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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: Hi 5i,

FTG has had 2 good quarterly releases in a row now. Your last reply to a question re FTG (Oct 9) was just before they released Q3 numbers (Oct 10) (normally a quiet quarter).
Is there anything in their Q3 results to get excited about?
It looks like their transition activities for their last acquisition(s) is finally starting to contribute nicely.
Given the caveat that it is small cap, should one continue to watch this company (in this volatile market) or could one step in for a 1/3 position over the next 30-60 days (considering tax loss seasonality) given the lows of the stock price (down 38% YTD)?
There didn't seem to be much market reaction to the Q3 numbers but that could have been due to the market volatility ....or it simply went unnoticed.

Cheers,
Steve
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on November 01, 2018
Q: Hi 5i:
I've been struggling with what to do about some questionable decisions I've made over the last year or so and would greatly appreciate your advice.
Since we began handling our family RSPs 2 years ago the overall value has increased 58% (not including contributions) which we're pleased with. But that gain could be much better if not severely weighed down by Corus (4.5 % of portfolio & down 46%); Firan (2.7% of portfolio & down 43%); Freshii (2.3% of portfolio & down 51%); Extendicare (2.4% of portfolio & down 27%) and, more recently Transcontinental (6% of portfolio and down 18%).
I look at these and don't know what to do - hold or sell - and that indecision is creeping into the rest of my decision making to the extent that I'm pretty much doing nothing but letting the whole shebang sit where it is, which I don't think is a good investment strategy.
We have 6 years until conversion to RRIFs.
Could you tell me what you think would be my best next step for each of those listed above. If sensible to sell any or all and put the proceeds somewhere more useful I will, but before I take that step (and that loss) I could sure use objective advice as to whether that's the right thing to do on a case by case basis.
Thanks - your thoughts will be much appreciated. And if your answer requires more than 1 credit that's completely understood.
Peter
Read Answer Asked by Peter on October 09, 2018
Q: Hi 5i team,
What are your thoughts on FTG's recent earnings?
I see it is/was down 11% today (Thurs). Is this an over reaction?
Is it a good entry point for a 1/3 to 1/2 initial position?
How does it look going forward and is it simply that the results reflect the digestion of it's recent acquisition(s)? It seems to be getting some decent simulator component contracts.

Cheers.....
Steve
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on April 13, 2018
Q: Seasons Greetings 5i!!
I've done well on Firan Tech. over the last couple of years but it has stalled in 2017. I'm considering selling it and buying either TSGI or AVO for more growth. I'm concerned over which sectors I'm moving in or out of. Could I have your thoughts please?
Thanks
Dave
Read Answer Asked by Dave on December 13, 2017
Q: Hello Team, The above stocks are a basket of small cap tech stocks that seem to keep cropping up in various analysts BUY recommendations for this sector. Can you rank order the remaining stocks with respect to a Top Pick for 2018 in this small cap tech sector. Before you start are there any you would scratch from or add to the list? Particularly add, after all there is no point in commenting on my picks when 5iR's might be completely different. I apologize for once again presenting 5iR with these investor conundrums. However, it seems to me the Team always does a smooth job of skating through these dilemmas. Thanks Team. Chris
Read Answer Asked by Chris on December 12, 2017
Q: I am planning to get out of a full position in ZCL. I have partial positions in the other 4 above, thinking of topping up on 2 or 3 of them. Does this make sense and what would be your preference?? Thanks Jim
Read Answer Asked by jim on November 17, 2017
Q: Good Morning.

I have a small position in FTG and note from past news releases of the company that they are a supplier, either directly or indirectly to BBD.B. Trying to quantify what the impact of the US penalty on BBD might be on FTG. Any commentary you can offer would be appreciated.

Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Robert on October 02, 2017
Q: Good Morning.

Regarding Firan, they reported earnings of .01 vs est .06 They seem to be making good progress on building the business considering:

Achieved sales of $25.5M, an increase of 29% over Q2 2016
Grew Aerospace segment sales by 60% over Q2 last year
Grew Circuits segment sales by 17% over Q2 last year
Gross margins increased by $0.9M or 18% over Q2 last year
Closed the Teledyne PCT facility at the end of Q2

Q2 profitability impacted by the extension of Teledyne PCT operations and ongoing ramp up of activity of Chatsworth operations, which are expected to continue to ramp up through Q3

May I have your thoughts? Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Martin on July 18, 2017
Q: Hi Team,

I would like add a high risk/high reward micro cap stock to my portfolio, and would not be crushed at all if I lose a good chunk of my investment should the stock end up tanking.

All 3 of these stocks have had great runs, but I'm leaning toward rolling the dice on FLY. BUS seems the riskiest to me given the huge influx of orders and lack of a lengthy track record of being in business. FTG seems the least risky, but not sure if its growth rate would be comparable to the other 2 companies.

Which of these 3 do you think has the best growth potential for a long term hold? And what other speculative micro cap high growth names do you like right now?

Also, generally speaking, over a similar time frame (say 5 or 10 years) do you think it is easier for a micro cap company to increase its share price from $0.25 cents a share to $0.50 cents a share, vs. a larger company's ability to increase its share price from $25 to $50 a share?

Final question is what are the key metrics you guys look at when trying to evaluate micro caps that often aren't quite profitable yet?

(I understand if you dock me for a few questions here - its all good!)
Read Answer Asked by Jason on March 06, 2017
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