This Week’s Stock Picks & BNN Top Picks Summary: MELI-Q, V-N and 20 Stock and 4 ETF Top Picks (May 02-08)

Opinion about AMZN-Q: Very positive outlook, based on generative AI trend.

Opinion about NCI-X: IT services. Like a "baby" GIB.A. Based in Toronto, but provides services mainly in the Middle East and mostly in Saudi Arabia. Diversified customer base. Sub-$100M market cap. Growing topline extremely fast, profitable, nice balance sheet. No dividend.He likes to come on the show and sometimes present a name that investors haven't…

Opinion about MELI-Q: "The AMZN of Latin America", without the cloud business. Largest online e-commerce and payments ecosystem in the region, active in 18 countries. Valuation's not all that bad. The fintech arm is growing faster than the e-commerce side. Shares trending higher since mid-2022. EPS growth rate forecast at 35%. One of the top…

Opinion about GE-N: In the US industrial space, he'd be more inclined to look at the smaller- and mid-caps. Those will benefit from reshoring and lower interest rates.

Opinion about LMN-X: Slowdown in M&A on this name, so it's lagging both CSU and TOI. And that's why he chose it this time around. As soon as the M&A picks up, stock should rerate higher. High quality. No dividend. (Analysts’ price target is $52.67)

Opinion about PYPL-Q: Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly We reiterate PYPL, a leader in online payment systems, as a TOP PICK.  The company is introducing AI into its platform for payments that could well be a game changer and renew their position as the market leader.  It trades at 15x earnings (half its historical valuation),…

Opinion about DHR-N: Diversified diagnostics and bio-processing franchise. Good capital allocators. On the upswing in terms of cyclicality. Under-deployed balance sheet can be utilized accretively. Until recently, valuation was coming down. Defensive healthcare, a more resilient vertical than industrials. More complex treatments of the future benefit a name like this (and TMO). Yield is 0.64%.…

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 ASC-N: Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly The shipping sector has come under increasing pressure as the speculation of US tariffs continues.  Earnings estimates for ASC have been heavily discounted into the share price, so if there is any upside impacting the shipping sector the stock should respond very positively.  It trades at 8x…

Opinion about TK-N: Teekay is one of the world’s leading marine services company and a vital link in the global energy supply chain. We bring energy where it’s needed – anywhere in the world – to power the global economy and to improve people’s lives. That’s the Teekay SPIRIT. We put safety first. No compromises.…

Opinion about BA-N: A leading global aerospace company and top U.S. exporter, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. Our U.S. and global workforce and supplier base drive innovation, economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing is committed to fostering a culture based…

Opinion about PRL-T: Loans mostly in the US, also a Canadian division. Recent UK acquisition. Last week, refinanced debt at substantially lower rate and upsized it. Now has lots of firepower at a lower rate. Growth, nice dividend, trades at 7x PE. Consensus growth for Q1 is 40%. Extremely well run, management owns a ton…

Opinion about TMHC-N: Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly Housing starts have slowed in the US due to tariff uncertainty; however, with trade talks with Canada getting underway in a positive way the fear of rising home building costs may be subsiding.  It trades at 7x earnings, at book value and supports a 16% ROE.  We…

Opinion about V-N: Reliable name. Vast network, trusted brand, unmatched scale. Move from cash to digital payments. Consumer spending remains pretty solid in US. Cross-border transactions remain strong. Pretty capital light, which means very strong free cashflows. About 13% annual growth rate, paying a slight premium for the name. Recently bounced off 200-day MA very nicely,…

Opinion about OAK-N: Our competitive advantages include our experienced team of investment professionals, a global platform and a unifying investment philosophy that is complemented by a set of core business principles. Our expertise in investing across the capital structure has allowed us to cultivate a diversified mix of global investment strategies in three categories: credit,…

Opinion about HRTG-N: Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly We reiterate HRTG as a TOP PICK.  Since emerging from last year's California fires, this insurance company has weathered the loss remarkably well.  Latest earnings showed EPS doubled over the year.  It trades at 10x earnings, 2.3x book and supports a ROE of 27%.  We recommend scaling…

Opinion about BIP.UN-T: Has a global footprint. If you have a TFSA or RRSP, you can buy the partnership units and receive the same dividend as on the corporate units but at a 25% discount--a good value in those accounts. Good dividend growth ahead, paying 5.59% now. (Analysts’ price target is $54.90)

Opinion about ARX-T: Is a long-term hold. It's focused on gas and natural gas, which boasts great fundamentals. Arc is the top nat gas developer in Canada and owns a lot of its infrastructure, so are vertically integrated. The 2.93% dividend and cash flow are growing. Buy below $25, if you can. (Analysts’ price target…

Opinion about IEFA-N: Developed markets outside NA. Most investors are not diversified enough outside the US and Canada. International markets are on a bit of a tear YTD, up ~14%. Valuations are cheaper in these markets, greater shareholder returns via dividends and buybacks. Soft US dollar helps international markets. MER is 0.70%.

Opinion about VIDY-T: A nice way to diversify away from North America. Dividends tend to downrisk a bit in a portfolio. Cheap. Simple dividend methodology. High allocation to European financials. Less on growth. Dividend yield is not super high, so don't expect big income gains.

Opinion about MART-T: He likes to point out that he and his team are research analysts, not portfolio managers. So his "picks" are actually "research highlights" that have come up in his work.This ETF bubbled to the top of his screen when researching which sectors were less exposed to US revenue sources. Staples are already…

Opinion about VALT-T: Can act as a diversifier, moving differently from stocks and bonds in your portfolio. A simple product. Global markets are worried about the trade war, and gold is behaving exactly as it should in that situation. Currency hedged, so it outperformed recently when the USD fell suddenly but the CAD jumped by…

Opinion about NCSM-Q: Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly Following recently reported earnings, we reiterate NCSM as a TOP PICK.  Key metrics including margins and revenues exceeded the upper ranges of management guidance.  Cash reserves are growing for the frac company and should continue as commodity prices stabilize.  Management reported very good progress on business expansion…

Opinion about RPRX-Q: Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly Following recently reported earnings, we reiterate RPRX as a TOP PICK.  Their drug portfolio royalty receipts are showing steady growth - up another 12% this year.  Management sees good progress on new projects, including a recent announcement of a partnership with Biogen.  It trades at 17x earnings,…