CI Financial CorpCIX.TOCOMMENTMar 10, 2014Stock price when the opinion was issued
As of Aug 14, 2025. Market Open.
Building US business dramatically, planning to take public sometime in the future. Canadian side is well run, but the mutual funds business hasn't grown in years, perhaps 10% a year. Big dividend. Combining both sides of the business should garner a $35 stock price easily, $50 if they really tried. Yield is 4.6%.
(Analysts’ price target is $19.25)It used to be a great stock and the earnings ratio of 20X has dropped to 5X. It pays a 5% dividend and is buying back stock. The IPO of the U.S. business part is possible. It sold off part of its business to private equity via preferred shares which have a 14% guaranteed annual minimum return.. This could cause losses to common shareholders. He would prefer IGM.
One of the things that puzzle people when they look at Canada is that why are Canadians prepared to pay so much to own mutual funds. Highest management expense ratio in the developed world. Fund industry in Canada had a couple of lousy years when they couldn’t sell new product. People were traumatized after the stock market crash of 2008-2009. Now all of a sudden, people are buying new funds and not as worried about the stock market. A lot missed the class of “Buy Low and Sell High”. Doesn’t think it is an outrageous price right now.