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Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: These companies were both recently rated as a B, which seems odd. DSG has a long track record of superior earnings growth, consistent growth over many years, predictable earnings, better management, better management credibility, stable executive suite, a deeper executive suite, major barriers to entry, a niche business.... This is not to say that AVO is a bad company, just seems not be of the same quality level as DSG. Does the high DSG valuation supersede all of these other factors? Appreciate your comments.
Read Answer Asked by Joel on October 02, 2017
Q: per your latest addition to the balanced portfolio, I plan to add CAE to my portfolio. To do this, however, I need to sell one of my other tech stocks. which amongst KXS,CSU,GIB.a,DSG,ENGH,CLS,OTEX would you suggest to sell at this time. All have a 2% weighting.
thanks
Read Answer Asked by David on July 05, 2017
Q: My observation is that you don't generally view companies that grow quickly by acquisition as 'risky', whereas you often refer to debt and small capitalization as risk factors. Constellation Software, Alimentation, Parkland, Enghouse and of course Valeant come to mind as consolidators. I would appreciate your comments on the risks of growth-by-acquisition, and, what are the high-growth companies you recommend that rely on acquisitions for growth?
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Mike on June 05, 2017
Q: 5i Team,

How similar are these 2 companies? I have 2.5% positions in both (at a healthy profit - thank you).

Should I sell one? I own DSG in a cash account at +100% - hence have to pay cap gains, and KXS in my TFSA. I know KXS is a top pick of yours..

I'm fine with risk.

Thanks,
Read Answer Asked by Ray on May 29, 2017
Q: Can you rank the stocks best to worst in your opinion. These are the stock s that are in my technology sector (17% weighting). Would you add, swap or remove any of them? My portfolio holdings/thoughts are very similar to your BE Portfolio. Thank you and great job.
Read Answer Asked by Terry on May 16, 2017
Q: DSG (Descartes): FPE of 54, ROE low single digit, no dividend, EPS very small - seems very over valued to me. It looks like it has no debt.? I do not see an investment thesis here? Comments please. I usually do not buy companies that do not pay a dividend and grow it on a regular basis which to me shows confidence going forward. Looking for a diversifier. Own ABT, SIS & ZCL in small portions in TFSA.
Read Answer Asked by James on May 09, 2017
Q: I was recently reading an article about a somewhat prominent US investor who runs an extremely concentrated portfolio. I was rather startled to see that DSG was one of his choices. For example, FB was one of his other tech holdings. I would appreciate your thoughts about the long term future of DSG and why this stock may have been selected in preference to the numerous other tech possibilities. I believe the existence of a moat is a key criteria for this investor.
Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Peter on April 11, 2017
Q: How would you assess the prospects of these two companies over the next year or so? I am considering swapping them for Constellation Software. Would this be a good move?
Read Answer Asked by Roland on April 11, 2017
Q: Based on other responses you prefer OTEX over DSG when forced to choose. I understand one reason may be valuation, but please expand on your other reasons for that preference. For example, does OTEX have a better growth outlook. If one owned DSG currently but not OTEX would you sell DSG and buy OTEX. My preference is to own one or the other and trading commissions and taxes are not an issue. Thanks for your reply.
Read Answer Asked by Christopher on February 23, 2017
Q: Hi Peter and Team,

Thank you for all the great work that you put in. My daughter's RESP is doing quite well thanks to your model portfolios.

Currently in my TFSA, I am holding DSG, FTS, NFI and WPK. I would like to add a fifth stock to my portfolio. The time frame for the TFSA is 10+ years. Any suggestions to increase the diversification?

Thanks in advance.

Marvin
Read Answer Asked by Marvin on February 06, 2017
Q: Hello Peter,
I am currently underweight commodities and overweight technology. What would you think of selling DSG and ENGH and buying TOG and RRX? Do you think whatever incremental return expected by this change would justify the increase in volatility and risk?
Also, what are the approx wait times in terms of weeks for a portfolio review?
Regards.
Read Answer Asked by Rajiv on February 06, 2017