skip to content
  1. Home
  2. >
  3. Investment Q&A
You can view 3 more answers this month. Sign up for a free trial for unlimited access.

Investment Q&A

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

Q: My tech portfolio includes the above plus full positions of SHOP, KXS and CSU. I am looking at topping up one of the above. At current prices which would you choose and why? The aim of this portfolio is growth with moderate stabiliy.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on July 18, 2017
Q: Is it possible that CRH sees competition to their roll up plan so they opt to buy controlling interest in a number of clinics to ensure a good market share and then over time pick up the NCI as the NCI partners sell out or move on. It would be nice to know what their game plan is. When did they make the switch from buying the complete business to just buying controlling interest?

Thank You
Clarence
Read Answer Asked by Clarence on July 18, 2017
Q: I am retired living off dividend income. In your income portfolio, Loblaw stands out as it only has a 1.52% yield and a relatively low 5 year DGR. It seem that it was originally included for growth vs. income in 2014, however it had a higher yield then of 2%.
Do you still recommend Loblaw in the income portfolio with only a 1.52% yield? Are you considering switching for a higher yield company?
What other consumer non-cyclical looks attractive at current prices with a higher yield for an income portfolio?
Read Answer Asked by Curtis on July 17, 2017
Q: hi folks:

I am curious as to your understanding of the passage below
(excerpted from stockhouse BB's)

is there a better than even chance that CRH is yet another company being brought to earth by 'creative' accounting or is everything simply been overblown?

thanks in advance


CRH'S CONFUSING ACCOUNTING? Help needed to understand this.

CRH has a unique acquisition model in that the company tends to purchase portions of businesses (typically 51%, sometimes more), recording 100% of the acquired business revenues and earnings on its consolidated financial statements with adjustments made for specific amounts attributable to shareholders and attributable to non-controlling interests. This acquisition practice, while compliant with GAAP and sound from an accounting standpoint, requires that investors pay more attention to the details within the company's financials to get a complete picture of what is going on.

The company's most recent financial statements show a quarterly net and comprehensive income increase of 9% year over year from $3.03 million in Q1 2016 to $3.3 million in Q1 2017. The breakdown of these earnings is where investors need to pay attention.

In Q1 2016, CRH reported that net income attributable to shareholders was $2.96 million (or 97.7% of total earnings).

In Q1 2017, CRH reported that net income attributable to shareholders was $1.54 million (or only 46.7% of total earnings).

Because of the company's acquisition model, stock-based compensation, and increases in finance-related costs, CRH is now paying out more than half of its earnings to non-controlling interests. This is a trend which has been ongoing for the past year with the shareholders portion of earnings consistently declining over time.

Looking at earnings per share (EPS), we can see that earnings have significantly underperformed expectations ($0.02 EPS attributable to shareholders compared to $0.07 EPS expected.

Consider this note from the most recent financial statements: The company has also stated its intention to acquire or develop additional GI anesthesia businesses. In the future, it may be necessary for the Company to raise additional funds for the continuing development of its business plan, including additional acquisitions.

Insiders selling large amounts of stock of late CRH directors David Johnson and Edward Wright sold a combined $5.71 million of stock at average prices between $7.45 and $11.05 in March, which amounts to nearly 1% of CRHs total float. As I have reported previously, insider selling is generally not an issue in large and very liquid equities with compensation structures reliant on stock options. In growth-related businesses, large stock option redemptions can be commonplace and may largely be ignored by the financial markets for those reasons. That said, any time nearly 1% of a company's stock is sold by insiders, questions undoubtedly come to mind.

Bottom line I am skeptical about CRHs growth strategy from the standpoint of a shareholder. It appears to me that the substantial dilution effect resulting from this growth strategy is one which will not benefit shareholders in the long run. My skepticism also extends to the recent large liquidation of stock by two company directors, making me more uneasy about this company's long-term prospects.

Read Answer Asked by Robert on July 17, 2017
Q: In answer to Febin's question on Friday you said that "The stock reaction (crh) is likely appropriate, though, putting its risk/reward in line: thus we would do nothing here". How did you determine the risk/reward of Crh? What metrics/rational did you apply? I'm currently down 48% on a 1/2 position and appreciate your response. Thankyou.
Read Answer Asked by Brad on July 17, 2017
Q: Greetings

You read my mind! I have been thinking of taking a position in BYD. To do so, I was planning on selling MX. I know that MX is a favoured stock.

I am not concerned about portfolio balancing but am looking for a bit more stability in my life now that I am retired.

Do you have a preference between these two stocks given my profile?

Thanks

Peter
Read Answer Asked by Peter on July 17, 2017
Q: Hi folks:

My average cost for this is in the 7 dollar range. I held it up to 12 and now its going to south to fast for my liking. I bought this for a 3 to 5 year hold. A 27 percent decline in one day certainly can put investors in panic mode, and I need your humble professional opinion with what to do with this one. Is patience the key here or should I move the remaining capital to a knight or a Savaria for example.

Thank you for your professional advice.

Read Answer Asked by Mark on July 17, 2017
Q: Following completion of the USA acquisition,
kindly provide an update on KWH.un .
Is the current 9.90$ or so an attractive entry point for
the next 12 -18 month period ?

Would u suggest it as a sub 5% weighting in a
Conservative Retirement Portfolio ,
or is it referred to as a "Speculative Buy for aggressive accounts only.
Thank you !
Read Answer Asked by Barry on July 17, 2017
Q: I am looking for an industrial income stock and am considering xtc and wsp. I think you would pick wsp because it is much bigger. I would like a yield greater than 3% and these two stocks yield just under 3%. I like the yield of Exchange Income, but am leery of the short situation. Would you please suggest a good industrial stock with a yield close to or exceeding 3%. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Richard on July 17, 2017
Q: CRH Medical dropped >28% on Friday. I see they repaid their loan to Crown Capital as planned and have taken out a new credit facility (to 2020), reducing their interest expenses from 12% to 2.5% and providing cheaper capital for a future acquisition (3.5%), http://investors.crhsystem.com/1881-2/.

This would seem to be a big positive - quite apart from the recent re-imbursement issue which doesn't seem to realistically reflect the actual impact of any changes (i.e. is more benign than the market has anticipated).

So why the 28% drop? I got in at $4.47 - your advice, please? I'm tempted to buy more but I am/ should be an income investor (ha!).

Thanks as always,
Heather
Read Answer Asked by Heather on July 17, 2017
Looking for more? Sign up for a FREE 14 day trial! No credit card required

We invite you to sign up for a 14 day free trial of 5i Research!
Experience all the benefits and tools we have to offer; stock research, model portfolios, Q&A with our experts, and so much more. Join a community of like-minded investors today!