and the safety of players. In line with local regulations, players residing in Indian states which do not permit participation in real money skill games will be prevented from playing.

Q: KXS was down about 5% over the last two
days. Does this have anything to do with their investor day yesterday? Thanks
Ed

Q: What is up with this stock? A record Q with a divvy raise rewarded with a new 52 week low. There must be a further reason than BEPort kind of woes? i.e. rising rates. Is it a buy?

Q: Your thoughts on TPK would appreciated, thank you.