IBI Group (IBG-T)

Billy Kawasaki’s Insights - Billy’s most-liked answers from 5i Research. Recent results were positive with good growth in profitability and revenues. Debt is still high at 1.8x debt to equity ratio. The stock trades at 1x forward price to sales due to this. However, if the company continues to grow revenues and increase profit margins, the shares will do well. Unlock Premium - Try 5i Free

(A Top Pick January 8/18 - Down 50%) They met with the management team and felt not so good for their US business. Trading now at level that it is very attractive. A lot of value in the business.

Construction specialists, more on the architectural/engineering side. They are going to benefit from much more infrastructure spending in Canada. They also benefit from the urbanization trend, as a lot of the work they do is architectural work for condo development, transit systems for cities on a global basis. Trades at a bit of a discount to some of its peers. 15% of revenue is really in the technology business, basically software that they use to help to power and organize manage transit systems, or the HVAC system for a condominium or office building. There is a lot of data in this, and if they were to spin that out, it should garner a much higher multiple than their traditional architectural/engineering business. Insiders own about 30%. (Analysts' price target is $9.50.)

They went through tremendous changes over the last couple of years. It is getting bigger. There is a bit infrastructure theme, as well as the Smarty City business. When they eventually build it out, it will be extremely valuable. He would not be surprised to see a dividend in the next year. (Analysts’ target: $9.50).

(A Past Top Pick Jul 14/16, Up 51%) A much improved balance sheet and management is really executing on their balance sheet.

(A Past Top Pick Oct 25/16, Up 11.45%) He still really likes it. They have a technology software business that is 16% of revenue. They monitor transit systems and a number of other software applications. If they ever spun that off they would get a high price for it. Management owns a lot of stock themselves.

(Top Pick Mar 9/16, Up 68%) The stock got crushed and then they did a nice recapitalization. Then their margins started to get better. He was looking for confidence in management and found it with this one. He only owns the convertible debenture now. They should benefit from infrastructure spending.

A little different from some of the other engineering/construction companies that would benefit from infrastructure, because their business is based more on architectural work as opposed to systems design. Good management.

Sold his stock, but has a convertible bond. Feels it still has legs as there is a lot of infrastructure spending in the world. They specialize in urban infrastructure such as tram systems, which is a growth industry for decades. Easy money has been made, but you could still grind out some gains and he is happy to hold it.

An engineering construction company, focused more on the architectural side. Poised to benefit from the infrastructure spending. They are also benefiting from the condominium boom where they are doing a lot of development and architectural work in Canada and the US. It had always been a good steady business, but they had too much leverage, and have been working hard to reduce that. As they reduce the debt, value will transfer from debt holders to the equity holders, and the share price will gradually increase over time.