Investment Q&A

Q: Regarding Sheldon's question about the drop in GSY on March 25th, a consumer credit lender, CURO Group Holdings, filed for bankruptcy today. There are more details in the press release. CURO now trades for 7 cents, down from $20 two and a half years ago, so it's been a long slide into insolvency, the opposite of GSY, but it makes some people nervous enough to sell.

Q: Any reason for the big drop in GSY today?

Sheldon

Q: In an earlier response to Olympia Financial Group regarding a 1% interest rate increase/decrease having a 33% increase/decrease on the companies annual earnings you said:
"this sensitivity to interest rates is common for financial companies that earn interest on a large investment holding (such as brokers, insurance) "
Please name 5 Canadian companies more sensitive to interest rates (on earnings) then Olympia Financial Group? I want to track a basket of these stocks.

If you expected rates to be revert to 3-4% for the next 10 years is Olympia still a good investment at these levels today?

Q: Hi 5i,
I've held GSY for a number of years through both steep increases and steep drops, and currently am up 24%, including dividends. I've been heartened seeing it recover from the $90 range to its current $165 or so, but wonder if it's got much more in the tank...?
Maybe just an itchy trigger finger, but I'm mulling over selling 1/2 of my GSY and using the proceeds to purchase PRL - the rationale being to spread the investment risk allocated to such lenders between two companies rather than having it all with one, and also for the prospect of greater capital appreciation and dividend return over 3 years or so for the share of the funds put with PRL.
What do you think - wise move or unnecessary fiddling with a good thing?
Thanks.
Peter

Q: WELL has required a lot of patience. I know you still like it, but is there another smallish cap you would select over it? I own TSU, LMN, SIS, and SYZ.

Q: I’m looking to add a Canadian stock with great potential to compound over the next 5 years or more. I already own stocks such as TFII, ATD, BN and CSU. Which do you think has is the best opportunity to start a new position along GSY, DOL or TRI? Or maybe WSP? Please rank and/is there another I should maybe consider?

Q: Where would you rank Berkshire in the above stocks today? Seems fairly cheap according to price targets.
Thank you

Q: What is your outlook for GSY, is there any upside left for it or do you think I should hop off here and go to a bank? ..........I would also like to know which bank would be your favourite, even if you recommend keeping GSY.

Q: Hi

The results yesterday for PRL look good.

Raymond James has risen there price from $18.00 to $31.00.

Could this be a junior/next GSY?

Thank you for time.

Sincerely

Mike

Q: I am considering adding one of the following to my TFSA. Which do you believe has the best long term prospects?

Q: Any updated view on Goeasy..Acting weak of late?..

Q: Hello 5i,

Thank you for taking time to answer so many questions on top stocks to own or purchase. We read through questions on ranking popular stocks but we were not able to formulate a priority list of CDN and US small cap stocks, especially with so many rising quickly in the last couple of months.

Based on current valuations, risk, growth potential, and management, in what order would you purchase the stocks below for a 2-5 year hold? If there are too many stocks, can you please list your top 10 or 12 in priority from the list?

ACLS, ACMR, AXON, CELH, DOO, ESTC, GSY, HPS.A, INMD, LMN, OPRA, NXT, PATH, PLTR, SMCI, VRT

Thank you

D&J

Q: In the 5i Growth portfolio which 3 companies do you see having the best growth potential over the next 3 5 years?

Thanks for all of your guidance.

Mike

Q: Hi Peter & 5i,
Q1 - CSU and VGT values have caused my TECH sector allocation to be overweight. Knowing you can't personalize weightings and keeping in mind the theory of letting your winners run. Would you see a trim of CSU and VGT and putting those proceeds into GSY as good switch for future growth? Or would I be just shuffling future growth from one sector to another?
Q2 - In showdown of TIH and EIF which one would you recommend for overall future returns? Do you have concerns about the debt levels of EIF versus the EBITDA? No such concerns with TIH.
Thanks always for your great insight and advice.

Q: Hi 5i
After the large run up in sp, the stock seems to be having large retracement, Is there any news driving this that investors should be paying attention to?
Does this cause 5I any concern in short to medium term.

thx

Q: I think GSY operates only in Canada but apparently has peers in the U.S. Can you compare them in terms of multiples and general outlook.

Q: ".. priced US$400 million aggregate principal amount of 7.625% senior unsecured notes due 2029" ..... "goeasy intends to use the proceeds from the sale of the Notes to partially repay indebtedness under its secured facilities and for general corporate purposes"

I suspect they are just taking care of business here. I thought their debts were not particularly large considering their business. Thoughts or reassurances plse.

Q: What are your top buys (3) right now if you were investing in a mix of growth, quality, and somewhat reasonable valuation? With your answer/explanation can you include fwd p/e or whatever relevant metrics vs peers?

Also, what's a quality stock or two you'd like to buy but would want to see come down a bit/something you'd be looking to pick up in a broad market selloff?

Q: Hi Team,
This is more of a general comment , discussion on Gsy valuation. Is it just me or the earnings growth this company is putting out in relation to its p/e seems incredibly cheap. Looking at their history , quarter after quarter continues to be record and shows the most stable growth out of any of my holdings on a long term basis. The ceo really seems to know what he’s doing here. I think this should be a $1000 stock within 8-10yrs of growth remains as is and they are given a fair multiple in the market. Am I crazy to think this ? This isn’t even accounting for their new growth initiatives such as the credit cards they are going to probably be rolling out, or expansion into the US. Just looking for your thoughts on this and what might prompt the market to start recognizing the stock fairly in regards to valuation ? Thanks

Shane

Q: I am up about 40% on GSY (thanks 5i). Weighting overall in the portfolio is still okay. At what point would you suggest trimming. Or in other words, where do you think it might be a year from now? Thanks.