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: Could you please offer an opinion on Skechers,
particularly in the context of recent softness for the likes of Nike and Foot Locker? I'm thinking there's a good match-up (like Dollarama) for a rebounding theme of "thrift", as well as a growing demographic tail-wind provided by an aging
population in much of the world. Anecdotally,
the local outlet store is noticeably busier, with line-ups at the cashier on occasion. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Howard on June 04, 2019
Q: Hi 5i team,

There are no questions on SGMS (Scientific Games) to date so I'll be the first. :)
Was watching BNN today and a guest talked about Pollard Banknote (PBL) which I have on my watchlist...it is a thin trader so I have to be patient to accumulate. He also indicated PBL has about 20% market share (of instant lottery tickets) but SGMS has about 70% market share. The latter comment got my attention.
Wrt SGMS, from your web site Companies page, the QTR1 and QTR2 estimates have really come down in the last 30-90 day period and thus so has the FY1 (12/19) estimate. Can you explain why these numbers have been reduced so much from 60 days ago? Was their prior quarter a huge miss and thus analysts readjusted their expectations?
The only negatives I could see from their last released Q4 and FY18 report was "Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities decreased to ($9.8) million from $118.1 million in the year ago period, driven primarily by making a $151.5 million payment to resolve the Shuffle Tech legal matter." and "Net loss was $352.4 million compared to a net loss of $242.3 million a year ago, driven by $253.4 million in restructuring and other charges primarily consisting of the $151.5 million payment to resolve the Shuffle Tech legal matter and $27.5 million for contingent consideration associated with the higher-than-expected results from the 2017 acquisition of Spicerack."

There is also now quite an EPS increase expected in 2020, again from the 5i Companies page. Does this seem like a good buying opportunity given the FY2(12/20) expectations vs FY1(12/19)? (I get a mixed message from their key ratios from the 5i Companies page.)
I see the stock popped 8% today (6/3) albeit it has gone from $60 to $20 since May 2018...so quite the drop.
How would you rate SGMS vs PBL within this industry?
Are SGMS's troubles now behind it? Or is it basically a show me story now to get back investors confidence?
Is one a buy vs the other in a diversified portfolio?

Cheers,
Steve in Ottawa
Read Answer Asked by Stephen on June 04, 2019
Q: I am a "teach me to fish", not "give me fish" kind of person, so I was wondering if there is a simple method of determining the US portion of revenue of a Canadian stock. Going through financial statements don't seem to help. Your service seems to be able to determine this, so I was wondering if you could share your source of this information. Thanks for your great service.
Read Answer Asked by Gerry on June 04, 2019
Q: I have read the most recent comments that you have answered for members on Russel Metals, My question to you is; at what price would you start to recommend this stock if someone is looking for a 10-15% return from purchase price? And, Has Russel Metals ever cut its dividend, for some reason, I think they have.?

Thanks Barry
Read Answer Asked by Barry on June 04, 2019
Q: Hi can you please tell me your thoughts on BYD.UN Been coming off the highs fairly rapidly (down 6%+). I am sitting on a lot of cash (20%) and was thinking of adding to my 4% positions also same applies to ATD and CSU . Strategy is to add to the winners does that make any sense in this choppy market. Please deduct as you see fit. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by Terence on June 04, 2019