26 Stock Top Picks and 3 ETF (Dec 7-13)

Defensive. Underperformed the broader TSX since last March. He prefers the cyclicals. Very competitive industry, low margins. 16x forward earnings, 8% long-term growth rate. Headwinds ahead of it, such as massive competitors and higher wages.

For tax-loss selling? It's disappointed the market. But it's time to look at it. They should take the company private; the share price is so low, so disastrous since its IPO. Existing owners could buy it all back. Overall, retailing is a difficult space now.

They are one of the largest pawn shop operators in the US and Latin America. They have a counter-cyclical business. As their inventory builds, this will be a good name to hold.

Has traded up quite nicely, so this is not a good entry point. Being from western Canada, the regional bank he prefers is CWB. In Canada, we have lots of choices on banks, and the regional ones are always a trade. His large cap favourites are RY, TD, and BNS.

Likes it. More Canadian-centric than their peers. The banks are delivering very good ROE, though not sure if they can maintain that. CM pays a dividend over 4%. It's well-managed.

He lightened up on the banks last quarter. When stocks stop rising on good news, he gets concerned. Canadian banks had quite a run. Lower yields were a headwind. Likes the US assets. Overcapitalized. Eventually will raise dividends, buy back shares, do acquisitions. He's adding. Valuations are at the higher range, buy you could do…

Highest quality bank to own in the US. Banks will do better when interest rates go up since they work on spreads. They will win both ways on spread and the flow of money into financials. Over the next year, rates should start going up.

Their headline numbers were jaw-dropping last week, earning $15/share and beating the expected $10. Much of that came from gains in equity investments. Nearly every business of their beats, even fixed income and currency trading. Profit and revenue beat last week. Their investment banking division has its best quarter in the previous quarter, and its…

(A Top Pick Dec 07/18, Up 66%) Nobody wanted to buy British stocks. Around 60% of Halma's revenues come outside the UK, so they're paid in other currencies as the pound falls--profits then rise. They make smoke alarms/detectors. Strong long-term potential, though no one has heard of it. Dividend is growing 17% annually. But earnings…

(A Top Pick Nov 11/19, Down 17%) Their revenues and earnings will be up this year. Airlines are relying on government assistance to survive. They won't be able to get new planes after the pandemic and so AL-N will benefit as they will have to lease.

Has long owned this as a core position. They treat water, a water pure play. She hasn't added new money into this and wants to see a 5-10% pullback before buying more. Water is a scarce resource, so hold this stock. Long term, XYL will do well.

One of the best run industrial companies in the US. Multinational, continues to consolidate, highly innovative, pandemic tailwinds. Great long-term, secular growth story. Trump tariffs hurt them, as well as the weaker USD. Trades at 18x earnings, a good time to buy.

(A Top Pick Dec 07/18, Up 36%) A volatile stock, but he likes the golds, holding 10-20% in a portfolio. Gold has a long runway.

Great yield, not excessively expensive at these levels. All telecoms will benefit from 5G. Value of having a strong internet business. Working from home put a lot of pressure on the system, and BCE has one of the best. All will face pressure to service rural areas.

It has been a great stock for many investors. It has an attractive dividend yield that is safe. He does not think electric vehicles will take over. He thinks there will be yield normalization. He thinks it is a good investment as a dividend proxy. He would buy it for a new client.

One of Canada's leading senior oil produces with low-long assets. Free cash flow growth will rise sharply in coming years. Expect more dividends or share buybacks. They're more flexible than peers. (Analysts’ price target is $54.41)

In the midst of a bidding war. More of a hold than a buy. Prospects for material upside are not very high. Better opportunities elsewhere. If you made profits, take some and invest in something like GEI or even TWM, if you have a higher risk tolerance.

PPL vs. ENB vs. TRP TRP, PPL, and ENB are all high quality companies that you can't go wrong owning. He prefers ENB, as its valuation is still at a modest discount, Line 5 is mostly resolved.

They report Thursday. Healthcare so far is avoiding Biden's anti-trust efforts. The stock is over $400, but it's still viable. He foolishly sold his shares earlier.

He's recemmended this before. They're hitting their stride. They announced today an acquisition in Florida which should be accretive to earnings and EBITDA. It's good, because PMH enters a new region. The stock will continue to grow by acquisition, then grow by organic growth by bringing their existing services and products to expand the market.…

(A Top Pick Mar 15/19, Down 24%) He still holds it in the portfolio, but had taken some out at $4 per share. He is looking to add to the cannabis sector again following the consolidation. He holds an $8.25 target. They are producing a CBD and THC beverage.

Largest producer of insulin in the world. Diabetes is one of the fastest-growing diseases. Will continue to do well.

They have not reinvented themselves. They have not restructured. The valuation is reasonable and the dividend is safe. 5G will not fuel future growth for them. He would pass on it.

They report Tuesday. The stock could trend lower, actually, because expectations are so high and could be catching up to them. Normally, the street underestimates MSFT.

(A Top Pick Dec 14/18, Up 109%) Makers of screen technology out of Idaho. Their technology shortened the width of the screen, which allowed manufacturers to add more technology in the same phone body. He sold out at $207. It will give another opportunity to buy in, but there is more competition coming.

It has been a laggard against other Canadian names. It is good for people who want to get rich slowly. He would be fine to buy it here.

(A Top Pick Dec 12/18, Up 15%) Linked to the UN Sustainable Goal: educational, healthcare, food, sanitation companies. Lots of exposure to emerging markets with only 35% US exposure. This will do well along with the world ex-US.

(A Top Pick Dec 12/18, Up 17%) An ETF that tracks the S&P minus fossil fuels and weapons. Strongly correlates the S&P with slight outperformance. You get market returns and do good.

He wants liquidity to be able to take advantage of continued volatility going into 2019. This pays about 2% yield. Think of it as cash. It is an option to step in and do some buying later.