Investment Q&A

Q: Its great when companies that are under short attack, such as LSPD and now also NVEI, post earnings in successive quarters to prove up their business and invalidate the short thesis. But why stop there? Why do these companies not take the opportunity to very aggressively buy back their own shares? Even if it requires adding some leverage to the balance sheet with cheap debt if needed. Reducing the float is good for earnings, good for existing shareholders and very bad for short sellers.

The passive response of Canadian companies under attack invites more attacks. Carl Ichan killed some very committed shorts in Herbalife, a truly garbage company, using more aggressive tactics.

Thanks.

Q: What price would you get in for Nvei? Many thanks

Q: Good Morning Peter & Team,

You are going to correct me where I am wrong as you should, but I am having a struggle understanding how a company such as NVEI can experience a 50% share value loss in less than 24 hours based on a report generated by a third party the contents of which may very well be exaggerated and dare I say it, even worse be false in nature purely for the purpose of profiteering on a short bet. Are there not laws in place to prevent this kind of market manipulation from taking place? How can investors such as ourselves protect ourselves from this? Maybe the first step is to avoid investing in stocks which have high multiples like NVEI @ 121? That doesn't seem to make sense considering other companies having much high multiples i.e. TSLA @ P/E 341

Thanks for all you do

gm

Q: Mr. Left of Citron is defending NUVEI by dismissing some of the claims about the CEO's college and driving records. But also adding NUVEI's financials were audited by Price Waterhouse Coopers, and he expects analysts and companies to defend NUVEI. Quote: Left Buys The Dip: After Wednesday’s crash, Left tweeted that he bought the dip in Nuvei. “Spruce report says word fraud 48 times..yet no proof of fraud. Easy to find cust. complaints on any company. Who cares if CEO did not graduate college or has a driving record,” Left said.

Left also pointed out that Nuvei’s financials have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers, an extremely reputable auditing firm.

He went on to praise the investigative work conducted by Spruce Point but said he is betting on PriceWaterhouseCooper’s audit over Spruce Point’s investigation.

Not sure what to make of one short seller opposing the short attack of another short seller. Any brief thoughts on this. If you cover this idea in other questions, ignore this one. Thanks

Q: Hi 5I
I have $180,000 split evenly amongst above companies in RRSP. I was going to begin withdrawing $10,000 every year and am looking for strategy to draw down to maximize growth of account. Is there a ranking of companies to sell first, or take a bit from each? I like them all so tough call for me. Appreciate all your advice since my initial membership in 5I.

Q: Can you comment on the big drop this morning

Q: Can you comment on any short covering in your small cap recommendations?

Q: Hi, My respected 5i team
Could you please recommend 5 solid names to buy in Canadian and US markets respectively when there is a market correction? Do you think it is a good time to buy them now during the current market drawdown?
Pls list the names in the order from your most favorite to the least. Thanks in advance!

Q: Greetings 5i team,
From the list of (diverse) companies can you please: 1. List them in the order in which you might start a position today and 2. List them in order of highest to lowest risk.
Thank you as always for your awesomeness (sp?)
SP

Q: Hello Peter,
I know both companies operate in difference space, one ecommerce, other more in payment space. However, can you compare the valuations of both as i am having hard time understanding how shopify continues to defy odds where as Nvei just dips daily even though it produced great numbers. Is it being dragged down by PayPal being in same space. I have a 5 percent position in Nvei. Do you think that is too much for this type of company. I am mostly thinking of a 3 to 5 year hold. Thanks very much

Q: These stocks have been on my radar for some time and they, except GSY and DSG, have dropped significantly. What price levels should I start accumulating them and in what sequence? Thank you.

Q: Fire sale - V - 13 month low; MA just as bad; along with the rest of these. Do you think the people selling them have knowledge that we do not have and that is why they are selling these stocks. What is your take on what is happening? Thanks

Q: What's the reason for today sudden drop of $12 per share, or about 8.7%? Any news behind that? Thanks.

Q: Hi Peter,

What is your brief overall take should the following stocks be part of one's investment portfolio?

High risk is tolerable and time horizon is greater than 5 years.

Thanks,

Thanks,

Q: Hi Peter,

In response to Robert’s question of Nov 10 regarding your thoughts on what folks will wish they had done before interest rates start going back up, you said “…we would reduce very expensive growth stock exposure…”

My 24 year-old has a concentrated, strongly growth-oriented TFSA (at least 10+ yr investment horizon). He’s comfortable in holding higher weightings and “letting the winners run” of those companies that seem to have “staying power”, recognizing that there will be inevitable periods of under performance in their stock performance from time to time (LSPD, for example) but that over the “long-term” they should produce attractive returns. The growth stocks that have done well for him so far include:

GSY (+434% return/16% portfolio weighting)
LSPD (+432%/9%)
KXS (+161%/15%)
TOI (+42%/12%)
HUT (+103%/6%)

He also has the following growth stocks that (so far) have been less than stellar:

AT (-39% return/4% portfolio weighting)
MAGT (-29%/3%)
NVEI (-10%/4%)
WELL (-1%/7%)

Which of the above would you consider “very expensive” and reduce exposure to, regardless of current weightings? In general, aside from personal risk tolerance/comfort levels, how do you determine by how much or to what level, you would reduce “very expensive” holdings to versus simply “letting the winners run” over the long-term? Which of the above stocks that are currently in the red would you reduce exposure to given this is a TFSA (no tax loss benefit if selling for possible later buy-back) - rather than riding out (potential opportunity cost) what is hopefully just the volatility inherent in growth stocks and a period of under-performance (of indeterminate length, admittedly) - assuming no changes in the investment thesis and fundamentals of these companies and the long-term investment horizon.

Thanks, as always, for your insightful help.

Q: Hello, I own equal amounts in ATD.B. DOL, WSP, TFII, ATA and NVEI. If you were to sell 2-4 and replace them with higher growth stocks like LSPD, GSY, BAM.A, or DND, without taking into account portfolio weighting, what would you do?

Thanks,

Q: Kindly comment of the NVEI Q3 results and forward guidance.

As well the "funny trading" pattern of being seen too often - a big jump in SP the day before release and then a sell off on the day of actual release. Could it be such information is leaked before hand? Or it's a case of too many shrewd investors these days know when to "buy on rumor and sell on news".

Q: Hello Peter,
I am assuming no credits will be taken off as this is a clarification on the answer.

Asked by Robert on November 09, 2021
5I RESEARCH ANSWER:
NVEI saw revenue increase 96% to $183.9 mln and EPS of $0.19. Analysts expected revenue of $178.9 ln and EPS of $0.39, so markets are likely a little unhappy with the EPS number here. Full year revenue view for NVEI was $717 mln to $723 mln, ahead of expectations of $703 mln. At a high level, we don't think results look too bad here. Total volume were up 88% and ecommerce was 83% of that total volume. Cash was at $288.7 mln as of Sep 30. Shares are down a bit today but they are up roughly 40% prior to the release and trade at a higher valuation, so some volatility would not be out of the ordinary.

Asked by Greg on November 09, 2021
5I RESEARCH ANSWER:
EPS of 42 cents beat estimates of 35 cents; sales of $184M beat estimates of $179M. Year sales guidance was raised to $717M to $723M, from $703M estimates. Revenue rose 96%. EBITDA rose 97%. Income more than doubled. Cash is $288M. The call has not yet started but these numbers look solid. The stock is up 1% pre-market.

The earlier answer provide net income per diluted share and the latter was adjusted. I am slightly confused. What is the actual answer ?

Are the estimates normally on diluted share or adjusted share as other answers you provided showed a beat on top and bottom line. Please clarify. Thanks very much.

Q: Hello,
I thought Nvei's results were very good. Why is the stock tumbling? Would you add at this time to Nuvei for full position of 5 percent? What are your thoughts on ATS automation and Trisura and Auto Canada for longer term? Also with big push on EVs, would it be a good time to buy NFI? Thank you for the service.

Q: Hi 5i
1. What is your opinion on PYPL earnings and future?

Does this company hold any/much interest to you..why/why not?
With the current drop in share price what would be decent entry point? Would you add to existing position,hold or exit?

2. With reference to a previous question on NUVEI, what would you consider good entry point for this stock given current price drop.

Thx
Jim