19 Comments
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Jason Singer's avatar

Nice run down James! Thank you.

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Compounding Quality's avatar

James is amazing!

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David2976's avatar

Rather than a "one size fits all" in terms of margins, it seems best to make comparisons with similar companies where possible, or at least similar industries.

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Compounding Quality's avatar

Fair point. But it's also good to have one framework to analyze business. Keeping it simple is something amazing. :)

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David Vance's avatar

Thanks, James. Well done!

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Compounding Quality's avatar

James is amazing!

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Gert Van De Slijke's avatar

Just went through this one, and it felt off, but then I realized Pieter didn't write this one, so that makes sense... Also, it's easy to comment on others, and my questions may be way off base. So take the following as you will

Starting in reverse with the end score:

15 points, averaged out at 7.5. If I put them in a calculator myself, I arrive at 7,96, or ~8. Compared to other company deep dives, that makes a difference at least to me on whether I even keep them on the radar or not.

Business model -> you know and understand what they do, yet like Vas says: what is the exact product (it's a group, and they have several products/services, recently for growth they are investing in an invoicing solution for their member pharmacies).

Is management capable: The current CEO is not there for 1 year, but for 2 already, and was deputy CEO for several years. But also, if they are really capable to you, then why only 8? Because the CEO is new still perhaps?

Balance sheet: nothing said of goodwill / assets (or even how you score it)

Capital Intensity <-> Capital Allocation: both same score yet one meets your thresholds and one doesn't... (sort of the same with profitability, it scores higher than capital allocation, despite not meeting the thresholds)

No stock-based compensation: they have a plan for the top 3 executives to get 15k stock, performance-based, since 2023... the founder has 23k. This 9 seems not warranted?

https://equasens.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/URD_-_EQUASENS_2022_-_UK_202308291702.pdf section 5.2

... continued in comment, seems to break off here ...

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Gert Van De Slijke's avatar

And no mention of all the acquisitions they made in 2023, which is something that usually warrants attention. In fact, that their net debt/FCF is still so low is very interesting. And the acquisitions they made, look very strategic instead of just keeping potential newcomers out of "their" market.

After all these comments, if I adjust values for myself, I ironically also still come to 7.5 out of 10 :D

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Kuyt's avatar

As the de historical pe ratio is much higher as of today why do you assume the future P/E ratio will be 17

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Compounding Quality's avatar

I like to use a margin of safety. 17x is a fair PE for Equasens in the long term if you ask me.

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Vas's avatar

Where in that analysis is the :

How are they actually making money??

What is the exact product and characteristics?

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Compounding Quality's avatar

It's in point 1 of the investment case right? :)

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Vas's avatar

Well point 1 is a generalisation. What does software solutions for medical professionals mean?

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russell b's avatar

This Chart is hopelessly broken.

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Compounding Quality's avatar

Can you please elaborate?

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russell b's avatar

Have you looked at the chart? Should be pretty self explanatory. It’s broken.

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Compounding Quality's avatar

Not buying the company :)

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russell b's avatar

I’d hope not.

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JP Investments's avatar

Any updated view on the stock given the recent drop?

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