Investment Q&A

Q: Hello 5i team,
I greatly enjoyed your report on Covid 19 and investment themes. I have a pretty good idea as to 10 to 20 names of stocks that could fit into those themes.
Could you name just 10; I'd be curious to see how close I am.
Thanks,
Antoine

Q: Between these 3 stocks which one would you have the most faith in and in what order would you rate them. Volatility is not an issue for me and I'm looking at a 5 plus year time frame.

Q: Hello 5i Team,
Thank you for all your guidance throughout this type of market. I'm sure all the Canadians are greatly appreciating your impeccable work for us DIY investors.

If you have ~$20k of cash today and your goal is to appreciate this into a much larger amount not too long after coming out of the other side of this market (i.e. after a recession), which 10-15 Canadian equities would you go after with a good sector diversification?

Since I am younger and my nest egg is still small, I'm not too concerned or rely on dividends. I'd much rather have stocks whose valuations may appreciate greatly rather than going for the slow and steady dividend aristocrats and blue-chips.

I have been eyeing the large discounts on Canadian equities such as the following: AC, CAE, SLF, GSY, LSPD, PLC, GIL.

Q: Hello 5i,

Imagine that you already have a diversified portfolio you are happy with and plan to keep intact with no changes over a 10+ year investment horizon.

Now, you've watched the recent few months of meltdown sitting with $50,000 of cash that you're considering putting to work, representing maybe 6-7% of your total overall portfolio value/net worth.

Give absolutely no consideration to sector/position weightings, geography (CDN or US or gloabl), or risk tolerance. The only consideration is a 10+ year time frame. You're investing in things for the long term. No trading.

Imagine this was YOUR $50,000. You show up to the office on Monday, April 13. What do you buy today, if anything?

Thanks for all your advice. Read the questions daily. Your takes on this current meltdown I have found to be quite insightful and of far more value than most financial news out there. For this alone I consider my subscription to be money well spent.

Keep yourselves and your families safe!

Ryan

Q: Hi

I know you have recommended this in the past based on valuation and it has recently rebounded almost 100% off the lows.

As someone with a 5 year+ time horizon, but concerned about capital preservation, is this a good place to be right now

My concern is that if people are struggling to pay bills, rent, buy food, these loans will fall first.

A secondary concern given the present environment is government intervention to reduce the interest rates GSY can charge which would fundamentally impact the business.

Thoughts?

Q: I hold both of these and believe they are in somewhat of the same business, and while both have only recovered to approx 1/2 of their previous highs before the virus problems, GSY has recovered substantially better in the last few days. Is there a problem with HCG or just a lagger at this point???

Many thanks for all your good advise
Ken

Q: Happy Easter. I have only been subscribed to your service 3 weeks and I already know it will be invaluable- thank you. I have started 1/2 postions in all 4 of these companies as per your recommendations. I have a 5yr plus time horizon and I am very comfortable with volatility. What I am struggling with is in how to approach taking larger positions in all four, when I suspect they will report in very different fashiosn over this quarter, the second and third quarter, and maybe several more. From reading your responses to the questions, GSY could report just fine and continue showing ok results. LSD will likely look so-so for a few quarters but has some recurring revenue. Finally, DOO and GC will likely look terrible for several quarters with poor boat/ATV sales and nobody sitting at a poker table in a big room with others. If I am a long term investor do I just dive into full positions in all of them in what could be great valuations 5 years from now? Do I approach the four companies differently? I understand your comments on slowly entering into this market because it may have dips over the next 1/2 year and they could be lower, but if i am looking 5 years out do I care, not wanting to chase if we proceed slowly up from here? Thanks in advance.

Q: Hi Guys, looking to buy some partial positions on the following stocks, I own banks and telecoms plus SHOP and LSPD and a few others, would like your opinion with this 10 pack and do you see any issues with any these companies going forward.
Thanks for your great service
Anthony

Q: What would be your top stock picks for the best returns over the next 2 years? US & CDN.

Q: Hi 5i team,

Can you please provide your outlook on Go easy? The valuation looks attractive but I am worried that their provision may rise. Are all of their loan secured? Also, government has asking Credit Card company to reduce the interest rate, will their margin being impact as well?

Thank you,

Q: Given the current environment, which do you foresee having a good recovery from today's lows. How would you rank these companies listed to purchase today to deploy some cash. Which would you rank this list for risk from high to low. (not considering sector allocation.
Do you have any other recommendations outside of this list that you think might have more potential?

Q: Hi Peter & Ryan

This is just a comment but please feel free to deduct a question credit.

During difficult market times we send you questions so that we dont feel alone when markets are crashing. It's the time we need some "emotional support" and the Q & A provides just that for me.

Thank you kindly to you both for helping me navigate during these turbulent times. I bought GSY and I held even though it dropped after that.My cost was still in the region of about $28. I was tempted to sell when it dropped further but found solace in your answers to the stock. I am glad that its today up over 25%.... I can't thank you guys enough for providing me with the confidence to hang on to my positions and to cease opportunities during crazy market swings.

Once again, thank you and much appreciated.
Sincerely,

Q: goeasy just put out a shareholder update, it seems very positive.
can you comment
dave

Q: You have been very bullish on GSY, and even continue to recommend it highly. I currently hold 1.6% of my portfolio in GSY (down 50%) and am keen to add more given your strong feelings. However, I also note that you recently mentioned it has negative cash flow...can you expand on this, how they manage this, and how one can still be bullish on a high-growth company with negative cash flow? I'm also showing debt at ~ 2x market cap with a 6.5% dividend? The market thinks this is all unsustainable, convince me otherwise please!

Cam

Q: would any of SHOP GSY or CSU be suitable for a RRIF ? or should they be in a TFSA ?

Thanks

Q: Hi there,

GSY has been brutally beaten down. Is it worth stepping into at $32? If one had no position in it, would you recommend a full position here, quarters, thirds? How would you proceed with buying it here?

Thanks!

Q: I’m struggling with why you would think GSY would do well in a recession. They serve sub prime customers with very little discretionary disposable income. Wouldn’t you expect these customers to be most impacted by unemployment, lost wages etc which would then drive late payments and then eventually loan losses. Initially I would expect GSY would take a similar approach to banks by deferring payments for customers to limit losses but eventually they will need to take them. New business will be impacted with branch closures, not to mention their leasing business, historically the reliable cash cow will be impacted as well without the foot traffic. Given the adjustment that big banks have taken to their stock prices over the last 3 weeks. GSYs massive drop looks warranted to me.

Q: Thanks for all you are doing during this turmoil. Your steadying voice is reassuring, at least to these ears.

Would you swap out a holding in ECN for an equal holding of GSY at this point?

Appreciate your insight.

Paul F.

Q: Hi,
Much like LSPD in my previous question, I didn't ever except to see GSY down from $80 to $21. I took a small portion in GSY at around $27.60.

I read other comments on GSY , but just thought if you had anything new to say, it would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Q: Is there any company specific reason why GSY is down 27% today (so far) after major falls in price over the previous few days. Is this a serious buy opportunity?