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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: My question is twofold.
1) I am trying to determine if Spotify will be a good investment. It appears to have a lot of positive momentum; however, it has never made any money, there appear to be lawsuits, everybody in the music business is not happy, and over the years I've read on occasion that their business model is not viable (as the artists and/or studios are not properly compensated and the business model will need to change). I do not think that the music industry will ever revert to its former self but possibly pricing/offerings may need to change. Your thoughts are much appreciated on how you see this company possibly making a sustainable profit if the issues are valid. (On a positive note revenues appear to be increasing nicely, their market share is approx twice as big as it nearest competitor. BTW. I have not read the prospectus other than some articles referencing the doc. Anything else to share if you have read it?)
2) If I do want to acquire some shares, how do you proceed? I have read that this is not going to be an IPO but a DPO. This is what I read "In February 2018, Spotify filed for a direct public offering (DPO) — a type of offering without intermediaries". I have also discovered that they will list on the NYSE on the week of April 2nd but there will not be any opening price but a suggested price range ($90-132/share). This seems like Russian Roulette, so do we take a chance and buy at any price (not an intelligent way to invest) or do you recommend that we see what happens by waiting a few days or weeks after the DPO, once things have calmed down.

We have been paying subscribers of the Spotify service for many years, probably from the initial days it was offered in Canada. It has much improved and we like it a lot.

Thanks again.
Read Answer Asked by Walter on March 14, 2018
Q: Qualcomm’s offer to buy NXPI is valued around $127.50. NXPI was trading at $125 a couple of days ago. It is at ~ $123.50 this morning 12 March.
There is considerable confusion over Broadcom (AVAGO) offer to buy QCOM. (I also own QCOM). There are reports today of US regulators fuming at AVGO due to alleged disregard of certain notices required by US regulators.

There are apparently also risks that China could block the sale of NXPI. I am fine keeping NXPI but not if the risk-reward is not in favor of private shareholders. Would you guess that the risk of a deal failure is higher than 50%? If NXPI is left at the altar, do you think NXPI would likely drop significantly in value--- say more than 20%--- or is it a good enough company that it will prosper on its own. Prosper means doing much better than just chugging along.

NXPI seems to be fair value even without M&A activity… Is it? would you buy more if you already had QCOM and NXPI? Would you sell NXPI? Or would you simply hold on.

NXPI seems to have an attractive business model and a good market position. Would it make an attractive target for a different buyer ... say an Intel?
Read Answer Asked by Adam on March 13, 2018
Q: Hello 5i
Please give me your thoughts on the above companies with regard to growth over the next 12-24 months. Which would you prefer?
Thank you so much for all your invaluable guidance!!
Dave
Read Answer Asked by Dave on March 12, 2018
Q: GLW.us recently raised its dividend, action that seems to have taken most analysts by surprise. Are you aware of possible reasons for the analyst commune to be puzzled? Has the company struggled or is there some reason why share price is up only some 3 % in 12 months? I have always been too slow to sell and ask this question to decide whether funds are better deployed elsewhere. If the latter do you have a suggestion, please?
Read Answer Asked by Adam on March 07, 2018
Q: Please rank your preference for these 3 stocks for a growth investor considering establishing a new position today after trimming Shopify position, with a brief explanation of why you prefer one over another.
Read Answer Asked by Christopher on March 05, 2018