Latest Top Picks

Stock Opinions by Garth Jestley

DON'T BUY
Acquiring Esprit Energy (EEE.UN-T), which will be positive for them. He tends to favour the more “new generation” trusts. They have taken some steps to strengthen their team and are moving in the right direction and he is watching them.
investment companies / funds
PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Dec 2/05. Down 16.6 %.) Still likes. Dropped along with natural gas prices. Fundamentals are still good.
oil / gas
PAST TOP PICK
Just Energy Group
(A Top Pick Dec 2/05. Down 7.5%.) Still likes. Good entry point.
Utilities
TOP PICK
Waste Connections
(A Top Pick Dec 2/05. Down 4%.) In an economy where there may be some de-acceleration of earnings, this is a defensive holding. Is good at making acquisitions. Good landfill holdings.
Transportation & Environmental Services
TOP PICK
Electronic land Registries. Has a contractual monopoly. Continues to bring on old paper-based records into its registry.
Financial Services
TOP PICK
He has lightened up on the gas-oriented trusts recently because of near-term weakness in gas. However, feels that gas will be going up and this is one of the better names. Recently made a large acquisition giving them good diversification.
oil / gas
BUY
Obsidian Energy
The largest oil/gas producer. The challenge for it will be replacing its production. A core holding for all portfolios. Has a very large land holding to develop or lease. Well-managed.
oil / gas
DON'T BUY
Basically distributes products to the long care sector. A play on the ageing population. 70/75% of its business is very stable. Has performed quite well. Also sells diagnostic equipment, which tends to be volatile. Expensive at the current level.
biotechnology / pharmaceutical
DON'T BUY
Paying a very high price in acquiring Find Energy. It will be a good fit. Good management team. Looking at their high payout ratio and increasing debt ratio, he would stay on the sidelines.
investment companies / funds
BUY
Yellow Pages Limited
A recent negative research report created a drop in price. Good entry point. Likes management.
communications / media
DON'T BUY
Pizza Pizza Royalty
Not enthusiastic about the restaurant sector.
food stores
DON'T BUY
In the equipment rental business in the Toronto area. A highly seasonal/cyclical business. High payout ratio. High debt.
misc industrial products
DON'T BUY
Had shorted this trust earlier this year because of its high payout ratio and gas prices were weakening. There are better ways to play natural gas.
oil / gas
BUY
Just made a management change. A large player in coal bed methane.
oil / gas
DON'T BUY
Has concerns about input costs. High yield is a reflection of the markets concerns of its high payout ratio. There is danger of further distribution cuts. High debt.
chemicals
Showing 1 to 15 of 167 entries