Investment Q&A

Q: I am surprised that you bought CGX in the income portfolio today. Even though it is down substantially it still trades at an EBITDA/EV multiple that is significantly higher than US comparables. I know that CGX is well-run, but has little growth and under GAAP accounting has not covered its dividend in 5 of the past 7 years. This does not seem to be a good stock for a conservative income portfolio. What am I missing? In your answer I would welcome a comparison to Corus Entertainment, which also offers little growth, but at least the dividend is well covered and would seem like a much safer choice for income.

Q: Alex suggested that one of the positives in CGX's favour is the number of properties it has. How many of these stores are company owned vs leased? How does this affect your assessment of the value of CGX in deciding to hold, sell .... or buy more?

Thanks.

Q: Aa aging seniors, my husband and I are beginning to feel our "investing for the long term" is probably less appropriate than investing for the short term. Following your observation that CGX is less reliable than it once was, therefore, can you suggest a good replacement for it? It has done extremely well for us. And we are still well "up" on it. Thanks for your continued sage advice.

Q: I am a recent member of 5iResearch - have followed you guys for a long time and have had a lot of good ideas from you - I own Cineplex and notice you have an A- rating on the company - with the recent downturn do you still support this rating?? one of your main concerns was valuation - current prices look more interesting?

Q: Hey 5i folks could you give me your views positive and negative on investing in these six without regard to sector allocation. Looking at a 5 year hold. Perhaps ranking them from most to least favourite. Thanks for your help - Ken

Q: CGX.TO is $35, do you think it's a good time to buy. Or stay away. Do you think market is set to go down now?

Q: What's a good replacement for CGX?

Thanks,
Robert

Q: It seems to me that Cineplex should be valued more on cash flow, like a pipeline or a REIT, because of all the buildings it owns. For 2016, it claimed $106 million in depreciation, which of course lowered reported earnings by that amount. According to TD, 2018 FCF is estimated to be $3.46, making the stock actually somewhat cheap. Thoughts?

Q: Sorry, another on CGX. I'm curious about their dividend payout ratio please?

Thanks!
Rod C.

Q: Hi Peter and Team,
Some analysts still think CGX is expensive after over 30% share price drop. At what share price range CGX is reasonably priced based on current earning and outlook.

Thanks

Q: I purchased cgx late July and subsequently lost 25%. You mentioned that they need to diversify so that their earnings are not so tied to the box office. In reading their results,it seems that they now have more assets in "other" entertainment venues. Given their previous track record,would you advise holding for a year and how did you view their continuing foray into other venues and what do you see in the future for price appreciation? Thanx.

Q: hi Peter, out of these which ones would you recommend for adding onto with new money to add onto the existing positions. which ones are ok to let go.
thanks

Q: I have held CGX in my TFSA for over 3 years for growth and a good dividend. The stock is down about 15% from purchase price and you have indicated that it is probably not going to do a whole lot quickly. I am considering replacing it with something that is expected to grow a bit faster but still has a dividend and would like your advice. If you think replacing it is a good move could you give me some suggestions - I was wondering about Savaria as a possible replacement>

Q: You are probably tired of Cineplex questions.
To clarify 5i sold Cineplex because they wanted to use the monies for better opportunities. If not, prescient knowledge well done.
I should have followed suit.
Ellis Jacob CEO is fawned over in the press.
He runs a monopoly which always misses earnings.
There is a Cineplex near my house it is operated like a Canadian monopoly. Service is mediocre, food is too expensive to buy and minimal staff that are somewhat present.
Is Cinemark a better operated company?
It has much more debt.

Thanks for letting me rant.

Q: Hi Peter and Team,
Is CGX still expensive after share price dropped below $39. Is it still worth A- rating? At what price would this be a good buy?

Thanks

Q: Hi 5i,
REGAL ENTERTAINMENT is really taking it on the chin lately. Here in Canada CGX isn't doing much better, is there a fundamental shift happening such as streaming video. I am a long term investor, basically set it and forget it, unless something bad is happening.
Regards,

Q: I am down considerably on CGX (missed 5i selling?). Watching BNN today where the person is short CGX. This raised the question, are the shorts likely to be able to wreak havoc on this stock as they have so many?

Thanks

Q: comment: i have owned CGX since 2009, sold some as it became too heavy in my portfolios, sold some again recently, and am still up 65%

Q: While working at buying into 5i investment methodology - invest long enough to see profits grow and stock prices to follow - I find my 5i sourced holdings negatively hitting my portfolio value.

I have to ask, what is the role of 5i and its methodology in preserving capital and/or helping to avoid investment losses?

In reading 5i answers, it is often noted that stocks need 5 years yet I am starting to see this as a way to avoid sell recommendations.
I read from you, HR is a good investment for income so I hold with a profit only to now see a price decline and profits change to losses.
I read from you, CGX was sold from 5i portfolio "but does not need to be sold". Now we are down substantially.

When you write, a stock is expensive, the stock is already up +% in the year, should this be taken that even though you write you are okay with a buy, a smart investor will not purchase as this time - decline is likely. Many of the stocks I have purchased with positive inference from 5i, are now down 20% (sometimes in one day).

I write this as I must determine where 5i fits in investment efforts. My 5i Stock losses have mounted through the past couple months. I need to find a way to interpret when 5i sentiment toward a stock really changes and not wait until the stock is slowly backed away from by 5i.

So, how does one differentiate between, a good Buy recommendation and 5i being positive on a stock but there is a great likelihood the stock price will decline? I am not please with reading positive remarks only to see investment profits disappear or losing 20% within days of a purchase.

Is there something in your words that should be interpreted to help me protect my gains and Capital and/or avoid losses within days of buying a recommended investment?

Thanks
Dave

Q: Good morning. I currently own CGX, MG and BYD.un in the consumer cyclicals (in total represent about 9% of portfolio). I'm considering selling CGX but don't want to add any more to the other 2. Is there another dividend paying company in this sector you would prefer over CGX. Thanks