Investment Q&A

Q: Recently I asked a question about Crius "Where are the earnings?"

You replied on April 19th that "Crius made 44 million last year." I had hoped for something more detailed but I obviously should have asked a more detailed question.

To that end, Crius lost 74.9 million the year before (2015) although part of it was one time. If you combined the two years, the payout is hardly 60% of earnings.

My questions are:

1) Has Crius had positive earnings in years prior to 2016? I understand it's a relatively new company and a series of losses aren't that unusual.
2) I feel that you think Crius has turned a corner at this point and 2016 will be more typical than 2015. If so, could you explain your reasoning. I'm considering an investment.

Q: Can you explain what is Full Position ?

Q: The company is releasing earnings 2 months after the last release and not the usual 3 months. Is this a concern? Thank you.

Q: What is your opinion on long term hold of Broadridge Financial Solution (BR-N)

Q: Being only a few days from earnings release. Wouldn't CRH management be in the blackout period? Releasing a short report when management potentially cannot respond (not sure about this), would that not technically be a violation of the CFA ethics code of conduct under market manipulation? Would this not trigger some kind of review by the CSC or another regulator for taking advantage of the inopportune timing?

Q: With CRH down drastically two days in a row on two short reports, management has not made a response which leads me to believe these reports are probably true which will result in a poor earnings report. Shouldn't they have responded. Your opinion please. Thanks

Q: Peter: ARZ has gone through a significant drop over the last few months. On the RBC website Morningstar has it as "undervalued". What is your view for the future of this stock?
Have a great day... Joe Zadel

Q: Could you please comment on Condor Petroleum, I know Peter has commented on them many years ago.

Q: Thinking of adding a small cap with growth potential.
Would either CHH or NPC offer an opportunity in your view?
Many thanks
Wayne

Q: Hi Peter and Team,

Could you please comment below The Motley Fool's analysis about CRH.
"CRH made three acquisitions in 2016 for controlling interests of anesthesia companies with two of the acquisitions for 51% of the targets, and the third acquisition for approximately two-thirds of the business.
Because CRH now owns more than 50% of these companies, it is able to include 100% of the revenues and earnings from these firms on its balance sheet, boosting total earnings substantially while distributing only approximately half of the acquired value to shareholders.
On the bottom of the financial statements, we can see that net income “attributable to shareholders” was $10.6 million in 2016 and net income “attributable to non-controlling interests” was $5.5 million, meaning more than a third of the net income produced by CRH in 2016 is not attributable to shareholders of the company.
It is important to differentiate the two; looking at the financial statements from a high-level perspective, the numbers may seem impressive, and the growth rates often stated on press releases or in the media may make investors wonder why they didn’t pick this “growth gem;” however, the numbers used are clearly artificially inflated by more than one-third, and the overall indebtedness attributable to shareholders is more than one-third higher.
Shareholders who are not careful to take note of the adjustments may be disappointed when they understand that their overall equity as a percentage of the total company is actually shrinking.
The percentage of net income attributable to shareholders has been decreasing at an alarming rate due to the manner in which CRH is completing its acquisitions. As of Q4 2016, over 45% of the company’s quarterly net income was not attributable to shareholders, meaning in 2017 investors can expect to cut most of the numbers shown on the financial statements in half for the sake of accuracy."

Thanks

Q: How to catch a falling knife and when do you know it's hit the floor?

In your opinion, considering all the media, short attack pirates, and the massive volatility that have come to life so quickly. How would you play picking up CRH medical? I see technical levels at 7.99 for different measures as a resistance level. Or perhaps it would be prudent to spend time on the sidelines and watch this one. Or would it be best to watch the moves of institution buying as a sign of confidence for those who have done their homework vs. stop losses begetting further selling? I see this company as having a lot cleaner financials, so I don't feel too worried taking a small position at $8.00.

Q: I realize you guys have to be diplomatic, but the rationale that the shorts (different people in each case, by the way) were right on other stocks so they are probably right again is laughable. And it should be pointed out that just a month ago Motley Fool (not exactly the cream of the investment crop anyway) issued a very positive report on CRH.
http://www.fool.ca/2017/03/22/investors-forget-valeant-pharmaceuticals-intl-inc-check-out-crh-medical-corp-instead/

Thanks,

Alex

Q: Team,
Just like your thoughts on the listed stocks and which you would add ( in some order of preference) to an existing portfolio skewed to secure dividends and modest growth with a target 7-8% combined dividend and growth. Conversely is any one a definite NO.
Thx

Q: I'm dowm 18%. Should I fold my hand on this?

Q: What are your thoughts about these two companies?

Thank you

Q: Looking for growth in my TFSA among REIT'S. How would you rate this foursome.

Q: I know you like both of these companies, but which one would be your preference for a 2% position? I currently hold a 2% weighting in IPL.

Q: April 24/17 ? Asked by david:

Shorts right on cxr, vrx, any big loser:
All the above would have closed below their 200 day moving average at some point. Selling at that point would have eliminated any big loser.

Q: According to the TMX. Insiders at HCG bought more than 200 thousand shares on Friday, Does 5i see this from your sources ? Thx

Q: Can you elaborate on the nature of the continued selling. Are there any institutional blocks or is still primarily retail in your estimation? Thx