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: I'm curious to learn more about evaluating valuation metrics such as fwd P/E and P/S when analyzing a company and its expected growth rates. You often mention that a company is trading at X fwd PE which is cheap or that it is expensive. How do you know this and what exactly does this mean in the context of looking at its rev and earnings growth rates? You often say if the E or S is rising faster than the P, then yes, over time the valuation can come down quickly with the stock rising fast as well, just like how NVDA has done over the last few years. I've heard maintaining a +30-50% growth rate is very hard over a long period of time and not many companies do it and growth rates will slow down.


For example, lets quickly compare PLTR vs CRWD vs VRT over the next few years:

PLTR shows 173x PE and 54x PS.
Rev growth is 25% and 22% for 25/26
EPS growth is 26% and 21% for 25/26

CRWD shows 99x PE and 21x PS.
Rev growth is 28%,21%,21% for 25/26/27
EPS growth is 21%,26%,25% for 25/26/27

VRT shows 34x PE and 5x PS
Rev growth is 18% and 14% for 25/26
EPS growth is 32$ and 25% for 25/26

Looking at these numbers, PLTR is by far the most expensive valuation wise and WAY above any other software name in the universe. So at the current valuation of PLTR, what kind of rev and eps growth rate does it have to maintain in order to justify this valuation? What is the relationship between the fwd PE/PS vs the EPS/Rev growth rates and how do you analyze this? Any color you can add to this would be great, thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Keith on February 03, 2025
Q: Hi,

Looking to replace NVDA and VRT. I wish to avoid the AI theme and Mag7. Do you have an handful of tech alternatives to suggest in the US?

Many thanks.
Michael
Read Answer Asked by Michael on January 31, 2025
Q: Good morning 5i,

VRT obviously the onslaught has continued. I'm viewing this as a potential add. Looking over their revenue, profitability etc.

Despite deepseek and all other noise. Would you wait to see a potential turn or be comfortable adding in this range?

Or do you see a more inherent risk than I?

Looking forward to your thoughts. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Adam on January 29, 2025
Q: What would you do with the above 3 stocks if think less AI infrastructure will be needed? Take the money and run? Or did they fall enough that they will be ok even if some orders are lowered or cancelled?
Read Answer Asked by Neil on January 29, 2025
Q: What are the implications of DeepSeek - if proven, aside from loss of prestige? Loss of business/ product, fewer facilities, support capacity reduction, and so on? You likely already have questions on this topic. Appreciate your view.
Read Answer Asked by Mike on January 28, 2025
Q: Hello
I have 3 x 5i recommendations I should probably move on from AQN (- 68%),
EGLX (- 98%) and ILLM (-81%).

With the remaining combined funds I would need a 350% to recoup the loss back to even - assuming a 5yr min hold what would be 5is thoughts be for sector and position choice to reallocate ? I d prefer these be positions your moderators in fact own.
Read Answer Asked by Brant on January 27, 2025
Q: In a question yesterday - attached - I asked you to recommend one or two US equities and listed those already held. In response, you gave me two equities which I had listed as already owned. Clearly you have not had your morning coffee:-) Please try again.

Yesterday's Question:
VRT has now grown to 9.5% of my total portfolio. (Thank you for the recommendation!) Would you let this winner run? Or would you be inclined to trim? If trim, what one or two US equities would you purchase (any sector) with the proceeds with a similar risk/growth profile...and why? The following US/international equities are already held: GOOG, NVDA, AMZN, MSFT, V, COST, AXON, ISRG, CLBT, and NBIS. Thank you.

Answer:

In our view, as a company aproaches 10% of a portfolio, the portfolio starts to become a bet on that single name and we would typically prefer to trim the position down. For something with a similar risk profile and growth potential, we might consider NBIS and CLBT, but both are higher risk.
Read Answer Asked by Maureen on January 24, 2025
Q: VRT has now grown to 9.5% of my total portfolio. (Thank you for the recommendation!) Would you let this winner run? Or would you be inclined to trim? If trim, what one or two US equities would you purchase (any sector) with the proceeds with a similar risk/growth profile...and why? The following US/international equities are already held: GOOG, NVDA, AMZN, MSFT, V, COST, AXON, ISRG, CLBT, and NBIS. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Maureen on January 24, 2025
Q: It’s now 2025, new Canadian leadership coming and reduced regulations/government in the US. You suggested on a reply today how a 50% US - 40% CAN - 10% Global portfolio mix might be right for today’s environment. Based on this, what is YOUR best ideas for a brand new $1M+ portfolio? Assume average investor, 15 year investment horizon with reasonable risk tolerance and loves when stocks go on sale..aka buy the correction attitude. As always.. you guys rock! Thanks. Don
Read Answer Asked by Don on January 23, 2025
Q: Hello 5i Team,

Looking into your crystal ball for 2025, is this the year for AMD to finally show some stock price appreciation? I have held it for several years now, and am still underwater by over 12%.

I’m losing some patience, considering the relative growth in NVIDIA (which I’ve done exceptionally well with and still hold, thanks to 5i). I notice that in recent questions, some 5i members also hold AMD, and I’m wondering if you guys are not losing patience, as well?

Do you have three other tech or AI-related picks (any cap size) that you have a much stronger conviction in than AMD, for a three-year hold? Or, is there a potential catalyst on the horizon that might indicate staying the course with AMD?

Thanks very much,

Brad
Read Answer Asked by Bradley on January 23, 2025
Q: Good day,

I've picked up the above on 5i recommendations, and they started as small positions, but have done very well TVK+150%, VRT+200%, POWL +120%, and 3 months on CLBT+45%. I had a bit of usd in my TFSA and put it in CLS last week, already +20%. I assume much of that due to Trumps 'promises'.

Now that these small positions have become as much as say, my initial purchase amount on BAM, is this a thing that one adds to, since my initial buy was lower? Or now that it's a larger position you just let it ride? With 5is help and my own dd, I've been doing very on my winners:losers ratio, but have a hard time determining what is a good point to add in. Are these names worth adding to before they report next? Please rank in order with which you would add to.

Cheers,

James
Read Answer Asked by James on January 23, 2025
Q: Other than the joint venture partners, what companies do think will benefit the most from the AI infrastructure plan introduced by Pres. Trump on Tuesday? I suspect VRT and CLS will benefit, but I am sure there are others in AI support businesses.
Read Answer Asked by Ken on January 22, 2025
Q: I need to consolidate my tech holdings:I own NVDA, AVGO, VRT, CRWD, MSTR, AMZN, META and IYW (about 3% for each holding). Which stocks should I sell and why- for a long term hold?
Read Answer Asked by Graeme on January 20, 2025