Jean Coutu Group (PJC) (A) (PJC.A-T)

He does not hold because of valuation and that the sector is one that he does not need to be in. If you are sitting on gains, there is nothing wrong with taking them. It may go up because of share buybacks, however.

Operates pharmacies primarily in Québec. He likes the space and it does meet his criteria. Their cash ROE is just shy of 30%, and their cash ROE/PE metric is about 2.67. Based on those metrics, this would be a good one to own.

Because of the Québec base and lack of growth, he wouldn’t go to this.

In retail, he would be looking at off-price retail or convenience. Alimentation Couch-Tard (ATD.B-T) is one. Jean Coutu is down about 10%-11% from its highs and is underperforming the group. Likes the consumer, but wants to own one that has a bit of a tailwind.

He does not know the seasonality on this one. The chart is not so good. The stock is in a downward trend and may be trying to find support above $18. It is underperforming the market, below the 20 day moving average, and the momentum indicators are on the downside. There is insufficient reason to buy at these levels. Watch it to see if it bottoms.

Governments are getting really difficult to deal with if you are a pharmacy. This is a good space because healthcare is a growing area, but there are these little headwinds that can give you pause.

The seasonality on this tends to positive in the summer. The stock tends to peak out around the middle of September, so we are getting close to the end of a period of seasonal strength. Technically the trend is down, but seems to be trying to form a base. Trading below its 20 day moving average which is not so good. Short-term momentum indicators are slightly positive. The time to take profits is probably from the middle to the end of September.

In the downturn this stock most definitely took out its past lows. Had been making a higher lows and higher highs and the last low of around $24 definitely broke. It may be starting to put in a base, but he would like to see it bounce around a bit and find support at around $19 before buying.

There was some news recently on prescriptions in Quebec, similar to Shoppers a couple of years ago. He likes the pharmacy business, however.

This has been under pressure because of declining generic drug prices. Pays a decent dividend and, on a valuation basis, this is a good entry point. Likes their franchise model, which means their CapX is much lower than if they were corporately owned. About 95% of the stores are franchised, so there is a reoccurring revenue stream with not a lot of capital tied up.

Kind of a Shoppers Drug Mart of Québec, and has a dominant position there. Stumbled very badly a few years ago making US acquisitions, but are now doing better. Has pretty much has recovered from its woes of the past. This is worth a look.

This stock has done fabulously well. They made all of these acquisitions. The stock has, fairly far, outrun its FMV because of their tremendous momentum with acquisitions. He is not surprised that the stock is setting back. It is historically high and also high against all of his parameters too. It is expensive.

Alimenation Couche-Tard (ATD.B-T) or Jean Coutu (PJC.A-T)? He prefers Alimenation Couche-Tard.

This has done quite well. Pharma business is attractive, but there is some sort of takeover element in this name. A growth story and very well managed. She would wait for a pullback.

Thinks they are driven by money coming out of SC-T when it was acquired. They increased the dividend and this is driving the stock. They are now more shareholder friendly. Doesn’t think it will be sold in our lifetime.