23 Stock Top Picks and 3 ETF (Jan 25-31)

Opinion about MG-T: It won't pull back much from here. Given tariffs, this space is uncertain, but eventually we will settle this tariff war. Auto manufacturing is so emeshed between both countries that it would take a very long time to rejig it. This or Linamar are fine, but Magna pays a higher PE, though…

Opinion about CNR-T: She likes the rails but would like to see more consistency in the quarterly reports and more momentum. The dividend is 2 1/2% which is not great. There is upside in the fundamentals and it should turn around for the long term. It scores 6 out of 10 on the value scale.

Opinion about DAL-N: Over 5 years, their annualized return is 15%, inline with the market, but it suffers these crazy ups and downs on a quarterly basis. Operations are still doing fine, including traffic, while fuel prices are declining.

Opinion about EMR-N: He sold after EMR launched a hostile takeover, but he missed out. His mistake.

Opinion about NFI-T: Competition has withered away. Pays no dividend. He's held this through some tough periods. The problem with a seat suppliers seems to be resolved. Huge backlog. They can withstand tariffs. If they deliver some buses in Q2, 3 and 4, the stock will look good in 12 months. (Analysts’ price target is…

Opinion about VLN-T: Bought in just before the takeout deal was nixed by the French government. Rocket ride lately on the nuclear bid hype, so he sold. De facto world gold standard in nuclear valves. Cheap vs. tangible book value. May buy again if cheap enough. Sees eventual takeover.

Opinion about DRT-T: Customized, prefabricated environmental office interior solutions. High net cash position. Significant upside because of their flexible business model. Surge in office reconfiguration taking place across North America. Top management. No dividend. (Analysts’ price target is $3.46)

Opinion about FANG-Q: Bought more. Great management and M&A strategy, which will add to earnings regardless of the oil price. Likes their cost control and cash flow.

Opinion about BTE-T: (A Top Pick May 23/24, Down 48%) It's down because of the fall in oil prices, pure and simple. He sold this around $4. The stock will excel if oil returns to $70+, but not at $60. He will revisit this at better oil prices later.

Opinion about MEG-T: Thoughts on the offer? Both SCR and MEG held in taxable account. He's not an M&A guy. If you want a really good answer, ask somebody else 😉  A board will often reject something like this because they think it should be higher. And maybe a competitor will come along with a…

Opinion about SU-T: Favourite oil stock? Has made tremendous strides over the last couple of years. BMO's report on insider buying shows highest level in last 5 years, and that speaks volumes. Timing is quite good, with oil showing resistance at $60. Very healthy at under 1x debt to EBITDA.Look beyond 2025, when tariffs will…

Opinion about ECA-T: Just beat earnings and have increased production. Cheap valuation compared to peers. But it's getting more expensive heading into 2021. There's no growth here, but that goes with the entire oil patch. The real issue is will they survive. Their balance sheet is getting better, but still high for a blue-chip name.…

Opinion about ENB-T: Where will supply shift? This year, the Canadian E&Ps are outproducing all other international E&Ps, including Europe, US or Australia. He also bought ENB, which delivers the crude oil to the US. The US refiners have an insatiable need for Canadian oil. There's a 10% tariff on Canadian oil. Well, guess what--the…

Opinion about PXT-T: Yield is 13%. Dividend not sustainable. Great candidate for tax-loss selling, and buy another high yielder (such as WCP) with the proceeds. WCP has meaningfully better assets, reliable management, with no Colombian geopolitical risk. 

Opinion about ATVI-Q: Hold tight or sell with pending takeover? From today's price, $5.50 is in play. As a shareholder, you have to decide if it's worth holding onto your shares to get your $95 per share. There is a chance that the FTC is successful in challenging the US court order, in which case…

Opinion about MSFT-Q: MSFT vs. META Excellent company that meets his criteria. If you made him choose one or the other today, he'd have to say META based on valuation (with the assumption that the investor would hold a position for the long run). MSFT trading ~37-38x PE, whereas META is in the mid-high 20s.

Opinion about SIA-T: Demographics is a huge tailwind. LTC component is a steady business and government-controlled; transitioning a bit away from this. Canada-only. The 85+ demographic is expected to triple in the next 25 years. Yield is 5.6%. (Analysts’ price target is $18.58)

Opinion about CVS-N: Numbers are improving under the new CEO, with good numbers from Aetna and core drugstore business (they closed the weak performers). Though the health insurers like UNH have taken it on the chin recently, he expects Aetna to score. They report Thursday.

Opinion about CXXI-CN: (A Top Pick Aug 09/19, Up 10%) A cannabis company in Nevada. Like Indus, they cleaned up their situation and are turning around. They bought a large dispensary in Nevada near Reno. An overhang was owing the vendor a lot of money, but that vendor has become the new CEO has fixed…

Opinion about PTQ-X: (A Top Pick May 29/20, Up 55%) Oxygen delivery. Recurring revenue model. Very strong outlook.

Opinion about PGR-N: A number of P&C insurers in the US pulled back post-hurricane. Technically, not broken. Sector probably does pretty well going forward. 

Opinion about WIR.UN-T: (A Top Pick Jan 12/21, Up 48%) Great-managed REIT. Taken out.

Opinion about RWX-T: It's real estate in 28 countries. It's something different for Canadians and worth having a look.

Opinion about HRA-T: (A Top Pick Jan 29/19, Up 1.5%) Global Risk Parity balances the risk of growth and inflation. It balances the risks to keep you level. The peak draw down was 12% -- very manageable in the context of recent volatility.

Opinion about TLT-Q: (A Top Pick Mar 12/25, Down 6%) (Note the short timeframe.)  He wanted to trade the trading range. He never uses physical stop losses, as you can get whipped out. It broke down from $85, so then he counts a minimum of 3 days -- yesterday, today, and he'll see what happens…

Opinion about WDO-T: (A Top Pick Apr 29/25, Up 19.4%)Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly Our PAST TOP PICK with WDO has achieved its target at $20.  To remain disciplined, we recommend covering half the position at this time and maintaining the stop at $16.