Michael Smedley Mitel Networks MITL-Q COMMENT Dec 14, 2016

Merging with Aastra Technologies (AAH-T). This combination will be accretive. This is an astute management. Thinks it will work longer-term but because it is a small company in the space they work in, it is going to be rocky.

A well-run company in a tough industry (telecom equipment) with a lot of pricing pressure. An interesting thing that happened recently is their large acquisition of Astra Technology. The combination of these 2 companies should generate a lot of synergies. This is where scale matters and cutting some costs and fat from the business will be good for shareholders and lead to significant free cash flow over the next number of years. Has been thinking about adding this to his portfolios, but share price has run up in the last few months and a slightly lower price would be interesting.

Chart shows this is in an upward trend, which is positive. Below its 20 day moving average. Its strength relative to the market is probably pretty neutral. Seasonally, this normally does very well from October through until January of each year. A little premature to be adding at this time.

Still in a kind of a PBX, more sophisticated business. They are now world leaders, and they have merged Astrol into themselves, a similar kind and very compatible company.

(A Top Pick August 6/14. Down 15.42%.) It doesn’t stand out emphatically against all other millions of companies in the communications area. Not a bad company at all.

(A Top Pick Aug 6/14. Down 32.85%.) Thinks the company is solid. It has made acquisitions. An energized and highly motivated company.

This has tested your patience if you are a longer-term investor. From a street valuation perspective, this is in a business that is going to continue to grow. Have made some interesting acquisitions. This falls in the middle of his fundamental and technical rankings.

There are other places he would rather be (e.g. Technology).