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

Opinion about AAPL-Q: Apple's revenue for the last quarter stood at $94 billion. This reflects a decrease of 1.39% from the previous quarter, indicating some short-term concerns about sustained growth. However, compared to the same quarter last year, there is a promising increase of 9.63%, pointing towards positive year-over-year growth that suggests underlying business strength.…

Opinion about MA-N: The world of business is just fine. Fears of stablecoin, but company has gone ahead and allowed those payments on its credit cards.

Opinion about ZWU-T: Sell BCE and buy this one? He always advocates diversifying a portfolio. You don't want to have too much in one name. Ever. He doesn't know the percentage of the investor's portfolio. If BCE is only 1% of the portfolio and with BCE being relatively cheap, he'd stick with it. But if…

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: Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly We again reiterate VGG as a TOP PICK.  It is a low-MER ETF that offers exposure to US high tech giants along with dividend growing companies.  It manages well in good times and holds its value better during market declines.  We recommend trailing up the stop (from…

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: Healthcare is not a value trap. It's the worst performing sector this year--and could get worse--but the knife has fallen. If you're looking for something to buy in a market with high valuations and possible headlines from inflation prints, look at healthcare. Healthcare is insulated from interest rate volatility. If you're worried…

Opinion about BNS-T: Really likes new management. Changes are finally being reflected in the price. Most diversified of the Big 6. Now has foothold in US market via KEY to promote further growth. International appeal. Capital ratio went up, which is great. More growth and appreciation ahead. Nice dividend yield.

Opinion about TSU-T: Has done very well since its spin-off years ago. Any insurer can generate earnings. If TSU revives their reserves down the road it will wipe out any earnings they've accumulated and any retained capital in that business. In insurance, Berkshire-Hathaway and Fairfax. Insurance stocks are more expensive, because they are counter-cyclical and…

Opinion about QQQ-Q: Pretty crowded trade. They are good companies, but everybody owns them. Much better risk/reward coming from some other sectors. Multiple's not cheap. 

Opinion about RY-T: Will there be a stock split? A done deal. Stocks tend to split above $100, though a stock is meaningless. It's rate to see a bank rise 6% in one day after reporting monstrous earnings growth. RY has been dominant a long time. The PE remains attractived.

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: It has seen many problems this year, including missing earnings and lowering guidance. Insurance is tough to understand, especially when connected to Medicare.  Then again, the valuation fell and aging demographics are tailwinds. UNH is a turnaround story and will need time. It's weird that Buffett is investing in this, since he…

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: Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly MRK has taken a tumble as their long standing cancer drug approaches patent expiry in the next few years, leading some analysts to discount their valuation.  It now trades at 13x earnings, 4x book and supports a 35% ROE.  The yield is supported by a payout ratio…

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: One of the most interesting stocks out there. One of the world's leading pharma companies. Still has a very strong research platform. Earnings have been improving due to cost-cutting. Will probably hit another homerun drug in the next few years. Yield is almost 7%, not in trouble. 

Opinion about NFI-T: He owns it in the Canadian portfolio. There is a supply shortage of buses and it has a new big order from Toronto. There have been some liquidity challenges but they are abating. They make any kind of bus but the electric ones carry the biggest price premium so they can make…

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: It is a growth by acquisition company and is disciplined about not over-paying. It ranks at an attractive level. The cost of fuel is a concern and where do they get their margins. Look elsewhere on an overall basis with consumer related stocks.

Opinion about SU-T: A core Canadian energy name, along with CNQ. Still, energy space has been very tough. Prices have been low, OPEC producing more than expected. Regulatory environment in Canada is challenged, as is the macro global economy.