Jerome HassCineplex IncCGX.TOBUY ON WEAKNESSFeb 21, 2025

He bought it during Covid, but he's still waiting for its rebound. Q3 and Q4 had disappointing box office. Q1 is better, though, with a strong December 2025. The Blue Jays' playoff run last October hurt their box office. Also, their CEO will retire at the end of the year; CGX could be sold before he goes.

Chart hasn't always been as ugly as it's been recently. Used to be a stock market darling. Disagrees that streaming will demolish it. 

Real catalyst is a huge bonus to the retiring CEO and other management if they sell the business by end of 2026. There has to be a bid for the company by the end of June 2026. Risk/return is fantastic. His valuation of the company remains $34. No dividend.

Well managed. With NFLX, video on demand, and the changing landscape of movies, it's not the same company it used to be. Could be more assets to divest, and could capitalize on real estate. Still, not sure what next move is. Look to exit.

As to what to move to, though it depends what's already in your portfolio, he still really likes energy infrastructure companies. See his Top Picks for some ideas.

It was a darling, a great business years ago that generated tons of free cash flow. He once owned it. Then, it was supposed to be bought, but bad luck saw Covid hit and the deal died. Great management and still a good business that generates cash, but times have changed--there are many streaming services. They are paying down debt, which is a little high.

Trying to diversify. Q4 was steady, improving box office, strong roster of movies. Showing more dependable FCF. Tough stock in a tough industry. Very cheap at 9x 2026. Hasn't had steady earnings for years. Can have a good run when movie slate is strong.

Buy at $6-7, sell on strength. Dividend probably not coming back.

Not his cup of tea. Doesn't own the actual real estate; instead long-term leases, but CGX has to spend the capital. Very capital intensive, and it's not even in control of its own destiny. He and his wife usually just stream content happily at home.

Broke the downward trend, upward trend hasn't broken. Positive when you're in an upward trend.

Volatile, avoid. Comeback in revenue since Covid. Fundamentally weak, broken down. Slightly beat on revenue, but missed earnings. Trading sideways. A big rebound would take more than the company's capable of at this point.

More and more, content is being created for streaming platforms. The "theatrical windows" it used to be able to benefit from are getting shorter and starting to disappear. Struggling on growth. Elevated debt.

Recent pullback since pandemic + sideways range not great for investors. Generally speaking, long term trend is not good. Better options for investors out there. 

Was a great business, cash cow. Deal to be acquired collapsed with the pandemic. Bad luck and bad timing. Stellar management team. Sold off a business to pay down debt, good decision. Movies aren't going away, so you could take a flyer on it.

Not your highest-quality play. Trying to get approval to extend debt schedule. If approved, will add flexibility and improve free cashflows. If all goes well, may be able to reinstate dividend. But a lot has to go right. Pricey at 27x. High risk, but now would be the time to allocate some capital. A lot of the bad news is already out.

Don't own in a registered account, as you want to take capital losses if you're wrong.

He loves movies. Going to be tough to top last year's Barbenheimer. Rumours of the death of movies have been exaggerated. It's going to be a season-to-season, year-to-year stock, rather than a cyclical.

Covid hammered them, while a British company tried to buy them but aborted that deal (now in a lawsuit). It's not cheap seeing a movie, but he goes now and then. Movies are coming back, though. You can't duplicate the experience at home. Still a lot of uncertainty with this stock, though.