CI Financial CorpCIX.TOTOP PICKJul 05, 2016Stock 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.
*Short* This fits in with the broader theme of being Short financials. Trades at an excessive valuation, 7% of its assets under management. Its peer group in the US would be 2%. Canadian regulatory environment is changing to the extent that investors will now actually see the mutual fund fees they pay in dollar terms. That is going to bring about more conversations about performance, and this company’s performance has lagged the peer group.