skip to content
  1. Home
  2. >
  3. Investment Q&A
You can view 3 more answers this month. Sign up for a free trial for unlimited access.

Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: I am looking to raise some cash - what 1 or perhaps 2 of the above stocks would be most suitable?
Thanks once again
RAM
Read Answer Asked by Ray on June 21, 2019
Q: Hi Peter, Ryan, and Team,

In the SYZ website, they list their various software solutions, and I notice that a lot are geared towards the public sector. With many governments adopting a "cutback" stance, both in Canada and the US, could this be one factor that's causing a drag on their share price? Unfortunately, our 0.8% weighting in SYZ was purchased close to its peak (at 13.49) and it's now trading at 11.10. Given my concerns about its product lineup, is it worth holding (in a TFSA) or is it time to move on? If a move is suggested, please list some possible alternatives in the same sector, both "aggressive", and "conservative". We already own these stocks in our combined portfolio, followed by their weightings:
CSU - 5.6%
ENGH - 2.6%
KXS - 1.1%
OTEX - 4.3%
XIT - 0.8% (we use XIT since it's commission-free with iTrade).

Thanks in advance for your valued advice.
Read Answer Asked by Jerry on June 12, 2019
Q: Good morning,
Yesterday, I submited this question and never received an answer. My question was "would you invest in one of these companies? if yes, which one? In which order would put them in investment preference?
I am a long term investor particularly in companies who increases their dividend. The four above have increase their dividend in at least the last 6 yrs.

Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Paul on June 11, 2019
Q: Could I get your thoughts/interpretation on latest news release from SYZ.
"Sylogist was not, at this time, selected for a master service agreement with the state of North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. To date, two larger organizations have been awarded agreements to compete in the North Carolina market once they pass a number of hurdles, including state compliance. The Department of Public instruction has, however, agreed to fund customer upgrades for the modern K12 certified solution. Given the lengthy process ahead for the new entrants' certification, testing and piloting of new system offerings, the timeline for selection and early implementation of replacement systems has been extended by 4 years or more from the original plan. The current plan leaves Sylogist with a much longer runway of continued support for its legacy system and funding for upgrades to its modern K12 system. The Company has adjusted the forward operating parameters in the business to address the current situation and these changes result in projected increased profitability over an extended period of time. On a financial basis the Company is very pleased with the developments in this market to date."
Read Answer Asked on May 29, 2019
Q: I have some cash to add to a small growth , non-registered portfolio, holding TSGI, SYz, COV . Looking at MCR or PHO . Would you recommend either of these or would you suggest an alternative. Or would you prefer just adding to one of the 3 existing ones.
Many thanks as always.
Read Answer Asked by Alexandra on May 15, 2019
Q: Hi Peter, Ryan, and Team,

In our combined portfolio (RRIF, RRSP, TFSAs, and non-registered account), we are underweight in Information Technology. 5i's latest recommendation for this sector's weighting is 15%, but we are at 13.4%.

We hold these stocks/ETF followed by their weighting:
CSU: 5.67%
ENGH: 2.38%
KXS: 1.09%
OTEX: 2.50%
SYZ: 0.92%
XIT: 0.91% (We use it to park cash as it's a commission-free ETF for us)

My wife has a preference for holding dividend payers (even a small dividend) in her RRSP. In her RRSP, she holds a 1.51 % position in CSU, and the full 2.38% of ENGH. In order to increase the IT weighting to 15%, she needs to invest $19,500. There is sufficient cash in her RRSP for this purchase. What course of action would you suggest? Should she top up her position in ENGH? Or should she start a new position in ET or OTEX?

Please deduct sufficient credits for this rather convoluted question. Your guidance is very valuable to us.

Read Answer Asked by Jerry on May 14, 2019
Q: I own the above companies with the following corresponding weighting:
2.6%;1.3%;2.2%;2.5%;2.7%;2.2%. I am looking at the possibility of doing some consolidating - what are your thoughts on consolidating? If I consolidate - what 1 or possibly 2 companies would you eliminate and what 1 or 2 companies would you add to?
Use as many of my questions as you need and thanks for your excellent service.
RAM
Read Answer Asked by Ray on May 14, 2019
Q: Would you be so kind as to provide your interpretation of Sylogist’s May 1 news release as it pertains to any possible positioning of the Company to merge or be acquired. Specifically, am I reading too much into the sections of the news release that talk about (1) senior executive contracts being negotiated to address …change of control provisions and (2) senior executive efforts will be focused on M&A activity to realize industry peer comparable value for our shareholders.
Read Answer Asked by Vincent on May 05, 2019
Q: Hi, Sylogist Board passed some important resolutions on May 1. Could you please help us understand its significance as an investor. Thanks

CALGARY, May 1, 2019 /CNW/ - Sylogist Ltd. (TSXV:SYZ.VN) ("Sylogist" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce the results of its Annual General and Special Meeting held on May 1, 2019 and the directors election of a chairman and committees for the ensuing year. In addition, the Company is pleased to announce the Board of Directors today approved a comprehensive plan to improve shareholder value through increased financial performance, M&A focus, enhanced board governance and accelerated growth initiatives.
Growth in Shareholder Value Initiatives:

- The Board directed management to complete a rigorous Company operational review, to target annual savings through workforce efficiency gains resulting in reduced annual costs of $1.8 million over historical costs. Much of the review conducted to date has focused on the impact of a mobile workforce. Today, over 80% of Sylogist's workforce has a mobile component to their employment. The impact of a mobile workforce reduces the need for fixed office space, administrative support, certain sales costs and travel time, while promoting a borderless workforce and improving employee work/life balance. Through the flexibility provided by a mobile workforce we are able to cover multiple time zone support and professional service commitments, with a more streamlined employee base. Functions, including software support, some software development, sales, investor relations and professional services, historically requiring extensive travel for face-to-face meetings, are now largely addressed with technology conferencing tools. This means we can now hire the most talented people who can be located where they want to live;

- A number of organic growth initiatives are commencing in the second half of fiscal 2019 with financial impact expected in the fiscal 2020 results. Projects previously noted include a new payroll platform and North Carolina education market opportunities:

- The Company is currently testing a pay-per-use payroll platform and will start rolling this service out to customers in Q3. Effective by the end of June, the payroll platform will be supplemented with an employee perks benefits system. The perks system provides employees with tax effective benefits that well exceed the employers' cost of the payroll system, making the economic advantage of selecting a pay-per-use platform an easy decision;

- Sylogist was not, at this time, selected for a master service agreement with the state of North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. To date, two larger organizations have been awarded agreements to compete in the North Carolina market once they pass a number of hurdles, including state compliance. The Department of Public instruction has, however, agreed to fund customer upgrades for the modern K12 certified solution. Given the lengthy process ahead for the new entrants' certification, testing and piloting of new system offerings, the timeline for selection and early implementation of replacement systems has been extended by 4 years or more from the original plan. The current plan leaves Sylogist with a much longer runway of continued support for its legacy system and funding for upgrades to its modern K12 system. The Company has adjusted the forward operating parameters in the business to address the current situation and these changes result in projected increased profitability over an extended period of time. On a financial basis the Company is very pleased with the developments in this market to date.

- Sylogist is pleased to announce the recent signing of a $3M (CAD) professional services contract to implement Sylogist's Navigator solution in multiple international locations for a large not-for-profit organization. Discussions are underway with the customer toward a meaningful increase in scope and duration of this contract.

- Senior executive efforts will be focused on M&A activity to realize industry peer comparable value for our shareholders.

The Company is pleased to announce it will be releasing its second quarter financial results before the market opening on May 15th, 2019.
Read Answer Asked by rajeev on May 05, 2019
Looking for more? Sign up for a FREE 14 day trial! No credit card required

We invite you to sign up for a 14 day free trial of 5i Research!
Experience all the benefits and tools we have to offer; stock research, model portfolios, Q&A with our experts, and so much more. Join a community of like-minded investors today!