Alimentation Couche-Tard (ATD.TO)

Really likes it. Tremendous capital allocators in a challenging business. Current valuation of 18x forward earnings is 10% above his buy price. Defensive. Wait for a pullback.

Billy Kawasaki’s Insights - Billy’s most-liked answers from 5i Research. The quarter results were solid. EPS beat estimates at 70 cents. Revenues also beat at $18.6B. Same store growth was 3.7% in the US and 7.2% in Europe, although it fell in Canada by 0.8%. It has bought back stock to the tune of $500M. Unlock Premium - Try 5i Free

At this point, shares being range-bound is something to cheer about. People aren't looking for growth names. 3-5 years from now it will be bigger, generate a ton of free cash, and either buy back stock or make an acquisition. The business is doing fine, but this is what a bear market looks like. Excellent job transitioning to electric. He owns PKI instead.

Believes company is looking towards future which is a positive sign (building convenience stores next to electric car charging stations). Selling private label products has helped grow profits. Increasing dividend yield is positive sign. Owns company and will continue to hold.

(A Top Pick Apr 26/21, Up 27%) One year rate of return not long enough to measure success of investment. Well run company with good management. Second largest convenience store operator in the world. Current equity price represents good value.

A great acquirer. Remarkable story. Huge free cashflow to make acquisitions or buy back stock. The company still sees opportunities. Kicks himself for never buying it. M&A skills outweigh the less robust outlook for the actual business.

Really likes company as valuation is very attractive (15x forward earnings) Expanding global platform. Will buy back shares if cannot find acquisition (good capital manager).

Very well-run company, buying convenience stores at gas stations. We're at the tipping point of mass adoption of e-cars. Big changes are coming. That's his only worry about this story. What will happen to gas demand, when traffic to their stores declines? You can take profits.

ATD.A vs. PKI Couche-Tard is a better company. Parkland has run up, but returns prospectively are lower. Couche-Tard will have better returns going forward, global consolidator of a fragmented industry, profitable, scalable, marketing sophistication. Buy it comfortably here, pullback is a great opportunity.

The gas stations and convenience stores have been under pressure by the environmental groups. Although electric vehicles are coming, it is a very small fleet and will remain small for quite some time. He would continue to hold.

Has a 5 year plan to double the size of the company. Including increasing fresh food offerings, taken from the successful European model. Cigarette and gasoline sales are under pressure. Has run up a lot, so wait for a pullback.

PKI-T vs. ATD.A-T. PKI-T and ATD.A-T are similar but ATD is more focused on convenience stores and PKI is more focused on gas stations. He owns both. PKI is a smaller company and so would not be so protected in a downturn. He thinks they will both continue to do well.