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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, Sounds like many of SYZ small investors like me (and other 5i members) are frustrated with its recent performance (perhaps the only CDN Tech stock with a price decline during 2019 -20%) and questioning the wisdom of continuing to own it. You are right, boring sometimes could be beautiful and we are in no rush to sell our holding, specially with a decent dividend coverage. But, what I wonder is that something strangely appears to have changed with the company/management's approach after recent changes in executive compensation structure. Insider buying has dried up and company stock buyback is non-existent, despite a steady decline in share price. This has also added to the lukewarm market sentiment towards the stock, in my view. What are your thoughts ? Thanks
Read Answer Asked by rajeev on January 13, 2020
Q: I am getting to an inflection point with Sylogist as my portfolio has grown but it has declined. I like to keep holdings at a 2% minimum so at this point do I sell or add to it? I am a long term investor. If the dividend is considered safe, I would consider adding new money and ride out the investor indifference although I know you generally don't like investing into a declining stock. I would consider this holding as higher risk within my portfolio but I would be comfortable staying with it as well.

Appreciate your insight.

Paul F.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on January 10, 2020
Q: I did a screen on "undervalued" companies with growing dividends. My aim is income and dividend growth. Possibly a DRIP if available. Which 2 companies would you choose and why?
Read Answer Asked by Jean-Bernard on January 06, 2020
Q: Good afternoon,
I would like your take (pros and cons) on the following please. I have owned Sylogist for some time, am comfortable with SYZ and familiar with it's trading pattern. The position is in my TFSA and after trimming at the top is still at these levels up approx 50% on the balance.
I am thinking of moving it into my cash account and with the current yield treating it like an income stock with some growth potential. I would also top it up SYZ to a 2.5% position.
I would then replace the value in my TFSA when making my 2020 contribution with the intent of purchasing a more “hopefully” growthy”stock.
I hope this is not too much like asking for personal advice.
Thank you for your input.
Brian
Read Answer Asked by Brian on December 16, 2019
Q: Tagged this question to SYZ but it could apply to any listed situation. I'm looking for some trader perspective.

SYZ is relatively illiquid, TSX Venture listed and spreads between bid & ask sometimes wide. Not certain but think the market maker is Haywood brokerage house #62. Normal Course Issuer Bid is in place and I believe BMO brokerage is conducting that.

Recently I looked at live quotes showing visible market depth. Bid was small volume at 9.59 and small (but larger) offered volume at 9.68

I entered a buy order with volume size that would have taken out all of the visible offered at 9.68 and a little more up to 9.69.

My unsolicited limit buy order completely filled. Price received was better than the limit order price entered and midway between visible bid/offer prices on market depth.

Live quotes for trade history did not print the sales at either the TSX site or on Canada Stockwatch live trade prints. I do not know who buying brokerage was.

Live quotes after the done trade still showed same bid/offer prices and sizes on the depth of market.

Detailed long-winded description. The question -- Can you provide some background color on how some trade prints show up immediately while others (ie. above description) seem to be invisible. Just curious and trying to understand the behind-the-scenes mechanics of trade stuff better.
Read Answer Asked by Richard on December 12, 2019
Q: I am reviewing all portfolios and have an investment in each of these. Please provide your thoughts on each company going forward... Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Bruce on December 09, 2019
Q: I would appreciate your thoughts on the prospects for each of the above. They have fallen below my 2.5% goal - should I consolidate? Hang in? Sell one and add to the other 2? Or ???
Thanks again
RAM
Read Answer Asked by Ray on December 03, 2019
Q: I’m struggling to decide which 3 of these holdings have the greatest potential if the only criteria was growth in a TFSA for a 5 year + hold.
I would appreciate any thoughts on which 3 you might keep and why (or which 3 you might divest and why).
Read Answer Asked by Stephen R. on November 11, 2019
Q: Hi, could you please explain the impact of proposed changes to Executive Compensation plan, announced today. How does, the one time cash payment of $12 mln to the two executives, in buying out comapany's contractual obligation under the currnet cash bonus plan, impact company's upcoming earnings, for Q1 of fiscal 2020? What is the purpose of issuing 1.825 mln stock options at current market price ? Does the new compensation structure incentivise Executives for improved stock performance, over time and thus benefit shareholders ? Do you expect a positive market reaction to the NR ? Stock has recently been drifting lower, even when market/technology shares have done well. Thanks so much for your valued insight.
Read Answer Asked by rajeev on October 16, 2019
Q: Each of these stocks make up between 2% and 2.5% of our portfolio. I have some cash to deploy and am thinking of adding to one of these. Which one, if any, would you see as a good choice at this time, and why?
Thanks once again for your valuable input. RAM
Read Answer Asked by Ray on October 07, 2019