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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: Read the latest report with great interest as it explained the operations of the company to me. It was a revelation to me that there is an argument that could be made that dealerships should be somewhat recession proof given that when new car sales decline, used sales and repairs should increase which shold maintain profitablility That does not seem to have happened with this company.

Given that repairs and financing activities are the most profitable area, is iss possible that ACQ has not proven adept at increasing this side of the business in a way that is better than most? It is one thing to acquire a dealership but it would seem to that the real signs of effective management are the synergies that develop due to the growth. I am thinking of a company like BOYD in this situation which has grown very well.

Are you able to break out how much profit each of their segments contributes? To me, these are the valuable metrics and profits have increased but I am left wondering why the stock has been hit so heavily. Is it because investors really don't understand the business model or is there an expectation that the profits from other lines be growing even more? I do appreciate new sales is a good "headline" number and those sales contribute to earnings but repairs should be a very solid profit gerneator.

Thanks for you insight.

Paul F.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on August 05, 2015
Q: The influential Barron's magazine wrote about this company recently with some specific concerns.
1. This is no longer a growth company. It deserves only a market multiple for a subprime lender which is 1X book value and not 1.5X which means a 35% lower stock price.
2. They have razor thin margin to protect against a possible downturn in the overheated Canadian housing market with salaries not rising.
If these concerns are valid. I have a feeling the bears will pile back in. What is your view? Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Francis on August 04, 2015
Q: Just read a moody's review of Amaya https://www.moodys.com/research/Moodys-affirms-Amayas-B1-first-lien-debt-rating-including-proposed--PR_331259. What is your view of the $550 million contingent payment, will they be able to pay this off with cash or will they have to raise equity?
Read Answer Asked by Rob on August 02, 2015
Q: Peter & Team, I took a half position in advance of the quarter report in light of chart strength and 5i's B+ rating. From the conference call, I can see a mis-step or two that are quarter specific, but I liked the positive growth. Would you add the other half here on this 8% pull back or have I missed this growth story and best to sell and move on? Is this still B+ rated and is the growth story still intact?
Thank you. Keith
Read Answer Asked by Keith on July 31, 2015
Q: Hi, could you please comment on CCL earnings released this morning. Looks like a nice beat with Adj EPS $2.12 ( Consensus $1.83). Is revenue $721 mln, a little lighter than expected? How is the Forex impacting their sales/margins? Is it a buy at current levels? Thanks
Read Answer Asked by rajeev on July 31, 2015
Q: What impact is FX gain having on AVO's revenue growth? Also, is any portion of revenue recurring?

Does the board approve of a strategy that solely focuses on revenue growth with no regard for profit because the market (common shareholders)appears to not be on side? My understanding is that the CEO has stated that revenue growth will be the primary motive WHILE still maintaining profitability. He seems to be ignoring one half of his commitment.

Carl
Read Answer Asked by Carl on July 31, 2015
Q: Are you planning an update on KBro in the near future? Does it still look good to you and would your concerns still be the same as last year?
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by steve on July 31, 2015
Q: I had planned to add to my holdings of MDA, I would like to move it from 3% to 5% of my portfolio. However I see it has dropped significantly today, and the recent chart looks like a waterfall. I would appreciate your recommendation - should I buy now on this dip or should I wait to see where it goes from here. Do you have any information regarding today's drop?
Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Dennis on July 31, 2015
Q: Just saw the Q2 earnings. Q2 top line looks a little light and adj EPS of $1.20 looks to be a big miss vs estimate $1.57 (I saw your response to a question on July 20 where you mentioned $1.57 estimated EPS). ROE looks to be back in the mid teens after the blip last year due to the lawsuit settlement which seems to be a good sign (if i calculated correctly). Your thoughts on the earnings?
Read Answer Asked by Richard on July 31, 2015
Q: Hi, Could you please comment on MDA earnings. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by rajeev on July 31, 2015
Q: This company: 4x debt to equity, all ratios (financial are aweful) so with all this what value is there in this company (NAV). If it sold to-day, what would be the fair market price?
Read Answer Asked by James on July 30, 2015