This Week’s Stock Picks & BNN Top Picks Summary: SLF-T, TA-T and 19 Stock and 1 ETF Top Picks (Apr 25-May 01)

Opinion about POW-T: Preferred shares -- when rates go down. With rates going down, you could consider a fixed-rate preferred. He's been buying POW.PR.D, yielding about 6.1%. Beauty of it is that it doesn't reset, it's perpetual. So if the BOC moves rates lower, these preferred shares won't reset to a lower level. Gets more…

Opinion about SLF-T: Their last quarter was penalized due to some stop-loss insurance on their books and a small impairment from an investment in Vietnam and softer flows at MSF, their US investment arm. Is now in a range worth buying. This and MFC remain core holdings of his. It yields a safe 4.13% (Analysts’…

Opinion about EQB-T: Is Canada's 7th-largest bank, actually, including asset management. Is the best performer in bank stocks over 10 years with the fastest growth rate and the highest ROE of all the banks at over 15%. Shares have fallen 20%, now cheap, at 1.2x book value and under 8x PE. Pays a 2.18% dividend.…

Opinion about AIF-T: Are now a pure-play tech company after selling non-tech businesses. With that cash, are buying back shares. They globally lead in software for data analytics valuing and monitoring commercial real estate assets (banks, insurance companies and property managers are clients). 75% of revenues are recurring and high margin. Trades at a huge…

Opinion about BN-T: BN vs. BAM vs. BIP.UN The closer you are to the top of the house in the Brookfield framework, the closer you are to the CEO and the Board, and the incentive structures tend to favour them. Doesn't have the great yield, but has upside. BAM offers you the yield and, broadly…

Opinion about BIP.UN-T: BIP.UN vs. BN vs. BAM The closer you are to the top of the house in the Brookfield framework, the closer you are to the CEO and the Board, and the incentive structures tend to favour them. Doesn't have the great yield, but has upside. BAM offers you the yield and, broadly…

Opinion about TA-T: Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly TA holds a basket of high-quality power generation facilities including renewables.  The company is prudently using some cash reserves to aggressively retire debt and buy back shares.  It trades at 21x earnings and supports a 25% ROE.  We recommend setting a stop-loss at $9.50, looking to achieve…

Opinion about CPX-T: Renewable power assets all across the US and Canada. Natural gas is big for them; also wind, solar, and battery. Numbers reported this morning came out well ahead (by 17%) of consensus. Managed costs effectively in the quarter. Likes the management team. Yield is 5.11%. (Analysts’ price target is $64.73)

Opinion about KEY-T: Last quarter was a nice beat. Asset sales. Sizeable projects seem to be making progress. Low leverage, low payout ratio with nice dividend, lots of volume growth on existing assets. Lots of upside from new project announcements. Natural gas plus getting it offshore are real tailwinds for Canada. Trading ~16.3x 2027, not cheap,…

Opinion about CNQ-T: Is one of the best-managed companies in Canada. All oil stocks have pulled back, so this is an opportunity. Lots of growth potential through the Oil Sands. Pays a 5.76% dividend. (Analysts’ price target is $50.74)

Opinion about HBM-T: They operate in less politically risky areas like Peru which is expanding, and are not in Africa, and a copper mine in Arizona. Also will develop a project in Alberta. Today, they reached an agreement with the Cree Nation in Alberta--good news. Copper is needed for electricity production and we will likely…

Opinion about WDO-T: Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly WDO is a high-grade gold miner operating facilities in Ontario and Quebec.  Production in Quebec is ramping up as deep zone work is exploited -- creating a near doubling of production there.  Strong cash flow is allowing the company to aggressively retire debt while still seeing cash…

Opinion about KNT-T: Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly KNT has been producing gold in Papua New Guinea since 2018 and recently reported a 71% increase in Q1 production, just as gold hits all-time high prices.  Cash flow is so strong, they are able to build reserves while aggressively deploying capital on project expansions.  It trades…

Opinion about TCS-T: They dominate supply chain management software solutions in US hospitals, and are moving into pharmacies. Has recommend it before. Good to buy now on a pullback. They recently raised guidance. Recurring revenues are growing over 30% annually as gross margins top 70% and EBITDA to pass 10% next year. Are buying back…

Opinion about ATRL-T: Very strong portfolio of engineering and design and consulting. Plays into infrastructure, energy, and environment. Focus on nuclear will be important, with 15% of revenue coming from there. If Hwy 407 were sold at a good price, would be a catalyst to create value (but he wouldn't buy something just because there…

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 SES-T: Wish he had owned more shares. They did a good job selling off assets after the competition forced them.  The easy money has been made, unless they buy companies that reduces dependency to oil/gas. 

Opinion about HUT-T: Spread structure used to protect against sudden downward moves? Every year it will lose money because they are always buying “out of the money” put options. This company has some track record but it is worth while watching a little bit longer. The fees on this are incredible and there is also…

Opinion about HPS.A-T: Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly HPS manufacturers electrical transformers such as those used in data centres with plants in Canada, the US, Mexico and India.  Recently reported earnings showed record sales with 11% growth over the yar.  It trades at 15x earnings, 3.5x book and supports a ROE of 26%.  We recommend…

Opinion about UBER-N: Largest ride-sharing and delivery company in the world. Great business model. His son at university uses it all the time (and Richard's paying for it). New CEO has done a spectacular job. Profits are on the rise. Ride-sharing is slightly less than 1% of all driving, massive opportunity ahead. Expanding to smaller…