Show notes
What did two summers as a prison guard teach John Ewing about shareholder activism? A lot, it turns out. Before co-founding Ewing Morris Investment Partners, Ewing learned how to stay calm under pressure, exert influence without force, and solve problems without escalating conflict. In this episode of In the Money with Amber Kanwar, he explains how those early lessons shaped his low-drama, high-conviction approach to engaging with management—and unlocking hidden value.John breaks down his unique philosophy: why he avoids mega-cap tech and prefers small and mid-cap North American stocks that offer misunderstood value. Learn how he applies private equity-style thinking to public markets digging into balance sheets, calling suppliers, and even walking factory floors to spot undervalued opportunities.From early activist wins like ZCL Composites to recent battles at Parkland (PKI.TO) and InterRent (IIP.UN.TO), John shares the inside scoop on Canadian shareholder engagement, the importance of aligned boards, and why Canada is an ideal market for activism. In the mailbag: John weighs in on undervalued Canadian REITs like Primaris (PMZ.UN.TO), the shake-up at InterRent, and whether he’s bullish on Mattr Corp (MATR.TO), Computer Modelling Group (CMG.TO), or Red Cat Holdings (RCAT). Plus, why he stays away from balance sheet-heavy lenders like GoEasy (GSY.TO) and Propel (PRL.TO).Then, it’s time for his Pro Picks - three high-conviction small-cap stocks he’s buying now: Latham Group (SWIM): A pandemic darling turned comeback story in fiberglass pools, Driven Brands (DRVN): The quiet winner in auto quick-lube services with scalable unit economics and Minto Apartment REIT (MI.UN.TO): A potential take-private candidate trading at a steep NAV discount.If you’re looking to invest with conviction, understand activism without the headlines, or simply want to discover under-the-radar stocks with long-term potential - this episode is packed with actionable insights.Timestamps00:00 Show intro02:00 John Ewing’s investing style in small and mid-cap stocks 04:30 The evolution of John’s activist investing06:00 What John learned from his summer job as a prison guard08:00 John’s first activist campaign11:00 John’s thoughts on the outcome with Parkland16:00 Are companies getting more sophisticated in dealing with activists?19:00 How does macro fit into his approach?20:00 ITM Mailbag: What does John think about the shake-up at Interrent (IIP.UN)24:25 Does John still own and like Mattr? (MATR) 27:55 John’s opinion on Computer Modelling Group (CMG)34:00 How do site visits help John evaluate a business?36:20 Why John likes Primaris REIT41:15 Why John stays away from names like goeasy42:40 Why John isn’t interested in a name like RedCat Holdings44:50 John’s Pro PicksSponsorsThis episode is sponsored by BMO InvestorLine. Learn more at https://wealth.bmo.com/wealth/onboard/onlineinvesting/#/set-expectation?lang=en&ecid=pr-2886232INV1-JNBMO20For over 25 years, Raymond James has been helping Canadians achieve their financial goals. Visit raymondjames.ca today to discover how you can live a life well planned.Pro Picks is brought to you by ATB Financial. Visit ATB.com/inthemoney for more information. Linkshttps://inthemoneypod.com/ https://instagram.com/inthemoneypodhttps://facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569721774740 https://twitter.com/inthemoneypod https://tiktok.com/@[email protected] The information provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or professional advice.The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any organization or company. The host and guests may maintain positions in any securities discussed on the podcast. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor or professional before making any investment decisions.BMO DISCLAIMER Terms and conditions apply. BMO InvestorLine is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of Montreal. Member – Canadian Investor Protection Fund and Member of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization. The opinions and views expressed in this presentation are those of the presenter and not necessarily BMO InvestorLine Inc. This presentation is prepared as a general source of information and is not intended to provide legal, investment, accounting or tax advice, and should not be relied upon in that regard. If legal or investment advice or other professional assistance is needed, the services of a competent professional should be obtained. Any information contained in this presentation does not constitute and shall not be deemed to constitute advice, an offer to sell/purchase or as an invitation or solicitation to do so for any entity. The content of this presentation is based on sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. BMO InvestorLine Inc. and its affiliates, sponsors and employees do not accept responsibility for the content and makes no representation as to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the content and hereby disclaims any liability with regards to the same.In the Money delivers expert stock picks, market analysis, and timely investing insights. Hosted by business journalist Amber Kanwar, each episode features interviews with top portfolio managers and financial experts. Covering everything from ETFs and Canadian stocks to global investing trends, dividend strategies, and risk management, this show is made for DIY investors, stock market enthusiasts, and anyone looking to sharpen their financial strategy.Contact: [email protected]#IntheMoney #Investing #StockMarket #CanadianInvesting #FinancialNews