5i Research Founder & CEO Peter Hodson, in a SmallCapPower.com interview on June 13, 2013, recommended a Canadian stock that has since soared 361%. Mr. Hodson, it seems, is not only a super stock selector but has also become a tireless fundraiser in the fight to cure childhood cancer.
5i Research Founder & CEO Peter Hodson, in his SmallCapPower.com interview (watch it here) on June 13, 2013, recommended investors take a look at shares of Amaya Gaming Group Inc. (TSX: AYA). Its stock at the time was trading at $6.35 a share, and has soared 361% since to its recent price of $29.30.
Amaya provides a variety of gaming products and services including casino, poker, sports book, platform, lotteries and slot machines. Some of the world’s largest and best known gaming operators and casinos are powered by Amaya’s online, mobile, and land-based products.
Mr. Hodson liked the company at $6.35 a share, even more so than when it was at $2, due to that fact that it acquired competitors Cryptologic and Chartwell Technologies, as well as Cadillac Jack, which produces the gaming hardware for casinos.
Clarus Securities analyst Eyal Ofir, in a recent Financial Post interview, said he sees more upside in Amaya shares and has raised his target price on the stock to $36. He expects Amaya will generate approximately $2.50 per share in earnings by 2016 and will be able to quickly pay down debt with its growing cash flow.
“While the European market is relatively saturated, Amaya’s purchase of PokerStars potentially accelerates the PokerStars brand into the U.S. market under new ownership,” he told the Financial Post. “The U.S. online gaming market represents the most significant growth opportunity for the industry.”
Amaya Gaming Group is included in SmallCapPower.com’s Expert & Analyst Top 20 Stock Picks, which was launched on January 22, 2014. Since that time, Amaya’s stock price has powered 277% higher (See the other 19 Top Stock picks here).
Not only is Peter Hodson a super stock selector but now, it seems, he’s become a tireless fundraiser in the fight to cure childhood cancer. Mr. Hodson has been chosen as a National Rider for the 2014 Sears National Kids Cancer Ride, in which he will be riding 220 kilometres a day relay-style with a team of 24 riders in a journey from Vancouver to Halifax over a period of just 17 days starting on September 4.
Mr. Hodson has secured the sponsorship of Vitess Bicycles, an extremely high-end bike manufacturer in Toronto, which is designing a special Coast-to-Coast bike for his trip. He will also be posting daily blogs on the ride so supporters can track the team’s progress.
The ride has an ambitious goal of raising more than $1.5 million. Mr. Hodson’s current fundraising goal is $45,000, and he will match all donations up to $15,000 in total. So far, he’s raised close to $38,000.
His main motivation is, of course, helping others. “It’s time to give back. As a Dad, I can’t even fathom what it must be like to have a child diagnosed with cancer. Anything I can do to help this cause I will,” he said.
“As one of the oldest riders on the team, and considering I did make it across once before, I most sincerely do not want to get ‘dropped’ by the younger, faster riders on the team. I need to prove a point here, too.”
Even a recent setback has done nothing to weaken his resolve. On a June 20th training ride, a car u-turned illegally and accelerated into him. His bike was destroyed and he suffered hand damage and a broken finger.
All rider costs are covered by the riders and sponsors so that 100% of donations go to the children and their families.
Donations can be made at www.snkcr.com/peterhodson
