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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: So at what point to you throw in the towel? You have done that to numerous stocks and said the money could be put to better use. This stock has been a waste of money, why would anybody want a health care stock that has this record. Do you really think that one day this company is going to make a deal that is going to make it explode and make up for the waste of time that you have been promoting it.
Sorry but i had to get this off my back.
Read Answer Asked by eugene on July 29, 2020
Q: This is an observation on Knight after your response to Cheryl's inquiry and your revised position stating you are getting edgy about this company.
One aspect of investing I have learned from my time with 5i is to have patience with a company and to not react to one quarter results.
Regarding Knight, we waited and waited and finally they did a solid acquisition which closed at the end of November 2019. 5i indicated it was a good deal for Knight.
They have not completed the deal as they are still pursuing the 48% from BTO shareholders. This is an unusual way to buy a company and it taking a long time.
However, after they pay everything, they will have no debt, lots and lots of cash and have repurchased over 12M Knight shares. They are presently doing a second NCIB with the intent of buying another 10,8M shares. So, they are buying 20% of the floating shares, enhancing shareholder value. Should they have started a dividend instead? I think that was too early and approve of their share repurchase. However, does that mean they don't see any future deals on the near term horizon? I do not know but they will still have a few hundred million...
They have now reported one quarter. The sales met one analyst's estimate but fell short with the other two. Not exactly a disaster considering it is a new company in new and faraway countries during a pandemic. The company says the virus is a non-factor but many in South America, and everywhere, are more reluctant than usual to seek medical treatment that is not absolutely necessary because we want to stay home and that has to hurt drug sales.
I think this company's share price will be double by this time next year and will be approaching $25 - $30 by the end of 2023. Considering the high valuations in the market today, this seems like a prudent investment. If they have not performed by December 2023, I will sell my large position and take the bath. However, I am not buying any soap today.
Do you have any update on whether they have purchased any shares on the second repurchase? And, they were late reporting the last quarter so when do they report again?
It is almost unthinkable to differ from your opinion on any stock because you are all so smart. We'll just have to see on this one but I think it's too early to expect so much after waiting so long...
Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Steven on July 29, 2020
Q: I don't currently have any exposure to health care/pharma companies and would like to start building a position in 2 or 3 companies. Can you please provide me with some names that you would recommend in this area, and the reasons why you think they are good investments.

thanks
Paula
Read Answer Asked by Paula on July 23, 2020
Q: As you can see by my holdings in my TFSA ,I have been following your advice. I am way up on KXS and am letting it run. Down on BNS, GUD, SIS and SLF. I have full position to add. I am looking at either REAL, LSPD , WELL or XIT.
Would you add to BNS or SLF or add one of the ones I am looking at? Long term view 20 years.
Thanks, Paul
Read Answer Asked by Paul on July 15, 2020
Q: Hi Guys,
Are any of these names a MUST sell in your opinion? They are all down approx. 15%.
My time frame is 3 to 5 years.

thanks
Jim
Read Answer Asked by jim on July 14, 2020
Q: Just curious if you have done any research on the company Knight acquired (Biotoscana)? With Latin America and Brazil in particular being hit hard by Covid I’m thinking for the next number of quarters they may not be particularly accretive to earnings (and that might be the best case scenario). I know that you do engage management from time to time of companies you cover, have you picked up any concerns from Knight itself?
Read Answer Asked by Stephen R. on July 10, 2020
Q: Hi, As a retired income plus some growth investor which order would u add to or delete the above under 1% positions to tidy up my portfolio.
Read Answer Asked by Peter on July 10, 2020
Q: Hello Peter,
i feel that i have been fooled by Mr Goodman on Knight. I have been patiently waiting as others on a large acquisition and despite the purchase the stock is still languishing . I wonder if it is worth hanging on or throw in the towel. My current thought is take my 5 percent position and reduce it by adding to jamieson wellness and Xebec adsorption. Your thoughts please. Also, TDOC in US is constantly moving higher yet well in Canada (well health ) seems to be in trading range .. Any thoughts please.
Read Answer Asked by umedali on July 07, 2020
Q: I know longer own GUD having sold it over a year ago due to dead money syndrome. However in the G&M today there was an excellent article today on some Canadian biotechs,eg Zyme, etc. that I encourage you to read.

As I've discussed in the past in this column there seemed to be a total vacuum of Biotechs in Canada, but having read this article my eyes are opened.

Are you guys looking into any of these opportunities?

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-biotech-blind-spot-how-canadas-big-investors-missed-the-boom/

Sheldon
Read Answer Asked by Sheldon on July 07, 2020
Q: Hi guys!

I’m here holding knight at an average cost of $7.20. It hasn’t done much and from reading your responses on their earnings, you seem less than impressed. I’m pissed at myself because I went value instead of growth (at least I hold constellation). I’m wondering with all else being equal (taxes, asset allocation, etc.) would you simply sell knight and jump onto the fast moving momentum Canadian tech names or would you stick with knight?

Read Answer Asked by James on July 07, 2020
Q: Hi, I have had GUD 6% of portfolio at B.E.$8.00 for about 3 years and have finally decided I’am tired of waiting with a large portion , with no dividend. Do you recommend selling all or keeping 2-3%?
Also,do you think qst down 40% , has any chance of getting back to break even in the next couple of years? It seems weak even when the market Is strong?
Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Brad on June 30, 2020
Q: Hello,
just wondering in your opinion why the did street dislike today's earning release? revenue missed but is the sell off justified? i see in the previous question the company has been buying back shares, but that seemed to have little effect in the price movements for the stock lately.
lastly, would you be fine starting a 1-2% position for a long term hold today?
Read Answer Asked by yongzhi on June 26, 2020
Q: What would be your top 10 growth picks over the next 5-10 years in Health Care and Tech? Canada or US and any size is fine....
Read Answer Asked by Ryan on June 25, 2020