Investment Q&A

Q: Hi 5i,
I've owned WELL since the fall of 2020, have bought and sold along the way and I'm now left with a few thousand shares and a net loss of 24% in the name. To some extent due to optimistic forecasts from 5i I've thought that enough of a turnaround might be just around the corner to at least get back to even, and perhaps even make some money - but the longer nothing changes the more my optimism wanes. So, a few questions:
A fella on BNN the other day had VHI as a top pick. Are it and WELL competitors and do their respective addressable markets portend growth?,
If you had to choose one over the other now for a 3 year TFSA hold, which would you go with for some CDN healthcare exposure, and why?
Is there another name that you would choose over both of them?
Thanks 5i, I look forward to your thoughts.
Peter

Q: I know it's tricky to evaluate a potential pharma cancer treatment equity but what do you think about this one? It looks like they'll need to dilute massively soon which likely explains my current ~80% paper loss. It's in my TFSA (stupid move on my part as it turns out). Time to take my hit and move on or hope for a miracle?

Q: Your thoughts on this company. At what price would you consider it a speculative buy. Thanks

Q: Hi 5i Team - Could you provide an update on Intellia, its balance sheet including cash on hand for R&D and day-to-day expenses, as well as insider holdings. Could you also comment on its potential over the next couple of years including info on its third stage trials for new technology which targets mutated genes. It was a top pick on today's (Monday's) Market Call. Thanks.

Q: I own Shockwave, which popped following the news that they’re in talks with Johnson & Johnson to be acquired. I know Boston Scientific showed interest last year. There’s no offer yet and I’m not sure of the best course of action at this point. Is it realistic for the stock price to keep climbing? Any general guidance?

Q: what 3 metrics do you use to value ZTS? . please give the forward metric for each criteria versus the 3 year average metric thanks Richard

Q: Could you please compare and contrast CPH and VHI? Looking for key differences or attributes. Is one better than the other, or if starting a new position, would you just allocate funds 50/50?

Q: I own WELL and like its potential. One comment over the past few quarters that I've heard by analysts is that stock based compensation (SBC) keeps increasing and is concerning. For its growth profile, is WELL's SBC a concern to you guys? Obviously getting heavily diluted impacts us shareholders. Just wondering at what level this becomes a red flag. Thx

Q: Opinion Please? Might this be a way to play the weight loss drug trend? Do you have other healthcare suggestions?

Q: Hi 5i, thx again for prompt feedback on my WELL Q's.

Here are a few comments from TD and RBC analysts, both positive, followed by my new Q.

RBC: WELL Health Technologies is well-set to create value, but RBC analyst Douglas Miehm says the market doesn't appreciate it. After a strong 4Q that largely beat expectations, the stock fell about 10% following an unexpected 8% rise on Wednesday in anticipation of 4Q results. In a report, Miehm says that "the market is currently underappreciating the long-term value creation opportunity in "transforming Canadian primary/Dx care, as underscored by our strong forecasted return on invested capital and internal rate metrics for recent acquisitions." He says that there are multiple
tailwinds in Canadian patient services and in diagnostics services to carry it in the longer-term.


TD: WELL Health Technologies shares were down sharply despite reporting better-than-expected earnings in the fourth quarter, but TD Cowen analyst David Kwan says this could be chalked up simply to algorithm trading patterns after the previous day's gains. Shares were down nearly 13% on Thursday to C$3.71 after reporting higher 4Q profit, a revenue beat and upgraded its outlook for the year. On Wednesday, shares rose 8%, and Kwan said Thursday's swing could be trading patterns playing out. "This could be a case of more algo-driven trading patterns," he said.

My Q: please expand on how impactful these "algo-driven" trading patterns are on stocks, especially small caps. Thx.

Q: What do you think about ABCL? It has fallen a lot... and has lots of cash. Would you buy here? WHat are its growth prospects/metrics?

Q: Down another 17 cents or 4.4% early at 10am. Were basically at a 52 week low. Do you think there should be a time where the regulators look into the trading at some point. Even if there was nothing nefarious I believe they could change or evolve trading in this high tech, AI enviornment. I don't want the general population to develop a feeling deception like the media got branded "fake news".

Business wise during the conference, I don't understand creating shareholder value by possibly selling Wisp or CRH medical. How would they replace all that recurring revenue.

Thanks Steve

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: 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: 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: Here is another take on WELL:

Adjusted gross margin 43.7 % down from 51.3%

Adjusted net income $52.4 million down from
$ 53.7 million

Adjusted free cash flow $42.4 million down from $ 48.9 million.

I am in the camp of Warren Buffet and Charlie Munger who dismiss EBITDA. If you’re going to give a financial number before interest , for instance, you may as well exclude salaries ( or anything else for that matter ) as well.

I own WELL but will keep a closer eye on it. Please shot holes in my thoughts. Thanks. Derek

Q: Have you crossed paths with this name? Small biopharma company. The Company creates psychedelic-based therapeutics for mental health improvement.

Any thoughts?

Carl

Q: Well is down following earnings report. Your thoughts please.

Q: LMAT does seem to show up on your site. It "manufactures and distributes medical devices for the treatment of peripheral vascular disease". Thoughts on this company growth, competition, etc.? Thanks

Q: Please rank these healthcare stocks in terms of long term growth potential (5-10 years or more): EW, ISRG, IDXX, GEHC, ZTS, ABT, TMO, ATRI, GMED, INMD