Waste Connections (WCN.TO)

Good strong management team did a good job of growing the business. Benefits from a steadily improving economy. 2.3% dividend that will grow.

Pretty good earnings but there is no question they have been helped by the improving US economy. Industrial waste is what has been really improving their margins. Big cash flow generator. Likes the dividend and that they buy back stock.

(Top Pick Jul 10/13, Up 23.93%) Acquisitions have been doing very well. There is still a little bit of upside.

Thinks there is real value here. Turned out to be a bit more of a cyclical of an industry than people had thought. When manufacturing went down, commercial waste went down which had an impact on this company. Right now conditions are good. Still an industry that is in need of some consolidation. Wouldn’t be surprised to see a dividend increase in 2014. Yield of 2.36%.

Thinks this will benefit from the uptick in housing and commercial development in the US as they now have a fair amount of exposure to industrial waste. Still trades at a deep discount to its competitors. Generates a lot of free cash flow. Could be a takeover candidate down the road.

(A Top Pick June 10/12. Up 24.18%.) Seemed to have gotten their troubles in the Northeast US under control. Recent earnings have been on a more positive trend. Very well managed. Still has some upside from here, but possibly not a great deal.

Three things for sure in life: death, taxes and garbage. As the economy grows there is more garbage. More industrial and residental waste. Has been pretty quiet, then last quarter started showing signs of life. Bin still sees a lot of opportunity for consolidation, so dividends aren't necessarily in the future.

Has been out of favour. Chart shows it had a falling wedge, which is very bullish. Thinks this is just the early part of an advance.

(Top Pick Oct 07/11, Down 13.26%) Pretty recession proof business but operations are where this company got challenged here. 3% yield is safe and should have supported the stock better.

Pays a bit of a dividend and fundamentals are positive although not fully developed. If it holds here it is a support level. He put a tight stop on it. It has come off to near this support level.

(Top Pick Oct 31/11, Down 2.51%)

Involved in consolidation in the solid waste management. Did a huge US acquisition so has more volume in the US than it has in Canada. Stock hasn’t done much. He views the opportunity here as building a large-scale company in a very fragmented industry, in both Canada and US, growing revenue and earnings over time. 2.8% dividend.

(A Top Pick Aug 23/11. Down 4.78%.) Well managed company. Unlike some of their larger competitors, they are still able to acquire similar companies without running into antitrust etc. Could see it around $25 in 12 months.

(A Top Pick Aug 9/11. Up 4.71%.) Likes the attributes of this business. Big free cash flow generator.