Investment Q&A

Q: Can you please update your opinion on STM? Is it an "Ai company" and if so, why has it not taken off like many of the others? They seem to be focused on "edge ai" which may just be their branding or is it a different way of commercializing AI than what companies like Nvidia do? When I last asked about it in July you seemed somewhat constructive on the stock so I'm intrigued as to what it may be lacking or missing in the minds of investors to cause it to sit out the recent rally. Perhaps it isn't AI enough? Your recommendation on its worthiness as a buy or hold would be appreciated as well as clarification that it is or is not really an AI play and whether that matters to the investment case please.

Q: Please comment on the recent 2023 financials.
Do you think alv is worth holding, perhaps adding?

Thank you very much

Q: In answer to Pat's question on Mar 19 related to CDZ and the % in Financials and % in Telco's.

ZLB = 19% financials and 9% in telcos.

Also....use the 5iR chart and compare CDZ and ZLB. ZLB outperforms CDZ in the 3 yr, 5 yr and 10 yr timeframes by a wide margin and the charts are Total Return!!

I have held both CDZ and ZLB for years as a core conservative part of my portfolio....very little overlap in their holdings and both steady performers (although I admit ZLB is better).

Steve

Q: If you were expecting a bit of a market swoon and don't want to sit on cash what would you consider to be "defensive stocks" or "stocks that benefit" in downturns? I've tried options in the past with mixed (mostly not so good) results so that's not something I would like to do.

Thanks in advance-Dave

Q: EDGE AI - which stocks are aligned with EDGE AI? In your view, is this an important next step in the evolution of AI?

Q: Hi. I am trying to figure out how meaningful reported FFO numbers are for a company like Brookfield Renewable. When Brookfield invests in a solar panel project there is a large upfront cost that produces cash flow for a fixed period of time. If the solar panel project has a lifespan of 30 years, the FFO numbers would presumably be similar in year 1 versus year 29. However, the value of the asset would be much lower in year 29 than year 1. When looking at cash flow for a company like Brookfield how do you account for the finite lifespan of some of their investments?

Q: Bit confused over 5i responses given on WELL yesterday. 5i initially said results were good and it appeared from answer that there were no negatives. But stock was taking a big hit. Then new questions came in and you responded that there were some negatives (eg decrease in margins, net income and , cash flow). Obviously these are important as sellers stepped in and continue today so far. Usually 5i provide good insight but I think you guys dropped the ball on this one. The initial response should have hi-lited both the good and the bad. And whether the stock had a good run leading up to earnings shouldn't affect your response. Again, I stress usually you give full and fair insight and assessment but not this time.

Q: Hello,

If you had to chose between OWL vs ARCC, which would you chose. Thanks

Dave

Q: I read a piece In the G&M by Rosie on the weekend re: nuclear energy as a potential outperformer. It mentioned the above firms as potential investments. I did a little homework and of the Cdn firms, the only 1's I thought worth investing in were the ETF and ATRL. I was unfamiliar with the U.S. firms . Can you shed some light on them please? I do have positions in Hammond Power, SMCI & Vertiv, which I'm pleased with and am thinking of adding to. Thanks for any light you can shed on this for me to enhance an informed decision.

Q: Could you please provide your observations regarding VitalHub Corp.'s Q4 2023 results? Thank You

Q: Hi there,

Following reporting things are looking sketchy…do you have enough confidence in management to continue to HOLD….or?

Thanks!

Q: Hello Peter,
Can you please comment on Well health and knight's results? Also, what would be good entry point for Shopify? Thanks very much.

Q: As part of a growth oriented US$ portfolio, I have 1.5% positions in each of VRT and CELH . I now have some extra cash available from taking a bit of the very nice profit in my SMCI holding (thank you, 5i)
My plan was to increase one or both of those 1.5% positions with that cash, but I have also been considering a starter position in AXON. Your comments would be appreciated, and if you think Axon would be your preference, could you give a ballpark buy price.
Many thanks, as always.

Q: Do you think that NCI should be sold at this point as it is up so much after a long wait/ Please explain.

Q: Question is prompted by Recent acquisitions of small Canadian companies on foreign exchanges, e.g. Fusion Pharma. Do you have or know of a list of Canada based public firms listed only on ex-Canada exchanges? Trying to determine if this is universe to worthwhile exploring or at least be aware of...

Q: Is this why the sell off today decrease in the annual numbers comparables?

Adjusted Net Income(1) was $52.4 million, or $0.22 per share in 2023, a decrease of 2% as compared to Adjusted Net Income(1) of $53.7 million, or $0.24 per share in 2022.
Adjusted Free Cashflow was $42.4 million for 2023, a decrease of 13%, as compared to Adjusted Free Cashflow of $48.9 million for 2022. The decrease was mainly due to higher tax and interest payments offsetting the increase in shareholder's EBITDA.
Net Income was $16.6 million or $0.00 per share(2) in 2023, a decrease of 11% as compared to Net Income of $18.7 million or $0.00 per share in 2022.

Q: You recommended about a month ago the above stocks
Would you still purchase these and can you rank them in order of which to buy first?
ESTC seems to have fallen a lot- is it still a buy?
Thank you

Q: Hi there, any further insight into WELL after the conference call?

Are they being unduly punished for any particular reasons after good results, and if so, can you explain why the markets are pushing the stock down so hard?

I'm confused as to why this stock keeps being held down with such good growth over the past few years!

Any further help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Q: You responded to a March 21st question by Esther confirming that, in your view, Canadian rates are fully expected to drop faster, sooner than US interest rates - leaving a positive outlook for the US$ and stocks.

My question is in 2 parts;

- What are 3 interest sensitive Canadian investments would you recommend that take advantage of a faster/sooner drop in Canadian rates (and why they may be good investments), and

- Should one hold off on investing in US investments such as TLT short term, or not try too hard to time the buy and invest now?

Thanks as always.

Q: Hi -

It's usually enough to read the answers to other questions, but thought I would finally ask one. I am down on the three companies above. I am relatively new to investing and started in 2021 at all time highs. Being new to the stock market, it was interesting to watch some of my shares go down but for most part I am confident they are good long term and it is much more fun watching them go back up! I'm about 10 years away from retirement and for the most part plan to hold long term. Would you consider any of these a sell (PARA?), and add any of the following today...AVGO, HD, SBUX, AAPL. What would a few of your highest conviction US companies (any sector) be if not adding to those mentioned (already own MSFT, GOOGL,V). If considered a hold, I do have some cash to add or start a new position. I've been watching CROX, but just not purchased yet.

Thank you! Always enjoy reading the questions and monthly report updates.