CI Financial CorpCIX.TOTOP PICKNov 09, 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* He recently added to his short position. It was the first real pop in the stock since he started shorting it. The earnings were particularly bad and the firm sees net outflows from their funds. CRM2 is forcing brokers to disclose what they are paid by mutual fund companies. He thinks it is a secular bear story. There is somewhat of a risk that they get bought out.