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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: With the recent volatility, several companies on my watchlist have seen their multiples fall to more reasonable levels compared to the last 2-3 years. In the current climate, I find low debt, strong management and overall quality to be more important than ever.

Considering these criteria, RCH, ADW.A and SJ are starting to stand out. The main issue I have is, growth might not be as high/steady as it was in previous years, so in the end they might not be that much of a bargain; maybe they are just more fairly valued, not "mispriced".

What would be your take on this? Is a 15-16 forward P\E for 8-10 % EPS growth and overall quality a reasonable price to pay? Or is this a case by case basis? What are the main points of reference, aside from industry, competition, company history, etc.?

I understand there are many other factors, but still, am trying to get my head around valuation. Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Pierre-Charles on December 12, 2018
Q: Cuple of companies that came up in Steopen Tackazy on market call
Stella Jones I owned this before was good. appears owners sold out and the management is sound . the stock close to year low.
the other is Andrew peller the positives is that wine is gaining more market share and the othere is Ontario is on track to provide more sales outlets .
Would you recommend eiher one or bothand if yes which one is more reliable
Read Answer Asked by thambirajah on October 01, 2018
Q: I have owned these names for a few years. I did ok with them and was planning to add simply because I have some liquidity to invest. Do you expect decent return going forward (5 years time horizon), they have been going sideways in the last year or so. Do you consider these names as ''high quality'' ?
Read Answer Asked by Pierre on September 10, 2018
Q: Hi, I'm looking to add another stock in the "Materials and Energy" category in which I already hold Methanex, Parkland and Chemtrade all at about 1%. I'm not keen on a pure energy (i.e no oil, Nat Gas or pipeline) play but have been watching the three mentioned stocks. Of these three, which would you prefer today and would you add any? Long term holder.

Thx.
Read Answer Asked by Cameron on August 23, 2018
Q: I want to make sure that I am not overrating SJ. I try to buy quality companies and I have owned this one for several years because of the many positives you and other analysts have given it. One of those positives was management and with a new CEO and the selling out by Stella Jones International I am wondering if management may have regressed.

The latest results seemed solid in that guidance was maintained while sales and margins increased. I am thinking that it is the decrease in profit is what is weighing on the stock. Management says that the decrease is due to the transitioning of a Class 1 railroad company from a treating services only contract to a full service "black-tie" program and they go on further to say that they bought untreated ties from the Class 1 company and once they treated these ties they didn't make as much money due to higher costs. If I remember correctly, this is the same problem they said they had last quarter.

First, do you know what this program is all about? It seems to me that the Class 1 company is moving to a full-service on-going type of contract rather than a bare-bones contract to contract scenario. Ongoing regular revenues are usually better for a supplier so why is this one costing them money? Short-term pain for long-term gain? Or a management snafu?

The second drag is operating costs in the US southeast. Again, did management make a mistake or is this just one of the integration hiccups that come with takeovers? So I am back to my earlier comment about whether management is not what it once was or are these just growing pains. SJ has always been a lumpy stock mover and should I just view it as being out of the limelight for the time being with better things to come?

Appreciate your insight.

Paul F.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on August 09, 2018
Q: Hi, I am trying to reduce/consolidate number of stocks in my portfolio and also raise some cash. Except SJ (1.5%), all others mentioned here currently have < 1% position. I am holding YGR and BDI for Energy exposure, as my only other holdings in the sector are ENB (3.5%) and PKI (1.7%). I also like the momentum and prospects, based recent developments and your comments on COV and waiting for an opportunity to add on a pullback. RHT, VB and DOL were purchased in small quantities, at the time of addition to 5i potfolios. I also like SJ, and think, market is not assigning it proper valuation at this time. So, I am considering selling RHT, VB and DOL and use some cash to add to SJ. What is your opinion ? Do you believe, there are any near term catalysts for these 3 companies to hold on for now or it should be fine to liquidate. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by rajeev on July 18, 2018
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