Investment Q&A

Q: Hi 5i,

Katrina Lake is leaving the CEO position. Does this change your investment case for SFIX in any way?

Thanks!

Q: GEVO;Wondering what your take would be on this company. Conceptually what they are doing sounds very interesting and would seem to have an attractive longer term potential.

Q: Good morning 5i team
How significant does 5i feel the following two factors are to Dolby's future growth, revenue and profitability?
(i) the unauthorized copying of Dolby software, and
(ii) licensees understating or failing to report the true number of products sold incorporating Dolby technologies.
Does 5i feel Dolby is making progress addressing the above two weaknesses/threats with technology or other means?
Thank you.
Edward

Q: I received a note from investorPlace (Allison Brickell ) saying that a Radical new Battery could dismantle a 3.3 Trillion $ oil market. . Question: Any Idea what this companies name is. And does it trade on the Stock market. Ernie

Q: I own full positions (5%) in both these companies. In a portfolio of 23 companies, Is there a reason to own both?
If not which would you prefer, or is there one or two better cyclicals?

Q: Hello 5i
Could I have your current assessment of Levi Straus please? Also how does it compare to Lulu and you there in the retail clothing space?
Thank you
Dave

Q: What are your Top 3 cad and top 3 US stocks regardless of sectors /risk. please provide brief explanation as why you like them Thanks for your recommendations they are much appreciated

Q: How would you rate these firms/etfs from a growth potential, financial well-being and diversification perspective. My portfolio is currently 40% MAW104 with bank, insurance, pipeline, and telecom stocks making up the remainder.

Q: HD has had quite a run since it pulled back earlier this year along with the other "COVID-19 beneficiary" stocks and recently broke US$320 a share for the first time ever. It is not clear to me that this rapid run is supported by the underlying fundamentals. Would you recommend investors hold their full position or consider taking some money off the table? (assuming an ordinary portfolio weighting in a portfolio of 30 stocks)

Q: Ocean rates have gained significantly in recents month. Coming out the pandemic with a robust global economy it is anticipated that global shipping demand will continue to be bullish. Are you able to recommend 3 names(ocean related)that would be a way to participate in this anticipated upswing.

Q: Generally speaking what percentage of one's portfolio do you believe should be allocated to US dollar investments for diversification?

Thanks,

Joe

Q: What is your opinion on PRIM:US. Would you recommend it? If not, please provide me with a better alternative in relation to infracture.

Thank you.

Q: JEPI is a fairly new actively managed ETF (it is not in your data base). In its description of that JEPI ETF.com says JEPI “... is invests in large-cap US stocks and.... ” .

1. What are equity-linked notes and what do ELNs do risk vs. reward?
2. Would you agree with the following statements:
(a) If any investors are uneasy about current valuations, the covered call strategy the manager uses would likely be acceptable.
(b) JEPI would not be good to have in a major draw down, but...
( c) JEPI would not necessarily be a safety net in a major draw down, but would likely be something of a net in routine dips of up to 15%.

If you have other ETFs that you consider better, I would appreciate if you gave some symbols that one could do further research on.

Q: In your answer dated April 19, 2021 to a question on CRM vs. PINS you write
“ ...[we] and would see PINS as having more potential [than CRM] today”. That is a rather odd thing to say, and you have me baffled. SO baffled that I started to make enquiries about what might have been added to your water supply.
I would be thankful if you would confirm—or correct me— on the following:
1. CRM has a wider moat.
2. CRM’s customer base is much bigger and customers are better able to pay CRM (and certainly less fickle).
3. CRM’s business model is sturdier (superior, stronger) and customers tend to be sticky.
4. CRM has a MUCH LARGER total addressable market.

A concern I do have is if CRM is able to close its proposed acquisition of Slack , integration is costly and will be a risk. AND CRM is unlikely to compete well with MSFT post-acquisition of SLACK.

Although CRM has been trading in a flat range and has been underperforming for almost a year, I was thinking of adding to my position in CRM . I would be happy if you corrected me, so I do not make one of my unfortunate and classic mistakes .

Q: Do you think SKILLZ is a buy at around $12? Thank you so much.

Q: I have a small position with MO,with the news "Biden Administration Plans Nicotine Reduction", would you still hold the stock? If no, what other stock I can switch to? Not necessary in the same category. Thank you!

Q: Attention turned to industrials earlier this year and many have already done well. Is it a late to buy 3M ? If no, do you believe 3M to be a good investment assuming we are going to see a healthy recovery in major developed economies. In particular:
1. Do you think there is a high probability of further US$ weakness or is that mostly done now? If the US$ weakens further, would I be correct in thinking that that in itself would make little impact on 3M’s prospects, given that 3M has global facilities?
2. Would you consider 3M to be fairly priced today? I cannot tell if it is GARP or overvalued. (The Dr Dooms are getting to me).
3. Have the most recent quarters been meaningfully good for 3M sales due to Covid ( ventilators, medical supplies?) Or do you believe 3M still has great sales prospects going forward or are comparisons going forward going to depress share price?
4. What is 3M’s PEG ? I see conflicting numbers.
5. I thought 3M had a good MOAT , a business model that is hard to replicate EASILY. Am I correct?
6. Any reason to wonder about management strength?

(Disclosure : I am biased in favor of 3M for reasons that I myself find unfathomable)

Q: What are your thoughts on Mistras Group? Is it worth buying?

Q: What is your recommendation on this company as a infrastructure investment. Would it be a good company to invest in?

Thank you.

Q: How does MSCI look to you today? What challenges does it face ?

Thanks,
Mark