Opinions
Michael Decter
Fairfax India Holdings Corp
FIH.U-T
HOLD
Aug 09, 2018
Stock price when the opinion was issued
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He's heding his currency, because he expects the Canadian dollar will go down, so he wants cash flow outside the country to hedge this cash flow. He also wants to get rid of some of North American financials. Only 5% of home owners in India have insurance, so there's massive growth. He has faith in Prem Watsa. (Analysts’ price target is $16.75)
India is one of those areas of the world where people talk of the long term story. They are relatively insulated from trade wars. He is caught on the long term India market. It is expensive. He owns SCIF-N.
One of his highest-conviction investment ideas. Trades at a discount to NAV. A stock to buy for the next decade. India is the largest democracy on the planet, very young demographic, fast-growing economy. Lots of pro-growth and pro-business reforms happening.
Portfolio of $3.5B worth of different investments, both public and private. Crown jewel is 74% stake in Bangalor Airport, a high-quality global infrastructure asset; its eventual spinout could be a real catalyst for the share price. No dividend.
Hold or sell? Prem Watsa is bright and capable. So he’s puzzled that this has failed to gain. India still has big challenges. Inclined to hold and give it some time. If he were way up, might sell some. Betting on Watsa’s ability to navigate investments in India. Lots of opportunity, but lots of history to overcome.