Q: Like others I have been struggling with what is the real book cost I should use for the Topicus (TOI) shares I received as a spin-out from CSU.
My broker (RBC Direct Investing) shows it as 0.0001/share. Based on what I read here I tried to convince RBC to adjust it to $63.30 (Feb 2nd closing price) as suggested by Peter. RBC would not change it unless I fill out a form and provide proof that it should be $63.30.
So tonight I emailed Constellation Software this question. Within 30 minutes (at 8pm) I received a response from Jamal Baksh (CFO at CSU). He said:
“It is our assertion that the value of the business has been ascribed to the preferred shares and hence the value ascribed to the subordinated voting shares (“SVS”) is nominal (close to zero). The future growth of the business will result in the appreciation of the SVS. As described in the prospectus the preferred shares will get converted to SVS at which time the SVS will reflect the full value of the business.
I’ve attached a copy of the bulletin from CDS which shows the cost at C$0.00015641/share.
Note that you are better off from a tax perspective having a nominal dividend and a larger capital gain.”
The attachment he sent says this:
“06JAN2021
UPDATE: FAIR MARKET VALUE
CDS has been advised by the agent of an update to the FMV per subordinate voting share as follows:
CAD 0.00015641 based on 0.0001 EUR converted to CAD at 1.5641
CDS will credit participants with the shares upon receipt from the agent.”
I do have the subordinate voting shares (SVS) of TOI. So I guess I really have a 69 million % unrealized capital gain on these shares. Looks great on paper.
Paul
My broker (RBC Direct Investing) shows it as 0.0001/share. Based on what I read here I tried to convince RBC to adjust it to $63.30 (Feb 2nd closing price) as suggested by Peter. RBC would not change it unless I fill out a form and provide proof that it should be $63.30.
So tonight I emailed Constellation Software this question. Within 30 minutes (at 8pm) I received a response from Jamal Baksh (CFO at CSU). He said:
“It is our assertion that the value of the business has been ascribed to the preferred shares and hence the value ascribed to the subordinated voting shares (“SVS”) is nominal (close to zero). The future growth of the business will result in the appreciation of the SVS. As described in the prospectus the preferred shares will get converted to SVS at which time the SVS will reflect the full value of the business.
I’ve attached a copy of the bulletin from CDS which shows the cost at C$0.00015641/share.
Note that you are better off from a tax perspective having a nominal dividend and a larger capital gain.”
The attachment he sent says this:
“06JAN2021
UPDATE: FAIR MARKET VALUE
CDS has been advised by the agent of an update to the FMV per subordinate voting share as follows:
CAD 0.00015641 based on 0.0001 EUR converted to CAD at 1.5641
CDS will credit participants with the shares upon receipt from the agent.”
I do have the subordinate voting shares (SVS) of TOI. So I guess I really have a 69 million % unrealized capital gain on these shares. Looks great on paper.
Paul