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Constellation Software Inc T.CSU

Alternate Symbol(s):  T.CSU.DB | CNSWF

Constellation Software Inc. is a provider of software and services to a select group of public and private sector markets. The Company acquires, manages, and builds vertical market software (VMS) businesses, which provide specialized, mission-critical software solutions that address the specific needs of its customers. It is engaged principally in the development, installation, and customization of software as well as in the provisioning of related professional services and support for customers globally. It sells on-premises software licenses on both a perpetual and specified-term basis. It has six operating groups, which service customers in over 100 different markets around the world. The six operating groups include Volaris, Harris, Topicus, Vela, Jonas, and Perseus Group. The Company’s products include Empower LOS, Optimal Blue, NOVA LOS, Reverse Vision, and Axacore. It operates in three principal geographical areas, Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom/Europe.


TSX:CSU - Post by User

Bullboard Posts
Comment by elmothefearlesson Apr 03, 2017 1:07pm
129 Views
Post# 26068775

RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:thinking of shorting

RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:thinking of shortingSo, let me rephrase: "I have no idea what I am talking about."  That was the gist of your message, right?  You came here to tell us how little due diligence you have actually performed on this "short"?

Over the years, analysts have enquired about CSU's hurdle rate/ROIC/required rate of return ad nauseam.  They gave us hints that it is somewhere between 20% and 30%, but have never formally told us.  This means that CSU evaluates its investments on a discretionary cash flow/EBITDA multiple; not on a revenue multiple.   

CSU trades somewhere around 22-23x trailing cash flows and, if certain analysts are to believed, around 17-18x forward earnings.  On a historical basis, that's probably about "fair value".  It should be noted, however, that it is rather "expensive" for CSU (historically CSU has traded at a lower multiple for a variety of reasons).  Compared to US comps or other software companies, 17-18x forward earnings is cheap.

If the market goes down, or CSU doesn't grow like it historically has, the share price will decrease.  If the markets stay flat and we grow another 15-20% this year, the share price will increase.
Bullboard Posts