Michael SprungGeorge Weston Ltd.WN.TOTOP PICKNov 21, 2012

Boring and defensive. You won't make a lot of money on this, but he fears high risk in the wider market. This is stable. Likes their hard assets.

Holding company that owns Loblaw. When you go up a level to a holding company, you introduce other variables such as a holding company discount -- he tends to avoid them and go closer to the source. WN is buying shares of Loblaw to increase its ownership.

He prefers ATD.

Scores 6 in value and 7 for fundamentals. Still have dominant market share, but negative publicity over pricing can hurt brand trust as well as regulatory oversight. The market sees 16% upside. Doesn't know why there was a big drop-off this year, something to do with product pricing and customer loyalty.

Owns the majority percentage of Loblaw, so does well when Loblaw does well. Defensive. No longer that cheap. Good name to hold in this type of environment, but wait for a pullback.

Likes it for primarily being Loblaws and Choice Properties which has a solid tenant base including Shoppers Drug Mart. Has reasonable growth prospects. The only caveat is politicians complaining about high food prices, but it doesn't bother him. The grocers face costs pressures from energy costs and higher wages.

It owns some choice properties including industrial ones. It trades like a staple and is still below its NAV. If you own you could trim half.

Billy Kawasaki’s Insights - Billy’s most-liked answers from 5i Research. Have been a good place to hide out in the recent market. EPS is growing by 15% for the next two years. Good for a staples company. Debt is high but not unusual for hte company. Repurchasing shares. Looks fine here. Unlock Premium - Try 5i Free

He loves Loblaw, owned by WN. Even with the bakery sale, it will still trade at a discount. Nothing wrong with WN, but he'd rather own Loblaw, which makes up about 60% of WN's value.

WN-T vs. L-T This sector is just not loved right now. Investors just aren't looking at these kinds of stocks right now. Their costs have been moving up but people aren't eating more. Their sweet spot is late April until late May. L-T could be okay so he would hold on to it.