23 Stock Top Picks and 7 ETF (Nov 30 Dec 6)

Opinion about AAPL-Q: Doesn't mind nibbling here around $200. Lots of moving parts, and no one knows exactly how they'll play out. It is a laggard. Support is around $190-200. If you buy here, and it goes 5-10% lower, he'd look to exit. But if it pushes higher, and you're up 10%, he doesn't mind…

Opinion about MA-N: Visa vs. Mastercard Both great, both enjoying growth ahead with much of the world still to adopt cashless payment. MA has seen a little higher growth, but both have good growth and both enjoy 97% gross margins and 67% operating margins. They got knocked about occasionally over fears of regulation. Prefers Visa…

Opinion about ZWU-T: This is a safer way to hold Enbridge, which this ETF holds. This holds diverse dividend payers from Canada and the US in utilities with a covered call overlay to generate extra income.

Opinion about XFR-T: Current yield of 5%. You want floating rates in your portfolio when yields are going up, as it mitigates the negative impact of prices changing. The floating nature means the coupons can set a lot more frequently than would a 10-year bond.If you think about a series of 3-month bonds or other…

Opinion about VGG-T: A global ETF that focuses on dividend growth. In the U.S. market many big companies have global exposure. It is low cost.

Opinion about XLP-N: (A Top Pick Nov 10/23, Up 4%) Will continue to hold. Likes direction of chart. Consumer staples do well regardless of direction of economy. Believes still upside left in stock. 

Opinion about AMLP-N: Above $35, has sold all exposure to AMLP. Closer to $30, it is a good place to enter for a trade. Probably will do well buying dips and selling rallies in the near term. Maximum upside is probably $40. Long term, there are some challenges.

Opinion about XLRE-US: It's all about interest rates. Probably we need to see the 30-year fall below 6.0% to trigger pent-up demand and will likely get it. We're 5 million homes short in the U.S. and have been underproducing for 14 years.

Opinion about XLV-N: He's overweight healthcare and within that is overweight biotech and pharma. There's a reversion to the mean after a brutal election year, but that's always the case. Relief comes when presidential policies are not as dire as expected. These stock have tremendous valuations and pay good dividends and there's growth with aging…

Opinion about BNS-T: Trevor Rose’s Insights - Trevor’s most-liked answers from 5i Research EPS of $1.52 missed estimates of $1.56; revenue of $9.08B was marginally better than estimates. Scotiabank's transition is advancing, driving overall adjusted operating leverage and international segment efficiency improvement, aided by progress toward C$800 million in cost savings this year and primacy…

Opinion about TSU-T: (A Top Pick Sep 10/24, Down 14%) Took write downs on non-core business operations. Now focused on growing highly profitable businesses that are generating very good combined ratios, both in Canada and US. Book value per share has increased. Great buying opportunity. 

Opinion about QQQ-Q: Basically the NASDAQ 100. Acts as a benchmark for a lot of people like himself. Extremely liquid. Trade, rather than invest. Top was around $550, and he thinks it will probably take out those highs before the end of the year. Based on the look of the chart, he'd write calls against it…

Opinion about RY-T: Costs and loan loss provisions were both a bit higher than expected last quarter. Usually get 7-10% compound return over time. Over 10 years, return was 13% annualized. Over 15-20 years, 12%. Likes RY for capital markets and wealth management. HSBC acquisition has turned out well. Dividends are growing for all the…

Opinion about ALL-N: They home and car insurance in North America, doing an amazing job. Over 20 years, they bought back 66% of their shares. At this rate, they will buy the rest in 16 years. Trades at 11x PE with double-digit earnings growth. Insurance rates are rising. (Analysts’ price target is $219.32)

Opinion about TCN-T: The market has punished it too much. It is in the residential rental sector in the U.S., especially in the sun belt. The rentals are affordable and appeal especially to the 35 to 44 year old demographic who want to rent good homes rather than buy. The share price is at a…

Opinion about INVH-N: (A Top Pick Dec 05/18, Up 45%) It's a Blackstone-sponsored company that bought a bunch of single-family homes and rent them out. Blackstone IPO'd this and sold it in tranches over time. Now, the stock has legs and doesn't need the parent's support. They rent to tenants and are adding ancillary businesses,…

Opinion about ARE-N: The largest US office REIT. Used to own it, still likes it alot for owning specialized spaces, like labs for biotechs. But this niche has problems, lacking IPOs and new companies. Is down 20% YTD.

Opinion about CRH-T: He does not own this one, despite the earnings metrics looking solid and there is no net debt. They missed on a recent quarterly earning, but not a bid deal. They are trading at 7 times cash flow and 7 times EBITDA. He would like to see the ROE improve a bit.…

Opinion about BHC-T: Kudos to the new executive at delevering and cleaning things up. Inexpensive valuation. Still a lot of debt. A turnaround story. 3% of your portfolio is a bit heavy. Add some diversity. Had a great move. Be cautious.

Opinion about UNH-N: Medicare patient costs went through the roof. Disappointing profits, withdrew financial guidance (which scared Wall Street to death). WSJ article commented that aggressive business practices made it vulnerable to regulatory scrutiny. Medicare and Medicaid changes could mean lower revenues and higher costs. Won't rebound anytime soon, especially with the big beautiful tax bill.…

Opinion about CELG-Q: (A Top Pick Dec 03/18, Up 47%) Celgene had made a number of mis-steps, including management applying for multiple FDA approvals. One thing he really liked about the acquisition was the price it was bought. The acquisition by BMY helped them diversify and it seems to be going well.

Opinion about MRK-N: Pharmas have not done well. MRK trades at 8x PE. They have one large drug, Keytruda, which makes up 46% of their revenues, which is risky. The chart looks terrible. But MRK has dozens of drugs in phase 2 and 3 trials. Also, this pays a fine dividend. Now is a fine…

Opinion about PHG-N: Medical equipment. In trouble years ago with large sleep apnea settlement. Struggling since then. With everything down, better places to look.

Opinion about PFE-N: Pays a 7% dividend. Something good must be coming out of their Seagen acquisition. The pipeline looks promising.

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 6859-JP: (A Top Pick Jun 02/20, Up 26%) A Japanese company, a leader in test equipment. They are incredibly well positioned without a lot of competition. A global leader. They have zero debt.

Opinion about CHH-T: It is an interesting business. It is specialty pharmacies. They do medication for long term care facilities. They have an interesting pouch technology. They had quite a significant debt load and made a big dent in it when they sold their surgical business. They are trying to pick up new contracts. He…

Opinion about ATD.B-T: Trevor Rose’s Insights - Trevor’s most-liked answers from 5i Research EPS of 68c matched estimates; sales of $20.90B missed estimates of $21.21B. EBITDA of $1.64B beat estimates by 3%. Supply-chain optimization could let Couche-Tard maintain fuel profitability across its key markets for the rest of the fiscal year. US fuel margins declined…

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…