Investment Q&A

Q: With goeasy’s stock under intense pressure, I’m looking at the ownership structure: David Ingram and Don Johnson control more than a fifth of the company and have been through multiple credit cycles as long-term holders. Given Don Johnson’s reputation for financial acumen and his deep roots in the industry, is it fair to interpret their lack of selling as a signal that the underlying book value remains intact? Or do you believe the LendCare charge-offs represent a structural shift that even veteran insider conviction can't offset?

Q: Not a question but rather an observation: please don’t knock down legal regulated businesses that lend to people that can’t get loans like people with assets. I can get an interest rate that the poor people can only dream about.
Otherwise they would have to borrow from loan sharks in the underground economy.

I get enormous benefits from credit cards points but that is really on the backs of less well to do cc users.

One very well known head of state always was treated like a VIP by most banks. Was that justified? Look where that got us.

Q: between the 2 credit card companies, which is presently the better buy. my metric is present dividend yield compared to
5yr low, 5yr high, 5yr median and
10yr low, 10yr high and 10yr median.
Please provide me those numbers.
Do you have an opinion about a different or more insightful metric to consider?

Q: Hello 5I team: Caught between a rock and a hard place with this one Feel I should have know better than to hang on so long.Now at 34$ am down 70% .So if I sell their will not be much capital left to make up for this loss any time soon.Do you feel this company will come back and a hold makes any sense in this context. Thanks Larry

Q: Long time holder of ONEX. The 10 year chart is less then inspiring, could I get your opinion of this company. Continue to hold or move on? Thanks Ron

Q: For investors already active in US names, would you endorse continuing to hold GLXY into and after the TSX de-listing? Or, for example, do you feel there are more compelling names in the US crypto space to consider for a portfolio?

Q: Just a thought, I looked at buying this years ago but didn't because it seemed to be making profits with borrowers who could not afford the loans received. Nothing illegal but not not necessarily ethical.
If a company operates in this market the leadership may at times stretch the ethical and legal limits of governance.

Q: Hi!
Warts and all, please suggest a share price for goeasy that is compelling....2-3 year hold.
Cheers,
David

Q: This is not a question, have watched what has happened with GSY over last few days and very sad to see it, I owned it since March of 2020 and was very happy with it performance, sold about half a couple years ago at over $150, was a little worried with what was happening in early to mid-Jan., this year so sold remainder Jan 20th, so happy I didn't get caught up in this situation, fell sorry for all the retail investors that have now been.

Q: Sorry another Go Easy question.

What will Go Easy’s future borrowing costs be going forward? My understanding is that they issue bonds for longer term borrowing and have a syndicate of banks for short term credit. Will this kill any prospects for recovery once the bad debts work their way through the system?

Q: Thoughts on the quarter please?

Thx

Q: Where do you see support for Brookfield Corp.?It has been incredibly weak …For a normal weighted position would you be a buyer or seller here?

Q: Would you continue to hold this stock in a US$ account(TFSA)? I recall that you once stated that this stock could be a 10 bagger given time?

Q: Crystal ball time, do you think the bottom is getting close for BAM ? Thinking about it for a 20 year hold in a TFSA ?
Thanks for all you do for the retail investor.
Steve

Q: Would you buy GSY today? Assume you have a 5 year window for growth before retirement.

Q: Hi Team,
After selling gsy into yesterday’s bad news…any suggestions on where investors like me should invest to “get our money back”? Tough question …would need a double. I did put some funds into Tri yesterday on the dip. If Tri gets back to old highs at some point that would be a double. Is this a fair bet? Any other suggestions ? Tough question I know and realize can’t tell the future but looking for best bets here for names that might potentially produce a double over the next couple years or so?

On a side note regarding gsy…very disappointed in the company that I was holding a high position in for a long time. It seems to be lendcare was a bad acquisition. And now looking in that short report seems 100% correct …even down to the exact 300million range of charge offs. It’s also obvious in my opinion that it’s likely why Mullen left, and shortly after the new ceo. I don’t believe health reasons as cited was the issue. Same can be said for the ceo. I assume these guys knowing and not reporting to investors until now is a crime or no ? Any chance of getting any money back in likely upcoming lawsuits? I know …doubtful ; This was a tough pill to swallow as I lost 45k on this dip. Was probably holding more than I should have. This was a gut moving event for me and my family.

Thanks

Shane

Q: Hi 5i, and always appreciate getting independent opinion.

My understanding is BN is a large 135B market cap company with about 100B revenue. I also understand they have about 100B line of credit to use on acquisitions/funding of large scale infrastructure - (which they have a history of doing well).

I like to buy cheap and wait. Its always easier to destroy than create/build, and considering Ukraine and Middle East infrastructure devastation not to mention new technology builds related directly and indirectly to AI, I can't help but believe the future is very bright for BN business long term.

I want to take advantage of the current weakness, but Brookfield is already 8% overall. Mostly BN, but some BIPC, and BAM. I'm looking for overall return long term.

My question - if it were you, would you consider allowing BN to represent a higher % of your portfolio because of its size and diversification of business? or would you have a hard stop on size of any single equity regardless of its apparent merits.

Thanks a ton!

Glenn

Q: IFC: bought in 2016 - 1000 shares at $84.50. It is down a fair bit over the last year. WHY?
Hold? Add to?

Q: You once wrote "The insurance industry tends to perform well in bear markets or stagnant markets (risk-off environments), as they have durable business models with predictable earnings. We like having exposure to the industry as a form of 'insurance' for those unpredictable times when the broader markets soften." My question is around why MMC is performing so poorly, and is this a buying opportunity?

Q: I presume a 331 Million dollar charge-off seriously threatens the prospects for growth : I believe the company is only worth $550 Million. `
Still, 5i gives it a C+ . dunno why .
Although I have previously lost 100% in an investment before (GTAT) , this is the worst hit dollar wise that I have ever incurred .
By the chart, I presume some investors had an advance hint of this and 50% of my holdings were in my TFSA .

I expect GSY's price to be plunging down again tomorrow ... Is it advisable to sell one's entire position ?