Investment Q&A

Q: hi 5i Research team,
can you explain why Altus shares are trading around 48$ after its recent substantial issuer bid has only taken up and paid for 2,855,696 of its common shares at a price of C$57.00 per Share (total paid < 163 M). Under its substantial issuer bid, it was allowed to repurchase for cancellation a number of its Shares for an aggregate purchase price not to exceed C$350 millions at a price from 51$ to 57$. I thought that following its successful SIB, AIF shares would trade around a floor « created » by its SIB price. Also, can you explain why AIF has been willing to pay 57$ a few weeks ago, and now, it is not willing to buy back shares at a lower price with the unused cash (350 - 163 = 187 millions) still siting in its bank account? What am I missing? Should management reconsider selling the whole company? Thank you for your collaboration, Eric

Q: What is your updated opinion now after their unveiling of the value creation plan and substantial issuer bid? Worth holding for now?

Q: Can you provide an update on AIF.

Q: Hello 5i,
What could be the purpose of scheduling an “investor day” on november 20th, with AIF in an official strategic review process? Note that this is only the 2nd time (to my knowledge) that AIF is doing such a “investor day” during the past 10 years (the other was in 2021). According to you, does it decrease your estimation of the probability of a sale of the whole company? The stock did not move today on this announcement. Thank you

Q: Hello 5i team, could you comment on the news about AIF. Were you expecting this end game? At this juncture, after selling a subsidiary last year? Who could be potential buyers? Brookfield? What range of price would you expect for a privatization? How long do you expect it will take to have news about a formal takeover over offer based on Tuesday’s news that the process has already begun? What is the probability that the current process initiated by the company will conclude on the sale of the company? Thank you for your collaboration

Q: Good morning 5i team

Altus receives little attention from your subscribers. Its share price has increased after the sale of its property tax business, debt pay down, and share re-purchase.
I am trying to decide if their shares represent a solid opportunity to now buy.

Several questions please.

Does 5i view Altus as having meaningful competitive advantage versus peers in providing CRE intelligence services?

Does 5i view Altus as a 'wide, narrow or no moat' company?

Does 5i feel that Altus has a significant runway to gain market share, grow revenue and profit in the CRE market over the next few years?

And finally, would 5i recommend buying Altus shares now, or perhaps wait for a pullback?

Thank you.

Edward

Q: I am thinking of starting a position in ATD, given its current weakness, as I am underweight consumer discretionary. As usual it is also difficult to know what to sell, but I am thinking of selling one or two of my small cap technology stocks, namely AIF and SYZ. Selling one would give me a half position in ATD and selling both would give me a full position. There are no capital gains implications as the stocks are in my TFSA. With regard to quality of the companies and their growth prospects, would you advise me to make this trade? If so, which of AIF and SYZ would you sell or would you sell both?

Q: Your comments please on recent M&A announcement to sell its global property tax business for $700M.

Do you like the sector right now? Please rank AIF, CIGI, APPF, CBRE in order of preference. Thanks!

Q: You recently said that trimming the weeds in a portfolio is something to believe in. Is SYZ a weed? I have held this stock for more than ten years and 5i's coverage of it was one of the reasons for my original subscription. I like the unique sector SYZ operates in and its growth potential, but I am losing patience and wondering if it is time to move on. If I sold SYZ I would add to my other Canadian software holdings, namely OTEX, ENGH, TCS and AIF, but I hesitate because SYZ provides diversification and may yet turn around. As always, I welcome your insight.

Q: Please analyze this one. I'm in the lucky position, having it long enough, that I'm still decently positive but questioning it's future. Worth holding for awhile or moving on? Thank you.

Q: Your comments please regarding Altus Group Ltd.
Thanks.

Q: Can please comment on their Q2 2023 financial results? Stock popped on the news even though revenue, EBIDTA, EPS were all down y/y. Why?

Q: At today’s prices, which of ILLM and AIF would you prefer as a long term investment for quality and growth?

Q: I have a question about Altus Group Limited. In February 2022 you said “we think it is attractive in the low $50s.”. Is it even more attractive now it’s in the low $40s? If not, why not?

Q: I use my TFSA to buy and hold low-debt, cash flow positive, technology companies with good long-term growth prospects. My TFSA holdings (ENGH, OTEX, SYZ, TCS, AIF, REAL and AT, ranked by weight) total about 8% of my overall portfolio. My holdings in AT and REAL have fallen to about 1% of my overall portfolio, because of their poor performance, versus 2.5% average holding for each stock in the overall portfolio. I am considering the following options:

1. Keep both AT and REAL for a long term (10+ year) hold (i.e. do nothing)
2. Sell one and consolidate into the other for a long term hold (but which one to keep?)
3. Sell both and consolidate into my other TFSA holdings (which one(s)?)

I would welcome your thoughts with respect to each option, given there is no tax loss selling benefit in a TFSA. Thanks!

Q: Altus has been picking up steam lately and I am considering adding to my small holding. Do you suggest this is a good time seeing that there is some upward growth and the new CEO is relatively established? Or is there still significant risks?

Q: These six companies comprise my “Small Cap Canadian Technology” holdings. As I like their long term prospects, I am content to hold all of them for their recovery potential over the next few years. However, I would like a second opinion from you: would you agree they are all good companies worth holding, or would you switch any of them out for better quality names? If so, what would be your suggested replacements and why?

Q: What are your thoughts on ceo departure.

Q: Why the big drop? What is an attractive level to enter this one or just stay away?

Q: All five are poised for future growth via acquisitions and organic growth. I don't have a position in any. How would you rank them if you had new money to put to work for buy and hold for next 5 years for the growth part of my portfolio.