Investment Q&A

Q: Constellation reports in approx. 3 weeks - TD WebBroker shows an estimate of $10.13 on 4 analysts, down from 7 last year, whereas 5i (using Bloomberg?) shows $12.82 on 2 analysts, if I read and interpret correctly.

How do the analyst numbers normally work - as the date approaches more of them weigh in and the different services come closer to dovetailing the actual earnings or...? Please explain the present discrepancy with TD & 5i. Evidently TD casts its net wider in the analyst poll so would you say 5i uses analysts with a better proven track record?

Q: Does CSU maintain an economic interest in Topicus? Based on my review of the final long form prospectus for Topicus and insider reporting it looks like CSU holds voting control and a significant number of pref shares in Topicus. What I'm trying to confirm is whether I need to buy Topicus to obtain exposure to its growth or whether as a CSU holder I will already have some exposure.

Q: Roll-up companies can be amazing wealth compounders over time (CSU and BYD, for example). Do you have any tips on how to spot a good roll-up oriented company during the early stages of their development? Were there any specific catalysts or metrics you looked for when initiating coverage of CSU and BYD?

Two examples of roll-up companies I am looking into are PHA and NLH, which operate in the health care space. I know these two companies are probably too small for 5i to cover currently (but CSU and BYD were also small once-upon-a-time), but I am wondering what I should look out for when evaluating these two companies.

Q: I hold below 13 technology stocks - it is about 30% of my portfolio. My target is to reduce it to 20% If I need to sell or reduce which one would you recommend to sell and in what order. Are all 13 stocks consider as technology.

Currently - MiTK, CRM & PLTR in a loss. Rest everyone is in profit. No concern about capital gain or loss.

Nuvei Corporation Subordinate Voting Shares NVEI (1.31%)
CONSTELLATION SOFTWARE INC CSU (2.64%)
Topicus.Com Inc TOI (0.55%)
Fastly Inc. Class A FSLY (1.42%)
BlackLine Inc BL (3.49%)
Lightspeed POS Inc. Subordinate Voting Shares LSPD (5%)
Mitek Systems Inc MITK (1.52%)
Square SQ (2.42%)
Dye & Durham Limited DND (3.32%)
Salesforce CRM (2.22%)
Telos Corp TLS (1.72%)
PALANTIR TECHS INC CL-A PLTR (2.73%)
DESCARTES SYSTEMS GROUP DSG (3.57%)

ProShares Online Retail Index ETF - ONLN (3.89%) - Is this consider as technology or Consumer Cyclical.

Thanks for the great service.

Q: CSU seems to be an excellent company in terms of revenue growth through M&A, but there seems to be no organic revenue growth (even negative sometimes). Is there any concern about how sustainable their acquisition strategy is without organic growth of the companies they acquire.

Q: At one time I owned CSU (bought at $110 and sold at $600) and regretted the decision ever since. The money was needed for a real estate purchase in Toronto. I purchased SHOP at $40 and I have not sold any shares. I was considering selling 50% of my SHOP and buying CSU for a long term hold.
Many thanks for your comments.
Clayton

Q: TD WebBroker assigns a negative $1.93 capital cost of TOI shares from the spinout resulting in a potential capital gain in a cash account greater than the current value of the shares - is this possible?

According to the CSU - CFO the preferred shares, which I believe CSU holds, will be merged with our SVS shares in future at which time the SVS shares will reflect the full value of the business. When will the merger take place? Does this mean our present share value reflects only future growth and could a bump be expected on the merger? Market cap shows as either $3BB or $6BB depending on where you look and does this number therefore reflect the total value with the pfd. shares? Share volume of 40K seems pretty light for an outfit this size, agreed?

Q: Need to add one of the above tech stocks to a TFSA. Only room for one. Suggestions as to which one should be added. Long term hold. Thanks

Q: Any idea when they report 1st q earnings?

Q: Hi
Reading into your answer a while back that TOI could be compared as a mini CSU. Could one assume then that TOI has a better growth potential long term?
I'm considering switching my CSU shares over to TOI.
Thanks
Jeff

Q: Hello 5i Team,
I recently listened to "The Outsiders: Eight Unconventional CEO's". I quite enjoyed it. However, it was written almost 10 years ago; so I'm wondering who are the Outsiders for the next 10 years?

Thank you,
Brent

Q: Hi 5i team,

Any thoughts on how far this trend of selling tech or renewables will continue? Looks like NASDAQ is now negative ytd with many of your Canadian techs down 20+ percent ytd.

When would you seriously start putting floor bids on the favs like CSU, KXS, LSPD, WELL, REAL, SCR, and XBC? If you could put in dollar amts for each it would also be great.

Thx

Q: As a result of having CSU I acquired TOI.CA. shares. I was thinking of selling 20% of CSU and adding to TOI.CA Don't have new money to add to TOI. Thoughts ?

Q: In my Tfsa I hold 25 shs of Csu and 125 shs of Toi for conservative growth over 5 to 10 years
I plan to invest any excess cash into Toi
What % in Tou would you recommend in relation to Csu?

Q: For New money to initiate positions which 5 stocks in each of the portfolios would you recommend investing. On a related note, is there a reason you don’t put buy or hold or buy up to prices in any of the portfolios, or is your stance if it is in there it is a buy regardless of how much a stock may have run up since it was originally recommended.

Q: Since CSU and Topicus are somewhat similar, the latter with a European focus, would you think it to be able to take the same path to growth that CSU took years ago? In other words, do you look at TOI as being a mini-CSU with (hopefully) a similar story of acquisitions and long term success? Lastly, is Management of TOI considered "top notch"? Thanks as always!

Q: Can you please describe what these companies do exactly and explain?

Q: Is Topicus not cheaper on a p/s and p/e basis than Constellation? And if my calculations are correct, does it not have more cash flow to buy companies, relative to the market cap of the two? Thanks.

Q: I have all three currently in a taxable account and about to transfer something into a TFSA. Would you have any preference over these three great companies at the moment for that?
thanks

Q: I am thinking of adding to my holdings of CSU. It has done very well for me so far. Is this still a good level to buy at?

Thanks,
Doug